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Showcase Building on Carlaw

I wasexcited to see that the corner of Carlaw and Colgate was finally going to be developed. Now that Ihave seen the building design though, I realize that good design is still a long way from the norm in Toronto. That is the ugliest new building I have seen. It looks like a cheap precast concrete or stucco mini-storage building, which I suppose it is in a way.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Barns on May 11, 2011 at 6:16pm

So far the reception has been rather bad. An agent tweeted that to me earlier on today. I uploaded pics of the model this afternoon at some point, don't remember where.

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Permalink Reply by Natalie on May 11, 2011 at 8:55pm

Oh you mean this beauty? http://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/ImageHive/UserImages/imageSponsors/Orig...

Apparently there is a courtyard it in, it's a U shape. You know, U for U-G-L-Y.

Why can't they just make it a community garden and dog park. THAT is what we need around here.

My two cents at least...

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Permalink Reply by Pat on May 11, 2011 at 9:28pm

The colours looked a bit more subdued on the bus-shelter poster at Queen and Broadview. I don't know if that was a printing mistake, or more like what they expect :-D

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Barns on May 11, 2011 at 10:03pm

No more dog parks. Enough already.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Gundu on May 12, 2011 at 11:03am

This reminds me of that terrible building at richmond and Sherbourne over the Tim Hortons.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Barns on May 12, 2011 at 11:04am

Yep. Low budget retirement home in Ajax-type. That lot used to be a parking lot.

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Permalink Reply by John L on May 15, 2011 at 9:14am

It's never a good sign when a building looks like a slum in the design stage. Usually, buildings take on this quality during construction not before. Ugh.

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Permalink Reply by Ara Mamourian on May 15, 2011 at 9:33am

I was sooooo excited for the development! I live across the street and I'm a real estate broker with many clients that were interested. I say "were interested" the moment I showed them the rendering and the floor plans for the larger units they all said. Oh...is that how it's going to look? The SW facing 3 bedrooms have a decent layout but a huge "feature wall" facing South that should be a wall of windows. The only views are from a small window in the living room facing west and the only South view is from the 2nd bedroom.

The turn out at the Broker launch on the 11th was pretty bad as was the launch yesterday and we'll see how it goes today. I do know that all of the west facing units are sold. Those are the 429 and 427sqft jr. 1 bedrooms and the 608sqft 1 bedrooms. So that's about 35 units out of the 230 they have.

All the South facing units are the 2 bedroom units so they may sell as they are the most reasonable floor plans and have a nice south view. The East facing units will be the most difficult ones, especially the ground floor units that front right on Carlaw. They should have been commercial retail spaces or something to add some value at street level. Facing North your looking over a building and down at the parking lot entrance and the garbage pick up area.

Did anyone notice the invite to the Broker launch? They used the Charlie Sheen tiger blood quote. Was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

Anyway, as a Broker I'm supposed to be promoting new developments but I just can't get behind this one. I would be surprised if they actually follow through with this design. I have provided them with my feedback and I'm sure the weak sales will do the talking down the road.

I give this development a big fat F for FAIL! Hope they smarten up and rejig the design because the 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom floor plans are great.

Happy Sunday everyone!

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Permalink Reply by Jen C on May 15, 2011 at 1:05pm

As much as I think development is generally positive for the neighbourhood, I'm glad to hear this project isn't doing well to start. Ridiculous not to have south facing windows in the SW units and retail at street level! The building is hideous, the design is just abysmal. Hopefully the developers will get the message and go back to the drawing board on this one.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Barns on May 15, 2011 at 1:38pm

Ara, thanks for the post. It sounds weak at best. Jen, you took the words right out of my mouth.

They apparently already had their consultation with the neighbourhood, but I guess I'm far away to have heard about that.

Ara, at what part of the process do they consult/notify the public and listen to their concerns? Before they publish their ugly photographs?

Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Cooper on May 15, 2011 at 2:33pm

"They apparently already had their consultation with the neighbourhood..."

Yes, except those consultations took place in the late 1990s, when the site was originally permitted. I have to check, but neighbours of mine who were involved in those discussions describe a different project, at least in terms of the south facing facade. As I recall, my neighbours say it was to step down to four stories by the time it reached the street, although I may not be remembering that correctly.

By the way, does anyone know if this building is set back from the sidewalk and, if so, by how much?

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Permalink Reply by Greg H on May 15, 2011 at 4:21pm

I just came back from the sales centre which, unfortunately, was packed. I didn't notice the street setback but I don't think we are in an area that requires a podium, especially for a building which is at or under the allowable height. What I really wanted to know was the exterior material and, sure enough the entire non-glazed surface is precast concrete. The sales centre has brick, the brochure shows a fair amount of brick, but there isn't a single brick to be seen in the building. They are also taking huge advantage of the neighbouring mini-park in their model, making it appear as though it is a part of this development.

Precast concrete is the material of cheap warehouses and mini-storage buildings. Look around the area, there is brick everywhere, but these people have decided to build something that is not only ugly but which will stick out, on a key corner, for many years to come. Toronto + Design - another nail in the coffin.

BTW: We have been here for nine years and have not heard of any consultation regarding this development. Isn't there an expriry date on these things?