Downtown Update

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

I would have to agree with you there. It would be nice if they incorporated some of the original design elements. My friends sean and anna said they are not looking to start it back up again which is regrettable. I just hope this place gets the attention it needs. It is quite the mess inside esp. on the very top floor. There are 3 floors in total inside, with the bottom being a split level so kinda 5 levels in total as the main entrance has a level that goes up and one that goes down. So there is a lot of space inside, but in reality this are used to just be a grand entrance so everything has been artificially added.

One cool thing about the building is it still has the giant cables inside on the top floor that were used to anchor the marquee above the entrance of the building. I'd also love to see the top cornice of this building restored. Hasn't been there for a loooong time. Although I think it was more of a top marque than a cornice originally.

Still it is a great spot. It's just sad that the theatre behind it was demolished.

This is a prime commercial and retail space. Even if the future buyer doesn't want to turn it back into a theatre, an urban Sobey's, similar to the ones in Downtown Toronto would be ideal in this area. With all of the condos/apartments that are being built in the core, people want more of a variety than Nations or the small Fortinos on Dundurn.

I'm not sure how much I trust the owners of these buildings though. They don't have a great track record...

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

This is a prime commercial and retail space. Even if the future buyer doesn't want to turn it back into a theatre, an urban Sobey's, similar to the ones in Downtown Toronto would be ideal in this area. With all of the condos/apartments that are being built in the core, people want more of a variety than Nations or the small Fortinos on Dundurn.

I'm not sure how much I trust the owners of these buildings though. They don't have a great track record...

It is sad that there are so many shady owners in this city.. I do know that they refuse to actually address any of the maintenance issues with their buildings, as was discovered when sean and anna had to go in and fix a buncha things.

This would make a rather awkward sobeys simply because of how it is laid out inside in all honesty. I'd rather see it stay as some sort of entertainment place - it already has the bar installed inside. I'd just love to see the upper floors utilized as well.

[atnor]

Forge and Foster turns everything garbage. Bonanza is no longer how it used to be and The Black Forest has severely gone down hill.

[ChildishGavino]

The Arliss shoes building (at least I think that's what used to be in it - the one next to where Kresge's used to be) has scaffolding in font of it. What's left of the Captiol Theatre & the old Spectator building have also begun the initial fases of their facelifts.

I forgot to snag some photos though, sorry...

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by ChildishGavino

The Arliss shoes building (at least I think that's what used to be in it - the one next to where Kresge's used to be) has scaffolding in font of it. What's left of the Captiol Theatre & the old Spectator building have also begun the initial fases of their facelifts.

I forgot to snag some photos though, sorry...

Yup they are restoring the arliss building to its original brick and stone facade before the arliss shoes facade facelift.

[ChildishGavino]

Yes, I remember why. I've seen the renderings.

I'm so excited, too - that building as-is has got to be one of the crappiest in the core.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by ChildishGavino

Yes, I remember why. I've seen the renderings.

I'm so excited, too - that building as-is has got to be one of the crappiest in the core.

You would be correct - a perfect example of "modernism" gone wrong - and a perfect example of how badly that style ages.

The citys image improves with each building that used to represent hamiltons classiness that morphed into a symbol of its decline, getting renovated back to its classy look.

[ChildishGavino]

Everyone goes through some blunder years while they grow up, even cities... ours just lasted 40+ years.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by ChildishGavino

Yes, I remember why. I've seen the renderings.

I'm so excited, too - that building as-is has got to be one of the crappiest in the core.

I don't personally believe they'll have the $$$ to make the exterior facade look that different than before or nicer. I see that they've been trying to get rid of the graffiti (about time...) But I would be surprised if this is anything more than a super minor facelift.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

I don't personally believe they'll have the $$$ to make the exterior facade look that different than before or nicer. I see that they've been trying to get rid of the graffiti (about time...) But I would be surprised if this is anything more than a super minor facelift.

and that is where you'd be wonderfully wonderfully wrong

They are restoring the style back to the pre-arliss shoes design of the building - so this and the right house shall frame the new development in between quite nicely

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=237589

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

and that is where you'd be wonderfully wonderfully wrong

They are restoring the style back to the pre-arliss shoes design of the building - so this and the right house shall frame the new development in between quite nicely

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=237589

I'm not talking about the work Core Urban is doing.... I'm talking about Forge and Foster and the buildings on King, directly across from the Connaught.Two different companies and locations.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

I'm not talking about the work Core Urban is doing.... I'm talking about Forge and Foster and the buildings on King, directly across from the Connaught.Two different companies and locations.

Ohh okay.. yeah.. we'll see I guess.. Even a minor facelift with the glass would be a huge improvement imo.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

Ohh okay.. yeah.. we'll see I guess.. Even a minor facelift with the glass would be a huge improvement imo.

I wish another developer would come in and buy that strip... A developer with deep pockets could make that strip look amazing and it would become a destination.

[ChildishGavino]

Have either of you seen the rendering for the old Spectator building? They dont plan to do anything overly extraordinary, just clean up the ground floor, and add a name tag at the top.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

I wish another developer would come in and buy that strip... A developer with deep pockets could make that strip look amazing and it would become a destination.

Just propose to buy everything from everyone hamilton23

I'm sure you could do a better job, that or coreurban /liuna.

Originally Posted by ChildishGavino

Have either of you seen the rendering for the old Spectator building? They dont plan to do anything overly extraordinary, just clean up the ground floor, and add a name tag at the top.

I have yes. This is the original spectator building for reference. Feel free to post it though.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

Just propose to buy everything from everyone hamilton23

I'm sure you could do a better job, that or coreurban /liuna.

Core Urban has done good work, but they have yet to do a large scale development. They would do great with something of this scale though. Liuna is looking at mass producing rental buildings, similar to Vranich. Lister being the exception, but that was a large scale redevelopment and better for profits.

I hear the current owners (Forge) are asking too much though...

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

Core Urban has done good work, but they have yet to do a large scale development. They would do great with something of this scale though. Liuna is looking at mass producing rental buildings, similar to Vranich. Lister being the exception, but that was a large scale redevelopment and better for profits.

I hear the current owners (Forge) are asking too much though...

You can't blame them - they KNOW they have a cash cow in the making. It's the same for everything in the core. The lot beside the piggott building is a similar story - wanting a huge sum of money for the property.

But yeah I'd honestly love to see you guys get more into the gore park buildings restorations

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

You can't blame them - they KNOW they have a cash cow in the making. It's the same for everything in the core. lot beside the piggott building is a similar story - wanting a huge sum of money for the property.

They don't really have a cash cow. They let the building rot for the years that they've owned it...Same can be said for whoever owned it before them. It's a prime area, but a developer is going to look at the current status of the building before they make an offer. If the building is in shambles (which is very likely), a builder isn't going to shell out a massive amount for that building, knowing they have to do extensive renovations.

It's great that they are doing exterior improvements, but I'm not convinced those exterior improvements will be that impressive...given the track record of the owners.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

They don't really have a cash cow. They let the building rot for the years that they've owned it...Same can be said for whoever owned it before them. It's a prime area, but a developer is going to look at the current status of the building before they make an offer. If the building is in shambles (which is very likely), a builder isn't going to shell out a massive amount for that building, knowing they have to do extensive renovations.

It's great that they are doing exterior improvements, but I'm not convinced those exterior improvements will be that impressive...given the track record of the owners.

Well hopefully someone with enough money and enough heart offers to buy these places then.. they really do deserve better.

At least the interior was semi-renovated last time.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

Well hopefully someone with enough money and enough heart offers to buy these places then.. they really do deserve better.

At least the interior was semi-renovated last time.

The current owners let it go for years. It's been depressing to watch because it's in such a prime location and if they made it more visually appealing, they have so many residents across the street and in the neighborhood that would visit the businesses that lease the spaces in the building. The only business that was somewhat popular in this space for years was CoMotion. Serve didn't have success and I can't speak on Black Rabbit.

I hope to god that they do extensive work on the exterior. The building deserves it and it has so much potential!