Five condos at 5 st. Joseph
 

FIVE CONDOS AT 5 ST. JOSEPH
By Kristine Janzen (from NRU - Jan 13, 2012)

A major heritage adaptive reuse development by Graywood Developments Ltd. and MOD Developments Inc. will significantly revitalize the corner of Yonge and St. Joseph streets, while maintaining a number of heritage buildings. The investment will also raise the bar for heritage restoration on the stretch of Yonge Street, north of Wellesley Street.

The development plan for Five Condos at 5 St. Joseph comprises a 45-storey condominium tower on a four-storey podium and terraced residential suites. The project will integrate heritage properties at 5-9 St. Joseph Street, 606-618 Yonge Street and 15-25 St. Nicholas Street. The entrance to the tower will feature the original gothic-arch of the 1905/07 Rawlinson Warehouse.

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What a concept.. actually preserving more than simply the front facade of an old building.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6...a0be2d9d_o.jpg
Rendering from www.fivecondos.com

I thought these guys would, but I went by there today. Not only is the old building just a shell, but it's just one wall facing the street held up with bracing. Toronto can fool itself into feeling it preserves buildings, but we all know better.

The old buildings along Yonge are being preserved in their entirety. The one along St Joseph ... well, what do you expect? ... a 45 storey tower is being built on its site.

It's a typical Toronto compromise that doesn't achieve either goal. Build a modern building that fully meets the needs of modern Toronto. Not a popular suggestion in these parts, but 3 floor rudimentary housing stock on Yonge had its day.

That building on St. Joseph? Preserve it properly or knock it down. Retaining one wall and calling it preservation is just ridiculous. Who are they trying to fool?