Loblaws, City Hall at odds over 1928 Art Deco HQ

[urban 2.0]

Originally Posted by bloojays

Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/4418140...n/photostream/

There's a few pictures there.

... ya but wouldn't this look so much better? This is what the Canadian Wal-Mart wants to build. Screw the city, screw urban context.

[valantino]

oh c'mon...

...as it they're are going to build their suburban format store


the existing building is an eyesore in an advanced deteriorated state and while its easy to blame the owners, previous or current, for its deteriorated state, keep in mind they've unsuccessful have being able to find tenants for the thing in the last 20 years which includes the tech boom

and while a large format grocery store is incompatable and will require extensive alterations (possibly leaving only the facade which is the only thing of value), it is better than another decade of decay and the eventual complete destruction from fear of collapse

seriously, what happened to you? you were always a dreamer but never as insipid as the late AreBe

[Taller, Better]

AreBe. Bless him. Sometimes I feel like he is with us still.....

[ggaleazz]

Hasn't demolision of this building already begun? I thought I saw some loft style condos advertised there over the summer

[bizorky]

^It's still there.

[current]

Jan 1

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

[AndrewJM3D]

It would make a nice base for something tall.

[Professor X]

I say turn it into a multiplex, if possible; there are people living nearby who will want to go to the movies, and they don't always want to go somwhere else in downtown, so a movie theater there would be great.

[Marcanadian]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

It would make a nice base for something tall.

I can see that happening. Either that, or lofts.

[monkeyronin]

Or just commercial space. Either way, they'd better not be tearing it down...

[Mollywood]

It's about time something happened with this building. The Fort York neighbourhood is all high density, yet it has no retail, no cafes, no restaurants and almost no services. It's deserted most of the time, except for the occasional dog walker. This place desperately needs some animation, so I hope this building helps in this regard. Fort York (the neighbourhood, not the historic attraction lol) needs a Tim Hortons! That crappy gas station Tim Horton's machine just doesn't cut it. I could not live in a neighbourhood that didn't have a Tims.

[AndrewJM3D]

It really is a great building and the missing link in the area in terms of wasted property.

[OEincorparated]

I'd let Loblaws tear it down and build a much needed Real Canadian Superstore there. Every neighbourhood need a RCS near by and this is just the spot for Fort York Neighbourhood. The building is too old to renovate I've been by it many of time going down to CNE, it is starting to fall apart. No wonder Loblaws doesn't want to move into it, there should really just tear this sucker down and build a new building there.

[jje10001]

Originally Posted by OEincorparated

I'd let Loblaws tear it down and build a much needed Real Canadian Superstore there. Every neighbourhood need a RCS near by and this is just the spot for Fort York Neighbourhood. The building is too old to renovate I've been by it many of time going down to CNE, it is starting to fall apart. No wonder Loblaws doesn't want to move into it, there should really just tear this sucker down and build a new building there.

Hahaha, really?

How in the world do you know that the building is falling apart? Have you actually been inside? And the last time I checked, supermarkets are not located only in soul-sucking big box developments.

p.s. A Real Canadian Superstore is actually going in there.

[AndrewJM3D]

Originally Posted by OEincorparated

I'd let Loblaws tear it down and build a much needed Real Canadian Superstore there. Every neighbourhood need a RCS near by and this is just the spot for Fort York Neighbourhood. The building is too old to renovate I've been by it many of time going down to CNE, it is starting to fall apart. No wonder Loblaws doesn't want to move into it, there should really just tear this sucker down and build a new building there.

You go by it once a year to go to the EX? Your opinion on it and the area is no longer valid, sorry.

This is one of the last good examples of Art Deco that needs to be brought back from the dead in our city.

[OEincorparated]

Originally Posted by jje10001

Hahaha, really?

How in the world do you know that the building is falling apart? Have you actually been inside? And the last time I checked, supermarkets are not located only in soul-sucking big box developments.

p.s. A Real Canadian Superstore is actually going in there.

If a Superstore is already going into the building what are the two sides at odds with? That is why I guessed the building is not suitable and Loblaws wants to tear it down while city wants to keep because of it art deco fascide.

[OEincorparated]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

You go by it once a year to go to the EX? Your opinion on it and the area is no longer valid, sorry.

This is one of the last good examples of Art Deco that needs to be brought back from the dead in our city.

I've been by it just recently, the area is like the badlands. Not to many signs of life during the winter months. Quit a few windows are smashed and now that won't help the building hold up. If they are to keep it they need to do something quick, like the previous post stated the building hasn't had a tenant for over 20years. Gives me the impression it just isn't suitable for much.

[AndrewJM3D]

To be fair all of Queens Quay is a barren wasteland in the winter. I have many friends down there that will agree, winter sucks for them. No matter what goes in there you can't change how the area gets in the winter.

[isaidso]

It's shocking how people are quick to conclude that a building isn't worth saving because they've driven by it a few times and seen broken windows. So, if Maple Leaf Gardens or some other historic building goes without a tenant for a decade or 2 we should demolish those too? That's what renovation is for: to upgrade buildings so that they become great assets once again.

Having no regard for the city they make their money from reflects poorly on Loblaws.

[OEincorparated]

But Loblaws it renovating Maple Leaf Gardens, the problem with The Art Deco HQ is more in the sense it is not suitable. Could be to many beams in all the wrong areas, who knows. But if Loblaws has already gone in and made this assesment what other option other then to withdraw their bid of opening a Grocery type Superstore there.

To me it seems like the City wants a Loblaws in that loaction but doesn't want for the building to be removed. It ain't fair for Loblaws to have to go in to a building that they've already deem unsuitable for there purposes, now is it?

Fair thing would be for the city to let Loblaws do what they have to do or go after another tenant.