Kazakhstani Developer to Transform Yonge and Bloor: Very Niiice!

This is great news. That freakin' City Optical/Harvey's is nasty. Now we just need a developer to do something about the Brass Rail...

I think that 80 storeys is way too tall - it wouldn't relate to anything in the area! But, a new high density development on that corner would be great - especially something that is open at the street level and allows for views through the structure. Who knows, maybe the Bay across the street will be inspried to improve their concrete facade!

I still think 80 floors in mind-bogglingly huge, and at Younge and Boor are going to be visible from quite a ways off...

the bigger the better!

I don't get the "80 storeys is way too tall" argument. This is a business district with existing high-rises! This is where this kind of stuff has to be built. If the intersection of 2 subway lines @ Yonge/Bloor is no place for this kind of development, then there's no place in the city beyond the financial core we'll ever really be able to grow serious density.

That's the spirit Sookie!

No resistance yet. Come on people, I know you're out there. Give us your thoughts or this thing's going up yesterday!

I think toronto should learn something from major metropolitan centres, such as hong kong, tokyo, new york city, etc.. we should make the downtown more dense, so more people can share an area, better for the economy, lower the cost of living in downtown, hence more people will be paying tax but less tax per person, and the money can be used to build a more extensive subway system, as opposed just two lines, which is a joke for the size of our city! 80 storey building is nothing if you look at public housing in hong kong, a lot of them are taller than that.

Don't even think about touching the Brass Rail!!!!

Let's get one thing straight though - no money to Kyle Rae's favourite park or playground. Any developer payoff to the City on height grounds must go into capacity improvements to Yonge/Bloor station, namely a second lower level platform, or this will put more people into a dangerously crowded station.

I know lathamb meant to not mess with The Brass Rail, but the literal take on it is equally apt: For your health, don't even think about touching The Brass Rail!

Can't we do this WITHOUT flattening Roy's Square?

I completely agree with the bigger the better. I just want it to be designed well (no more boring architecture!!!).

I also want attention paid to how this building interacts with the street... there are ways to achieve this.

I also Mark is bang on in his note about expanding capacity on the subway below. Screw Kyle Rae's pet projects. Let's look at the practical needs of infrastructure first (especially considering the impact all of those additional people are going to have on it).

Yes, please, something awesome! I'm so tired of boxy condo towers.

In principle, I am happy to see this corner redeveloped.

Furthermore,a highrise makes more sense here than anywhere....though 60 floors was probably enough.

But its the subway capacity issue that has me concerned.

Yonge/Bloor is jammed right now

And it needs a new lower level platform and expanded mezzanines.

But the lower level of the station, and the mezzanine are built WITHIN the foundation wall of the Hudson's Bay Centre.

Expansion of this station, will conservatively cost over 200 million dollars.

How much can or will this developer contribute?

Where will the City find its share of the cost (the majority)?

That's not to knock this idea...but how are we going to accomodate it?

So the Harvey's over at St. George was demolished for a condo, now this one will be demolished for a condo. No more Harveys in the area. What's someone to do for a good fast-food burger?

Who cares how tall the building is. It matters that it have a unique design, be built of excellent materials and make concessions to pedestrian traffic at the street level.
Unfortunately, the renderings of 1 Bloor East do not lead one to believe that any of these criteria will be entertained. YET again downtown T.O. is presented with suburban mediocrity and it will likely roll over and grant planning approval. When will Toronto city council start respecting their city and LEARN TO DEMAND BETTER?

How can the converting of public retail space (open to all) to private condo space be a good thing?

How cares how tall it is. There are too many condo projects downtown as it is.

Finally the resistance shows up! Great comments all. A few points:

Jeff-perhaps the best comment so far-where's a person gotta go in this town to get a good burger? Must be a vegan conspiracy.

Sanford Riley-the renderings have not been released yet. I'm guessing you are looking at the previous renderings from the old developer. I've been told they will be released at the press conference in April and will be completely different.

Protogenes-I hear what you're saying about taking away public space, but certainly it could be built to include better and more usable public space on the street level than currently exists, n'est pas? [The previous developer had plans for a movie theatre in the space among other things]

Finally, I think the added strain this will put on the subway station that many have alluded to is a point that needs to be addressed.

Protogenes-I hear what you're saying about taking away public space, but certainly it could be built to include better and more usable public space on the street level than currently exists, n'est pas?

When has a condo project actually done that? Nope, at street level you are greeted mostly with a oh-so friendly security guard.

Another fun condo game is "Try to Spot the Minorities" in the billboards that go up to promote any new condo project. It's challenging and hours of fun (King Tut for Bedford One doesn't count).

I totally agree with the comment about the lack of public space. i think that the existing corner does need redevelopment, but perhaps it would be more appropriate to include some areas that can better accomodate pedestrians. I like the idea of a way that is more nature friendly rather than some more unappealing concrete. How close is the nearest park anyway?

Premier, this is Toronto, n'est pas? I think that if Toronto is to really strengthen its position as Canada's financial capital we must continue to develop the centre ville with high densly buildings. Second, enough of these liberal nature ideas. For those who want nature, Toronto has some urban greenspace ,but if that is what people are really interested in they should go to the woods. Third, I like tall buildings and think it will enhance the real estate presence of the area even more.

It has been an utter embarrassment and a reflection of Toronto's mediocre outlook that the main intersection of the largest city in Canada looks like a complete dump!! So finally we have a plan to develop it. I think an 80 storey tower is fine. What I'm concerned about is that it is being developed by a relatively unknown developer (Look at their website: http://www.bazisinternational.com/flash/main.html)
Their claim to fame is the Crystal Blu project in Toronto. Their only other projects are in Kazakhstan. They do not have a track record in Europe or North America. The architect (Roy Varacalli,) who they are proposing to design this is a nobody. Google his name and you will see. Also the proposed rendering of the building is in my opinion pretty ugly. Yes it's high and yes we would get rid of the gross buildings that are currently there, but we need to aim higher. We need to ensure that this building is going to be spectacular and that it is designed by a reliable developer and a world class architect. Please Toronto, stop accepting mediocrity and start demanding excellence!! This is our city - these Kazakhstani developers do not live here. We need to ensure that we demand excellence and that we will not accept anything else!!! Let's make sure that this intersection becomes a truly spectacular, breathtaking place. One that we are very proud of! Please voice your opinions to city council and any public forums on the topic.

I agree with Don L. This is our city, we deserve the absolute best in architecture. We have settled for depressingly ugly, bland and boring architecture for way too long!

These Kazakhstani developers will build a building which will make them the most profit and the least expense and then leave. They do not have to stare at this building every day. We as Torontonians will have to live with whatever is built day in and day out at the most important intersection in the city.

We say that we aspire to be a world class city like New York, London, or Paris. Do you think these world class cities would accept their most famous intersection to be redeveloped by an unknown developer and an unknown architect? NO WAY!!! And we shouldn't either.

This design is unacceptable. The city should demand that some world class designers come up with proposals for this building. It's not just another condo tower. It's a symbol of our city and our aspirations. It has to be gorgeous!!

The design in my opinion is a second rate, boring design and not fit our city's most important intersection. Also, the billboards are very tacky. This might work at Yonge & Dundas since we're aiming for that to be a mini Times Square, but it is guady and tacky at Yonge & Bloor which is more like Madison Avenue in its sensibility and ambition. I don't think New Yorkers would allow this kind of tackiness on Madison Ave and I don't think we should allow it at a very elegant, upscale and sophisticated part of our city.

I think that we Torontonians need to have more self esteem and a belief that we deserve the best. We should let our politicians know that we won't settle for second or third rate things any more. This is the attitude New Yorkers or Parisians or Londoners have. And they have amazing cities. We should believe in our ability to create a truly world class city, fight for it and not put up with the boring, bland and average.

I hope that this redevelopment of Yonge & Bloor will start the revitalization of Yonge Street south of Bloor. It is incomprehensible how Toronto could let its main street fall into such a state of decay. I mean we're not a backwater little town, but walking down Yonge Street you would think that we were. It is depressing (and scary at night) to walk along Yonge Street.

With minimal effort trees (and shrubs which stay green all year round) could be planted along Yonge, old Toronto style lamps erected, and the store fronts cleaned up so that beautiful boutiques, restaurants and galleries could move in and the Yorkville sensibility would extend all down Yonge Street. Yonge Street could and should become the Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Toronto.

With so many luxury condos in the neighbourhood, including the proposed skyscraper at Yonge & Bloor, there is a huge target market for upscale shops, restaurants and galleries along Yonge south of Bloor. When will the city put a concerted effort into making this happen??

Let's hope that this new proposed skyscraper starts a Yonge Street revitalization. Better yet let's demand that our politicians put their energy into MAKING it happen!

Once again, to be clear, Liz, Don L, and Victor: the renderings have NOT been released yet from Bazis. See my earlier comments.

I totally agree Liz. I like Diego's comment about nearest urban parks. It is totally true that this city is turning into a concrete jungle of unappealing condominiums that are built in four months. Why not just create a public square as is the case in yonge and dundas.

Who is this architect? The Bazis press release says he's a Toronto architect, but he's not listed anywhere on http://www.emporis.com (put Toronto into the search engine for a list of Toronto developers, architects, engineers etc).

I really can't stand the thought of another wasted opportunity - of having another failure of a building - especially at such an important location in the city.

Have a look at the fantastic architecture of buildings built in Dubai.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=100485&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1

We should aspire to having buildings like this built in Toronto - unique, breathtaking, inspirational, gorgeous buildings. No more boring, second rate stuff. We deserve better than that!!

I, along with others, have begun composing letters that we intend to send to Toronto City Councilor Kyle Rae, Bazis International, Burka Varacalli-Architects. In addition to articulating our genuine disappointment and frustration over the recently unveiled restructured design, the motivation behind our letters is to encourage the �powers that be� to reconsider this design of 1 Bloor St. E. Even if we don't get the exact design of the previous rendering, one similar in nature would be a better addition than the current one. Many of us are very excited about this project and supported it full-heartedly when shown the original rendering of this project. We have since lost a great deal of interest in this and while we still encourage a tower of this scale and significance to be erected in this location, we understand the importance and blatant need for it to resemble the original rendering. It is imperative that it is one that is progressive and innovated. A tower of excitement, refinement, sphere-shaped and one that achieves the towers -partial- purpose. Namely, to exude and generate excitement as well as rejuvenate and renew this area of town. Moreover, to have it add glitz and high style to the �classy� region of Toronto � Bloor & Yonge/Yorkville. We do not want, yet another bland, generic, generally cement, balconied filled, sharp edged, rectangular in nature tower.

Well, we screwed up with our opera house. If any building in the city should be eye candy, it should be an opera house. It's great to finally have an opera house, but such a shame to have one that looks like ours.

We should have aimed as high as Sydney did with their architectural masterpiece. Sydney built an opera house which has become one of the most famous and distinctive buildings in the world. Toronto is a much larger and wealthier city than Sydney, yet we ended up with an opera house that looks like a convention centre.

Please, let's not screw up with the corner of Yonge and Bloor! This is one of the most important intersections in the city and a perfect location for an architectural masterpiece -- one that will become an icon and symbol internationally for our city.

Let's not settle for mediocrity yet again. Why not aim for having a star architect (someone like Norman Foster or Daniel Libeskind who have designed such great buildings in Toronto) to design this building.

PLEASE DAVID MILLER, KYLE RAE, CITIZENS OF TORONTO LET'S NOT WASTE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY!! There is only so much space left to build in Toronto and our politicians keep allowing horrible, third-rate buildings to be put up everywhere.

We Torontonians are not used to demanding architectural excellence, but we need to protect our city and our public spaces and stop accepting such awful design!

Well said, Liz. I, along with others, have begun composing letters that we intend to send to the mayor, Toronto City Councilor Kyle Rae, Bazis International, Burka Varacalli-Architects. In addition to articulating our genuine disappointment and frustration over the recently unveiled restructured design, the motivation behind our letters is to encourage the �powers that be� to reconsider this design of 1 Bloor St. E. Even if we don't get the exact design of the previous rendering, one similar in nature would be a better addition than the current one. Many of us are very excited about this project and supported it full-heartedly when shown the original rendering of this project. We have since lost a great deal of interest in this and while we still encourage a tower of this scale and significance to be erected in this location, we understand the importance and blatant need for it to resemble the original rendering. It is imperative that it is one that is progressive and innovated. A tower of excitement, refinement, sphere-shaped and one that achieves the towers -partial- purpose. Namely, to exude and generate excitement as well as rejuvenate and renew this area of town. Moreover, to have it add glitz and high style to the �classy� region of Toronto � Bloor & Yonge/Yorkville. We do not want, yet another bland, generic, generally cement, balconied filled, sharp edged, rectangular in nature tower.

I'm writing to ask those who would be interested in joining us and composing their own letter of counsel to do so. We'll provide you with the (e-mail) addresses needed to forward your message to. With enough letters, we may very well get their attention and at the very least have them reconsider the design for the best. Your support would be greatly appreciated. If you're interested in joining us, please do! You can send me a short message at amoderntoronto@yahoo.ca

Has anyone heard what the next step is for this project?

What is happening with the design process and when are they going to break ground?

Bazis and the city say they don't have any further information at this time.

Wait- there is a list for world's greatest intersections?

In any case, I'm all for a jumbo tower at Yonge & Bloor- let's just hope it gets a better name than 'Crystal Blu' which sounds like someone who is WORKING at The Brass Rail- not threatening to destroy it.

Well I like the idea of yet another tall building, BUT with it have the proposed "New Uptown Theater" incorporated into it?

plus how far down yonge will it go, as I'd hate to lose that really good falafel place...

and the brass rail will survive, it will just be called a 'gentleman's club', (**hey a business mna has to entertain those other businessmen in from hong kong...

at bet it won't be erected till at leats 2012-2014 so we'll see...

FINALLY, SOME THING GOOD IS HAPPENING!

when will it start i was there last week and everything is still the same old same old

I am shocked that the developer is from a 3rd world country and has very little reputation or history of building significant buildings in North America. I would have expected more from the builder and architects... for such an important area of Toronto.

Seems as if Mayor David Miller and his city council simply OK's whatever that lands on their desks, as long as it fills the empty city coffers with money. They have little requirements or restrictions on anything and have very little backbone. Makes you want Mayor Mel Lastman back. Miller seems to have run the city into the ground, and we are falling short of budget on absolutely everything, even though the economy is bursting at it's seams. A poorly run city hall, and a poorly run city that taxes it's citizens, and is in the developer's pockets. What a shame.

I can't wait to see how this turns out. That area will be picking up in traffic with the increase of tv broadcasting companies moving into the area.