[fastcarsfreedom]

Actually I've never thought the plan to convert the existing Lister into Class A office space was a good one--I repeat, the building, as designed, has an awkward floor plate and weird ceiling heights. Proper Class A space would require a demo and rebuild--and we've been down that road and back again. Lister as-is lends itself to mixed use--I think we all agree on that. This has nothing to do with me loving LIUNA's plans--it has to do with making your arguments balanced--otherwise they don't hold water.

matt602, I'd be curious to hear what your ideas for The Right House are. I am old enough to BARELY remember when it was a department store--and have only slightly clearer memories of it's reopening around 1985 as Park Place. It opened with two levels of upscale retail and very quickly faltered. It failed 20 years ago as a retail complex--and I think it would be stretch to suggest that the retail market has improved vis-a-vis 1985. I'm not trying to be a snot-rag, just genuinely wondering what you think would work in there. What is it's leasing situation currently? Are the spaces currently leased to non-retail entities or are most vacant?

I also recall being taken through Lister's Arcade years ago when it was still open, and the majority of it's spaces were filled. I'm not saying these spaces don't have a future--but what's your key to drive traffic into these spaces? The Connaught space, assuming it returns to hotel use, is a far easier sell. Those spaces could easily be filled (as they were prior to closure) with ancillary hotel functions, business centers, coffee shops, hair salons, tailor shops, travel agents, etc.

Someone mentioned The Royal York earlier. To the best of my knowledge the Arcade on the main floor was created during the hotel's expansion in the late 1950s, and the lower level/PATH arcade is a far more recent addition.