Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Yorkville

Yorkville is undergoing quite the densification. The odd mix of Victorians, 1980s developments, high-rises, and really high end retail all in an extremely pedestrian neighborhood offers those that visit and live there plenty to look at. The addition of more and more high end condos further anchors it and the adjoining Rosedale neighborhood as the playground for Toronto's rich folks.

Looking towards Avenue and Bloor:


The Hazelton Hotel has recently planted itself in Yorkville and fits well. Recently, an application has been made for the current Four Seasons Hotel (seen in the background) to be two skinny towers - 58 stories and 48 stories.

I believe this area can withstand greater density. It is essentially located on both subway lines, has a healthy blend of office space, condos, and retail, and is in a desirable location in the city in general. The city has already stated that this density will not be allowed. Perhaps the developer put in an application for a greater density that even they did not necessarily want and only did it so that the city would balk, the towers would be lowered to say, 45 and 35 stories, and then everyone would be happy.

I think 45 and 35 would be good options. However, when one thinks about the absurd density being put into the Distillery (currently a 32 story tower and applications in for a 48 and 40 story tower), which is a 20-22 minute walk from the subway and a 5-7 minute walk to the streetcar which is nowhere near other amenities, it seems to make total sense to have a 58 and 48 story tower in Yorkville. Why not?

Looking towards the Hazelton Hotel & Condo building



Looking towards Yonge & Bloor and the future site for the Four Seasons Hotel


The new Four Seasons will add even more height and money into this area. Behind the two towers on the right will be 80 story 1 Bloor East, which will dwarf these buildings.