City
Yonge and Bloor: What Will You Miss the Most?
It's hard to believe but it has been 5 months since Bazis International first formally introduced their plans for an eighty-storey condo/hotel Mega Tower on the South East corner of Yonge and Bloor. And whether you love it or hate it (and judging by the comments in my previous posts on this building, there are plenty of people on both sides), the reality is Yonge and Bloor is about to undergo a major transformation and will never be the same again.
This week word got out that the approximately 20 businesses who currently lease retail space in the South East corner of Yonge and Bloor down to Hayden Street have been given their eviction notices. Everyone has got to be out of there very soon as demolition is slated to begin in December.
While Bazis' intentions for the corner may be good, and surely we can call agree that the intersection ain't the prettiest, their choice of words in describing it has left some with a bad taste in their mouths. Bazis' director of Sales and Marketing described the corner as 'junky' and that they intend to make it 'fabulous'.
In light of the impending demolition of a major corner of our City, I'm calling on you, blogTO, to begin the mourning process by telling us what store/restaurant/shop you will miss the most once the wrecking ball comes crashing in. For me, without a doubt it is going to be Biryani House-in my opinion, the best and possibly cheapest Indian food in the city. Good-bye butter chicken, I will miss thee.
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roy's square is far from junky. i can't believe there hasn't been a more visible protest about this (he says whilst sitting on his arse). instead of starting the mourning process, can't we do something a bit more constructive? or is it that hopeless?
Besides, the new 1 Bloor building will have three floors of retail space that surely won't be anywhere near the eyesore that's currently at that intersection now. Out with the old, in with the new, I say. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful building.
As a city, we can either pursue projects like this that contain mixed/housing living and build vertically, or clear cut forests, vegetation, and farmland in the suburbs and sprawl as far as the eye can see -- your choice.
Make it fabulous...You know...FAB-U-lous.
Somebody with more money than 10 of you certainly is.
Roy Square is junky. Just walk through it. It's a slab of concrete that hardly anyone uses and most people pass through furtively.
Just look at that picture at the top of this post. Look at it. You're going to tell me that corner doesn't look like shit?
I will miss the convenience store next to the Harvey's. It was very convenient for me. I will also miss the dollar store around the corner, surely the cheapest cigarettes downtown. I will miss Toby's for a close and easy place to get some beers and half-price wings every day (hmmm.... so isn't that "the price" then?).
There goes the neighbourhood.
whose benefit is it for anyway?
- I'm sure there was a Native American somewhere who said, "Wait, let's wait and see, maybe these white-people will make this place fabulous"
You should give them a try before they're gone!
I can count on almost two hands the number of ladies I've wooed with their tasty -- though pricey -- delights!
I already miss Ben Kerr at that intersection. Sure, he's been on the northeast corner all these years, but his presence is already missed by many Torontonians.
They know the risks people.
The corner will be transformed from one set of multi million dollar chain stores to another set of multimillion dollar chain stores. I'm sure there will also be a few locally owned businesses willing to grab up one of the spots as well. The retail space will more than triple in size. There will be even MORE opportunity for local business owners.
We'll be supporting sustainable living by encouraging residence in the city. Hell, we could end up with LESS advertising at the corner as well.
I really can't see the logic of those who are against this new building.
Next is those disgusting buildings in the picture's background.
Let's make Toronto beautiful.
I cannot wait for it to be torn down. I am counting the days. There is absolutely nothing I will miss. I can't wait for those luxury, high end shops to move in. Bring it on!
I hope this developments starts and exodus of all of those crappy, tacky shops from the area.
Yonge Street should be internationally renowned for its beauty, fantastic restaurants, excellent shopping, and great culture. Not for tackiness, and ugliness -- which is what it has been known for until now.
Time for a change Toronto!
I'm really looking forward to a complete transformation of the area -- a visually stunning, landmark building, and great shops and restaurants. And more upscale professionals and families in the area.
And I can't wait for stores like Dufflets, Sabon, The Healthy Butcher, and the Running Room to move in, as well as yoga studios, clothing boutiques, award-winning restaurants, health food shops, juice bars, wine shops etc.
Good riddance to that bargain basement crap. I agree it's an utter embarrassment for Toronto. Finally by transforming this corner we are making a positive change for our city -- one that we will be proud of and that tourists will flock to.
That said, I will miss Harvey's. And don't tell me there are Harvey's everywhere because I'm lazy and I want a Harvey's I can walk to from a downtown subway stop. I'll also miss the Mona Lisa wearing blue contact lenses poster, for reasons still unknown to me. I just kind of liked it.
But what I'll miss most is being able to approach the corner of Yonge & Bloor without winds (already at gale force in the winter because of the two towers on the north side of Bloor) blowing me straight back to Charles Street!
And just wait till Stollery's sells out to another of Kyle Rae's friends. Then we'll really know what Hurricane Katrina felt like.
It was a great location for a pub. I hear they're moving to college but it will not have the same vibe and atmosphere.
"What will I miss? Nothing! I cannot WAIT for those crappy stores and even crappier restaurants to be gone!!
And I can't wait for stores like Dufflets, Sabon, The Healthy Butcher, and the Running Room to move in, as well as yoga studios, clothing boutiques, award-winning restaurants, health food shops, juice bars, wine shops etc.
Good riddance to that bargain basement crap."
YOU YUPPIE SCUM...people who can't afford to shop at "Running Room" and "Dufflets" will miss the bargain basement "CRAP" and the cheap eats that this corner has offered for decades.
F-you and your pretentious outlook on life.
Once the condo goes up, this corner (or city for that matter) will have nothing to offer anyone who isn't a rich, spolied brat.
What about real housing for real people?????