^Interesting. Though I see why some might see development happening in a strict sequence I am seeing signals of multiple projects moving early on.
 
Nobody knows how long this will take however I'm very pleased that this proposal has started. Everything has to start somewhere and this is the beginning. The complaining has already started. Where is the excitement and enthusiasm ? This is city building and this will take time. I only hope I will live to see this happen.
 
^Yes! Meanwhile uses are likely to come first similar to what is being done in Downsview. And there is a lot of excitement in the relevant circles as they appreciate how significant the announcement of a new district is.

Also most commenting haven't actually been there (surprise!) and probably aren’t familiar with how much the southeast part of Central Toronto has changed.
 
Just a few images of The Hearn from Villiers Island to give a sense of visual presence. Now imagine 14 towers of ~500 units each on either side and it give a sense of how immediate this district will become!

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LUVIT! said:
Nobody knows how long this will take however I'm very pleased that this proposal has started. Everything has to start somewhere and this is the beginning. The complaining has already started. Where is the excitement and enthusiasm ? This is city building and this will take time. I only hope I will live to see this happen.
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Started what? It's a concept no more or less than the production studio lease from (?) 15 years ago. The production studio was more practical. This includes every grand artistic venue under the roof. The only thing I haven't seen is the grand piano render in the lobby. This is Metronome times 10. It will need hundreds of millions in public dollars for it to happen and the non central location is questionable.

Cityplace took 25 years during the biggest real estate investment boom ever. 20 years to complete Ookwemin Minising is highly optimistic. The first phase may go up quick for proof of the public investment. Following phases will be more reliant on private investors.

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As with most projects of this size it will unfold and change over a long period of time. But the building itself has been in use fairly steadily and I imagine that this will continue on an ever increasing scale (Luminato.) And a venue of this size and the owners connections present an opportunity to go up a notch to longer/annual events. As far as development of the vacant land around The Hearn they will likely start with a single building and proceed from there. With their connections, location and resources this may be as soon as bureaucracy allows.

I encourage everyone to actually go to The Portlands to become informed.
 
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Because it's a hulking derelict of massive proportions, the local film industry uses it from time to time for moody crime and SF stuff. But events like Luminato? Exceedingly rare. It costs a lot to even temporarily clean up the place. It's gonna take a lot of cheddar to scrub that baby down and repurpose it for something as glam as an art or event space. And as everyone cautions, it's still a long ways off. I hope it happens though. The immediate surroundings though are brownfields and I imagine that too has to be cleaned up before you see any kind of serious residential going in down there.
 
^Im not minimizing the fact that there are likely serious issues with this property however the fact that it has been used for Luminato tells me that The Hearn can be used within guidelines. And going from current uses to much more intense year round use is likely not a huge leap.

And just to be a total jerk I will say that The Hearn would make a stunning venue for a satellite location of the Venice Biennale of Architecture! Anyone have Jim Balsillie’s cell #?! 🤭🤔🏛️
 
rdaner said:
^Im not minimizing the fact that there are likely serious issues with this property however the fact that it has been used for Luminato tells me that The Hearn can be used within guidelines. And going from current uses to much more intense year round use is likely not a huge leap.

And just to be a total jerk I will say that The Hearn would make a stunning venue for a satellite location of the Venice Biennale of Architecture! Anyone have Jim Balsillie’s cell #?! 🤭🤔🏛️
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The Hearn may be one of the most incredible venues for shows and I really hope it finds a new life in the future.
It's honestly shocking it was permitted to be occupied for any use though. Bass would constantly loosen up "debris" from the structure and it would feel like it was snowing inside. Can't imagine that would meet health and safety standards.
 
Would be interesting to hear the back story to the land deal.
"Acquired from the Provincial Government without tender by Cortel and Studios of America in 2018"

How does one acquire such a massive development parcel from the government for pennies on the dollar without a public tender?
 
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