I wonder if the Toronto Public Library could get a deal for a long-term lease on one of those upper floors. They could close the current Yorkville branch, move into a larger space next to the reference library, and convert the current Yorkville branch space to a community centre or office space.
 
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AlexBozikovic said:
Brookfield should be ashamed of themselves.
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Sometimes I think I need to call it for it is instead...

...and if they're going turn those floors in self-storage, they don't really need to alter anything on the outside. That is, don't make this bunker look weirder. >.<
 
Ok...here's my proposal...

1. City comes to an agreement with the current owner along the lines of - we will demolish this for you, release you from taxes on it...in exchange for 3-4 years of TTC construction...after which you are free to redevelop however you like, or turn it into a park/square until such time as you want to re-develop it

2. Alternative - city buys the offending property, demolishes it, does the work on the subway then resells it on the open market (with or without right of first refusal to the original owner)

With an expected budget of 1.5B$ the rebuild of Bloor/Yonge Subway station is 10x what the Union Station Platform addition cost (150m$)...

Given the likelihood that removal of some of the complexity of having a 10 story building on top of a two level subway station would reduce those costs significantly (although not completely, because obviously that map shows some of the subway is under even taller buildings) this would probably make some dent in the costs by allowing for more of the project to be done cut/cover...

Complexity aside, it would also get rid of an eye-sore, and allow for development to proceed based on market conditions in 5 years (at little cost, and definitely much less risk to the owner - and to the city).

It's going to be a construction zone for 5 years anyways...who is going to want to risk their Pokemon card collection on the TTC's ability to tunnel under a 10 story building anyway? Just asking for insurance problems...
 

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Amare said:
Out of all of the possible uses, Brookfield goes with...... self-storage in prime downtown land???

They've got to be completely drunk out of their minds. This is the kind of stuff that absolutely makes me irate.

Think outside of the box if you cant come up with anything good (ie: commercial food kitchens).

What kind of garbage is this?
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What are "all of the possible uses" here?
 
How’s retail these days? Go ask the Empty HBC at Queen and Yonge

Well offices are full again, right? Go ask T3 Bayside who’s still predominantly empty and who’s second building is on permanent hold.

Well we need housing still! Downtown condo market is death right now, and more than a few projects are in a holding pattern.

If they’re gonna make some bucks out of undesirable space for a few years, so be it. Stop being a snob about it. City building isn’t a wand wave to utopia.

Still tho, gotta wonder where we’d be at if Americans didn’t elect a narcissistic dementia patient to constantly put a clench on the global economy. The trickle down effect has been vast.

We’d arguably be doing way better on inflation, and the interest rate, better on housing starts and small business. We’d be having discussions on ai and ubi instead of panicking everytime he tweets.

We get a storage facility at Yonge and Bloor because every one is on wartime footing waiting to see if dumbass is gonna tariff us for having too many beaver. And we have two more years of this holding pattern.
 
ProjectEnd said:
What are "all of the possible uses" here?
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I've alluded to one: commercial food kitchen.

Other out of the box options that would be far better compared to useless self-storage space in prime (location wise) downtown space at the heart of 2 major subway lines include: indoor sports, interactive entertainment facility, event venue.

But it's clear in this case Brookfield couldnt care less of whoever uses the space, as long as they can stop bleeding on this space and get max $$$$ for it, irrespective of how utterly useless the usage of the site would be.
 
I don't get why everyone is so upset.

The current building is a concrete monstrosity that's probably in the redevelopment pipeline in the next 15 years or so. Few tenants need a large format retail floorspace like this. Brookfield doesn't want to spend a ton of money to renovate a building that'll probably be demolished within 20 years. The fact it's over Bloor-Yonge station makes it all the more challenging.

It becoming self storage is useful in the short to medium term for literally every resident in the area and will help the property from continually bleeding money.

Check back in 2041 for updates.
 
Amare said:
I've alluded to one: commercial food kitchen.

Other out of the box options that would be far better compared to useless self-storage space in prime (location wise) downtown space at the heart of 2 major subway lines include: indoor sports, interactive entertainment facility, event venue.

But it's clear in this case Brookfield couldnt care less of whoever uses the space, as long as they can stop bleeding on this space and get max $$$$ for it, irrespective of how utterly useless the usage of the site would be.
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You're really missing the point here: what can Brookfield spend as little as possible on and garner the highest return? It's a 300k sf windowless box. Everything you've suggested requires not only an operator but a sizable investment in the existing building, this does not.

Also a big 'lol' at self-storage in this location being "useless"...You don't have to like it, but "useless" is factually incorrect.
 
ProjectEnd said:
You're really missing the point here: what can Brookfield spend as little as possible on and garner the highest return? It's a 300k sf windowless box. Everything you've suggested requires not only an operator but a sizable investment in the existing building, this does not.

Also a big 'lol' at self-storage in this location being "useless"...You don't have to like it, but "useless" is factually incorrect.
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Which is the whole unfortunate thing about all of this: Brookfield owning this space.

It's evident they are intent on spending as minimal amount as possible on this site (and i doubt that would be any different even if the economic climate was different).

Well it's a good thing the Brookfield's of the world dont own inline/end-cap retail spaces....yet. I could only imagine how soulless our retail spaces would be. Spending the most minimal amount to generate the most $ irrespective of the tenant is sad, especially compared to times where one would actually spend $ to draw in more traffic.
 
ProjectEnd said:
You're really missing the point here: what can Brookfield spend as little as possible on and garner the highest return? It's a 300k sf windowless box. Everything you've suggested requires not only an operator but a sizable investment in the existing building, this does not.

Also a big 'lol' at self-storage in this location being "useless"...You don't have to like it, but "useless" is factually incorrect.
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I get your take PE.

I did put forward a version that I believe is viable from Brookfield/Larco's perspective and would include self-storage on levels 3-5, while yielding them better returns. I know who they are talking to for the retail; I know who's kicked the can or considered the space, there's enough potential interest to do a bit better here usage wise.

In terms of the aesthetic much as with elevators or minimum unit sizes, one may have right to build a bad product, but that doesn't mean you should. I know you agree with that and favour higher standards in many respects.

No question Brookfield can do this; but it should aim higher.
 
ComptoirGeneral said:
I don't get why everyone is so upset.
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I think it's less the use, than the appearance; though this is at least in part, informed by the usage.

ComptoirGeneral said:
The current building is a concrete monstrosity
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No question .

ComptoirGeneral said:
that's probably in the redevelopment pipeline in the next 15 years or so. Few tenants need a large format retail floorspace like this. Brookfield doesn't want to spend a ton of money to renovate a building that'll probably be demolished within 20 years. The fact it's over Bloor-Yonge station makes it all the more challenging.
**
.Check back in 2041 for updates.
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The bunker, in the absence of demolishing other parts of the complex is not really redevelopable. A tower wont' fit due to separation distance requirements.

The office tower is actually substantially leased up here and quite profitable. The obvious target would be to remove the hotel, condo/apartments and parking garage at the eastern end of the site,. Aside from the problem of mixed ownership, the entire complex shares utilities and the current hotel has many years left on its lease.

This site is an unholy mess to fix. I wouldn't count on any 2041 miracles
 
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