Raise the Hammer

You'll notice, your post notes.

Previous Building on Site: Three-storey building (possibly incorporated into present structure)

Meaning, not original as I stated.

and you'll notice I stated, the only redeeming quality of this building was the Windows.

Architectural Features: Window bays divided by pilasters; projecting horizontal mouldings incorporating pilaster bases and capitals; widely projecting bracketed cornice; original sash windows on second and third floors.

So...the Windows and the cornice which is by no means unique.

Also unfortunately, the Young Drivers of Canada are now based out of 20 Hughson. Someone else whose moved out of this place. A Fur Wholesaler having been there is a footnote. If this was say the first location of the Hudson's Bay Trading Co. sure, but of a long departed fur trading company and as your article puts it "Succession of furriers (up to 1974); then various retail / service businesses" isn't particularly history that needs building preservation, even more so when the buildings now look nothing like they did back then.

Also, how does it make financial sense to spend money out of city coffers, to keep these buildings that have many derelict floors, and even if fully restored, whose size allows, at best attract maybe 16 small businesses/residents and a surface parking lot (that we all agree harms the core) vs a mid sized two storey grocery store and what appears to be a 16+ stories of multiple dwelling residences, all who will contribute vastly more tax revenue, is being done out of pocket by the private sector, who has to pay a development fee to even build?

Explain how keeping the existing density, instead of raising it, discouraging a potential grocery store development and shunning the development of a parking lot in any way improves the livability of the city core?

Also, note, Toronto's downtown core, dominated by highrise. Bay and Wellington, ALL MODERN. Yes there are splashes of historical architecture there, but modern highrise dominates a large portion of downtown Toronto. I'm not saying that there aren't buildings of worth, like Victoria Hall, the Lister Block, Treble Hall, The Right House, the Pigott Building (which this developer purchased and restored) and other buildings I already mentioned, but it must be tempered with modern development. History if fine, but our core deserves to make some new history too!

Comment edited by -Hammer- on 2012-10-25 23:53:19