By WolfBlitzer on UT.

From Urbanation's Twitter Feed:

29-storey, 211 unit condominium apartment planned for Gloucester Mews site at 2-8 Gloucester St & 601-613 Yonge St: http://t.co/xz9VE35


By Travis on UT.

]http://thetorontoblog.com/2011/06/22/condo-tower-in-the-works-for-2-gloucester-street/

Originally constructed as a Masonic Hall, and currently housing loft condos, retail shops and restaurants, the elegant red brick Gloucester Mews building that has graced the northeast corner of Yonge & Gloucester Streets for the past 123 years could soon become part of a condo tower development project...

...According to a development projects entry on the City’s website, an official plan amendment and rezoning application for 2 Gloucester Street was filed earlier this month. However, the website provides no further details about the June 10 application, such as the size or height of whatever building a developer may be planning for the site...

...Architects and urban planning consultants identified the properties as a suitable condo tower site several years ago, and city planners told public meetings I attended this past spring that highrise condo development on the corner site was inevitable. Also this spring, word circulated amongst area residents that the Fire on the East Side building had been sold to a developer. What hasn’t been certain, though, is just how big and how tall a developer will seek to build there. I expect those details will be released soon. And until that information is available, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Gloucester Mews — one of my favourite downtown buildings — will be retained as part of whatever development occurs, rather than being reduced to a mere facade...

...According to architectural journalist Patricia McHugh’s Toronto Architecture: A City Guide (Mercury Books 1985), the Gloucester Mews/Masonic Hall was for “many years the tallest building on Yonge Street north of Dundas.” She noted that the Masons met in a fourth floor hall “for 33 years until 1921 when a new Masonic building was constructed at Davenport and Yonge.” In 1972, the firm Adamson Associates renovated the Masonic Hall, joining it to the “Bay-n-Gable” house at 8 Gloucester with a two-storey glass link. “Though still called Gloucester Mews, the shops-around-a-courtyard mews plan was early abandoned to allow Fenton’s Restaurant to fill the glass-covered interior space as well as the old house,” McHugh wrote...


By ThomasJ on UT.

hi guys - i have some intel on this one. the developer will not be touching the masonic hall - it will remain wholly intact and benefit from the restoration of some of the original details (trim, mouldings, etc).

the tower will be tucked in behind the masonic hall (where the mix of newer additions are currently located) which means it will be set back from yonge by a fair bit (unlike the towers proposed at maitland which are only set off 9 metres from yonge).


By TOfan696 on UT.

I have seen the proposal in full, the town homes are being brought to the property line and 2 Gloucester including the modern stairwell addition are not being touched.

Olympic 76 Pizza buildings will remain (heritage buildings) and will continue to be retail but will be brought right to the property line, the space where fire on the east side is will be torn down and it will be sort of a relief and reveal effect with a glass entrance set back from the two heritage properties. the tower is a fairly standard glass tower and steps back towards the top, architects are Pontarini and ERA.


By dt_toronto_geek on UT.

The site, for those unfamiliar with the area

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge, then click again on the image for full size.

Gloucester Street, just east of Yonge (Gloucester Mews on the left), and walking east along Gloucester Street to the lane-way where the property ends

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/th_GloucesterMews4_June29-11.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/GloucesterMews4_June29-11.jpg) http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/th_GloucesterMews3_June29-11.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/GloucesterMews3_June29-11.jpg) http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/th_GloucesterMews2_June29-11.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/GloucesterMews2_June29-11.jpg)

The lane-way side of the proposed property facing Norman Jewison Park

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/th_GloucesterMews1_June29-11.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/scullydog259/GloucesterMews1_June29-11.jpg)

thank G-d the Victorian building will be saved. It's a true icon on this stretch of Yonge and I hope the tower will respect this.

good, and for a second there i thought the development in Toronto was slowing down as there wasn't a new building proposed for a couple days.

good, and for a second there i thought the development in Toronto was slowing down as there wasn't a new building proposed for a couple days.


LOL

Wonder if this city will recognize that a heritage building includes the WHOLE building and not just it's facade?

Toronto a Facade of City.

The building isn't going anywhere, it's the add on's behind that are going.

Wonder if this city will recognize that a heritage building includes the WHOLE building and not just it's facade?

Toronto a Facade of City.

You will be disappointed to hear that they are not demolishing this building.

.. but are they going to gut it? asking.

No, they are building behind Masonic Hall. In fact, I heard that part of the development calls for the restoration of the building, touching up some of the features of it. It's designated heritage anyway, there would be little chance of it being demolished (unless another Empress Hotel-like fire happened).

It is a hugely successful little outdoor shopping centre as it is. I believe it was one of the first in Toronto.

Here it is:


`http://andrewfare.com/UTC/mytoronto15/gloucmews2.jpg



Posted on UT.

... $ 700,000 for a 600 sq ft "studio"?

Project is by Angel Developments.


By interchange42 on UT.


http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/GloucesterMewsExt750.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/GloucesterMewsPod960.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/GloucesterMewsSky960.jpg

Quite nice.

^^ Agreed. The new condo tower recedes and the restored heritage building takes centre stage. Appropriate design solution.

I'm thrilled that they are completely saving the Vic house, too. I'm not wild about the tower, though... sort of looks like the one beside Wellesley subway station, with a peculiar hat on top.

Looks like Fly night club's days are numbered. I won't miss that club, but club spaces are an important part of a neighbourhood like this. Overall, this seems like a positive development. I'm excited to watch Yonge Street transform over the next 5 years.

Yeah, I thought the same about Fly... and completely agree with you about clubs like that being important to the fabric of the hood. Same for "Fire on the East Side".

Not bad for infill. I like the top, I hope they do make it green like in the render.

... $ 700,000 for a 600 sq ft "studio"?

850,000 for a 435 sqft. at Shangri-La!

... $ 700,000 for a 600 sq ft "studio"?

Where did you get this figure? I can't find it...

current pics:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6583i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6575i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6578i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6579i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6574i.jpg

Fire on the East Side:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6573i.jpg

Olympic Pizza and Fly:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6572i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6569i.jpg

back alley:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/WINTER%202008/Winter%20Part%20Two%202009/Late%20Summer%20Early%20Fall%202009/2010%20Summer%20Part%20Deux/SUMMER%202011/IMGP6570i.jpg

By Marcanadian on UT.

Urbanation posted a link on twitter that clears up the developers intentions with the properties:

2-8 Gloucester Developer Sets the Record Straight (No pun intended!)
Urbanation posted a link to an online article from Xtra! - Canada's Gay and Lesbian News yesterday, see the article here: http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Co...ide-10455.aspx

Angel Developments contacted Urbanation to clarify some of the concerns / issues raised in the article. The developer indicated that "The designated Masonic Hall is being wholly-retained without any internal modifications, and the smaller listed property adjacent to the lane is being incorporated in the development as well" and that the project will not just retain the facades of these buildings but the entire original buildings.

Angel Developments also mentioned that the clubs would not be forced to close and that “we’re currently in the process of discussing a potential lease extension with the owners, while also providing them with clarity as the process unfolds so that their eventual transition away from the property is as seamless as possible”.

Urbanation would like to thank the developer for passing this info on. Transparency in the development industry is much needed to quell misconceptions and rumours from taking hold of the public and causing unneeded headaches. At Urbanation we are very much looking forward to the transformation of Yonge Street in the coming years by Angel, Lanterra, Mod and Canderel.
Have a great weekend.

Good news all round, and sounds very respectful. Maybe they learned about community backlash from the conflab over the Church Street proposal, at Gloucester. It is now "on hold" for six months, at which time it will be re-proposed with modifications, or scrapped.

Yeah, I thought the same about Fly... and completely agree with you about clubs like that being important to the fabric of the hood. Same for "Fire on the East Side".

I'm sure lots of guys have fond memories of both places.

Hariri Pontarini Architects

99.71 m

They couldn't make it a bloody 29 cm taller?

Staff report and elevations (link from Urbanation):

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-39882.pdf

The proposed development retains and preserves the 5-storey designated heritage
building on the west side of the property at 2 Gloucester Street (the former Masonic Hall
including 601-613 Yonge Street) with commercial uses at grade and on the 2nd floors
and residential uses on the 2nd to 5th floors for a total of 16 condominium units. The
individual commercial units have direct pedestrian access on Yonge Street. The access to
the condominium units above grade is at Gloucester Street. The existing rear addition at
6 Gloucester Street which includes the back half of 8 Gloucester Street will be
demolished and replaced with a 29-storey tower containing 211 residential units and
approximately 202 square metres of retail space at grade. The existing heritage semidetached 2 ½-storey building at 8 Gloucester Street will be rehabilitated and incorporated
into the base of the new development.

A good looking proposal overall. This and Five (St. Joseph) are great standards for future growth along Yonge Street with the preserved/restored retail strip and set-back density.

Sorry to tell you, Jewison, but you're just being a classic NIMBY.

http://thetorontoblog.com/2011/10/14/acclaimed-hollywood-movie-director-slams-bizarre-condo-tower-proposal-for-yonge-gloucester-site/

Acclaimed Hollywood movie director slams ‘bizarre’ condo tower proposal for Yonge & Gloucester site

14 Oct 2011

Calling the condo plan “a bizarre idea,” Mr. Jewison expressed dismay that his building “will be completely in shade. Every single window in our building will now be looking into somebody’s bedroom. We’ll have no light. No sun. No view,” he said. “Everything is just squeezed in,” he added, referring to the compact site for the proposed L-shaped, 200,000-square-foot tower which, he said, would bring “a tremendous influx of people into this neighbourhood.”

Mr. Hunter said the developer has been working with its architects and other consultants for more than a year and half to develop its condo proposal. He said the parties realized the project had to be “sensitive” to the linear park and low-rise neighbourhood to its east, and also had to address transportation, heritage and density concerns. He called the proposal filed with the city “a very compatible fit with the existing mix of buildings in the area.”

Mr. Pontarini noted that his firm has “extensive involvement on North Yonge,” having designed the 45-storey FIVE Condos project currently under construction one block southwest of 2-8 Gloucester, as well as the 70-storey One Bloor condo tower presently being built three blocks north. Hariri Pontarini also was one of the consultants involved in the City of Toronto’s Tall Buildings Downtown Project. “We’re very interested in what’s happening along Yonge Street” and in Yonge Street historical preservation, Mr. Pontarini said, adding that the 2-8 Gloucester project “shows how development could occur along Yonge Street.”

His slide illustrations showed that the project calls for the 1878 Masonic Hall building at 2 Gloucester (a City-designated heritage building that now contains street-level retail, along with upper-level offices and condo units) to be preserved and restored, while the building at 8 Gloucester Street (listed, but not yet designated by the City as a heritage building) probably would be pushed forward closer to Gloucester at the southeast corner of the site. No decision has yet been made as to whether that building will be moved in its entirety, or dismantled and reassembled in the new location. Currently occupied by a restaurant and a nightclub, 8 Gloucester would become a “retail component” of the condo development, Mr. Pontarini said.

Audience reaction to the proposal was mixed. I found it curious that several people who spoke in favour of the development used the exact same words, all saying they wanted to “commend” the developer, and all saying they found the glass tower design “intriguing” and “interesting.” One supporter said he thought the development would be “a plus for the neighbourhood,” while another said she thinks it “will upgrade the neighbourhood and make it more beautiful,” since the project will “improve amenities” in the area.

Having your view blocked is part of life in living downtown. The fact it will block Norman's view should not be the decision maker in any project
the project must be evaluated on its own merits.

BooHoo Mr Big Hollywood director. Your PoMo condo hurts my eyes and I will be glad to see it hidden from view.

^^ He scored huge neighbourhood points with me for erecting the dog fountain in the little parkette in memory of his dog Barney. Anyone who does that can't be a bad guy! ;)

Some half witted person backed a park vehicle into it, and broke it... it has been repaired but doesn't work as good as it used to.