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The Guild of All Arts in Scarborough was a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. It preserved many of Toronto's old buildings on its parkland--or at least their facades, arches, etc. Now, I understand that the Guild has closed, and developers are eyeing the grounds, wondering what to do with the architecture there.
I hope that Toronto's architectural history is saved. The Greek Theatre at the Guild is worth saving, as are many other architectural treasures. The Confederation Life building at Richmond and Yonge is still there, as are the Scotiabank Building at NE corner of King and Bay, the CIBC North building with its carved sculptures at the top, the Hockey Hall of Fame (former Bank of Montreal building at Yonge and Front), the old Stock Exchange facade, the Old City Hall with the caricatures of councillors of the day acting as gargoyles--I wish there was a Guild of All Arts today to preserve these treasures.
Not so long ago, I was at a funeral at a funeral home near Yonge and Alexandra. (Yes, I flew in for the occasion.) There used to be a beer store and liquor store across Yonge Street. Now--no. It's condos. High-rise condos just look so out of place in that neighbourhood.
The Guild of All Arts in Scarborough was a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. It preserved many of Toronto's old buildings on its parkland--or at least their facades, arches, etc. Now, I understand that the Guild has closed, and developers are eyeing the grounds, wondering what to do with the architecture there.
I hope that Toronto's architectural history is saved. The Greek Theatre at the Guild is worth saving, as are many other architectural treasures. The Confederation Life building at Richmond and Yonge is still there, as are the Scotiabank Building at NE corner of King and Bay, the CIBC North building with its carved sculptures at the top, the Hockey Hall of Fame (former Bank of Montreal building at Yonge and Front), the old Stock Exchange facade, the Old City Hall with the caricatures of councillors of the day acting as gargoyles--I wish there was a Guild of All Arts today to preserve these treasures.
Not so long ago, I was at a funeral at a funeral home near Yonge and Alexandra. (Yes, I flew in for the occasion.) There used to be a beer store and liquor store across Yonge Street. Now--no. It's condos. High-rise condos just look so out of place in that neighbourhood.
South Scarborough in general is having a construction boom. Not only are many older smaller homes being smashed to pieces to rebuild monster houses, but lots of condos going up. Many along Kingston Raod. It will be interesting to see how this changes the area as my part of Scarborough in currenlty 80% detached homes many of which are on fairly big lots for Toronto. This area has a slightly lower population density then other areas in the city so many small business open and soon close because there is not enough traffic. My visual area is locked in as there is no where to build a condo in eyesight. This area could actually use a population boom and it is starting to happen. I personally would love to see more of a Beaches and Bloor West Village type vibe along Kingston Road so I am looking forward to it. Also this area is fairly close to the subway line and there are 2 go train stops so it fairly well connected to TTC. I am hoping that in 10 years it will have a lot more buzz. We have all that nice water front area and lost of green space already .. we just need more stores and people.
In most cases a lot of the condo's that have gone up have been over parking lots or already nasty looking buildings to begin with... In a skyline pic highrise buildings/scrapers will always rule but on the streets of Old Toronto the flesh and bones of Toronto are still there and that is the most important thing.
Aside from many of the condo's not being architecturally inspiring I often think people lose sight of the most important thing and that is that condo's are adding the human dynamic to a growing and urban place. These people go out to restaurants/bars/theatres and support local business in the Dt core and surrounding areas.. Its the concentration of human capital and exchanging of ideas and living close to where you work that is the most important element of the condo boom and not the condo's themselves.
That's been my impression as well, most of the development has been on parking lots and disused old buildings where sometimes the new condo is built on top of a spruced up older building. There's plenty of room left for more development. I would love to see that massive parking lot that stretches between Queen st E and Shuter st along Mutual get developed to name just one area. I'm also excited to see the well development (front st w and spadina) come to fruition.
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Scarborough ..
