Does a 34-storey building belong in the Distillery District?

[M II A II R II K]

Does a 34-storey building belong in the Distillery District?


Dec 22 2011

By Patty Winsa



Read More: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1105897

The proposal to transform a historic six-storey Gooderham and Worts building into a boutique hotel in the Distillery District isn’t what has city planners shaking their heads. It’s the 27-storey condo above it. Designed by famed Flatiron architect David Roberts Jr. and built in 1875, the red brick building on the northeast corner of Mill and Trinity Sts. is protected by a heritage designation and zoning that restricts any additions above its 16.5 metre height. The combined hotel-condo would be 34 storeys.

- “There are going to be issues around the height, adding on and introducing a tall building at this location,” said Gregg Lintern, director of community planning for Toronto and East York district. “When you’re inside the Distillery and look north, the perspective you see is a heritage district and this would be at the top.” But he says the city isn’t against a hotel. “The issue isn’t the use. It’s how it gets executed.” A staff report outlining issues with the proposal will go to Toronto and East York Community Council in early January with a recommendation for a community meeting Jan. 23.

- Rosenblatt and Berman say the hotel is not only a strategic decision in a neighbourhood underserviced by hotels, but critical to the long-term vision of the Distillery. “The historic precinct has been restored, but it needs life day and night. The hotel will add life and energy,” said Berman. “This is important to the Distillery’s long-term success as well. Look at how the Gansevoort has reinvigorated (New York’s) Meatpacking neighbourhood,” he said, referring to the luxury boutique hotel which opened in 2004. Gansevoort is also the hotelier most closely associated with the Distillery project. Berman said they have had extensive talks with the company, but “haven’t made any firm commitments.”

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[Innsertnamehere]

considering there are buildings being built that are taller than this one across the street, yes.

[Travis007]

Stunning tower design and height is fine but the facadism and incorporation of the heritage property is a bit unfortunate. Especially unnecessary considering how many parking lots still surround the Distillery District. However, if this brings more life and energy to the DD then I'll be alright with this proposal. I was there last week for the Christmas Market, place was live.

[WhipperSnapper]

There are places in the West Donlands area for taller towers however, this is not one of them. The area is a natural extension of the much heralded St Lawrence Neighbourhood which is defined by its mid-rise, human scaled, urban form. The taller distillery towers are a special circumstance and are situated closer to the rail corridor where taller towers make sense. They are not meant and should not be used as a precedence for other taller tower proposals in the neighbourhood.

[Dylan Leblanc]

here's what it will look like



there are already a few towers built and U/C around the area but this new tower is even closer.