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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Kazakhstani Developer to Transform Yonge and Bloor: Very Niiice!</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?4826</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:24:43 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>replica rolex watches</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I think this is fantastic news for Toronto. Finally people are starting to dream big for our city and especially our for the downtown core. Yonge and Bloor is one of the busiest intersections in the country. It should be a showpiece, but instead, it's an eye sore.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c593826</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c593826</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2009 08:11:04 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title> Toronto Lofts</title>
<description><![CDATA[
However, by the time you reach Dundas and then Queen, two of the roughest intersections in Toronto, Sherbourne could be mistaken for Skid Row. Through it all, one can never forget that this was once a street on which much care and money were once lavished. Gothic, Second Empire and neo-Classical heaps vie with one another for our attention. Though many have been painted, chopped up and remodelled, they somehow manage to retain a measure of dignity.Not surprisingly, the forces of condofication discovered the area long ago and are hard at work remaking it. Perhaps the most dramatic example of what's happening is the fate of the exquisite Empire residence on the west side of Sherbourne, a block south of Bloor; it is now being readied so it can be moved east closer to the street to make room for a condo tower.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c361914</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c361914</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:07:29 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mezzanine</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I can't wait to see how this turns out. That area will be picking up in traffic with the increase of tv broadcasting companies moving into the area.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c302019</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c302019</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:39:19 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>sue</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I am shocked that the developer is from a 3rd world country and has very little reputation or history of building significant buildings in North America.  I would have expected more from the builder and architects... for such an important area of Toronto.

Seems as if Mayor David Miller and his city council simply OK's whatever that lands on their desks, as long as it fills the empty city coffers with money.  They have little requirements or restrictions on anything and have very little backbone.  Makes you want Mayor Mel Lastman back.  Miller seems to have run the city into the ground, and we are falling short of budget on absolutely everything, even though the economy is bursting at it's seams.  A poorly run city hall, and a poorly run city that taxes it's citizens, and is in the developer's pockets.  What a shame.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c251224</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c251224</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:14:32 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Gord Slater Marquis</title>
<description><![CDATA[
when will it start i was there last week and everything is still the same old same old]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c242189</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c242189</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:44:54 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Rocco</title>
<description><![CDATA[
FINALLY, SOME THING GOOD IS HAPPENING!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c236009</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c236009</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:26:44 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Gord Slater Marquis</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well I like the idea of yet another tall building, BUT with it have the proposed "New Uptown Theater" incorporated into it?

plus how far down yonge will it go, as I'd hate to lose that really good falafel place...

and the brass rail will survive, it will just be called a 'gentleman's club', (**hey a business mna has to entertain those other businessmen in from hong kong...

at bet it won't be erected till at leats 2012-2014 so we'll see...]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c195345</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c195345</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:28:11 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>ebeth</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Wait- there is a list for world's greatest intersections? 

In any case, I'm all for a jumbo tower at Yonge & Bloor- let's just hope it gets a better name than 'Crystal Blu' which sounds like someone who is WORKING at The Brass Rail- not  threatening to destroy it. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c138245</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c138245</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:23:25 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don L</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Has anyone heard what the next step is for this project? 

What is happening with the design process and when are they going to break ground? 

Bazis and the city say they don't have any further information at this time. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c137946</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c137946</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2007 22:41:49 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>amt</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well said, Liz. I, along with others, have begun composing letters that we intend to send to the mayor, Toronto City Councilor Kyle Rae, Bazis International, Burka Varacalli-Architects.  In addition to articulating our genuine disappointment and frustration over the recently unveiled restructured design, the motivation behind our letters is to encourage the �powers that be� to reconsider this design of 1 Bloor St. E. Even if we don't get the exact design of the previous rendering, one similar in nature would be a better addition than the current one.  Many of us are very excited about this project and supported it full-heartedly when shown the original rendering of this project.  We have since lost a great deal of interest in this and while we still encourage a tower of this scale and significance to be erected in this location, we understand the importance and blatant need for it to resemble the original rendering.  It is imperative that it is one that is progressive and innovated. A tower of excitement, refinement, sphere-shaped and one that achieves the towers -partial- purpose. Namely, to exude and generate excitement as well as rejuvenate and renew this area of town.  Moreover, to have it add glitz and high style to the �classy� region of Toronto � Bloor & Yonge/Yorkville.  We do not want, yet another bland, generic, generally cement, balconied filled, sharp edged, rectangular in nature tower.  

I'm writing to ask those who would be interested in joining us and composing their own letter of counsel to do so. We'll provide you with the (e-mail) addresses needed to forward your message to.  With enough letters, we may very well get their attention and at the very least have them reconsider the design for the best.  Your support would be greatly appreciated.  If you're interested in joining us, please do! You can send me a short message at amoderntoronto@yahoo.ca]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c134707</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c134707</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:46:02 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Liz</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well, we screwed up with our opera house. If any building in the city should be eye candy, it should be an opera house. It's great to finally have an opera house, but such a shame to have one that looks like ours. 

We should have  aimed as high as Sydney did with their architectural masterpiece. Sydney built an opera house which has become one of the most famous and distinctive buildings in the world. Toronto is a much larger and wealthier city than Sydney, yet we ended up with an opera house that looks like a convention centre. 

Please, let's not screw up with the corner of Yonge and Bloor! This is one of the most important intersections in the city and a perfect location for an architectural masterpiece -- one that will become an icon and symbol internationally for our city. 

Let's not settle for mediocrity yet again. Why not aim for having a star architect (someone like Norman Foster or Daniel Libeskind who have designed such great buildings in Toronto) to design this building.

PLEASE DAVID MILLER, KYLE RAE, CITIZENS OF TORONTO LET'S NOT WASTE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY!!  There is only so much space left to build in Toronto and our politicians keep allowing horrible, third-rate buildings to be put up everywhere. 

We Torontonians are not used to demanding architectural excellence, but we need to protect our city and our public spaces and stop accepting such awful design!  

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c134700</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c134700</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:19:50 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Gabriel</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I, along with others, have begun composing letters that we intend to send to Toronto City Councilor Kyle Rae, Bazis International, Burka Varacalli-Architects.  In addition to articulating our genuine disappointment and frustration over the recently unveiled restructured design, the motivation behind our letters is to encourage the �powers that be� to reconsider this design of 1 Bloor St. E. Even if we don't get the exact design of the previous rendering, one similar in nature would be a better addition than the current one.  Many of us are very excited about this project and supported it full-heartedly when shown the original rendering of this project.  We have since lost a great deal of interest in this and while we still encourage a tower of this scale and significance to be erected in this location, we understand the importance and blatant need for it to resemble the original rendering.  It is imperative that it is one that is progressive and innovated. A tower of excitement, refinement, sphere-shaped and one that achieves the towers -partial- purpose. Namely, to exude and generate excitement as well as rejuvenate and renew this area of town.  Moreover, to have it add glitz and high style to the �classy� region of Toronto � Bloor & Yonge/Yorkville.  We do not want, yet another bland, generic, generally cement, balconied filled, sharp edged, rectangular in nature tower. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c134343</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c134343</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:22:50 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don L</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Have a look at the fantastic architecture of buildings built in Dubai. 

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=100485&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1

We should aspire to having buildings like this built in Toronto - unique, breathtaking, inspirational, gorgeous buildings. No more boring, second rate stuff. We deserve better than that!!

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130559</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130559</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2007 08:51:29 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Victor</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Who is this architect?  The Bazis press release says he's a Toronto architect, but he's not listed anywhere on http://www.emporis.com (put Toronto into the search engine for a list of Toronto developers, architects, engineers etc). 

I really can't stand the thought of another wasted opportunity - of having another failure of a building - especially at such an important location in the city. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130478</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130478</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2007 01:05:59 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>larry</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I totally agree Liz. I like Diego's comment about nearest urban parks. It is totally true that this city is turning into a concrete jungle of unappealing condominiums that are built in four months. Why not just create a public square as is the case in yonge and dundas. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130423</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130423</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:15:48 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Andrew (author)</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Once again, to be clear, Liz, Don L, and Victor: the renderings have NOT been released yet from Bazis. See my earlier comments.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130392</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130392</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:27:54 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don L</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I hope that this redevelopment of Yonge & Bloor will start the revitalization of Yonge Street south of Bloor. It is incomprehensible how Toronto could let its main street fall into such a state of decay. I mean we're not a backwater little town, but walking down Yonge Street you would think that we were. It is depressing (and scary at night) to walk along Yonge Street. 

With minimal effort trees (and shrubs which stay green all year round) could be planted along Yonge, old Toronto style lamps erected, and the store fronts cleaned up so that beautiful boutiques, restaurants and galleries could move in and the Yorkville sensibility would extend all down Yonge Street. Yonge Street could and should become the Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Toronto. 

With so many luxury condos in the neighbourhood, including the proposed skyscraper at Yonge & Bloor, there is a huge target market for upscale shops, restaurants and galleries along Yonge south of Bloor.  When will the city put a concerted effort into making this happen?? 

Let's hope that this new proposed skyscraper starts a Yonge Street revitalization. Better yet let's demand that our politicians put their energy into MAKING it happen! ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130151</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130151</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:16:44 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Liz</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The design in my opinion is a second rate, boring design and not fit our city's most important intersection. Also, the billboards are very tacky. This might work at Yonge & Dundas since we're aiming for that to be a mini Times Square, but it is guady and tacky at Yonge & Bloor which is more like Madison Avenue in its sensibility and ambition. I don't think New Yorkers would allow this kind of tackiness on Madison Ave and I don't think we should allow it at a very elegant, upscale and sophisticated part of our city. 

I think that we Torontonians need to have more self esteem and a belief that we deserve the best. We should let our politicians know that we won't settle for second or third rate things any more. This is the attitude New Yorkers or Parisians or Londoners have. And they have amazing cities. We should believe in our ability to create a truly world class city, fight for it and not put up with the boring, bland and average. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130148</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130148</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 Mar 2007 23:55:10 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Victor</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I agree with Don L. This is our city, we deserve the absolute best in architecture. We have settled for depressingly ugly, bland and boring architecture for way too long!

These Kazakhstani developers will build a building which will make them the most profit and the least expense and then leave. They do not have to stare at this building every day. We as Torontonians will have to live with whatever is built day in and day out at the most important intersection in the city.

We say that we aspire to be a world class city like New York, London, or Paris. Do you think these world class cities would accept their most famous intersection to be redeveloped by an unknown developer and an  unknown architect? NO WAY!!!  And we shouldn't either. 

This design is unacceptable. The city should demand that some world class designers come up with proposals for this building. It's not just another condo tower. It's a symbol of our city and our aspirations. It has to be gorgeous!! ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130133</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130133</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 Mar 2007 23:08:34 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Don L</title>
<description><![CDATA[
It has been an utter embarrassment and a reflection of Toronto's mediocre outlook that the main intersection of the largest city in Canada looks like a complete dump!! So finally we have a plan to develop it. I think an 80 storey tower is fine. What I'm concerned about is that it is being developed by a relatively unknown developer (Look at their website: http://www.bazisinternational.com/flash/main.html)
Their claim to fame is the Crystal Blu project in Toronto. Their only other projects are in Kazakhstan. They do not have a track record in Europe or North America. The architect (Roy Varacalli,) who they are proposing to design this is a nobody. Google his name and you will see. Also the proposed rendering of the building is in my opinion pretty ugly. Yes it's high and yes we would get rid of the gross buildings that are currently there, but we need to aim higher. We need to ensure that this building is going to be spectacular and that it is designed by a reliable developer and a world class architect. Please Toronto, stop accepting mediocrity and start demanding excellence!! This is our city - these Kazakhstani developers do not live here. We need to ensure that we demand excellence and that we will not accept anything else!!! Let's make sure that this intersection becomes a truly spectacular, breathtaking place. One that we are very proud of!  Please voice your opinions to city council and any public forums on the topic. 


]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130128</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/#c130128</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:57:18 PDT</pubDate>
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