The residents of the Bathurst Queens Quay neighbourhood in Toronto learned that the property at 10 Lower Spadina, at the important corner of Lower Spadina and Queens Quay has been purchased.
The new developer wants to take down the existing commercial building and rezone for a 49-storey residential property of 511 units, 75% of which are 1 bedroom.
The neighbourhood has big concerns. The proposal doesn't comply with existing tall building regulations for our area, nor does it at all fit the nature of our neighbourhood.
Right next door is the iconic Kings Landing Condominium, which houses the Walter Carson Center of our National Ballet, designed by renowned architect Arthur Erickson. It's often called the “Waterfall building”, and is immediately recognizable, with its unique cascading terraces.
Across the street lies the cherished Music Garden, inspired by renowned cellist Yoyo Ma, and a memorial to Terry Fox, along with spectacular park lands that residents and tourist alike, visit throughout the year, especially in the summer.
The Canada Malting Silos and surrounding area across the street have been laboriously restored as another iconic tourist attraction.
The building proposed at 10 Lower Spadina is projected to be 49 stories tall. It will tower over the waterfront, and impact already difficult traffic patterns, add to the transit congestion we already experience, and does absolutely nothing to address the city's stated goal of developing affordable housing. Toronto has a glut of one-bedroom condos for sale already.
For decades the city has promoted a plan of taller buildings north of the Gardiner and lower structures along the lake. This project would be a real slap in the face to residents and a regrettable development to our waterfront.
Please let the city know, we need to protect our beautiful waterfront neighbourhood, and we object to this proposal.
You can take action by signing the petition at the link below or sending a letter with your concerns to city officials.
Write your own or download the sample letter and send it to the people listed below
Olivia Chow – Mayor, City of Toronto
Ausma Malik – Deputy Mayor, City of Toronto
Benjamin Waters – City of Toronto Planning Department
Zoning application project page
