This view from the site on a new condo just west of Bathurst St off Lakeshore Rd. West on the north side provide a clear view of Toronto’s new skyline.
Archive for May, 2008
View of condo skyline from Lakeshore Rd West
On May 30, 2008
In Streetlevel
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67 Vine Ave fire
On May 30, 2008
In Streetlevel, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park)
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Today, the house in yesterday’s post about an unkempt house on Vine Ave, was gutted by a fire. Some of the fire department personel commented to neighbours that the house will have to be torn down. No one was hurt in the fire, and hopefully they found a place to go to.
Architecturally, this is a lovely house; the only one in the Junction, it seems, with a very old slate roof. It is also one of few houses with a facade, pretty much as when the house was first built. This is rare in the Junction, so you may want to take a look now. 71 Vine ave, just west of Keele St.
Three blocks with energy
Walk, ride, or drive up Runnymede Road from St Johns Street to St Clair Avenue and the you can just feel happy energy. Laughing construction workers building the new hospital. People eating at the 7-eleven and Mr Pita. Move on past Jumbo Burgers, always happy service there for so many years and you come into a new hive of activity. Situated around the development of the old CP Rail Torcan trucking site with Walmart, two new banks and a game store. Phew what a good feeling try it!
Does WTO need Residential Permit Parking forums?
On May 29, 2008
In Streetlevel
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We all know the house, illegally divided into 4 apartments, where the city allows two, and this isn’t such a problem as long as the property owner (landlord) provides services to the building to take up the added stress this intense use causes to the direct neighbors and the community. Any good landlord ensures the building is clean the garage and recycling are taken out and the containers taken back in after collection.
The issue is the parking, many of these houses have 3 to 5 cars permitted and parked on the adjacent streets. Many people see themselves parking on different streets than they live on simply because of the cities willing ness to issue what seems to be unreasonable numbers of permits to an individual house. the complicity between the landlord and the city strains the community for both the the people owning and renting. Well thought out rules enforced contribute to a healthy neighborhood.
– Dereliction of Duty – On Vine Ave.
Buildings such as this one on Vine Avenue are in the worst cases becoming a fire hazards, unsafe for those living in them, or a haven for drug dealers, and in general reducing property values. Abandoned and unkept buildings can be a problem that greatly impacts all of the people living near them. It appears no work is done on maintaining this house other than standing in front of the house, waiting for prospective renters, who obviously would live somewhere else if they could afford it. Shouldn’t they be provided with a basic standard?
City of Toronto sells off west end lane
On May 28, 2008
In Streetlevel
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The city of Toronto directed the City Solicitor to enact a draft bylaw to permanently close the public lane at the rear of 76 Davenport Road. The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 6,2008 and notice was given in accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and no one (attended to) address the Community Council.
That is no one cared enough about losing this public space to do anything about it, theres more – they sold the lane to these guys – Seventy-Six Davenport GP Ltd. and 964496 Ontario Limited who plan to build – guess – part of their proposed condo on the lane.
The idea of the condos at 76 Davenport Road is probably good for the area, it’s a very drive by section of the Davenport, which will change with all the condo owners going out for pleasant walks up and down the streets and laneways.
But did we have to lose the lane.
Terms and Conditions of Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the lane (PDF file)
Smallest, Coolest Apartment (we can them condos in TO)
On May 27, 2008
In Streetlevel
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Every year, interior design blog Apartment Therapy holds its Smallest, Coolest Apartment contest, receiving entries from creative apartment dwellers from everywhere. Want design ideas for your condo space or smaller Victoriam house take a look!
Scroll down on the apartment therapy site to see the winners under the heading – All Entries
Quebec Av N of Dundas St W to have more parking
On May 27, 2008
In The Junction
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Etobicoke York Community Council approved the enactment of the proposed parking regulations on both sides of Quebec Avenue. Parking regulations now allow parking on both sides of Quebec Avenue, north of Dundas St. West (May 06 2008)
Note that the rescinded no parking anytime from the lane south to Dundas St. W will mean cars will now be able to be parked right up to Dundas St. W
What a West Toronto development site costs – an example
Realnet – a real estate Information Service used by just about very commercial property investor and developer is reporting 207 New Toronto St. Etobicoke, has sold for $8,620,000 in a 100% ownership transfer or
$570,672/acre.
The land is part of old ICI companies land and a few years ago Toronto Redi-Mix wanted to operate a concrete batch operation at the site. With this sale, has that been completely pushed off the table?
New Toronto Good Neighbours Association opposed this plant strongly, although they did support a package delivery company proposal on the Former Ivaco site bounded by 8th St., 13th St., New Toronto St. and Birmingham St.
Toronto Redi-Mix is a well regarded company in the construction industry as indicated in the industrial media, it just seems they cannot work it out which understandable as each has it’s own goals. Interestedly the New Toronto Good Neighbours Association site fails to update on the outcome of their effort. Would it be helpful to other groups if they provide a brief summary of the outcome…?
More buyers opting for condos in Toronto
More people are buying condos in Toronto rather than single-detached homes states article in today’s National Post (which can be said to include the 2 to 5 unit build houses that comprise much of the old city of Toronto’s housing stock?)
Highlight points..
The former City of Toronto, representing 50% of the GTA’s condo development activity, states a story in todays National Post.
Resale unit pricing was up 8.3% from last year
Construction began on 4,546 new condo units in the greater Toronto area in the first quarter of 2008
Survey: 56 more condos so far in ’08 (National Post)
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Dundas West Arts Building Collective open house
On May 24, 2008
In Streetlevel
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The Dundas West Arts Building Collective open house is running Sat. May 24th and Sunday May 25th. Seeing an artists space is great, but look harder at the details – the work in progress – the unworkable defeats – the triumphs. Many times you can get something far greater than at a gallery at an open house, you just have to talk to the artist – discovering the meaning of whats all around you. Then choose. Its important to remember when buying art you are not only purchasing a object but contributing to the continued effort of the artist to make a contribution to the community at large. You may find something that transcends you.
The Dundas West Arts Building Open Studios
Since 2001, each spring, various artists living and working in the historic Dundas West Arts Building open their personal studios to share their work with the public. This rare and exciting opportunity brings a casual atmosphere, which fosters a relationship between patrons and artists.The event features talented visual artists, musicians, and crafts persons, who showcase and sell their work, invite the audience to join in collaborations and provide free mini classes. Bring your friends and family, meet fellow artists, see great work and learn something new. We thank our generous sponsors who have contributed prizes for our draw.
Dates and Location
- The Dundas West Arts Building
- 2466 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario
- Friday May 23rd 6pm-10pm
- Saturday May 24th 12pm-7pm
- Sunday May 25th 12pm-5pm
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Trees are extra special yet isn’t the right tree needed
On May 24, 2008
In Streetlevel, Toronto Parks
With Comments Off on Trees are extra special yet isn’t the right tree needed
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Trees are needed much more all over the city especially beside the boulevard roads – which all seem to have so few (see Lakeshore West). Looking at the above picture – yes… there are houses behind there. Should the city not take into account the best type and size of tree? As these trees become so big they block the view of street from the house and of the front of the home making it hard for walk by and chat.
What happens when the tree becomes so big the homeowners just can’t live with it – say it breaks the foundation or destructs water and waste lines, a city crew comes along digs a hole and chops the roots? The tree does all the suffering. Picking the right tree at planting, will give all of these front yards trees a happier and longer life?
Did you know…
Planting trees and other vegetation helps clean the air allowing City residents to breathe easier? Vegetation “cools” local air temperatures when water evaporates from leaves makingsummers more comfortable for residents? Planting deciduous shade trees on the west and south sides of buildings can reduce your airconditioning cooling costs by up to 40%? Plting evergreen trees on the north side of buildings can reduce winter heating costs by upto 10%? Planting trees and other vegetation expands the urban forest, creates wildlife habitat andimproves stormwater management making communities more pleasant to live in?
Demolition Watch: Lloyd Ave Houses Gone
On May 24, 2008
In The Junction
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These houses which were demolished last week were a great example of common construction in the wards west of Bathurst in west Toronto. They have a brick veneer front and everything behind the front is of wood construction with asphalt bricking along the sides and on the back. These houses being built right up against a factory had little in way of ornamentation.
You can still see houses like them right across the street, and it’s a great time to view a new view and a short view as the development continues where these houses stood.
Thursday Links
Picture credit – 2008 reclaimedhome
The Globe and Mail has an intersting article on home renovation using CMHC data. some of the interesting points.
– Forty per cent of Canadian homeowners say they intend to spend $1,000 or more on renovations this year.
– 37 per cent of Canadians spent money on home improvements, down from 39 per cent in 2006
– there could be a number of Canadians who decide that renovating their current home is a cheaper alternative to buying a new home this year
Honey, I’m planning to renovate the house (Globe and Mail)
Oh my all the West Toronto neighbourhoods
On May 22, 2008
In Streetlevel
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Picture credit – aa440
Looking at the city’s list of West Toronto neighborhoods is amazing there are so many. It would make a great popup book showcasing all the different neighborhood personalities. West End neighbourhoods
- Bloordale Village
- Bracondale Hill
- Brockton Village
- Corso Italia
- Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson
- Dufferin Grove
- High Park North
- The Junction (formerly West Toronto)
- Koreatown
- Liberty Village
- Little Italy
- Parkdale
- Palmerston-Little Italy
- Pelham Park
- Portugal Village
- Roncesvalles Village
- Runnymede-Bloor West Village
- Trinity Niagara
- Swansea
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