Arts
Massive arts hub coming to West Queen West Triangle
A new 36,000 square foot arts hub is coming to the area dubbed the West Queen West Triangle — and longstanding community group Active 18 has their fingerprints all over the project. To be built at the bottom of the still-under-construction Edge condo at Queen and Lisgar, future tenants of the space already include Gallery TPW, the Toronto Media Arts Cluster (TMAC), Interaccess, Le Labo, the Canadian Film Distribution Centre, Charles Street Video, the Toronto Animated Images Society, and the Images Festival.
Although a firm opening date remains elusive, the target is fall late 2013. At present, the development that will house the hub is little more than a foundation. When complete, the space will occupy the second and third floors of the condo.
The news represents a significant accomplishment for Active 18, who's fought to retain the artistic character of the area in the wake of the condo boom that's taken place over the last five years. While they were ultimately unable to prevent the demolition of 48 Abell — the crusade for which the group is best known — this is much more than a consolation prize.
Along with the Artscape Triangle Lofts, which occupy the first three floors of Urbancorp's 150 Sudbury development (a.k.a. The Westside Lofts), the new space should ensure that the arts remain a vibrant element in the community from both a residential and commercial standpoint (i.e. galleries, cinema space, arts organizations).
The cost of the arts hub is currently pegged at $12 million. According to a press release, "the space will be built out by the developer and 'purchased' by TMAC subject only to a $3M take back mortgage." The key to the deal is that Urbancorp was granted the zoning rights to build its Edge and Epic condos to a greater height in exchange for the art space.
Choosing not to dwell on the past, Active 18 characterizes this development as a "happy beginning." It's hard to argue against the idea that this will serve as an excellent addition to a neighbourhood that, with the exception of 99 Sudbury, lacks for cultural life south of Queen Street. And, as far as trade-offs go, the additional height is unlikely to change the character of an area that's already thoroughly defined by tall towers.
Lead photo by the author / ground level photo-diagram by Michelle Gay
Discussion
39 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinsteele/26710662/
I'd be happier if they built that damn bridge over the train tracks like they promised! If I walk from 150 Sudbury to liberty villiage it takes 20 minutes, when it should take 5!!!
You are walking cliches.
How come they are only building 'luxury' condos? I know it's all marketing and greed anyway, but it would be nice if they built some more affordable condos in the city too. Once supply exceeds demand I guess they'll just start becoming affordable.
Evolution equipped you with two legs for walking not for acceleration and breaking pedals.
it is subsidized housing.. even the property management says so.
The firs levels of the building are work/live studios for artist – that’s where I pay the $1170 monthly rent for a 750SF unit. To be eligible to live there you have to be a professional artist – to translate this for you, it means to sell your art to make a living.
Subsidized housing dose not all the time refers to the inability of its end users to make market payments. Sometimes, and this is the case, the subsidizing tries to ease the burden of housing in a crazy market like Toronto’s housing market, and support those who do not work in the financial system (not all of us desire to be a banker). I have a master degree in industrial design; my partner has a master degree in art and history of art - these are very unprofitable financial career paths that limit our “affordability” in terms of housing in Toronto.
When the opportunity at 180 Sudbury arrived we went for it. For the developer it may come with strings attached – you developer, you have to accept some squanders in your building too if you want the government to subsidize the costs of the development – and I to had to learn to deal with the situation, but to label the whole development as “social housing” with that condescending tone it is just pure, crass ignorance and stupidity – YOU BLOGGER!!!
The problem I have is the labelling. When in this world will people stop the labelling. I work in Social Services and it just bites my ass that people have to do this.
Dont you think it would be more appropriate to put 190 Rental Units?
Why dont you just paint it up the side of the building? Then the rest of the world can know too?
It is insulting and stigmatizing. Hey SocialHousingRus, did you want me to send you a listing for a cheap place at the Curve and you can fit right in?
I do not expect that from you though. With your discourse you proved that you are a prejudiced, biased person, and here are some reasons.
First - you use the “social housing” label on 180 Sudbury building to make a statement of superiority against the other: “1350 for a 2 bedroom is hardly market rate in this area.. the other building you are lucky if you can find a 1 bedroom for under 2k”. Being “competent” to pay 2000 instead of 1350 brings that feeling extra special sentiment in you right?
Second - you apparently, very apparently, have no idea what a government subsidized development means: “it is a social housing tower... it is subsidized housing.. even the property management says so”. Social and subsidized are not the same thing – the federal government defines affordable housing as housing which is AT or bellow the average market rent for the area, on the other hand the social housing refers to allowing people and families with low wages, or who get government help (checks in the mail), to find housing in the private sector. It might sound the same for you but it is so not the same. The first group shops the market until they find something that goes well with their budgets (why would I pay 2k/1 bdr in this building when I can pay 1350/2 bdr in the vis-à-vis building), the second group needs government support to find housing, this usually are older people, persons with disabilities, people who are homeless or have special needs, and racialized people.
Third – you belittle fellow commentators with your condescending tone and the type of dissertation you bring to the table.
Fourth – you did not prepare at all in order to sustain a point of view. The typical attitude, just go out there and say whatever comes out of your simple, ignorant, lazy mind. You get questioned by others that do not agree with how and what you say and your attitude/answer is this:” oh god.. someone drake the cool-aid... “. What this mean anyway?
The more I am in this area the more I realize.....I dont want to eat construction dust for 2 more years, I dont want to be around a single person like SocialHousingRus either.....
West Queen West Triangle......IM OUT!
Take your shwank and SHOVE IT!
actually finding distinctive pieces which still match.
I'm considering creating a theme on pine furniture just in order to adhere to the one era or color scheme.