Whenever I see that these storefronts are still empty:
giphy.gif
 
I generally disagree on the paving. I think it looks good and isn't trying to be historical. Not the best I've ever seen, sure, but textured and pleasing in person. Far and away one of the better pedestrian experiences in the city. I'm encouraged by the signage brackets for the micro retail. Should be busy and colorful when the shops are full.
 
abovegrade said:
Why are toronto's developments so conforming? While it looks nice that it opens, here is a couple quick examples of one of montreal's pedestrian-friendly streets. Mirvish village would feel cozier like this:
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You're comparing photos that have mature trees, lighting and people to photos of a construction site. There will be seating, lighting and signage. There will be personalized touches by the micro retail in particular. It may end up looking grey, but 50% of the result is going to hinge on how the commercial tenants interact with the public area.
 
RealSalbowski said:
Is there a list of retailers for Markham street? Anything else apart from Badiali already known?
Click to expand...

Black Bird Bakery
Book Bar (https://www.instagram.com/bookbarto/)
Cremma Gelato
Pasta Basta
Henriquez Partners Architects

Pet Planet & a vet clinic will also be opening on Markham, though in the new building beside the park, not in a heritage house.

The stuff that's still in the works for the heritage houses should be pretty interesting.
 
abovegrade said:
Here is a couple quick examples of one of montreal's pedestrian-friendly streets.
Click to expand...
Are you sure that first picture is Montreal? The signage is in English and looks nothing like anything I've seen in Montreal, and the cars are parked facing the wrong direction.
 
wmedia said:
Are you sure that first picture is Montreal? The signage is in English and looks nothing like anything I've seen in Montreal, and the cars are parked facing the wrong direction.
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I took that as a challenge, and located the site of the first photo as 415 Church St, Richmond VIC in Australia. Though on Google Maps the patio tables were not there, not sure if it was just for an event or something.
 
Thanks for correcting me. I found it online when I searched “Pedestrian street Montreal”, but I guess it’s not. Regardless, it looks amazing.
 
Ward8 said:
You're comparing photos that have mature trees, lighting and people to photos of a construction site. There will be seating, lighting and signage. There will be personalized touches by the micro retail in particular. It may end up looking grey, but 50% of the result is going to hinge on how the commercial tenants interact with the public area.
Click to expand...

edit: I hate how my tone sounded like a pushback on this project. I am in fact very supportive.

I’m not talking about the trees in particular, I'm more so talking about Markham street. There is a nice parkette being planned which is great but I fear that Markham street will just end up looking like a basic pedestrian thoroughfare with a few basic benches or planters. There needs to be something that goes beyond that - something that causes people to truly linger while also injecting some beautification and moments of play.

Many of Montreal's pedestrian streets have free interactive games and installations and creative seat furniture. We have yet to see what kind of seating or other installations could be planned but so far perhaps it's too early for me to be making judgements.
 
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Northern Light said:
I have to confess, I do not get Toronto's overwhelming tendency with 'brick' roads, which is grey interlock that doesn't look even vaguely historical.

Toronto had brick roads, we know what they looked like, they were red brick.

We could get new ones made custom to match, by bulk ordering for two dozen streets.

But instead we pick Off-the-shelf/0ut-of-the-yard stuff that typically looks 'okay' but makes no sense in areas where we are aiming for a heritage vibe.

To sum up; much better than black top, yet still disappointing.
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Something like this would have been inviting, warming things up:


88 Queen
88queen-10-jpg.732752

flonicky
 
3Dementia said:
Something like this would have been inviting, warming things up:


88 Queen
88queen-10-jpg.732752

flonicky
Click to expand...

Not heritage authentic for Toronto, but yes, warmer and more attractive.

This is a real, heritage, Toronto red brick road:

1778336425376.png


Tail end of Carlton St at Riverdale Park West
 
3Dementia said:
Something like this would have been inviting, warming things up:
Click to expand...
I agree this looks better. I'm no expert, but I can imagine this comes at a different price point. 88 queen has much more density and a smaller footprint for the park.

Northern Light said:
This is a real, heritage, Toronto red brick road:
Click to expand...
I love red brink but I'm not convinced that a heritage approach is natural here. Maybe for some of Markham, but the essence of the project is the replacement of honest Ed's. It was a ramshackle, improvisational space. I think there is a very good homage to honest Ed's alley here.

I guess I'm in agreement with the main criticism, but also want to concede that were talking about something that is, when complete, going to be one of the finer public spaces in the city.
 
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