Toronto Art and Design District Gentrification

The Revitalization of the Art and Design District of Toronto has been the hotbed for discussion for the last 9 years.  The City of Toronto has proposed to redevelop the area, which includes the tearing down of a converted historical industrial building known as 48 Abell currently accomodating 200 artists studio, to be replaced by an affordable, high density tower aimed at - guess what - the arts community. The local community is trying to understand the concept of "Tear down an artisits community to build an artists community?" The developer's interest rose out of "wanting to create an artist environment" from an already existing flourished arts community. However, the existing building home to 80 live/work studio spaces is exactly what the artists need.  Some spaces were formally used as dance studios where large paintings now hang. Local residents and the arts community are trying to make a case to save the building from demolition, revert the approval process, and preserve it as a important artifact distinct to the neighborhood's history. This neighborhood is home to the 5th highest concentration of artists in all of Canada. (Source: Eye) 10 years ago, commerical space cost $5-7 /sf, and now rose to $25-40/ sf. Residential now at $300/sf

(Above) Historical image of Abell Street 100 years ago.

(Below) 48 Abell soon to be torn down, to be replaced by a new tower. (Red Line show permissible height)

(Below) Restoration of the Drake and Gladstone Hotels marked the area as a popular happening night spot.

(Below) Existing Queen West Facade

Arrival of Starbucks (symbol of corporate and global economy) w/ local resistance and graffiti slogan.

(Below) New  Multi-storey Condo Loft development that are suppose to incorporate more sustainable features in the Arts District. New developments will affect currently taxes and property values. This Condo Showroom designed by Will Alsop will be taken over by an Arts Foundation and turned into an Art Gallery upon the Lofts Completion. However the residential towers will alter the scale of the neighborhood.

So why do we need to preserve old buildings as well as make way for the new? For those that have read Jane Jacob's Life and Death of Great American Cities, she says"Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings." So much more can be said.