by Oliver von Bretten 
33 Avenue Road Condos is coming to Yorkville’s Avenue Road!
Yorkville is going to see a major transformation. Plans have been disclosed for a new skyscraper and public square that might serve as a new west-end entryway to Yorkville.
A 29-story mixed-use tower with a “jewel box” retail outlet on the ground and a “vertical forest” of vegetation climbing along with it has been proposed for 33 Avenue Rd.
This advancement would also construct a renovated York Square at Yorkville Avenue and Avenue Road. It will feature interrelated passages running through the building’s seven-story podium and common space, including a waterfall and live performances.
33 Avenue Road has an ancient legacy. First, developers Empire Communities and Greybrook held the land. They intended to have a considerably smaller communal area. Then, the two developers subsequently canceled the project. After that, First Capital picked it up. It possessed at least 12 other properties in Yorkville during the period. This development company transformed the Hazelton Lanes, now known as Yorkville Village.
The Canadian real estate firm acquired neighbouring property to the original site. It included it in its intentions for 33 Avenue Rd. First Capital did it to start a public space. It was up to 40 percent larger and was at a distance of 5.5 meters from the roadway. In addition, Mike Layton, the local councilman, stated regarding the soar of the public space that “[First Capital] took what looked as a bad situation and made it modestly better.”
Layton credits this transformation mostly to the community’s initiatives. It blended and established a public trust for the square to guarantee it would fulfill their requirements. Further, members of the ABCRA (Annex Bay Cottingham Residents Association) also enlisted the advice of professionals. It includes Ken Greenberg, an urban designer who formerly worked on the city’s Bentway project with the Grange Park and Gardiner Expressway close to the Art Gallery of Ontario. As per him, the output pleased the community.
John Caliendo, a local citizen and ABCRA co-president noted that working with the developer to accomplish the intended results took roughly five years.
He commented that the corner of Yorkville had grown a little bleak. And he believes that this plan will open it up and make it more inviting with its fantastic design.
Caliendo stated that the public trust established has obtained 20 years of funding to “animate” space with activities like a Thursday afternoon jazz trio or TIFF movies on one of the walls on Friday evenings. Moreover, he concludes that the square will have a genuine presence on the street.
The idea leaves a city staff report pending, expected in the coming month and then probably let the council know in June.
