Mirvish+Gehry project faces uncertain future

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Disagreements between developers and the City of Toronto over the proposed Mirvish+Gehry development has put the popular mega-project in jeopardy.

In a recent interview with Metro Morning’s Matt Galloway on CBC Radio 1, Toronto Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat said that without revisions, she does not think that the project will move forward.

The mixed-use plan, a joint project from David Mirvish and acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, proposes three condo buildings on King St. West, all of which would exceed 80 storeys high. It would also eliminate four heritage buildings and the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Keesmaat told Galloway that the demolition of these heritage sites is only one of the project’s issues.

“Aside from the soft and hard infrastructure concerns, we have a problem with transit in this area,” Keesmaat said in the interview. “We don’t have enough community space in this area. Those are very real concerns and, as city planners, we have to figure out how they are going to be addressed and resolved.”

She told Galloway that the proposed towers are “too bulky” and would cast a shadow reaching all the way to the Heritage Conservation District on Queen St.

Toronto city council will discuss the project on Dec. 17. It will also be before the Ontario Municipal Board in January 2014.

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