Historic Yonge Street HCD Study Public Meeting #2 March 26, 2014 Archaeological Services Inc. Philip Goldsmith Architect
Agenda: 7:00 p.m. Open House 7:30 p.m. Welcome and Presentation 8:00 p.m. Questions Period 8:20 p.m. Panel Review 9:00 p.m. Closing Historic Yonge Street HCD Study
Presentation Overview Introduction Overview of tonight s Open House Study Process Where we re at Character Character Areas Propose HCD Boundary Inventory Where we are looking at Periods of Significance Heritage Attributes Proposed HCD Boundary Next Steps
Welcome! Purpose of the OPEN HOUSE view key components of the emerging Historic Yonge Street HCD Study (panels + presentation) provide input on key components of the emerging Historic Yonge Street HCD Study (Q + A, comment sheets, interactive mapping, completed surveys)
Historic Yonge St. HCD Study Team City of Toronto (HPS) led by Heritage Preservation Services supported by a cross-departmental working group DIALOG planning, consultation, and urban design project lead Archaeological Services Inc. historical and archaeological research built heritage and cultural landscapes Philip Goldsmith Architect Philip Goldsmith Architect award-winning heritage architect heritage restoration, preservation, and conservation Bray Heritage (Carl Bray) advisor conservation district planning, conservation policy & guidelines Historic Yonge Street HCD Volunteers Built Form and Landscape Survey For more information please contact: Scott Barrett Senior Coordinator Heritage Preservation Services City of Toronto sbarret3@toronto.ca 416-338-1079 Lauren Archer Preservation Officer Heritage Preservation Services City of Toronto larcher@toronto.ca 416-392-2653
Study Process
Historic Yonge St. HCD Study Process STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4 MAY - AUG SEPT - NOV DEC MAR 14 MAR - MAY Stakeholder Interviews (summer and ongoing) Public Meeting # 1 Sep 25,2013 Public Meeting # 2 Mar 26,2014 Context Analysis Built Form & Landscape Survey Develop Inventory History & Evolution Character Analysis: Thematic Groups & Typologies Collaboration with City staff (ongoing) Archaeology Significance & Heritage Value Statement of Significance Periods of Significance Define Boundaries HCD Plan Objectives Analysis of OP & Zoning / Develop Recs Prepare Draft HCD Study Report Submit Final HCD Study Report Present to Toronto Preservation Board
Character Areas and Proposed HCD Boundary
What we ve learned? Historic Yonge Street is a convergence of social, cultural, and historic elements and events in addition to displaying attributes of a Heritage Conservation District. The history of Yonge Street resides within buildings and all streetscape elements as well as being inscribed in the living memory of the people who frequent its stores, restaurants, offices, residences and amenities. Main street is an often cited term when describing Historic Yonge Street and its atmosphere which attracts a multitude of uses and users. Historic Yonge Street is both a neighbourhood main street (serving a large number of residences and offices within walking distance) and a city-wide destination (attracting visitors from the entire GTA and beyond). As such, community spirit plays a significant role in the street s character tourists add to this vibrancy.
Character Areas 1 2 3 4 5 6 Yonge Street Main Street Character Yonge Street College Street Yonge Street Bloor Street St. Nicholas Village Areas not consistent with a character area Not consistent with a character area/currently designated or potential Part IV designation under the Ontario Heritage Act N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
1 Yonge Street - Main Street Character Mixed-use street with a large number of historic buildings of significance mainly from the 19th century contributes to the strong character of this part of Yonge Street stitches together sets of lower-rise mixeduse Victorian period buildings. Many of the historic buildings, listed in the City registry, or designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, indicate a mixeduse (commercial at-grade with residential and office above) low-rise built form of narrow lots that continues today. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
2 Yonge Street College Street This area represents a change in the architectural character and form from areas north along Yonge Street, with larger and taller buildings and the intersection of two major transit/ transportation routes along College Street and Yonge Street. The character at Yonge and College is not consistent with lower-rise main street - scale buildings and is more of a high density node. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
3 Yonge Street Bloor Street This area (between Bloor-Davenport) represents the old main street of the former Town of Yorkville. Much of the historic architecture associated with old Yorkville no longer exists with the exception of a set of historic buildings within the block between Cumberland Avenue and Yorkville Avenue. The Bloor and Yonge intersection has been redeveloped with high-rise office buildings with no remaining historic elements. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
4 St. Nicholas Village This mostly residential enclave west of Yonge Street between St. Joseph and St. Mary Streets exhibits special character on account of a conglomeration of historic building sets and their close relationship in form and architectural vernacular to other buildings of similar historic period along Yonge Street. This area contains unique buildings with strong Heritage character, similar to the historic buildings along Yonge Street. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
5 Not consistent with a character area Includes properties that reflect a built form prevalent within the areas east and west of Yonge Street beyond the study area boundary. Represent a more recent architectural period dissimilar to the scale, form, and architectural vernacular predominant along Yonge Street. The areas north of Bloor Street, and west of Yonge Street, are more characteristic of the development forms found along Bloor Street West, and within the Yorkville area. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
6 Not consistent with a character area/currently designated or potential Part IV designation Represents properties that do not front onto Yonge Street and are currently under redevelopment, or have already been developed. Designated under Part IV of the OHA. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
Proposed HCD Boundaries and Objectives
HCD Boundary + Objectives Proposed HCD Boundary Main Street, Yonge/College, and Yonge/Bloor - The proposed HCD boundary includes identified character areas and primarily includes properties fronting onto Yonge Street as the dominant feature from College Street to Davenport Road. Other buildings that do not front onto Yonge Street, but are located along some of the cross-streets exhibit many of the same architectural character-defining elements prevalent within the Study Area and provide a transition to Yonge Street. St. Nicholas Village - which is closely linked to the architectural styles found within the Main Street area. Proposed HCD Boundary HCD Study Area
HCD Boundary + Objectives Proposed Objectives 1 Conserve and strengthen the unique heritage character of Historic Yonge Street and the surrounding St. Nicholas Village area and adjacent streets 2 Preserve significant buildings, parks and open spaces, and associated landscapes and ensuring new designs contribute to the heritage character and values significant to the Historic Yonge Street HCD. 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ensure that changes to buildings and landscapes enhance the character of the Historic Yonge Street HCD. Support existing uses and adaptive re-uses within the existing building stock. Prevent alterations and development that would not be consistent with or have negative impacts on the character of the HCD. Maintaining and balancing the function and identity of the HCD as both a neighbourhood main street and a city-wide destination. Manage the tree canopy, landscapes, views, and boulevards that contribute to the cultural heritage value of the HCD. Supporting enhanced pedestrian amenities through maintaining human-scaled development, connections to adjacent areas, a welcoming, interesting sidewalk environment.
Built Form and Landscape Survey
3. Architectural Information Roof Type and Cladding Construction Materials Description of Architectural Style Height Bays Door and Window Type Structure Type Foundation/Basement Plan Comments Survey Things we re looking at? 1. Property Information Address Neighbourhood Heritage Status 2. Historical Information Architect Date of Construction Builder Uses History
Survey Things were looking at? 4. Landscape/Streetscape Sidewalk and Driveway Paving Trees and Planting Description of Landscape/Streetscape Walls and Landscape Structures Front and Side Yard Setbacks Landscape Types Street Furniture Water Elements
Mapping Attributes and Evaluation
Attributes and Evaluation 1 Periods of Significance What we ve learned? 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Prominent architecture and landmark buildings Building Heights Street Wall Street Wall Elements Façade Elements/Materials Landscape Elements Views and View Terminus
Attributes and Evaluation What we ve learned? Quality buildings that make a positive contribution to the heritage character are disbursed throughout the entire study area. Many of these buildings share common heritage attributes.
1 Periods of Significance 1 1850-1870: Estate lots and early development 2 3 4 5 1871-1900: Subdivision of estate lots and development 1901 1930: Redevelopment and intensification 1931 1970: Subway development and modernism 1971 Present day: Modernism and contemporary development Over 75% of buildings date primarily from the mid 19 th to early 20 th century N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
2 Prominent architecture and landmark buildings Heritage Attributes Over 75% of buildings primarily date from mid 19th to early 20th century ranging from 2½ storey buildings with sloped roofs and simple detailing and late 19th century buildings of Italianate or Second Empire style, usually 2-4 storeys in height, rich in architectural detail. A total of 57 listed or designated properties Out of approximately 260 properties. Landmark buildings act as orienting devices. Window types and decorative surrounds contribute to heritage character of facades.
3 Building heights Heritage Attributes Human-scale of buildings makes the street a pleasant place to walk Building heights generally range between two to four storeys. Existing building heights maximize sunlight on the east and west sides of the street. at Spadina looking east N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
4 Street wall Heritage Attributes A street wall is a condition where buildings consistently line or front onto the edge of a street The Yonge Street street wall is reinforced by a consistent building scale (generally 2-4 storeys) Zero Building Setback (3-4 metre boulevard) Zero Building Setback (3-6 metre boulevard) Additional Building Setback Provided N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
5 Street wall elements Heritage Attributes A rhythm of narrow storefronts range between 3 and 7 metres Entrance to storefronts alternate with entrances to upper floors Historic building ensembles are divided into bays, giving the appearance of more buildings. A variety of street frontages results in changing and dynamic landscape for pedestrians. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
6 Façade patterns and features commercial mixed-residential Heritage Attributes Architectural detailing provides a 3- dimensional texture that creates a play of light and shadows on façades. Visual transitions between floors provide a horizontal rhythm reducing the impact of the building mass. The grade level is traditionally commercial, with floors above exhibiting a different architectural language, presence and use. Windows and doors at the ground floor provide a high level of transparency. Upper levels are characterized by less transparency: between 20% to 60%.
7 Streetscapes Heritage Attributes The quality of the pedestrian realm is compact and pedestrian oriented. Residential Side Street Streetscape Laneways provide connectivity and offer an important link to surrounding neighbourhoods. For residential side street streetscapes, a rhythm of lawns, walkways, tree planting, landscaping and entrances create interest at street level. Main Street Streetscape The main street streetscape buildings are setback to the front and side lot lines, creating a continuous street wall. A tightness of the street as an integral part the human scale character of the streetscape. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
8 Views and View Terminus Heritage Attributes Street level views of landmark buildings provides visual markers along the street. East-west streets are discontinuous to discourage through traffic to the neighbourhoods, which creates unique visual termini, and reflect a human scale nature of these streets. Typically streets are aligned along an east-west grid, with the narrow side of the block fronting along Yonge Street to provide increased permeability to neighbourhoods east and west of the street. N College/Carlton Wellesley St. Yonge St. Bloor St. Davenport Rd./Church St.
Questions?
Historic Yonge St. HCD Next Steps Fall 2013 Spring 2013 Public Meeting 1 Public Meeting 2 Summer 2014 T.P.B. (Public Meeting) Towards a Heritage Conservation District Study Finalize the HCD Study and consolidating the character themes, heritage values/attributes, Heritage Character Statement. Presentation to Toronto Preservation Board. date TBD Fall 2014 Public Meeting 3
Historic Yonge St. HCD Today s Public Meeting To share your thoughts and learn about opportunities, constraints, and new ideas from a variety of perspectives on the information presented today. To discuss and contribute your ideas, and comment on the presentation boards.
Thank you! Historic Yonge Street HCD Study Public Meeting #2 March 26, 2014 Archaeological Services Inc. Philip Goldsmith Architect