ARCHITECTURE
Condo Critic: Sum not greater than the parts
July 11, 2009
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Christopher Hume
Lawrence Ave. W. would not be No. 1 on any tourist itinerary. It is not the kind of street visitors seek out; neither do many locals, for that matter. On the other hand, it counts as one of the city's major arteries, serviced by buses as well as two subway stations.
At the same time, it's one of those north-end streets that can't make up its mind whether it's urban, suburban or something in-between. Depending on where you are, it can be all of those things. To a certain extent, this is entirely natural, but in this case, it's also a demonstration of the general confusion that prevails when it comes to planning in this city, as well as the former boroughs that ringed the city before amalgamation.
There's everything here from tiny postwar bungalows to large residential complexes. Though some are better than others, the unavoidable truth is that the sum is not greater than its parts. Things simply don't add up as they might, had there been a coherent planning regime in place.
hume@thestar.ca
Condo Critic
650 LAWRENCE AVE. W.: This may not be the most architecturally accomplished residential complex in Toronto, but it works. Given its location on the north side of Lawrence, east of the Allen Expressway, it's not surprising it has such a strong inward-looking focus. Though this sort of slab building conjures up memories of the worst of 1970s urban renewal excess, here the size and scale are tempered by a landscaping program that manages to reduce it to something less formidable.
If nothing else, the project serves to remind us of the enormous importance of landscaping and especially, trees. In Toronto, formerly known as the City of Trees, we are in danger of forgetting that the leafy canopy that once made even the most urban precincts quite livable has now been largely replaced by trees of heaven. But even this hardy species seems to have difficulty surviving in the city; most appear to be either dead or dying.
The U-shaped complex extends back from the street, creating a courtyard space in the middle where cars come and go. The main building, with its symmetrical massing and red-brick facades, looks south. It is flanked on both sides by smaller structures that face onto the courtyard.
Perhaps in an effort to bring a more pedestrian flavour to the precinct, a path leads north from Lawrence up the central axis to the main entrance. An unexpectedly pleasant pergola stands at the entrance, giving the surroundings a garden-like feel.
GRADE: B
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Email condocritic@thestar.ca.
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