Massey Tower (197-201 Yonge Street) | Proposed | 207 m | 60 st | Downtown

[skyscraper03]

Originally Posted by Travis007

Massey Tower, Toronto

http://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/massey-tower


image hosted on flickr

I always thought the two historic pieces of buildings (look like siblings) on each side must be combined by a medium and balanced. For instance, they could have designed one majestic piece of contemporary architecture (right) in the middle embracing the two historic buildings on both sides.

[Taller, Better]

That is not the current rendering:

Originally Posted by isaidso

Courtesy of UT

and:

[QUOTE=Travis007;88984577]Official Massey Tower renderings released!

Check the UrbanToronto database for more information and renderings.

http://urbantoronto.ca/database/proj...y-tower-condos

image hosted on flickr

[KrispyInToronto]

[ONE HUMAN]

Originally Posted by skyscraper03

I always thought the two historic pieces of buildings (look like siblings) on each side must be combined by a medium and balanced. For instance, they could have designed one majestic piece of contemporary architecture (right) in the middle embracing the two historic buildings on both sides.

In an ideal world, both historic structures should have been incorporated into the same new development. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in.

[Taller, Better]

But surely the way to look at is that with a posh new neighbour like this project, it is only a matter of a short while before new life gets breathed into the more beautiful banking building!

[Nouvellecosse]

That's the spirit!

Would make a cool upscale restaurant.

[Toronto2008]

or a small museum

[isaidso]

What about turning it into a tourist information centre? That stand at Dundas Square is a glorified pamphlet stand. The staff are nice, but they are there to sell tickets. We need a place staffed with people who are a fountain of information about Toronto, who can give out great advice, give directions to visitors, and free help to tourists.

[Taller, Better]

The best use for an old bank is to become a bank again; in my opinion the best way to view a historical building is to see it operational in the same context as when it opened. The bank that built this branch makes billions of dollars of profit a year, and should be nudged into buying the building back and turning it into a show-piece. For some reason Canadians have never pressured the Big Banks to look after the temples they built 100 years ago; they dropped them like hot potatoes the moment it became cheaper to operate out of a strip mall. Banks will pour megabucks into marathons, but don't seem to give a hoot about their own historical legacies.

[isaidso]

I was thinking about this very issue a few weeks back when someone posted news about one of the big banks closing down its grand banking hall in old Montreal. Honestly, I don't see why these great spaces are considered unusable by these banks. The needs of a retail outlet aren't that restrictive.

You're correct that the best use of the old bank is for it to become a bank again, but our banks don't seem to see the value in that. I think it would do wonders for their image, but we need to come up with other uses till they see the light.

[Taller, Better]

Or.... we need to start pressuring banks to become more historically supportive. Special interest groups have massaged billions out of banks for a wide array of events; we should be able to convince banks that part of being good corporate citizens is to help us look after our historical structures that they themselves built.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

The best use for an old bank is to become a bank again; in my opinion the best way to view a historical building is to see it operational in the same context as when it opened. The bank that built this branch makes billions of dollars of profit a year, and should be nudged into buying the building back and turning it into a show-piece. For some reason Canadians have never pressured the Big Banks to look after the temples they built 100 years ago; they dropped them like hot potatoes the moment it became cheaper to operate out of a strip mall. Banks will pour megabucks into marathons, but don't seem to give a hoot about their own historical legacies.

Hmm, I suppose. But to me, the issue isn't just what's best for the building, but also what's best for the street, and I have to wonder if a bank branch would really be the most beneficial new business or service to come to that area. After all, Yonge is often considered the heart of Toronto, and a very busy retail, tourist, and entertainment street. How much does the typical bank branch add to these things? I suspect they would offer little for non-bank clients to actually do other than looks at a small plaque commemorating the building's history.

Besides, I'm not sure how responsible a bank should feel toward real estate that they sold many years ago. When buildings like this were constructed, virtually all of a bank's business was funneled through these palaces. But then more and more branches started opening making the central branches less essential, and then ATMs made all branches less important. Now telephone and especially internet banking have taken so much activity away from real buildings, that even strip-mall location are probably not all that profitable. I have to wonder if that function would see the building properly utilized.

[isaidso]

They do need a RBC down there some where. It's the only one of the Big 5 that isn't represented in the Eaton Centre or just outside it. I'm always surprised by its absence; the closest is the HQ down on Bay/Front or Yonge north of College.

[Toronto2008]

They used to have an ATM just north of Queen on Yonge (in a little nook). Not sure if it is still there...

[isaidso]

They got rid of it to my continuing dismay.

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by isaidso

They got rid of it to my continuing dismay.

There's an RBC ATM in the PATH under the Thomson Building at Queen & Bay.

[AndrewJM3D]

Originally Posted by skyscraper03

I always thought the two historic pieces of buildings (look like siblings) on each side must be combined by a medium and balanced. For instance, they could have designed one majestic piece of contemporary architecture (right) in the middle embracing the two historic buildings on both sides.

If they did that people would say it looks like a Dildo.

[AndrewJM3D]

Originally Posted by isaidso

What about turning it into a tourist information centre? That stand at Dundas Square is a glorified pamphlet stand. The staff are nice, but they are there to sell tickets. We need a place staffed with people who are a fountain of information about Toronto, who can give out great advice, give directions to visitors, and free help to tourists.

I suggested that a page or two back. Yonge Street could use an epic tourist centre. The Ontario one on Dundas sucks.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

I suggested that a page or two back. Yonge Street could use an epic tourist centre. The Ontario one on Dundas sucks.

An Australian co-worker pointed it out to me a few years back. She said this was the first city in her world travels that didn't have a proper tourist centre. It is really bizarre. We talk about how we want tourists, but do very little for them once they're here.

Setting up a stand with pamphlets is pathetic. You can go to the dinkiest little town and they'll have at least a shack with a friendly lady inside eager to show off her town. Toronto? You're on your own.

[Taller, Better]

Isn't there one at Eaton Centre? Maybe we could have a combo Tourist Centre/Museum of Toronto in the same building! Although realistically the best location for a tourist centre is at Dundas Square.