The Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan by Rodrigo Velasquez Angel

MASTER PLAN

MARCH 2015 as amended

CONTENTS PREAMBLE 1.0/ INTRODUCTION 01

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK 13

1.1 Study Area

3.1 Key Features of the Public Realm Vision

1.2 Purpose of the Master Plan

1.3 Background to the Master Plan

3.2 Streetscapes 21 3.2.1 Streetscape Hierarchy 21

1.4 Master Plan Document Structure

2.0/ THE VISION

2.1 Guiding Principles

2.2 The 6 Key Visioning Strategies

2.3 Identity Areas

3.2.2 Streetscape Design Strategies 3.2.2.1 John Street Promenade Concept Design 3.2.2.2 King Street Capital Improvement Plan 3.2.2.3 King Street Squares 3.2.2.4 King Street Expandable Sidewalks 3.2.2.5 Richmond & Adelaide Streets 3.2.2.6 Union Station Front Street Plaza

31 32 34 36 38 40 44

3.2.3 Coordinated Streetscape Palette 3.2.3.1 Paving Palette 3.2.3.2 Landscaping Palette 3.2.3.3 Lighting & Pole Palette 3.2.3.4 Street Furnishing

45 47 49 51 52

3.2.4 Healthy Street Trees

3.3 Open Spaces & Connections

3.3.1 Parks & Squares

3.3.2 Plazas 56 3.3.2.1 Festival Plaza 56 3.3.2.2 Roy Thompson Hall Reflecting Pool 58

3.3.3 Red Carpets

3.3.4 Mid-Block & PATH Connections

3.3.5 Creating Successful Open Spaces

3.4 Gateways & Public Art

3.4.1 Gateways 63 3.4.2 Public Art 64

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

4.1 Purpose 67 4.2 Components of the Development Framework

4.3 Retail & Mixed Use Strategy 4.3.1 Vision & Guiding Principles 4.3.2 Priority Enhancement Areas 4.3.3 Commercial Maximization Strategies

69 69 73 77

4.4 Heritage & Distinct Character Areas 4.4.1 Heritage Assets 4.4.2 Distinct Character Areas

81 83 85

4.5 Prominent Sites

4.6 Development Performance Standards & Guidelines 92 4.6.1 Uses 92 4.6.2 Heritage & Distinct Character Areas 95 4.6.3 Grade-Level Interfaces 97 4.6.4 Street Walls & Podiums 98 4.6.5 Tall Buildings 99 4.6.6 Prominent Sites 100 4.6.7 Parking, Loading & Utilities 101 4.6.8 Commercial Signage 102 4.6.9 Architectural & Material Quality 103 4.6.10 Community Benefits Priorities 104 4.7 Development Review 105

5.0/ IMPLEMENTATION 107 5.1 Role of BIA 107 5.2 Implementation Process 107

LIST OF MAPS

Toronto Entertainment District Identity Areas Public realm Framework Streetscape Hierarchy Open Spaces & Connections Gateways & Public Art Active Grade-Level Priorities Heritage Assets Distinct Character Areas Prominent Sites & Corners

109

THE TORONTO ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IS HOME TO SOME OF the nation’s most important and recognizable cultural landmarks including the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre, CBC, Bell Media, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales Theatre, the Royal Alexandra Theatre and many more. It is an area with layers of history and experience. It is a centre for nightlife, dining, live entertainment and film, professional sports, as well as a workplace and neighbourhood. But the story of the Toronto Entertainment District is not complete — it is one that is constantly evolving. At the centre of Canada’s largest city, and containing some of the country’s most notable landmarks and attractions, there is a constant pressure for change and the expectations are very high. By articulating a long-term vision and providing guidance for change, the Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan seeks to enable the District’s continued transformation in a predictable and coordinated manner, while protecting and reinforcing the distinct and defining characteristics that are central to its sustained success. These characteristics include the entertainment related functions, the diverse mix of uses and built forms, and the historic ‘brick and beam’ structures. Also important to the vision will be compelling ideas and guidance for improving the public realm to create beautiful and memorable streets and public spaces.

MASTER PLAN

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

TORONTO ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT BIA Boundary

City Hall

Grange Park

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media

NFB

SPADINA AVENUE

PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

PEARL STREET

KING STREET WEST

AVENUE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

BAY STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SIMCOE STREET

NELSON STREET

CLARENCE SQUARE

WELLINGTON STREET WEST

WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

FRONT STREET WEST

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE REES

GRAND TRUNK CRES

STRE ET

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

Toronto Inner Harbour N 0

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

1.0/ INTRODUCTION The cultural richness of the Toronto Entertainment District is immediately striking. It is an area with layers of history and experience. It is a centre for nightlife, dining, live entertainment and film, professional sports, workplaces, and living. Key to the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assets is its enviable location: ringed by the Financial District, the waterfront, Union Station, Spadina Avenue and the historic Queen Street West commercial strip. Former warehouses, relics of the industrial heritage of the King-Spadina area, in large part have set the tone for a significant area in the District. Former factory and railway buildings are now loft offices, studios and gallery spaces, restaurants and entertainment venues. The less known underlay to this industrial heritage is a history of grand residences and public structures, including the former location of the parliament buildings. What were once empty lots and surface parking areas are increasingly being built up with new condominium and office towers. Most of these new buildings combine a mix of uses, contributing to a diversity of activities in all hours and seasons. The lands south of the railway are being developed, and integrating them with the rest of the District is challenging. With some aspects of the public realm unchanged since the industrial period, streetscape conditions need to be updated to be more conducive to the emerging mixed-use and pedestrian-oriented urban environment. Forgotten places such as side streets and alleys may hold untapped potential in a context of increasing demand for usable space. The rich local history, both industrial and pre-industrial, should be protected without unduly restricting the natural evolution of the area as a desirable place to live, work and play. The

conflict between existing uses and newly emerging ones needs to be resolved. Many similar districts across North America have faced similar successes and challenges. Guided by visioning plans and studies, other business improvement area organizations have notably improved the look and feel of places such as Times Square in New York City and State Street/Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Locally, both the Bloor-Yorkville and Downtown-Yonge BIAs are currently implementing their own plans and transforming the appearance and image of their respective districts. By articulating a long-term vision and providing guidance for change, the Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan seeks to enable the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued transformation in a predictable and coordinated manner, while protecting the heritage assets, the entertainment related functions and the unique and diverse mix of uses and built forms that contribute to the character of the area. Central to the vision will be compelling ideas and guidance for improving the public realm to create beautiful and memorable streets and public spaces. Cities are dynamic, which is part of what makes them vibrant and exciting. No other area in the City of Toronto is seeing as much change as the Entertainment District. The Master Plan recognizes this and has been designed to be a living document, one that will grow and change over time to ensure that it remains relevant. Updates to the Master Plan may be undertaken periodically to ensure that significant changes to the existing physical and/or policy context will be reflected.

Left to Right: Royal Alexandra Theatre; Wayfinding - Air Canada Centre; Restaurant along King Street West.

MASTER PLAN

1.1/ STUDY AREA

1.3/ BACKGROUND TO THE MASTER PLAN

Established in 2008, the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area’s (BIA) mandate is to promote, improve, and preserve this dynamic area of Toronto.

The Master Plan unfolded over ten months. This process has sought to incorporate the various voices of a wide array of interests into a vision for the Toronto Entertainment District, including resident groups, development interests, design professionals, heritage groups, businesses and property owners.

The Toronto Entertainment District encompasses a significant part of the Downtown area, generally bounded by the Financial District to the east, Queen Street West to the north, Spadina Avenue to the west, and the Gardiner Expressway and Harbourfront to the south.

1.2/ PURPOSE OF THE MASTER PLAN A Master Plan is most effective when it can compel, inspire and bring about the intended outcomes. To do so, it must be rooted in the realm of possibilities, be legible to a broad spectrum of users and provide clear and concise direction to decision-makers. To be credible, the Master Plan must also be substantiated through technical analysis, be a product of a well documented public engagement process, and define the appropriate tools or mechanisms for implementation. By articulating a long-term vision to work towards, a Master Plan can help guide on-going decisions that impact the physical environment of the District in a coordinated and strategic manner. In addition to guiding the BIA in its mandate, the Master Plan can also provide benchmarks and standards for developers and set priorities for investments in the public realm. Some of the benefits of having a Master Plan include:

• Provides Clarity and Predictability — establishing development parameters and design standards

• Direction for Protecting Areas — identifying and

• • • •

strategizing for the protection of the treasured aspects of the District that define its unique and distinct character Direction for Enhancing Areas — strategies for revitalizing and improving areas in the District Unifies and Strengthens the Community — providing the District with one, unified and consistent voice to respond to or act on issues and opportunities Direction for Actions — guidance for decisionmaking and identifies strategies and priorities for initiatives and investments Profile and Image Building — raises awareness for the District and its long-term objectives, as well as providing tools and materials for marketing and promotions

To ensure an inclusive process, an Advisory Committee that has met monthly has guided the development of this Master Plan. The Advisory Committee is comprised of a broad representation of interests and includes members from the BIA Board of Directors, residents’ associations, BIA members, developers, Councillor Adam Vaughan and City of Toronto Staff. As a community driven process, inputs from each successive phase in the process had been integrated into the next. These inputs have been derived from key consultation events where the public was engaged to build upon and advance ideas. To this end, the process focused around the following public consultation events: Stakeholder Focus Group Sessions - Held over the course of three days on May 27, 28 and June 3, the stakeholder focus group sessions helped inform the background analysis through the identification of opportunities and constraints. Web Survey - To provide further clarity for the priorities, issues and opportunities for the Master Plan, a web survey was undertaken through the project website. Over 650 participants were asked specific questions about the Toronto Entertainment District to help inform the direction for Master Plan. Visioning Workshop - Held September 8-10, 2008, the Visioning Workshop was an exciting and intensive event that involved the entire Consultant Team, members of the Advisory Committee, stakeholders and members of the public. It served to facilitate discussion, debates and the generation of ideas. The Visioning Workshop worked towards generating a comprehensive plan, demonstration development concepts, and designs for capital improvements — all which directly contributed to the preparation of the Master Plan. The results from both the Stakeholder Focus Group Sessions and the Web Survey helped inform the Positioning Report — a summary of the background, existing conditions, and issues and opportunities analysis.

1.0/ INTRODUCTION

Master Plan Update 2012 - Through the summer and autumn of 2012, and approximately three years after its adoption, the Master Plan was reviewed and amended. Without altering the intent and spirit of the original document, amendments were introduced to contextualize, clarify or update specific sections or guidelines. As a testament to the value and success of the original Plan, a significant number of the proposed public realm improvements have been undertaken or initiated, and new ideas and priorities are now emerging. Furthermore, the extraordinary pace of development has greatly transformed the context since 2009, for which the Master Plan will need to reflect and address so as to remain current and relevant. The most significant revisions to the Master Plan deal with guidance for development. Since 2009, many of the developments approved by Council have not been consistent with the Master Plan or the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulatory planning framework, and in many cases are even at odds with current urban design standards and guidelines. Consequently, this has fuelled a momentum of transformation that has often been unpredictable and unprecedented with respect to the sites, scales and forms of development. Accordingly, the revised Master Plan has been tailored to specifically respond to emerging development issues and concerns by providing clearer and greater guidance on important matters for the district, such as character retention and the quality of the public realm.

1.4/ MASTER PLAN DOCUMENT STRUCTURE As an outcome of a comprehensive planning initiative of this magnitude, a Master Plan is an extensive body of work that is comprised of a number of significant components serving various purposes. However, a key objective in structuring this Master Plan has been to ensure a highly accessible and easily readable document. Accordingly, to ensure the vision and guidance components of the Master Plan is as concise a document as possible, the background analysis and directions are provided in a separate Positioning Report comprised of the following three documents:

the planning process and provides a set of potential strategies for moving forward. For background and greater contextual detail, the Positioning Report should be read in conjunction with this Master Plan. For ease of reference and manageability, the Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan is organized according to the following five parts: Part 1: Introduction - The introduction provides the context for the master planning process, including the purpose and objectives of the Plan as well as an overview of the study process. Part 2: The Vision - This section sets out the guiding principles, key overarching strategies and the objectives for the six distinct Character Areas that comprise the Toronto Entertainment District. Part 3: Public Realm Framework - The Public Realm Framework provides guidance for the elements of the Toronto Entertainment District that are in public ownership â&#x20AC;&#x201D; primarily streets and public open spaces. Part 4: Development Framework The Development Framework provides guidance for appropriate developments in the District. Part 5: Implementation The Implementation Strategy is a stand-alone document that provides the Toronto Entertainment District BIA with guidance in bringing the vision to fruition by defining and prioritizing recommendations and actions.

Part I: What Was Said - This report presents and analyzes the consultation that was undertaken and includes past studies undertaken in the District. Part II: What We See - This report presents and analyzes the existing policy and physical conditions, as well as the emerging context. Part III: What Should Happen - This final document consolidates the issues and challenges identified through Warehouses - looking east along Adelaide Street West.

MASTER PLAN

2.0/ THE VISION The Master Plan for the Toronto Entertainment District embodies the long-term vision for this vital and extraordinary part of the city. The Vision section provides a broad framework for shaping the intended role, function and character of the Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan. It builds on the District’s inherent assets and potential strengths to set the overarching intent and objectives for the area. 2.1/ GUIDING PRINCIPLES

2.2/ THE 6 KEY VISIONING STRATEGIES

This Vision is consistent with and builds upon a clear and concise set of guiding principles that emerged through the process of preparing the Plan. These principles include:

Consistent with the Guiding Principles, the following six key visioning strategies summarize the most significant and unifying themes in the Master Plan. Most of these strategies are interrelated, having implications on the guidance provided in the Character Areas, Public Realm, Built Form, and Implementation sections of the Master Plan.

The Plan should Protect:

• Designated & Listed Heritage Buildings & Unique Places • The Balance of Mixed-Uses • A Diversity of Entertainment, Living, Working & Shopping Choices

• Current Public Parking Capacity The Plan should Promote:

• • • •

Area Businesses Attractions & Tourism Heritage, Arts & Culture Active Transportation Options

The Plan should Enhance:

• • • •

Streetscapes & Open Spaces Livable & Pedestrian Environments The Area’s Vitality & Energy Connections & Way finding

FACING PAGE/ Rendering of Potential John Street Promenade; ABOVE/Roy Thomson Hall

MASTER PLAN

THE 6 KEY VISIONING STRATEGIES

ONE DISTRICT WITH EQUAL A NORTH-SOUTH CENTRAL SPINE BUT DIFFERENT PARTS

A LATTICE OF GREAT STREETS FOR WALKING

The Master Plan recognizes that the District encompasses a large part of west Downtown, comprising of areas that have historically differed in their planning polices, identities, emphasis of uses and built character. For example, the historic warehouse area at the north end of the District differs greatly in its character and potential then that of the former railway lands at the south end. Consequently, guidance for public investment and development ought to be reflective of each area’s unique constraints and opportunities.

Fundamental to successful retail and mixed-use areas is a high quality public realm that is inviting to pedestrians and that entices them to walk great distances. Streets not only serve as the primary way in which people move about, they also shape how a place is experienced and often make the greatest impression on visitors.

The Master Plan identifies five distinct but complementary Identity Areas and provides each with a guiding vision to direct and coordinate appropriate built forms, uses and improvements so as to reinforce the best existing and potential qualities of these areas. The Identity Areas are: • • • • •

Warehouse Area Theatre Area Commerce Area Events Area Union Station Area

The John Street corridor extending from the Art Gallery of Ontario to the waterfront has long been identified as a ‘Cultural Corridor’ that the Master Plan aims to bring to fruition. Envisioned as a splendidly designed and pedestrianoriented destination in its own right, the John Street Cultural Corridor can serve as a compelling and memorable new focus for the District that: • L inks the District’s major civic and cultural attractions • Provides a strong and central northsouth connection linking five of the six Identity Areas and key east-west destination shopping and dining streets • Strengthens the District’s physical and visual connection to the Queen West and Waterfront areas • Can serve as a location for festivals and events that would require road closures

The Master Plan encourages the creation of great streets throughout the district to encourage pedestrian movement; to beautify the environment; and to strengthen visual and physical connections. Furthermore, guidance is provided for a hierarchy of streetscape treatments to ensure supportive design and developments, depending on the intended pedestrian role and land use function of a particular street.

2.0/ THE VISION The 6 Key Visioning Strategies

A SEQUENCE OF ANIMATED INTEGRATED HERITAGE & DISTINCT CHARACTER SQUARES & PLAZAS AREAS

A HIGH QUALITY & LIVABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

A variety of open spaces of high quality can complement adjacent commercial uses, provide a focus for immediate areas, serve as attractions and catalysts for revitalization, and are essential to ensuring adequate amenity for high density living.

New development should not only aspire to great architectural design, it should also ensure a vibrant, inviting and appealing environment for walking, living and commercial vitality. This is achieved with developments that enhance their contexts and contribute to the convenience, comfort, safety and visual appeal of pedestrians — particularly at the level of the street.

The Master Plan proposes improved and expanded open space opportunities of a variety of types and scales. Direction is provided for potential purposing, programming and appropriate land use interfaces to enhance space utilization, complement civic and cultural attractions and to ensure vibrant and safe spaces.

As the area continues to revitalize and intensify, the meaningful integration of buildings and areas that have heritage, cultural and architectural significance becomes increasingly critical to retaining the District’s distinction. This is especially the case in the Identity Area identified as the Warehouse Area where contiguous concentrations of ‘brick and beam’ buildings dating from the District’s industrial era still remain. The Master Plan identifies existing and potential heritage resources and distinct character areas in the District and provides guidance for reinforcing the integrity of contiguous heritage environments, streetscapes and standalone buildings. It is the intent of this Master Plan to leverage the character of these heritage resources by integrating them into an appropriate and enhanced built form context.

MASTER PLAN

The Master Plan provides guidance for new development with an emphasis on ensuring the best possible relationships to the streetscape, adjacent buildings and to heritage and residential areas. In doing so, considerations are made for the way buildings and uses interface with the sidewalk, the quality and the character of the street wall, and appropriate massing for minimizing shadow and wind impacts.

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

IDENTITY AREAS BIA Boundary

Warehouse Area

Commerce Area

Open Spaces/Plazas

Theatre Area

Events Area

Union Station Area

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

Templar Hotel

RICHMOND STREET WEST

Warehouse Area

Shangri-la Hotel

PEARL STREET

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

Hotel Le Germain

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

Theatre Area

YORK STREET

KING STREET WEST

BAY STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

UNIVERSITY

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Hyatt Regency Hotel

DUNCAN STREET

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

CHARLOTTE STREET

Hilton Garden

NELSON STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

OXLEY ST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

Hydro One

The Ritz-Carlton

RBC Dexia

Simcoe Park

Simcoe Place

CBC

PIPER STREET

Commerce Area

Fairmont Royal York

Union Station Area

FRONT STREET WEST

InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Events Area Roundhouse Park

MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

N 0

100

150

200

250

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350

400

450

500

2.0/ THE VISION Identity Areas

2.3/ IDENTITY AREAS

Warehouse Area

The Toronto Entertainment District BIA includes a variety of unique uses and urban characteristics of varying integrity, some in a state of transition. Each of these areas poses strengths and assets that can be capitalized on and collectively they present a tremendous opportunity for enhancing the role, function and appeal of the Toronto Entertainment District BIA as a place to work, shop, live and play.

General Area Description

Identifying these distinct areas can assist in directing certain uses and improvements to enhance focal areas, as well as guiding appropriate built form responses. The objective is that while each area may maintain its own identity, collectively they complement one another and contribute to the overall vitality and appeal of the Toronto Entertainment District. As assessment of the area’s history, planning policies, land uses, and built character reveals that the Toronto Entertainment District BIA can be defined according to five unique Identity Areas. For the purposes of the Master Plan they have been identified as follows:

Warehouse Area Theatre Area Commerce Area Events Area

• D efined by a concentration of mid-rise ‘brick and beam’ structures, some of which have historic and architectural significance. • Contains a broad mix of uses, including office, commercial, restaurants, bars and night clubs, pockets of Victorian house forms, and book-ended with high density residential uses. • Richmond and Adelaide Streets are the main streets and primary focus for the precinct but are currently uninviting pedestrian environments that lack a vibrant street life throughout the day. • The area currently serves as a transition in scale and character between the newer large scaled developments and the Financial District to the south and east, and the low-rise adjacent Queen Street West Heritage Conservation District and neighbourhoods to the north. Key Area Objectives • I ntegrate the ‘warehouse assets’ into ongoing development to create a unique destination. • Continue to intensify the mix and variety of uses but with sensitivity to the precinct’s heritage character and function as a transition between areas of varying scales and intensity. • Greatly enhance all the streetscapes and promote active uses at-grade to create a vibrant and inviting street life. • Explore new opportunities for public spaces to enhance the area’s appeal and liveability.

Union Station Area In some instances, there are overlaps between Identity Areas. Where this occurs, it is recognized that there will be shared attributes, objectives and sensitivities between these adjacent areas.

Warehouse Area: Richmond Street

MASTER PLAN

Theatre Area

Commerce Area

General Area Description

• Defined by the animated and active King Street corridor comprised of contemporary buildings and pockets of buildings with an historic character. • Contains a broad mix of uses with a fine-grained rhythm of street-oriented shops and restaurants, as well as hotels, theatres and cultural attractions. • Straddling the transition line between the Financial District and Warehouse Area, the area is in the midst of transforming from a traditional ‘main street’ to an environment that includes larger scaled and taller buildings. • The poor interface with Metro Hall and Roy Thomson Hall does not lend to King Street’s potential. Key Area Objectives • Where possible, retain remaining heritage characteristics that lend to King Street’s distinction and charm. • Ensure that new developments contribute to the vibrant street life through small scale at-grade shops and restaurants and by ensuring adequate levels of sunlight. • Enhance the streetscape to complement the ‘main street’ character and to support outdoor cafés and the high levels of pedestrian and streetcar traffic. • Enhance the Metro Hall, David Pecaut Square and Roy Thomson Hall complex to serve as the District’s premiere open space destination, including improvements to the interface with King Street and the surrounding uses and attractions. • New larger scaled developments should provide adequate transitions to the Warehouse Area and the lower heights to the west of Spadina Avenue.

Theatre Area: King Street & Princess of Wales Theatre

• D efined by more contemporary and large-scaled buildings and formats. • While the major large-scaled office, hotel and convention facilities define the areas to east adjacent to the Financial District, a notable high-density residential character is emerging in the west part of this Area. • The area is afforded with two significant but underutilized open spaces: Clarence Square and Simcoe Park. • Front Street is the primary street in the precinct, but is unfriendly as a pedestrian environment due to fast moving traffic and large segments of building frontages with no at-grade uses. Key Area Objectives • P rotect and enhance the remaining heritage resources around Clarence Square and complete the revitalization of the park as an important focus for the adjacent residential intensification. • Enhance the Front Street environment to be more conducive to pedestrians, including the introduction of at-grade uses wherever possible. • Enhance Simcoe Park to better interface with the surrounding uses. • Improve connections to the Financial District, Union Station and the areas south of the railway.

Commerce Area: Metro Toronto Convention Centre

2.0/ THE VISION Identity Areas

Events Area

Union Station Area

General Area Description

• D efined by large-scale contemporary buildings including major venue landmarks and attractions, such as the Rogers Centre, CN Tower, Air Canada Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. • A concentration of high-rise residential and office uses exists to the east and west, while the balance of the Area is comprised of large scaled public uses. • The combination of large scaled uses and poorly defined public spaces contribute to an unfriendly pedestrian environment. Key Area Objectives • E nhance and program the public spaces to serve as attractions in their own right and to better connect adjacent destinations. • Continue to intensify the Area with infill that will help to better define and engage with the public spaces and Bremner Boulevard. • Enhance and reinforce visual and physical linkages to the Commerce and Union Station Areas, as well as the waterfront. • Ensure developments define and engage with the public spaces and Bremner Boulevard.

Events Area: Air Canada Centre

• D efined by large scale historic and contemporary forms and formats as well as major landmarks, such as Union Station and the Fairmont Royal York. • This heritage character and gateway-significant area has been newly transformed as an inviting pedestrian environment.. Key Area Objectives • E nhance the public spaces to reinforce the presence of the precinct’s major attractions and in particular Union Station. • Strengthen the area’s gateway function and enhance the pedestrian connections under the railway, as well as to the Events and Commerce areas and the waterfront.

Union Station Area: Union Station, Fairmont Royal York & Front Street

MASTER PLAN

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK The Public Realm Framework provides the long-term vision and guidance for the elements of the Toronto Entertainment District that are in public ownership. Accordingly the primary focus is on the quality of streets and open spaces. The Public Realm Framework is the most important section in the Master Plan as it fundamentally shapes the most prominent and visible aspects of the physical environment. Therefore, it can make the greatest impact on the image and potential sustained success of the District. The public realm is also where the BIA can make the greatest investments in improving the Toronto Entertainment District. The key components that comprise the Public Realm Framework include:

3.1/ KEY FEATURES OF THE PUBLIC REALM VISION The following describes the key aspects of the long-term vision for the public realm. These potential enhancements and interventions are meant to define specific opportunities that ought to be explored on their own, in conjunction with development and/or in partnership with the City and other organizations. Although conceptual in nature, these aspects of the vision point to real and present possibilities for transforming the image of the District and for serving as catalytic initiatives for revitalization.

Streetscapes

Open Spaces & Connections

Gateways & Public Art

Cycling Infrastructure

MASTER PLAN

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

PUBLIC REALM CONCEPT BIA Boundary Open Spaces/Plazas

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

BellMedia CTV Bell

NFB

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

Hydro One

The Ritz-Carlton

RBC Dexia

Simcoe Park

Simcoe Place

CBC

PIPER STREET

Fairmont Royal York

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

S REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

EET STR

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

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3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Key Features of the Public Realm Vision

King Street Improvements

John Street closed to traffic and utilized for a festival or event

John Street Promenade

King Street Streetscape Improvements

Identified as a ‘cultural corridor’ linking the Art Gallery of Ontario to the Waterfront, the Master Plan positions the transformation of John Street as a key public realm priority for the District. As a central north-south spine that links most major cultural attractions and five of the six Identity Areas, the Promenade has the potential to make the greatest and most profound positive impact for the area.

King Street serves as the district’s primary east-west main street, including a major streetcar line, shops, restaurants, and theatres. It is also a major pedestrian route through the area and between the Financial District and emerging neighbourhoods to the west. Accordingly, King Street is identified as a priority for streetscape improvements to harness the pedestrian traffic and leverage assets so as to realize its full potential as a major retail and entertainment destination.

Key features of this vision include:

• A unique and high quality streetscape and design • • •

treatment Narrowed roadway and widened landscaped sidewalks with public art opportunities Outfitted to easily close to vehicular traffic for special events and festivals Complementary land uses and developments that will ensure a vibrant Promenade in all hours and seasons

Key features of this vision include:

• Coordinated and consistent street furnishing, lighting and paving

• New and healthier street trees by providing pits with adequate soil volumes , tree grates and guards

• Slender planters where trees cannot be planted • Introduction of pedestrian lighting, including new poles that also hold banners and flower baskets

• Distinctive paving and furnishing elements to reflect • •

MASTER PLAN

Theatre Row and seamlessly accommodate Canada’s Walk of Fame Expanded sidewalks and corners at side streets with the potential to close for special events and festivals Gateway elements at Spadina Ave and Simcoe St

2 1

5 1 2

6 2

Festival Plaza

David Pecaut Square

TIFF Bell Lightbox presents a tremendous opportunity to leverage the new home of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and to provide a complementary public space by redesigning the current underutilized north-west corner of Metro Hall and David Pecaut Square.

David Pecaut Square is envisioned to serve as the primary open space focus for this part of the District with a redesign and programming on par with Bryant Park in Manhattan.

Key features of this vision include:

• A plaza with special paving and design treatments • • •

to serve as a new central gathering space while accommodating special events and festivals (1) Special paving treatments that extend into the surrounding streets and provide an appropriate setting for the key attractions at this intersection (2) New public art opportunities The potential for a second plaza for different purposes at the south-west corner of Metro Hall (3)

Key features of this vision include:

• A redesign of the central space to provide for • •

a greater variety of flexible programming while reinforcing north-south connections (1) Active uses introduced on all sides and improved interfaces with King and Wellington Streets (2) A redesign of the edges of Roy Thomson Hall to better interface with King Street and the Park, including the potential for extending the entrance to King Street (3); expanding the reflecting pool to also serve as a skating rink (4); an outdoor amphitheatre (5); and, the concealing of the south loading area with development (6)

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Key Features of the Public Realm Vision

1 2 3

4 Mid-block crossing between Simoce Square & Convention Centre

Bremner Boulevard/ Front Street Gateway Simcoe & Front Street Boulevard As a key central focus of the John Street Cultural Corridor and its link to the Waterfront, this gateway area is envisioned to consolidate and expand the existing collection of public spaces between Front Street and Rees Street into a coherent and coordinated pedestrian-oriented destination.

• A new plaza and gateway at the foot of John Street (1) • The consolidation of the bridges into an expanded

•

Key features of this vision include:

• Reprogramming and designing the square to be

Key features of this vision include:

•

Key to the transformation of Front Street is the redesign of Simcoe Park into a focal ‘public square’ and the introduction of a central landscaped median to humanize and beautify the street.

plaza and open space decked over the railway, framed by new potential structures and uses (2) and that can potentially extend to Simcoe Street in conjunction with improvements or redevelopment of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Integration with improvements associated with the new Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (3) Enhanced streetscape, promenade and gateway treatment on Rees Street and under the Gardiner Expressway (4)

• •

MASTER PLAN

more compatible and supportive of the adjacent developments and improvements to the CBC, including the potential for a paved gathering space A mid-block pedestrian crossing between Simcoe Park and the convention centre Streetscape improvement that include street trees; feature paving for off-peak parking lanes; and, a potential central landscaped median

Extension of distinctive paving treatments to the surrounding streets

Central raised plaza on Front Street to accommodate occasional events

Clarence Square

Union Station Front Street Plaza

Clarence Square is one of the last remnants of the District’s historic residential neighbourhoods and an anchor to the grand Wellington Street/Victoria Square corridor. In conjunction with new development, it is envisioned that the square will be revived as a formal green amenity to enhance the area’s liveability.

A process is currently underway to redesign the Front Street interface with Union Station. Consistent with the Union Station Master Plan and Precinct Plan, the improvements to both the north and south entrances to the Station will serve as important civic enhancements for the nation’s pre-eminent multi-modal transportation hub.

Key features of the vision include:

• Continue, revitalizing the park in a manner respectful • • • •

to its original design and programming The extension of the park into the surrounding streets through special paving treatments Enhanced physical and visual connections through mid-block links and public art installations Setback new developments on south side of Wellington to enable a promenade linking to Peter Street New framing developments that ensure sun penetration while providing for at-grade active uses to engage with the park space

• A plaza treatment for Front Street to accommodate a • •

multitude of users while enhancing this ‘front door’ to the city The creation of a central plaza space to complement the grandeur of the Station and Fairmont Royal York and that can be utilized for occasional events Opportunities for extending distinctive paving and street furnishings, as well as public art into the surrounding streets

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Key Features of the Public Realm Vision

Widened sidewalks and on-street parking lay-by on Adelaide

New Street in Brighton serves as a good example for the design of Mews

Richmond & Adelaide Improvements

The Mews

Richmond and Adelaide Streets hold tremendous untapped potential to become destination streets for shops, restaurants and cafés. Key to this potential will be their transformation into streets that are inviting to pedestrians. Although conversion to two-way streets is ideal for retail environments and calming traffic, the greatest priority is to enhance the pedestrian environment through the widening of sidewalks and more greening or landscaping features such as street trees.

Unique to this part of the city, there a number of short and often narrower streets that the Master Plan has identified as potential ‘Mews’. Located throughout the District, they serve as exceptional opportunities to create distinctive destination streets where narrowing the roadway may be possible to accommodate landscaped areas, plazas and active at-grade uses such as cafés and boutiques.

Key features of this vision include:

• A streetscape design that, through the conversion

• •

of one travel lane into permanent street side parking, can accommodate both one-way and eventually two-way traffic without a need to redesign Through the bumping out of corners, trees may be introduced and space provided for outdoor cafés The width of the roadway can be mitigated through special paving treatments for permanent and off-peak street side parking lanes

Key features of this vision include:

• Widening sidewalks and distinctive paving on • • • •

MASTER PLAN

the roadway that can accommodate closures for special events Street trees and landscaped areas to serve as green amenity to new developments Potential themed streetscape treatments and signage Attracting small scale retailers and markets or large scale tenants configured into boutique formats The potential for extending this strategy to rear lanes where warranted and appropriate

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

STREETSCAPE HIERARCHY

Laneways

BIA Boundary

John St. Promenade

Main Streets

Green Streets

Mid-Block Crosswalks

Open Spaces/Plazas

Boulevards

Heritage Streets

Mews

Potential Scrambled Intersections City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre JOHN STREET

Templar Hotel

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media CTV

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

DUNCAN STREET

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOT TE STREET

OXLEY ST

Shangri-la Hotel

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

The Ritz-Carlton

Hydro One

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

Fairmont Royal York

Simcoe Place

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

S REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

EET

STR

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

N 0

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3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscapes

3.2/ STREETSCAPES Central to most BIAs is the streetscape strategy, which can most profoundly define the quality and character of the built environment. As streets comprise the most significant land area in public ownership and because they are the primary means by which we move about, they shape how we experience a given place. More than just a ‘roadway’, a ‘streetscape’ defines and considers all the elements that in concert create the quality and character of the ‘urban room’. The streetscape is defined by roadway, sidewalks, trees and landscaping, lighting and furnishing, signage and especially the character and quality of the buildings that define the ‘street wall’. Given that a culture of walking is so fundamental to achieving a successful downtown commercial area, streetscapes ought to be designed to balance their pedestrian, transit, land use and civic functions, in addition to their vehicular function. Accordingly, a shift in conventional thinking about road design must take place, which considers their ‘character’ as important as their ‘capacity’ for traffic.

General objectives applicable to all streetscapes include:

• All streets should be lined with trees in increments no •

•

3.2.1/ Streetscape Hierarchy

•

The Streetscape Hierarchy identifies the key design objectives for a variety of street types in the Toronto Entertainment District. The objective of this section is to guide subsequent detailed studies for streetscaping. The Hierarchy serves to provide consistency across the District, while reinforcing distinctive streets, enhancing the quality of the pedestrian environment and defining appropriate built form and land use relationships. The proposed categories of Toronto Entertainment District streetscapes include: John Street Promenade; Boulevards; Main Streets; Heritage Streets; Green Streets; Mews; and, Laneways.

• •

•

On the following pages, these streetscapes are further described and in some instances accompanied by prototypical cross-sections to illustrate the general intended character and design options where applicable. These plans and sections are intended to serve as a general guide for informing detailed design development when a given street is considered for improvement and/or reconstruction. Where more detailed design strategies have been undertaken, they can be found in the following section - 3.2.2 Streetscape Design Strategies. An overview of the Coordinated Streetscape Pallet is provided in section 3.2.3.

more than 5.0 – 7.0 metres to enhance visual quality, provide shade, and to serve as wind breaks. Wherever possible, sidewalks should ‘bump-out’ at intersections to define on-street parking areas, lessen pedestrian crossing distances, and to provide ample sidewalk widths at intersections for features such as public art, sidewalk café patios, concession stands and transit stops. On-street parking should be distinguished in its paving from the roadway to perceptively extend the pedestrian realm and visually mitigate the width of the roadway. Pedestrian convenience and amenities should be of paramount consideration with respect to ensuring adequate sidewalk widths for the desired volume of use and in the siting, design and quality of furnishings, lighting, transit stops and shelters. Bike lanes are desirable but should only be considered at the expense of vehicular lanes and only after sidewalks are adequately widened with street trees. All crosswalks should be clearly identified with special paving treatments. Patios are highly encouraged, particularly along streets identified as John Street Promenade, Main Streets and Heritage Streets. Visual clutter and unnecessary obstructions on sidewalks should be avoided and streetscape improvements should integrate lighting, furnishings, newspaper boxes, trash bins, signage, bike storage, etc. within a unified design vocabulary. Access to loading and parking should be provided via rear lane where they exist. Otherwise driveway accesses should be carefully located, consolidated where possible and well designed to ensure pedestrian safety and to not detract from the quality of the streetscape.

King Street Improvements

MASTER PLAN

John Street Promenade (John St; Rees St)

Intended District Role and Function

• A central, north-south pedestrian-oriented spine •

connecting the Art Gallery of Ontario to the Waterfront Serves as a cultural corridor visually and physically linking major cultural attractions across the District

Defining Design Characteristics

• • • •

Generally 20 metre right-of-way Two travel lanes Widened sidewalks with significant tree planting Special paving treatments from building face to building face

Prototypical John Street Promenade Cross-section.

• Rolling curbs and/or bollards are preferred to conventional curbs

• Street furnishing related to street closures should be integrated into its design

• Continuous at-grade uses such as shops and restaurants

See 3.2.2.1 John Street Promenade for Proposed Streetscape Improvements

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Hierarchy

Main Streets

(King St; Queen St)

• Special paving treatments to distinguish off-peak

Intended District Role and Function

• Primary traditional ‘Main Street’ that has a city-wide function and role

on-street parking lanes

• Continuous at-grade retail commercial uses are required

• Generally key streetcar lines that accommodate high

volumes of all modes of transportation — cars, bikes, pedestrians

Defining Design Characteristics

• Generally 20 metre right-of-way with central aligned

See 3.2.2.3 King Street for Proposed Streetscape Improvements

streetcar rails

• Four travel lanes including two off-peak on-street parking lanes

• Wide sidewalks with as much tree planting as possible

Prototypical Main Street Cross-section.

MASTER PLAN

Heritage Streets

(Richmond St; Adelaide St; Peter St; Duncan St; and the northern segments of Blue Jays Way and Simcoe St) Intended District Role and Function

• Secondary commercial/mixed-use streets that have •

either a local or city-wide function and role Generally serving vehicular and pedestrian movement with some instances of underutilized streetcar lines

Defining Design Characteristics

• Distinguished by prominence of ‘brick and beam’ • •

building and complementary streetscape feature such as paving, furnishing or landscaping Generally 20 metre right-of-way Two travel lanes and either one (Option B) or two

Duncan Street

permanent on-street parking lanes (Option A)

• Wide sidewalks and bump-outs at corners where a permanent on-street parking lane is provided

• As much tree planting as possible and a potential for • •

a double row on the side where on-street parking is provided on only one side (Option B) Special paving treatments to distinguish on-street parking lanes At-grade retail commercial uses are encouraged where possible

See 3.2.2.7 Richmond & Adelaide Streets for Proposed Streetscape Improvements

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Hierarchy Heritage Streets Option A: This cross-section illustrates a prototypical Heritage Street with permanent on-street parking provided on both sides.

Heritage Streets Option B: This cross-section illustrates a prototypical Heritage Street with permanent on-street parking on one side to enable a promenade on the opposite side.

MASTER PLAN

Boulevards

(University Ave; Spadina Ave; Front St; Bremner Blvd; York St) Intended District Role and Function

• Major arteries that have a city-wide function and role • Generally key transit corridors that accommodate high volumes of all modes of transportation — cars, bikes, pedestrians

Green Streets

(Wellington St; and the southern segments of Blue Jays Way and Simcoe St) Intended District Role and Function

• Key local and city-wide streets that also serve as major connections between major open spaces

• Generally serve higher density areas and

accommodate higher volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic than counterpart Heritage Streets

Defining Design Characteristics

• Generally greater than 20 metre right-of-way with • • • •

central landscaped median sometimes in conjunction with an LRT Minimum four travel lanes with occasional lay-bys for loading with minimal on-street parking if any Wide sidewalks with significant tree planting Special paving treatments where on-street parking is provided Continuous at-grade uses should be encouraged

Defining Design Characteristics

• G enerally 20 metre right-of-way • Can be one or two-way • Two travel lanes with either one (Option A) or two

• • • •

Spadina Avenue

(Option B) permanent on-street parking lanes; otherwise four lanes (Option C) with two off-peak parking lanes Wide sidewalks and bump-outs at corners where a permanent on-street parking lane is provided As much tree planting as possible and a potential for a double row on the side where on-street parking is provided on only one side (Option A) Special paving treatments where on-street parking is provided Continuous at-grade uses should be encouraged; otherwise appropriate privacy setbacks or grade shifts and landscaping for residential uses

Wellington Street

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Hierarchy

Green Streets Option A: This cross-section illustrates a prototypical Green Street with permanent on-street parking on one side to enable a promenade on the opposite side.

Green Streets Option B: This cross-section illustrates a prototypical Green Street with permanent on-street parking provided on both sides.

MASTER PLAN

Green Streets Option C: This cross-section illustrates a prototypical Green Street with off-peak on-street parking provided on both sides.

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Hierarchy

Example of a widened sidewalk on one side of the street in Austin

MASTER PLAN

Mews

Laneways

Intended District Role and Function

(Nelson St; Pearl St; Charlotte St; Widmer St; Oxley St; Mercer St; Windsor St; Station St)

• Tertiary commercial /mixed-use streets that have a

• Primarily for servicing retail and/or access for loading

•

• Generally serving local vehicular traffic but often can

very localized function and role Generally serving broad-based pedestrian traffic but only local vehicular traffic

Defining Design Characteristics

and parking with a very localized function and role

serve as informal pedestrian mid-block connections

Defining Design Characteristics

• Generally 20 metre or less right-of-way with no more

• Generally 9 metre or less right-of-way and often

•

• Concealed and/or consolidated garbage storage

• • • • • •

than two block lengths One or two travel lanes with occasional inset lane for loading and/or permanent on-street parking lanes Thematic streetscape dependent on purpose and land uses Widened sidewalks with tree planting determined by street purpose and land uses Special paving treatments from building face to building face Rolling curbs and/or bollards are preferred to conventional curbs Street furnishing related to street closures could be integrated in its design Continuous at-grade uses such as shops and restaurants are encouraged

Example of potential design treatment for Mews - Saskatoon

discontinuous from one block to the next

is encouraged

• Thematic streetscape where pedestrian traffic is anticipated

• N o sidewalks or landscaping is required • May accommodate at-grade uses where pedestrian traffic is anticipated

Example of design treatment of activated laneway - Washington DC

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies

Crosswalks

3.2.2/ Streetscape Design Strategies

The success of commercial and mixed-use areas can hinge on how well it can accommodate and enhance the pedestrian experience. A sense of comfort and safety will be heightened when the speed of traffic is reduced. Crosswalks serve two functions: the clear demarcation of a safe route for a pedestrian to cross; and, as a traffic calming measure. Frequent stops will ensure slower traffic speeds and cautious driving.

Informed by the public realm vision and consistent with the streetscape hierarchy, a number of streetscape design initiatives for specific streets or elements were undertaken since the initial Master Plan was completed in 2009. The following section provides an overview of these streetscape design strategies. As future initiatives are undertaken they will also be consolidated in this section of the Master Plan. Where applicable, documents that contain greater detail that may be available are identified for reference.

Accordingly, the Master Plan encourages the following objectives for crosswalks:

• As much as possible, every intersection should have •

•

crosswalks, particularly where pedestrian traffic volumes are high or desired Mid-block crosswalks should be provided at King, Wellington and Front Streets to create a continuous mid block pedestrian route through David Pecaut Square and Simcoe Park (see locations identified in the Streetscape Hierarchy Plan) As streetscape improvements get implemented along King Street and the John Street Promenade, scrambled intersections should be considered at all key intersections for these two primary pedestrian routes (see locations identified in the Streetscape Hierarchy Plan) To enhance their visibility and quality, crosswalks should utilize distinctive feature paving and may be raised to act as effective traffic calming measures

Streetscape Design Strategies contained in this document include:

• • • • • • •

John Street Promenade Concept Design John Street Pilot Project King Street Capital Improvement Plan King Street Squares King Street Expandable Sidewalks Richmond & Adelaide Street Configurations Union Station Front Street Plaza

Future Streetscape Design Strategies that are under consideration or anticipated include:

• • • • • • •

Mercer Street Mews Nelson Street Mews Peter Street Improvements Simcoe Street Improvements Front Street Improvements Duncan Street Improvements Decorative Lighting Strategy

Example of articulated crosswalk - Quebec City

MASTER PLAN

3.2.2.1/ John Street Promenade Concept Design QUEEN STREET

NFB

Bell Media

RICHMOND STREET

In September 2009, several months after the initial Master Plan was adopted by the BIA, City of Toronto Council made the John Street Cultural Corridor a priority, authorizing the General Manager of Transportation Services to undertake a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA). Undertaken in partnership with the BIA, the EA set out to review and recommend improvements to John Street to help implement the vision of the Master Plan for creating a vibrant and exciting destination that reinforces a pedestrian oriented north-south spine connecting some of the city’s most significant cultural landmarks. The John Street Corridor Improvements Environmental Assessment Study resulted in the following Recommended Design:

• The narrowing of the road pavement in order to provide

Scotiabank Theatre

significantly wider sidewalks and boulevard areas as follows:

• From four to three lanes between Front Street and Wellington Street

NELSON STREET

• From four to two lanes between Wellington Street and Adelaide Street

• From three lanes to two lanes between Adelaide Street and Queen Street

• Exclusive right turning lanes northbound at Adelaide Street West ADELAIDE STREET

•

• PEARL STREET

• TIFF Bell Lightbox

Princess of Wales Theatre

KING STREET

Metro Hall

Concept Plan of Proposed improvements

and at Wellington Street West and a southbound left turn lane at Wellington Street West in order to maintain an adequate level of traffic service A continuous “mountable” curb on both sides of the street to enable a seamless transition into a pedestrian-only space for events, for vehicles to mount the flexible boulevard for deliveries or drop-offs, and to accommodate additional vehicular and cycling manoeuvring on either side of the road in emergencies The widening of the east side boulevard between Front Street West and Stephanie Street to provide a 2.5 metre wide flexible space (defined by bollards) to accommodate deliveries and, when not used for vehicular loading/unloading, for pedestrians or other programming The provision of urban design elements which consist of a double row of trees where feasible, removable bollards, infrastructure to support special events and distinctive paving materials and patterns from building face to building face.

The EA was adopted by Council in February 2012 and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in December 2012. With legislative approval of the EA, the City is anticipated to commence with the Detailed Design and Tendering phase of work, bringing the John Street Promenade one step closer to becoming a ‘shovel-ready’ project once full funding is in place. Refer to the John Street Corridor Improvements Environmental Assessment Study (January 2012) for further detailed analysis and descriptions.

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies

The current condition of John Street looking south at Richmond Street

Proposed improvements illustrating the typical use of the street by all modes

Proposed improvements illustrating the use of the flexible boulevard for deliveries

Proposed improvements illustrating the closure of the street for a summer fair

Proposed improvements illustrating the closure of the street for an art event

Proposed improvements illustrating the closure of the street for a sporting event

MASTER PLAN

3.2.2.2/ King Street Capital Improvement Plan •

Completed in December 2011, the King Street Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) provides a streetscape revitalization strategy for the segment of King Street between Simcoe Street and Spadina Avenue. King Street is one of Downtown Toronto’s key east-west transit and pedestrian corridors and the main east-west spine for the BIA.

• The introduction of banners and Decorative Icons

• •

on new BIA poles along the entire corridor that accommodate flower baskets, as well as future pedestrian light fixtures Enhanced wayfinding through the introduction of Directory Maps and Directional Signage Distinctive paving treatments that will distinguish two character areas : Center Stage (between Simcoe

• 1,600

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

See note

1,600

200

The initial stages of improvements have begun, including the introduction the new BIA banner and icon poles, as well as hanging flower baskets and anti-poster wraps that are colour matched to visually unify existing poles with the new BIA poles as an interim measure. min. 3,200

Key features of the proposed improvements include:

•

800 1,200

1,200

•

min. 1,700

Informed by the Master Plan and in consultation with stakeholders, the CIP sets out a more detailed vision and strategy to enhance the streetscape and to bring to fruition King Street’s unrealized potential over the short, medium and long-term.

•

and Widmer Streets) and Stage Left (between Widmer Street and Spadina Avenue) A distinctive treatment to the travel/on-street parking lanes (see 3.2.2.5 King Street Expandable Sidewalks). All existing poles and light fixtures replaced with a new and consistent standard that will complement the new BIA poles Street tree planting in conjunction with new developments or sidewalk reconstruction and a consistent standard for steel grates and guards. Slender planters are proposed on the north side to balance the landscaping on either side of the street. Hanging flower baskets on all poles

Refer to the King Street Capital Improvement Plan (December 2011) for further detailed analysis and descriptions.

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

Stage Left Paving Treatment 1,600

See note

1,600

min. 3,200

min. 1,700

800 1,200

200

1,200

Enhanced Paving - Stage Left Paving Treatment Concrete Slabs with contrasting finishes (broomfinishes and sandblasting) with Charcoal Granite Urban Band

Center Stage Paving Treatment

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

1,600

See note

1,600

See note

1,600

min. 1,700

Enhanced Paving - Center Stage Paving Treatment Concrete Slabs with contrasting finishes (broomfinishes and sandblasting) with Charcoal Granite pavers bordering Walk of Fame Pavers and Charcoal Granite Urban Band

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

1,600

See note

1,600 200

1,200

min. 3,200

1,600

800

200

1,200

min. 1,700

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

min. 3,200

800 1,200

200

1,200

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies

New District Street Light Standard

BIA pole transformed into New District Street Pedestrian Standard Slender Planter

Stage Left Paving Treatment

Long-Term Vision for Stage Left Character Area

BIA pole transformed into New District Street Pedestrian Standard

Installation of bench on concrete wall around Roy Thomson Hall pool

Uplighting Tree Grate

Center Stage Paving Treatment

Long-Term Vision for Centre Stage Character Area

MASTER PLAN

3.2.2.3/ King Street Squares King Street Squares were identified as a unique streetscaping opportunity that emerged through the process of the King Street Capital Improvement Plan. Where streets of lesser traffic importance such as ‘Mews’ and ‘Heritage’ streets terminate at King Street, a series of modest ‘squares’ are proposed: Ed Mirvish Square (at Ed Mirvish Way/Duncan Street), Reitman Square (at Widmer Street) and Charlotte Square (at Charlotte Street). These Squares present an opportunity to provide additional pedestrian areas on the sunny side of the street with plaza treatments to accommodate outdoor patios, public art, as well as occasional festivals and events. The King Street Squares are intended to serve as flexible spaces with the ability to support various programs, including markets, festivals and seasonal patios. Key design recommendations include:

Plan of proposed improvements illustrating the typical use of the street

• These spaces should extend from King Street to the closest lane or street to the north.

• The roadway should be narrowed to accommodate

• • •

one travel lane in each direction so as to widen the sidewalks to the greatest extent possible to allow for large patios and/or public art and street furnishing. A rolling curb should replace the existing barrier curbs to enable a seamless transition into a pedestrian-only space for special events. Distinctive paving treatments should extend from building face to building face to create the sense of a square. Removable bollards can be installed at the street entry points for road closures.

Plan of proposed improvements illustrating the use of the street for a music performance

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies

Existing condition of the potential â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ed Mirvish Squareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Proposed improvements illustrating the typical use of the street

Proposed improvements illustrating the use of the street for a music performance

MASTER PLAN

3.2.2.4/ King Street Expandable Sidewalks In early 2011, a patio expansion pilot was explored for Restaurant Row - south side of King Street between John and Peter Streets. In response to the desire of the restaurateurs to expand their patios and increase the draw to the area, interventions to utilize the south curb lane on a seasonal or weekend basis was considered. The idea was carried forward during the preparation of the King Street Capital Improvement Plan and expanded upon as a formal improvement proposal for the long-term.

Paving treatment of the curb side travel and off-peak on-street parking lanes that is visually consistent with the sidewalk - Grand Allee, Quebec City

Specifically, inspired by the Grand Allee in Quebec City, there is an opportunity to apply a distinctive paving treatment to the travel/on-street parking lanes along both sides of King Street to visually reduce the width of the street while formalizing parts of the roadway that can be taken over for seasonal patio expansions and/or red-carpet events associated with the theatres. This treatment should be considered when the road is planned for reconstruction or repaving and would involve the introduction of pavers in the curb lane, a rolling curb to enable a seamless transition to a pedestrian only-space, and the use of movable bollards to close off the lane seasonally or for special events. As a pilot project, this idea can be potentially implemented and tested to enhance the character and business for Restaurant Row. Specifically, if supported by the restaurateurs and City, the pilot project could operate in the summer months and would involve:

• Occupying the south curb lane and applying textured • • •

The middle and bottom images illustrate the before and after where movable bollards are used in the summer months to close off the curb-side lane for pedestrians only, enabling the patios to expand on a seasonal basis

asphalt paint to create a sidewalk area as well as buffer zone adjacent to the streetcar tracks. Except for cyclists and streetcars, limiting or eliminating eastbound through traffic in this block. Permitting the restaurants to extend their patios to the curb edge. Creating a uniform design through the use of easy to install and dismantle furnishings, planters, and bollards

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies

Cross-Section of King Street west of John Street to illustrate the components that comprise the pilot patio expansion project

Existing Restaurant Row on King Street - looking west from John Street

Illustration of pilot patio expansion where the curb side lane is used by pedestrians

MASTER PLAN

3.2.2.5/ Richmond & Adelaide Street Configurations

Richmond Street existing condition looking west at Duncan Street

• A streetscape design that, through the conversion

• •

of one travel lane into permanent street side parking, can accommodate both one-way and eventually two-way traffic without a need to redesign the street Through the bumping out of corners, trees may be introduced and space provided for outdoor cafés The width of the roadway can be mitigated through special paving treatments for permanent and off-peak street side parking lanes

Illustration of proposed improvements to Richmond Street

Adelaide Street existing condition looking east at Charlotte Street

Illustration of proposed improvements to Adelaide Street Walnut Street in Philadelphia demonstrates a three-lane ,one-way street that is pedestrian friendly and a highly successful retail area

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies Richmond/Adelaide Existing Condition: This cross-section illustrates the existing condition for Richmond and Adelaide Streets with four travel lanes and minimal to no street trees.

MASTER PLAN

Richmond/Adelaide Option A: One-way Configuration: This cross-section illustrates how one-way can be accommodated in three travel lanes but sidewalks may be widened by narrowing the lanes and creating a permanent parking lane.

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Streetscape Design Strategies Richmond/Adelaide Option B: Two-way Configuration: This cross-section illustrates how the one-way option can be easily converted into a two-way.

MASTER PLAN

3.2.2.6/ Union Station Front Street Plaza Union Station is the busiest transportation hub in Canada, serving upwards of 200,000 passengers every business day. As GO Transit expands, this number is expected to double in the next 10-15 years. To accommodate the additional pedestrian traffic crossing Front Street and to enhance the historic Station’s civic setting, the City of Toronto undertook a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to explore options to reconfigure Front Street West from Bay Street to York Street. The EA was completed in April 2012 and the improvements are intended to be timed and coordinated to the reconstruction of Front Street as a result of the expansion to Union Subway Station, and to be completed in time for the 2015 Pan American Games. Key features of the proposed streetscape design include:

• A grand civic plaza with new lighting, additional seating and granite pavement treatment

• A “table top” mid-block pedestrian crossing spanning the width of the plaza

• Significant sidewalk expansion, with wider crosswalks at intersections and minimized crossing distances

• Modified lay-by taxi, bus and private vehicle parking arrangements on both sides of the street

• Vehicle lanes reduced from typical two travel lanes •

to one wider travel lane in each direction that can accommodates cyclists Continuous street trees along the north side of the street

Bird’s eye view rendering illustrating the proposed changes to Front Street

Refer to the Front Street Reconfiguration (York Street to Bay Street) Environmental Assessment Report (April 2011) for further detailed analysis and descriptions.

Rendering illustrating the proposed ‘table-top’ mid-block crossing and plaza

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Coordinated Streetscape Palette

3.2.3 / Coordinated Streetscape Palette • Sidewalk and paver treatments • Street and pedestrian lighting standards • Tree species and landscaping elements such as trench

With the exception of the Railway Lands, most of the streets in the BIA have not been subject to any specific City standards such as those identified in the Toronto Streetscape Manual. Consequently there is a tremendous inconsistency in the quality and standards evident on any given street and across the entire district. The Coordinated Streetscape Palette serves to guide developers, the BIA, Utilities and the City where improvements to streets in the District are proposed so as to ensure a consistent application of streetscape standards and elements.

details and grates

• Street furniture such as benches and waste receptacles

For all streets in the BIA not subject to pre-existing standards, the Palette provides detailed specifications for carrying out streetscape improvements, including:

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

STREETS IN NEED OF GUIDANCE BIA Boundary

Streets with Standards

Open Spaces/Plazas

Emerging Standards

While the Palette serves as an important and necessary base line for streetscaping that generally reinforces the Streetscape Hierarchy, it will continually be updated as the BIA develops its own distinctive standards, either for special streets such as the John Street Promenade or specific elements that can be broadly applied such as the Icon and Banner Pole design for King Street. Unless superseded by more specific design strategies, the following section provides an overview of the Coordinated Streetscape Palette strategy for the BIA.

Priority Streets for Guidance

Refer to the Toronto Entertainment District Streetscape Palette or Toronto Streetscape Manual for detailed guidance and specifications.

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media CTV

NFB

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

PEARL STREET

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOT TE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

Roy Thomson Hall

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

The Ritz-Carlton

Hydro One

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

Fairmont Royal York

Simcoe Place

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

REES ET STRE

LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Hotel Le Germain

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

The Priority Streets for Guidance identified on the plan are subject to the Coordinated Streetscape Palette QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Toronto Inner Harbour

The Power Plant Gallery

MASTER PLAN Queens Quay Centre

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

PAVING PALETTE BIA Boundary

Concrete paver band (2rows)

Granite paver band (6rows)

Open Spaces/Plazas

Granite paver band (2rows)

Completed or emerging paving conditions

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell BellMedia CTV

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

The Ritz-Carlton

Hydro One

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

Fairmont Royal York

Simcoe Place

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

N 0

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Coordinated Streetscape Palette

3.2.3.1/ Paving Palette 5. Corner Treatment

Implementing a one colour accent paving tone palette is an important strategy for creating a cohesive streetscape throughout the District. Charcoal has been identified as the dominant accent paving colour within the District. Standardizing the paving palette to a two-row charcoal paving band for the majority of the streets in the BIA will simplify the streetscape and strengthen identity. Important civic streets in the District (King, Wellington and David Pecaut Square) will continue to be distinguished with a sixrow paving band.

5. Brail Treatment

typical two-band paver treatment

2. Sidewalk Scoring

1,200

Light Fixture Base

The Mews, such as Nelson and Mercer Streets have been identified for distinctive paving treatments that include the use of paleo-tech pavers in place of asphalt.

1. Paving Band

1,600

Continuous tree trench (each tree must have min. of 15m 3 of soil)

typical paving treatment for the Mews

200mm Concrete Curb

5. Corner Treatment Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

See note

5. Brail Treatment

typical six-band paver treatment

min.

2. Sidewalk Scoring 1,600

Light Fixture Base 1,200

1,200

200 800 1,600

min. 2,100 min. 3,200

TORO NTO

EN TE RT A

NT ME IN

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

Min. 3,000 apart

MASTER PLAN

1,600

less than 3,200

T TRIC DIS

Tree spacing varies (min. 7,000 and max. 10,000)

Min. 3,000 apart

200

3 Con ti no us tree trench (each tree must have min. of 15m of soil)

Length varies (max 2,000)

1,600

3 Con ti no us tree trench (each tree must have min. of 15m of soil)

800

Demonstration of paleo-tech pavers in place of asphalt St. Nicholas, 1,000 Toronto min.- 1,700

Engraved corner sidewalk treatments at major intersections can be an effective way of marking gateways and orienting pedestrians. Engravings can include the BIA or Identity Area branding, street name or even poetic statements.

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

VEGETATION PALETTE BIA Boundary

OAK CONDITION

ELM AND HACKBERRY CONDITION

TTO 4 TREE GRATE

Open Spaces/Plazas

TILIA CONDITION

GINKO AND BLACK LOCUST CONDITION

TV48 TREE GRATE

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell BellMedia CTV

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

The Ritz-Carlton

Hydro One

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

Fairmont Royal York

Simcoe Place

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

N 0

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Coordinated Streetscape Palette

3.2.3.2 / Landscaping Palette The health of the existing vegetation in the District has been adversely affected by lack of maintenance, minimal diversity, space conflicts with patios and narrow sidewalks, and overhanging infrastructure. Introducing a continuous tree trench with a minimum of 15 square metres of soil per tree, tree grates as well as using a diverse number of tree species in the District, will ensure a strong healthy canopy. Street hierarchy and special spaces are distinguished by the use of unique tree species.

min. 2,100 Pedestrian Clearway

1,200 Tree Grate

Building Face

min. 3,200 1,600 Tree Zone

Metal Tree Grate - Reinforced suspended on 2 sides tree cover

Pitch sidewalk away from building to redirect stormwater

Brick Edger

The street trees will benefit from tree grates that allow surface water to drain into the tree pits while enhancing the quality of streetscape. Two tree grates will be used in the district. The Trystan Model Tv48 tree grate will be used in the Warehouse Area and the Tryston Model TTO 4 Tree grate will be used in all other areas.

Keyway

Granular â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;? Depth Compacted per specifications 200mm groove that captures storm water and directs to tree grate irrigate trees and retain stormwater Perforated drain pipe connected to Storm sewer or a specified

Typical Tree Grate Section with Suspened Sidewalk Continuous Trench

A narrow planter should be used on all streets where sidewalks are too narrow to accommodate street trees.

Street Trees

Continuous tree trenches should be used for sidewalk widths that can accommodate tree planting. A cast iron tree grate cover can enhance the boulevard as well as protect the tree base. Soil volume for each tree must be at least 15sm. Stormwater will be directed to tree grates to irrigate trees. All planting must be approved by the City of Toronto Urban Forestry.

min. 2,100 Pedestrian Clearway 600 Narrow Planter Narrow Planter must be placed on concrete plinth.

Narrow Planters

Cast iron narrow planters should be used when sidewalk widths can not accommodate tree planting.

Demonstration of narrow planter with seasonal landscaping - Summerhill, Toronto

Trystan Model: TTO 4 TREE GRATE

Trystan Model: Tv48 TREE GRATE

Tree Grates

MASTER PLAN

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

LIGHTING AND BIA POLE PALETTE BIA Boundary

St. Clair Light Standard

Railway Lands lighting

Open Spaces/Plazas

Victorian Light Standard

BIA Decorative Icon

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell BellMedia CTV

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

The Ritz-Carlton

Hydro One

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

Fairmont Royal York

Simcoe Place

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

N 0

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Coordinated Streetscape Palette

3.2.3.3/ Lighting & Pole Palette There are three types of street light standards identified for the Entertainment District;

• The Victorian heritage light standard and Victorian heritage stand along pedestrian light

• The St. Clair Light Standard with pedestrian armature and St. Clair stand alond pedestrian light standard

• Railway lands light standard

The Victorian Heritage Street Light Standard (L-s33) and a standard along pedestrian light (L-15) will replace all light standards within the Warehouse District. The Railway lands, south of Front Street will continue to use the Railway Lands light standard (L-s11) The rest of the light standards in the Entertainment District will be replaced by the St. Clair light standard (L-s34) which includes a built-in pedestrian light standard and has banner arms and flower basket brackets. The BIA has implemented a new distinct pole standard to enhance the streetscape, strengthen BIA branding, and to identify gateways. The BIA poles are spaced in between street lights and accommodate BIA banners, icons and hanging flower baskets.

BIA Icon Pole

BIA Banner Pole

• LIGHTING • • LIGHTING •

• LIGHTING •

2200mm

2000mm

COBRA HEAD LU

LUMINAIRE CLEAR GLASS VICTORIAN - POLE MOUNTED

STREET LIGHT

CAST ALUMINUM POLE - BLACK POLYESTER POWDER COAT FINISH

700mm RADIUS

LUMEC

LUMEC CAPELLA SERIES COLOUR: RAL 7005 MOUSE GREY or

609mm

1828mm

GALVANIZED ST -BLUE GREEN

TIGER DRYLAC 449/71560 or VMS-3685 DP

OPTIONAL BANNER

9140mm

CAST ALUMINUM LUMINAIRE POLE - BLACK POLYESTER POWDER COAT FINISH (MOLDCAST, HERITAGE, LUMEC, HOLOPHANE)

6248mm

6705mm

OPTIONAL SPUN

TYPE II BRACKE MID-POLE GLOB 70WATT HPS (SEE DETAIL L-0

OPTIONAL PEDESTRIAN LIGHT

CONCRETE POL TERRAZZO - OTT GRANITE AGGRE FINISH (STRESS

OPTIONAL FLOWER BASKET BRACKET 2640mm

2410mm

4850mm

9.70m

LUMINAIRE CLEAR GLASS VICTORIAN PERICLINE - BLACK (MOLDCAST, HERITAGE, LUMEC, HOLOPHANE)

T.H.E.S. HANDWELL

OPTIONAL STREET SIGNAGE MOUNTED ON POLES

4.850m

4 PIECE CAST IRON BASE - GALVANIZED AND PAINTED

T.H.E.S. HANDW

4 PIECE CAST IR COVER - ZINC PL PAINTED BLUE-G (LUMEC COLOUR Zt311B53 111987 OR EQUIVALENT

BOLT CIRCLE 350mm DIAMETER, 20mm STUDS

1200mm

1041mm

1210mm

CAST ALUMINUM BASE COVER

LIGHT POLE FOO

LIGHT POLE FOOTING 800mm DIAMETER, 1200mm DEEP

Victorian Pedestrian Light 800mm Standard (L-15)

NOTE: WATTAGE TO BE DETERMINED ACCORDING TO SITE CONDITIONS BY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

Victorian Heritage Street Light Standard (L-s33) Victorian Heritage Street Light King - Parliament Secondary Plan Area St. Lawrence Neighbourhood

St. Clair Light Standard (L-s34)

L-s33

NTS 09/08

MASTER PLAN Victorian Pedestrian Light

Street Light - Vehicular and Pedestrian St. Clair Avenue

Railway Lands Light Standard (L-s11) Street Light with Type II Pedestrian Light Railway Lands Railways Lands East/West/Central Secondary Plan Areas

L-s 34

NTS 10/08

L-s11

3.2.3.4/ Street Furnishing A key objective for the Toronto Entertainment District BIA is to develop a unified design vocabulary for street furnishing on a district-wide or street-specific basis. Street furnishing may include standards for directory boards and signage, banners, benches, waste receptacles, consolidated paper boxes and transit shelters, among other things. Unless unique standards or designs are identified all or some of the City of Toronto’s coordinated streetscape furnishings elements are integrated into the BIA Palette. Key principles for street furnishing include:

• The design pallet for street furnishings should seek to unify and distinguish the District

• Modified versions of the furnishings but with shared

• • •

distinctive features may be considered to distinguish precincts or special streets and spaces where appropriate Materiality should be of high quality with consideration for wear and tear over time Proportions and scaling of furnishings should be designed in accordance with the constraints and limitations to space on streets The design, character and placement of street furnishings should be carefully considered to ensure that streets and spaces are not unnecessarily cluttered and that all elements are in balance

BIA Directional Map designed by KDA

As much as possible, the City of Toronto street furnishing elements in black are integrated and include the backless bench, garbage bin, information signs and public message centres

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Ensuring Healthy Street Trees

3.2.5/ Ensuring Healthy Street Trees The survival and health of street trees in the BIA are a major concern and challenge. Accordingly, extensive experience and expertise in urban ecology specific to the planting and care of street trees has been assembled in this section to provide general guidance to the BIA, City and developers.

1 Choosing the Right Tree

• When selecting a tree consider the mature height and

•

spread of a tree to ensure that that the surrounding or proposed structures will not impede on the growth of the tree. (For example medium or large trees should not be planted under overhead wires.) Street trees should have a considerable tolerance to salt and be a City of Toronto approved Street Tree.

• Minimum distance between streets trees is 4m. • Do not plant trees in front of entrances of buildings. • Trees require a minimum of 15m3 meters of soil to

•

allow for ample growing space for the roots. The ideal minimum tree pit size is 1.5m x 9m x1m. Growing soil and top soil quality should meet the requirements specified by Urban Forestry. Planting trees must by planted while dormant – spring planting (March 15 - May 15) and fall planting (October 15 – December 1).

3 Installation of Trees

• Remove all material from the tree pit to a depth of the • • •

• •

• All new planted trees require a minimum of 20 gallons of water to thoroughly saturate the soil.

• Water should not cause uprooting or expose the roots. • Each tree requires a minimum of 20 gallons of water every two weeks. This quantity may fluctuate depending on weather conditions.

5 Tree Care

2 Spacing of Street Trees

•

4 Watering

tree’s root ball. The subgrade below the root ball must be tampered to prevent the tree from settling. The tree shall be placed into the tree pit by being carried by the rootball to prevent the rootball from loosening. Ensure that the roots are level after the tree has settled in the tree pit – additional soil may be used to ensure that the tree is plumb. Cut and remove rope and wire from the top half of the rootball. Remove burlap from the rootball. Remove all rope, stones and planting debris from the tree pit before backfill. Backfill must be firmed at six to eight inch depth intervals. After planting, rake and cultivate over finished tree pit. All tree pits are to be filled with topsoil or backfill and levelled before closing.

• Street trees require maintenance (weeding,

cultivating, pruning, soil replacement, and repair).

• All dead, broken, bruised or crossing branches should •

be pruned with a clean cut. The crowns of young trees must not be cut back. The base of the tree should have adequate opening between pavers or tree grate surface (a minimum of 0.4m opening). Pavers may be removed to increase the tree opening as the diameter of the trunk increases. Tree grates must be adjusted if the opening becomes too small for the tree.

6 Tree Protection

• All trees should be protected from being damaged •

MASTER PLAN

from bicycles being locked to the trees and from car/ truck doors opening on the tree. Ideally the trees should be protected by using a tree guard. Alternatively a mesh wrap and signage can be used to prevent and educate bicycles locks from being wrapped around the tree. If a mesh is being used as a protection strategy the diameter of the mesh must be increased as the tree grows to prevent it from choking the tree.

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

OPEN SPACES & CONNECTIONS BIA Boundary

Red Carpets

PATH Network

Open Spaces/Plazas

Mid Block Connections

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre JOHN STREET

Templar Hotel

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media CTV

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

DUNCAN STREET

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOT TE STREET

OXLEY ST

Shangri-la Hotel

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

The Ritz-Carlton

Hydro One

CBC

PIPER STREET

Simcoe Park

Fairmont Royal York

Simcoe Place

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST

REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

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3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Parks & Squares

3.3/ OPEN SPACES & CONNECTIONS

Open spaces that are successful can have a tremendous influence on the image, appeal and economic development of an area. They are also fundamental to attracting and retaining a residential population. As shown on the facing page, the Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan identifies a variety of existing and potential open spaces that collectively can provide residents and visitors with a variety of choices within easy walking distances. Supported by the other plans in the Public Realm Framework, Open Space is improved and expanded upon through a series of strategies:

• Improve and better utilize existing open spaces

•

• •

• • •

through land use decisions which encourage the critical mass of people living where such amenities currently exist but are underutilized - such as David Pecaut Square. Identify new and strategic open space opportunities that can serve as catalysts for revitalization and address areas deficient in open spaces such as bridging over the rail corridor Ensure open spaces that will appeal to the broadest demographic including active and passive, soft and hard, formal and informal spaces Enhance visual and physical connectivity to existing and potential open spaces, including Clarence Square and the Waterfront, through streetscapes, pedestrian connections and orienting features such as public art Ensure adequate private amenity spaces and encourage publicly accessible spaces within new significant developments Utilizing streets to provide open space amenity though high quality streetscaping Complement and strengthen the presence of key cultural attractions through special treatments to surrounding streets and open spaces

Key components of the Open Space network for the Toronto Entertainment District include:

3.3.1/ Parks & Squares

Parks and Squares typically serve the community’s passive and active recreational interests and come in a variety of scales and configurations. Generally, Parks include both naturalized and formal green areas and can contain a variety of activities ranging from outdoor stages to playgrounds to open fields. Squares tend to be more formal green spaces that may also include hard surfaces, gardens, pavilions, memorials, fountains, and modest concession stands. Parks and Squares in downtown settings are especially popular and successful when framed by dense residential uses, civic functions, stores, cafés, restaurants, and employment uses. The Master Plan identifies a number of existing and potential Parks and Squares serving the District, including:

• David Pecaut Square and Simcoe Park should serve as

•

• •

the most active Squares in the District comprised of passive green to active paved areas accommodating a wide variety of programming and uses Clarence Square and Roundhouse Park should serve primarily as important passive green spaces for the District, although they can also accommodate occasional events Linear parks buffering the rail and Gardiner Expressway serve as potential trail connections A new potential park can be developed as a bridging structure over the rail corridor in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Metro Convention Centre. A similar intervention was undertaken in Chicago to create Millennium Park.

Clarence Square

MASTER PLAN

3.3.2/ Plazas

3.3.2.1/ Festival Plaza

A Plaza is a paved space often associated with a civic, cultural or commercial function. They vary in shape and size depending on their purpose, but are generally smaller and more intimate in scale then Parks and Squares. Plazas generally serve high pedestrian traffic areas and/or where major events need to be accommodated that generate large crowds. Year-round Plazas function best when they are framed by highly animated uses such as restaurants, bars and cafés.

The current underutilized space at the southeast corner of King and John Street presents a tremendous opportunity to create a permanent public gathering space that marks the intersection of the BIA’s two most important spines. The subject of a design ideas competition held by the BIA in 2009, the transformation of this space will be an important long-term initiative to complement the transformation of both streets and to serve as a central focus for the District supporting areas for sitting, public art and festivals. Key design recommendations include:

The Master Plan identifies a number of opportunities for new and improved Plazas to reinforce the prominence of certain civic/commercial locations and uses as well as for occasional event sites. They include:

• The south terminus of the proposed John Street Promenade.

• The north side of Rogers Centre and the base of the CN • • • •

Tower. Along Bremner Boulevard between Navy Wharf Court and the Rogers Centre. At the north and south entrances to Union Station. At the north-west and south-west corners of Metro Hall. Other potential small-scaled plazas associated with new developments including those proposed for the northwest corner of John and Front Streets and at the Pinnacle development on both sides of John Street, south of Adelaide Street

• As an initial phase and to begin to better utilize the • •

• •

space, the current landscaping area should be cleared except for the trees where possible. The design of the space should complement the John Street transformation and paving treatments should extend over King Street. Permanent fixtures should be minimal to enable a flexible space for a variety of programming possibilities and to accommodate large number of people. Unique lighting should be incorporated including the integration of multi-media technology. Complementary uses such as restaurants should be encouraged at the ground level of Metro Hall to animate the space.

Illustrations from the five finalists of the ideas competition are provided on the facing page.

Potential design concepts for Festival Plaza at the southeast corner of the John and King Streets intersection, as well as the Roy Thomson Hall reflecting pool have been undertaken and are described as follows.

Plaza treatment - Village of Yorkville Town Square

Looking southeast at the site of Festival Plaza in its current condition

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Plazas

‘The Urban Ballroom’ (winning design)

‘The Oracle’

‘Terrace’

‘Entertain Me’

‘King Street Staircase’

MASTER PLAN

3.3.2.2/ Roy Thomson Hall Reflecting Pool Inspired by comparable examples such as Rockefeller Centre in New York City and John Hancock Square in Chicago, an opportunity exists to transform the reflecting pool into a major attraction and ‘urban oasis’ on King Street. Key design recommendations include:

• Enhancing the visually accessibility of the pool

•

• • • • • •

by opening up the west wall and introducing amphitheater seating and steps that lead down to the water. Introducing a restaurant and bar function at the level of the pool to create a unique eating and drinking destination that can also animate the space in all seasons and hours. Current office uses would need to be moved into new facilities possibly associated with the development of the Wellington Street side of the theatre. Providing a stage area at the east side of the pool to accommodate outdoor theatre or musical productions. Waterfall feature that can cascade over the PATH tunnel to enhance the experience while increasing the water movement in the pool. Enabling the pool to become a skating rink in the winter months to enhance its attraction in all seasons. The introduction of branded cloth retractable awnings around the pool side for shade and weather protection. The addition of an architecturally prominent glass awning along Simcoe Street that links the theatre to King Street while providing for weather protection. Introducing LED lighting throughout and to highlight and enhance the glass structure at night

Existing condition of the reflecting pool looking west towards David Pecaut Square

Illustration of improvements and utilization of the space during the day in the warmer months

Rockefeller Center, New York City

Illustration of improvements and utilization of the space during the day in the winter months

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Plazas

King Street

Outdoor Stage

Simcoe Street

David Pecaut Square Restaurant and Patio

Roy Thomson Hall Access from David Pecaut Square

Connection from Simcoe Street Waterfall feature over existing glass PATH tunnel

Floating Stairs/Amphitheater/ Seating from David Pecaut Square overlooking reflective pool

Prominent Architectural Entry Feature that accommodates visual and audio for the reflective pool

Bench installed on existing concrete wall

Plan illustrating the proposed improvements

Illustration of improvements and utilization of the space during the evening in the warmer months

MASTER PLAN

3.3.3/ Red Carpets Red Carpets refer to distinctive streetscape treatments proposed across the District to correspond to important cultural attractions such as theatres and sporting venues. They also correspond to pedestrian priority streets such as the John Street Promenade and the streets framing Plazas and Squares.

Distinctive paving treatment to correspond to the arts and entertainment district and frequent festivals - Rue St Catherine, Montreal

While each Red Carpet may be distinctive in their design approach, what they share in common is a unique paving treatment that extends onto the roadway to enhance the setting of an important area, street or buildings. In effect this treatment not only enhances its setting, it creates a plaza-like appearance which visually adds to the open spaces network. In some instances this plaza effect may be formalized as they may also correspond to occasional ‘red carpet’ events where temporary street closures may be required.

3.3.4/ Mid-Block and PATH Connections

Red Carpets can also be temporary treatments to the roadway as proposed for the John Street Pilot Project

A popular and animated mid-block pedestrian connection that is privately owned but publicly accessible - Old York Lane, Toronto

Mid-Block connections offer the unique opportunity for a finer-grained pedestrian network than the typical block pattern. While the Toronto Entertainment District in general has very walkable scaled blocks, the Master Plan identifies existing and potential mid-block connections — primarily related to the link between David Pecaut Square and Simcoe Square. Where and when the circumstance is appropriate and the pedestrian traffic significant enough, rear lanes can become formalized mid-block connections that may include retail frontages. As an important aspect of the pedestrian network, these links should adhere to the same quality and design standards as other public spaces. Adequate lighting, appealing landscaping, clear signage, unobstructed views and uses that front on to these connections are all important design objectives. The existing below-grade PATH network also functions as mid-block connections that are publicly accessible but generally in private ownership and extended in conjunction with development. This network is especially popular in the winter months as pedestrians can access the subway and key destinations entirely indoors. However, despite the obvious benefits of the PATH, it can also be a detriment to the vitality of grade-level uses and the vibrancy of street life. Further extensions of the PATH network should be discouraged, otherwise very carefully considered to ensure that the extension does not occur at the expense of current, desired or planned street-level commercial uses.

3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Creating Successful Open Spaces

3.3.5/ Creating Successful Open Spaces How open spaces are designed, programmed and interface with surrounding streets and land uses is crucial to their capacity to attract and delight a broad spectrum of users and ensuring that they are places where people feel safe and comfortable. Accordingly, principles that build on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) should be applied to all publicly accessible open spaces in the Toronto Entertainment District. CPTED is a pro-active crime prevention strategy utilized by planners, architects, police services, security professionals and everyday users of space. CPTED is a strategy used around the world and in essence operates on common sense. CPTED advocates the proper design and effective use of the built environment to lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime and in the overall improvement to the quality of life.

Utilizing and building upon CPTED, the Master Plan adheres to the following key principles for Open Space design:

• Ensure clear views of surrounding areas and of the open space

• I ncorporate adequate lighting • Active building frontages on the open space,

• • •

including entries and windows, are critical for “eyes” on the space which enhances the sense of safety and discourages inappropriate behaviour Design the space to enable ease of access and egress and avoid the creation of entrapment spots that are not highly visible and well used Use legible signs and orienting devices such as landmarks and pathways Include a variety of activities and a mix of surrounding uses to facilitate constant public use and/or surveillance

Village of Yorkville Park demonstrates a highly successful open space

MASTER PLAN

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

GATEWAYS & PUBLIC ART BIA Boundary

Major Gateways

Open Spaces/Plazas

Minor Gateways

Potential Public Art Sites

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

Hydro One

The Ritz-Carlton

RBC Dexia

Simcoe Park

Simcoe Place

CBC

PIPER STREET

Fairmont Royal York

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

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3.0/ PUBLIC REALM FRAMEWORK Gateways & Public Art

3.4/ GATEWAYS & PUBLIC ART Potential Gateways and Public Art Sites have been identified as part of the Public Realm Framework. The identification of these elements ensures a coordinated approach to the design of buildings, streets and open spaces so as to reinforce visual connections into and throughout the District. Both Public Art and Gateway Sites provide important cues to the pedestrian as they serve to draw and orient movement through the District by providing visual connectivity to important sites, areas and destinations.

3.4.1/ Gateways The Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan identifies potential Gateways. These are areas or sites that signal key points of entry that are either of City-wide, Downtown or District importance. Clearly defining these areas as Gateways helps to enhance orientation, lends to a ‘sense of place’ and can generate civic pride. These locations provide key opportunities where the coordinating of the design of landscaping, streetscaping, public art, signage and architectural treatment can potentially create a sense of entry and orientation. The expression of a Gateway can take on many forms and will hinge on its relative importance and the circumstance of its site.

Potential Gateway Signage Markers design for the BIA by KDA

The Master Plan encourages the creation of Gateways according to the following design objectives:

• To create Gateway experiences that reflect the unique • • •

culture, history and environment of the Toronto Entertainment District. To create a significant sense of scale and identity to Gateway experiences that act as both thresholds to, and landmarks for, the District. To ensure the Gateway experience is well integrated in its location while marking a sense of entry for visitors. To enhance the built form and public realm of the context in which the Gateway is placed.

Public art and illumination can also serve as effective gateways where there are significant infrastructure barriers - Gardiner Expressway, Toronto

MASTER PLAN

3.4.2/ PUBLIC ART The Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan identifies visually strategic locations for art installations including the terminus of view corridors, at Gateways, on prominent corners, or in Parks, Squares and Plazas. Public Art provides an opportunity to celebrate and showcase arts and culture; establish a unique identity for a District or development; and, can contribute to enhancing the quality of the public realm in ways that conventional streetscape elements cannot. The transformation of John Street also provides for a unique opportunity to create a digital art experience that extends along the entire corridor, utilizing multi-media such as projection, illumination and sound. Objectives for Public Art include:

• Public art may include memorials, sculptures, water

•

• Large scale luminous art installations - Art Basel, Miami

features, murals, or individual art installations at visually prominent sites, open spaces, gateways, major intersections, along sidewalks and in association with public buildings Because of their visibility, these sites should include installations that serve as accents to the District, as orienting devices for moving about, or as focal points in public open spaces. The scale of the installation should correspond to the visual prominence of its site.

3.5/ CYCLING STRATEGY

Monumental and compelling sculptures can become attractions in their own right - Millennium Park, Chicago

Gateways & Public Art

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Development refers to the function, shape and configuration of new buildings as well as their relationship to streets and open spaces. The Development Framework builds on the Vision, Identity Areas and the Public Realm Framework to provide guidance for new buildings in the Toronto Entertainment District so as to be consistent with the Master Plan. This is to ensure that new development reinforces the desired function, built quality and character of a given area, but most importantly to ensure that new buildings contribute positively to where they make the greatest impact — at the level of the streets and public open spaces. With respect to new development, the Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan is concerned primarily with the comfort, convenience, security and visual interest of the pedestrian as shaped by the experience at the level of the sidewalk. Furthermore, the area is comprised of a variety of areas with unique or historic built characteristics that lend to its draw and distinction that new developments ought to respect and reinforce. In these regards, the Development Framework provides guidance for the shape and design of new buildings. This is to ensure their character, scale, massing, site configuration, and their quality in contributing to the Toronto Entertainment District’s livability and appeal to its residents, workers and visitors. • King-Spadina Urban Design Guidelines (1996) • Union Station Precinct Plan (May 2006) • Union Station Heritage Conservation District Plan (May

4.1/ PURPOSE The Development Framework serves to provide the BIA and its membership with a reference by which to assess and evaluate the appropriateness of new developments. As a public document, the purpose of the Master Plan is to also give clear ‘a priori’ guidance to potential developers in the preparation of a development concept that the BIA will find agreeable. The Development Framework is informed by, and largely consistent with existing planning policies and urban design guidelines. The intent is not to replace or supersede these other development standards, but rather provide an additional level of detail or direction where necessary to reinforce the objectives of the Master Plan.

2006)

• Design Criteria for Review of Tall Building Proposals (June 2006)

• Queen West Heritage Conservation District (August 2006)

• Railway Lands Precinct Agreements A central objective of the Development Framework is to ensure that new buildings reinforce a coherent, harmonious and appealing urban environment, as well as contribute to the enhancement of the public realm. The key principles that underpin the Development Framework include:

• The retention, replacement and intensification of

In addition to applicable Official Plan, Secondary Plan and Zoning By-laws, other relevant City planning and urban design documents that should be considered in conjunction with this Master Plan include:

MASTER PLAN

a wide variety of cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, institutional and civic related functions and uses that are compatible with, and supportive of, the district’s distinction as a local and regional draw for commerce, the arts, nightlife, sporting events and festivals.

• Ensuring a critical mass of activity and a vibrant street

life in all hours and seasons through a balanced mix of uses and in particular, animated at-grade functions such as shops, restaurants and cultural facilities, as well as a viable and robust office/commercial sector.

• Reinforcing the District’s distinct character through

the conservation, adaptive-reuse and integration of heritage resources or other properties of interest that have cultural or architectural merit.

• Ensuring comfortable, safe and appealing pedestrian

environments as shaped by appropriate relationships between buildings and streets with respect to active uses, levels of transparency, shadow, wind, weather protection and material and architectural quality.

• Enhancing and contributing to the quality of

the public realm with respect to streetscaping, landscaping, public open spaces, passages and public art.

• Attention to civic design and architectural quality by providing guidance for reinforcing the visual prominence of special sites, building articulation, material quality and sustainable design.

4.2/ COMPONENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Recognizing the inherent complexity of the Toronto Entertainment District BIA context with respect to property ownership, property size and configurations, land uses, as well as existing buildings types, densities and heights, the approach taken for shaping new development focuses on defining a set of parameters and standards that reinforce appropriate uses and building forms with respect to their relationship to streets and open spaces, heritage, distinct character areas, sun penetration, sky view, and adjacent buildings. Accordingly, the Development Framework is comprised of the following four sections: Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy - sets out a vision, guiding principles and strategies for enhancing the area’s mix of uses with a particular focus on maximizing commercial functions. Heritage & Distinct Character Areas – identifies heritage resources and areas of distinct character where consideration should be given to retaining, reinforcing and integrating them into new developments. Prominent Sites – identifies visually strategic sites that can be important to orienting and stimulating pedestrian traffic, as well as shaping the image of the District. Development Performance Standards & Guidelines provides guidance for quality, form and character of new development, including aspects such as retail uses, grade-level conditions, heritage, massing and parking and loading. These four sections work together to provide clear parameters for appropriate development as well as the design standards and benchmarks to guide the quality and character of new buildings in the Toronto Entertainment District. Therefore, as interrelated components of the Development Framework, all four are to be considered in concert when determining the appropriate approach to development on a given site.

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy

4.3/ RETAIL & MIXED-USE STRATEGY Toronto’s Entertainment District is home to world-renowned cultural attractions, significant office complexes, numerous hotels, and residential high-rises. In recent years, the District has attracted significant additional office and residential infill development. The physical redevelopment of the District, with the resulting increase in population base in the area, is creating new opportunities to consider retail and commercial activation of the area. Retail and commercial activation has the potential to transform the street-level experience, forge stronger pedestrian connections between the District’s many attractions, and to promote the vibrancy and economic performance of the BIA. The scale of activity in the District points to the need to understand retail and mixed-use opportunities that can most effectively leverage the growth and vibrancy occurring in the neighbourhood. It is recognized that retail and commercial programming at-grade plays a central role in improving the urban fabric and the quality of the end-user experience. As such, a strategic articulation of the retail and commercial opportunities is a necessary companion to the Master Plan. It is in this context that LiveWorkLearnPlay (LWLP) was retained in early 2012 to provide a high-level strategic assessment of the Toronto Entertainment District, with a focus on mixed-use and retail opportunities. This strategic assessment provides a preliminary evaluation of the market potential for commercial intensification of the District, and strategies to implement this development, while maximizing the positive benefits to the BIA’s many stakeholders. Over a 90-day period, LWLP conducted background research, met with key stakeholders and the BIA Master Plan Sub-Committee, and interviewed commercial brokers and tenants. This research process, which yielded diverse views on the opportunities and challenges related to commercial intensification of the District, was complemented by several site tours, and a residential online-survey that was created and distributed to select condominium associations. The following section integrates the key outcomes and recommendations prepared by LWLP. For more detailed analysis and description, refer to report: ‘Strategic Assessment of Retail & Mixed-Use Opportunities’ (LWLP June 2012)

4.3.1 Vision & Guiding Principles Establishing a vision for retail and mixed-use opportunities is critical to achieving the BIA’s long-term goals and expectations for the District. By providing a broad vision, the BIA can begin to unify diverse stakeholders’ needs and help to channel new growth. The vision for retail and mixed-uses in the BIA assists in promoting the economic and cultural vitality of the District and helps create a vibrant place with coordinated but dynamic activity, retail and cultural uses.

VISION FOR RETAIL & MIXED-USES The Toronto Entertainment District is endowed with numerous assets not typically found in a BIA, including iconic cultural institutions, major sports centres, and world-renowned festivals. New residential development occurring in the area combined with the existing cultural assets position the BIA to become both a destination neighbourhood and a national, if not international, entertainment hub. Key to this transformation will be a vibrant mix of independent and national retailers and restaurants that will animate and activate the streets – potentially creating Toronto’s next great shopping destination. The Toronto Entertainment District is envisioned to become a multiattraction neighbourhood that can support a variety of uses, which will continue to develop as the area grows and matures.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES To further articulate the vision, four guiding principles are proposed for the District:

• • • •

A Place for Locals A College Neighbourhood A Shopping Destination An Entertainment Mecca

These guiding principles align with the emerging commercial development opportunities in the District, the end-users who will drive the consumer demand for goods and services, and the BIA stakeholder objectives for the District.

MASTER PLAN

Sam James Coffee Bar, Toronto

Theatre District, West End London

A Place for Locals

An Entertainment Mecca

Creating a dynamic neighbourhood where residents and office workers are able to shop, dine, be entertained and fulfill their day-to-day needs is important to the future of the BIA. Capturing time and spending from local residents is critical as it serves as the foundation for successful businesses and activated streets. The market demand created by a blossoming local community will attract higher-quality commercial tenants, and generate pedestrian activity. In turn, these factors will create an inviting environment for tourists, hotel guests, theatregoers, and visitors to the BIA’s sports venues Local residents are typically looking for a diversity of commercial offerings in their neighbourhood. Expected uses, such as pharmacies and dry cleaners, are convenient amenities for residents, however, people are often more interested in character and community gathering opportunities. Casual restaurants and cafés serve as community meeting points, and are heavily frequented by younger professionals who have limited free time to cook. Independent boutiques and food stores provide convenient shopping opportunities and give the neighbourhood the urban character many residents seek.

As an entertainment destination, the BIA already has many key ingredients: numerous annual festivals that attract international visitors, 2 major sporting stadiums, 14 cultural facilities, 8 hotels, the CN Tower, and much more. It has community events that showcase local talent, nightclubs that attract thousands of visitors every weekend, and over 160 restaurants, cafés, and quick-serve eateries. The success of the BIA invites comparison with entertainment and theatre districts in other metropolitan areas and begs the question of whether it fulfills the true potential created by the quality of the anchor uses present, and by the size of the Golden Horseshoe population. New York’s theatre district has over 38 theatres, 194 places to shop, 287 places to dine, 40 hotels, and many nightclubs, giving its visitors diverse choice in activities. London’s West End has over 40 theatres and hundreds of restaurants, demonstrating that the TED certainly has an opportunity to enhance its cultural and entertainment offering. Although additional attractions will enhance the BIA’s identity as an “Entertainment Mecca”, stronger pedestrian connections between the existing attractions will greatly improve the visitor experience, thereby increasing visitation, length of stay and spending within the District. Pedestrian connections are enhanced by commercial programming atgrade, including dining, entertainment and shopping uses.

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy

Soho, New York

Ontario College of Art and Design University, Toronto

A Shopping Destination

A College Neighbourhood

A great city has many different shopping areas that attract a range of end-users, from international tourists looking for one-of-a-kind local gifts and individuals seeking this season’s most desirable items, to local residents shopping for their daily needs. The BIA is not an established shopping node within the GTA and has struggled to attract highquality retailers to the area. Two well-established shopping areas are immediately outside the borders of the District – Queen Street West and the Eaton Centre. As the District and adjacent neighbourhoods become more populated, retailers may become more interested in the increased market potential of the area. Torontowide, residents spend approximately $264 per week on shopping (excluding food and household operations), which represents approximately $137 million in spending by current local residents on shopping goods annually, rising to $380 million as the population increases. With significant spending potential generated by office workers and tourists as well, there is considerable market potential that could be captured by creating a new shopping node.

Educational institutions are powerful drivers of economic development and community activation. Students and faculty bring energy and vitality to a neighbourhood, and provide a source of spending within the District. Spending on food and entertainment, and demand for rental housing will be driven by students and faculty. Small businesses will employ the student population in their shops, who in turn may open businesses in the BIA in the future. The energy and commercial activity created by the academic institutions will attract people from other areas to the District. OCAD has recently purchased three buildings in the BIA (205, 230, 240 Richmond) that will house the Digital Futures Centre, Centre for Visual Studies, and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Expansion of OCAD’s presence, and recruitment of additional institutions, will help strengthen these characteristics of the BIA.

The development of a major shopping anchor would create retail opportunities across the District as shoppers begin frequenting the area more often. Apparel and soft goods shopping typically has a much larger trade area than dining or convenience goods, but usually requires a critical mass of retailers or a small selection of unique-to-market concepts to attract shopping-oriented trips (i.e. consumer trips that are generated with the express purpose of shopping).

MASTER PLAN

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

PRIORITY COMMERCIAL ENHANCEMENT AREAS GATEWAYS & PUBLIC ART BIA Boundary

Primary Active Frontages Major Gateways Potential Public Art Sites

Open Spaces/Plazas

Minor Gateways

1 2 3

4 5 6

Peter Street John Street King Street

David Pecaut Square Duncan Street Events Area

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

QUEEN STREET WEST

NFB PETER STREET

RICHMOND STREET WEST

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

NELSON STREET

SIMCOE STREET

SPADINA AVENUE

401 Richmond

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Bell Media

Templar Hotel

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

Hilton Garden

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

AVENUE

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hotel Le Germain

BAY STREET

Hyatt Regency Hotel

PEARL STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

YORK STREET

Princess of Wales Theatre

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

CHARLOTTE STREET

OXLEY ST

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

ADELAIDE STREET WEST

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST Marriott WINDSOR STREET

BLUE JAYS WAY

Clarence Square

Hydro One

The Ritz-Carlton

RBC Dexia

Simcoe Park

Simcoe Place

CBC

PIPER STREET

Fairmont Royal York

FRONT STREET WEST InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Union Station

Renaissance Hotel

NAVY WHARF CRT

CN Tower Delta Hotel

Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Olympic Park

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

Rogers Centre LOWER SIMCOE STREET

BREMNER BLVD

Roundhouse Park MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

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4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy

4.3.2/ Priority Commercial Enhancement Areas PRIMARY ACTIVE FRONTAGES

PRIORITY ENHANCEMENT AREAS

Although retail is encouraged throughout the Toronto Entertainment District, Primary Active Frontages correspond to those streets that currently, or are desired to have the greatest concentration of continuous shops and restaurants. Identifying and directing retail uses to these locations builds on existing and planned conditions to reinforce a critical mass of street activity that can ensure vibrancy in the District in all hours and seasons. In the case of the John Street Promenade, ensuring a continuous positive commercial presence is crucial for realizing this corridor’s potential as major north-south pedestrian spine for the District. Key principles for these frontages include:

As a dynamic urban environment, the BIA will redevelop and evolve in an organic manner. Priority Enhancement Areas (PEAs) are identified as a complement to the broader vision and guiding principles in the previous section. PEAs are areas where immediate opportunities exist to strengthen the District. The PEAs were identified as areas where:

• Continuous retail uses at-grade with maximum visual transparency and animation.

• Commercial uses placed close to the street edge with

• Actionable strategies are present which can be implemented in the near-term

• High-impact opportunities exist to improve pedestrian connectivity in the District

• Impending redevelopment is creating the opportunity •

narrow shop fronts and frequent entries.

• Second storey and/or double storey commercial uses • • •

to intensify the retail presence and activity on the streets. Spill out activity such as sidewalk cafés. Weather protection for pedestrians through the use of awnings and canopies. High quality commercial signage that adds diversity and interest to the streets.

to guide design, tenancy and other aspects of the commercial program Specific commercial strategies can be provided to support the Master Plan objectives

On the following pages, each of the Priority Enhancement Areas are further described with accompanying programming recommendations.

Active Commercial Frontages in Pioneer Square, Seattle

MASTER PLAN

Southeast corner of Peter and King Streets

Patios along the north end of John Street

1 Peter Street/Blue Jays Way

2 John Street

With pending or active redevelopment of several blocks of Peter Street, the opportunity to create continuous, two-side commercial activation should be leveraged. Development directly along Peter Street is anticipated to generate 3,200 new residential units and over 400,000 square feet of new commercial space. Peter Street’s location within the District – close to Spadina Avenue and crossing King Street at a very activated juncture – will create strong pedestrian traffic on the Street and promote commercial viability. Additionally, with John Street taking on a distinct character of regional draw, and King Street offering more culture and dining experiences, Peter Street can become a more local-serving place. The majority of new residential development in the District is proximate and will have convenient access to Peter Street, and the street already boasts a few key neighbourhood convenience retailers. Programming Recommendations

• Local restaurants and cafés • Neighbourhood retail uses • Quick-serve restaurants for office employees in the area

• Specialty retail • Food stores

John Street bisects the heart of the BIA and is identified as a central north-south, pedestrian-oriented spine, with exceptional visibility that will provide prominent retail frontage. In addition, John Street is a proposed cultural corridor that will connect the Art Gallery of Ontario to the waterfront and will act as an enhanced event space for the District. It is anticipated that with the rebranding of John Street as a cultural corridor, a greater range of end-users – from tourists, local residents and office workers, to city and regional residents – will be utilizing the area, generating increased demand for commercial services. Commercial enhancement of the area will support the larger strategy envisioned for John Street and will respond to the market opportunities created by the redevelopment of the street. A suite of retail offerings can complement the envisioned cultural character – from galleries, designoriented retail, jewellery and other retail uses. With significant events programming envisioned for the street, entertainment venues, restaurants and cafés can take advantage of the pedestrian traffic generated by events and festivities. These uses will experience surges in customer demand during these events and should be accommodated with large patio space, or permitted to extend into the street when it is closed. Programming Recommendations

• • • •

Dining, bars, cafés, and entertainment Designed-themed retail Affiliated galleries and cultural space Boutique retailers

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy

Facing east on King Street — west of John Street

Cultural anchor Roy Thomson Hall, at David Pecaut Square

3 King Street - West of John Street

4 David Pecaut Square

King Street, between John Street and Spadina Avenue, is a well-established commercial area within the BIA. The commercial character closer to John, defined primarily by dining and known as “Restaurant Row”, is a logical extension of the uses and existing conditions in the District. Along a major thoroughfare and streetcar line, and close to many of the District’s cultural destinations, Restaurant Row is a natural and reasonable long-term location for a dining and entertainment node. If the strip redevelops, it should retain this character with restaurants programmed in new buildings. Additionally, the majority of the blocks west of the TIFF Bell Lightbox could be adapted to provide double-sided commercial activation and could accommodate additional restaurant programming. As King Street intersects Peter Street the character shifts, with several retail services. As Peter Street becomes a more defined north-south axis, King Street to the west will become more active. This area is a potential candidate for retail intensification. The significant foot traffic along the street and proximity to transit may create the necessary conditions to foster successful retail operations along this section of the street. Programming Recommendations

• • • •

High quality casual dining Family friendly eateries Small-scale destination entertainment venues Independent retailers

Metro Hall and the surrounding residential and commercial buildings already provide a critical mass for making David Pecaut Square a logical Priority Enhancement Area. As well, events and festivals held in or near the Square draw substantial crowds. Roy Thomson Hall, a major cultural anchor, along with existing high-end draws such as the RitzCarlton are also located near the Square. If better connected to areas to the south, the Square could act as an anchor to pedestrian traffic from Front Street and the convention centre. David Pecaut Square could be further cultivated as a better community gathering space and visitation anchor by extending active and passive programming beyond the summer months. Supplementary commercial programming could strengthen the Square’s role and promote better pedestrian circulation in the District. Strategies could include interactive public art and recreational programming; additional commercial programming to provide four-season activation and additional revenue from the space; and, the configuration of structures and amenities to provide better visual draws for people approaching from the south. Programming Recommendations

• • • •

MASTER PLAN

Small-scale restaurants Enriched community programming Semi-permanent carts & kiosks programming Interactive public-art

Duncan Street looking south from Richmond Street

Events Area, facing south to Roundhouse Park

Duncan Street

Events Area

As a former industrial area in Toronto’s downtown core, Duncan Street has a significant stock of brick and beam buildings and offers a unique heritage streetscape. However, many of these buildings lack at-grade storefronts and are not ideally suited to commercial activation. Duncan Street is nonetheless an important north-south connection between King and Queen Streets and activation of this Street will promote the overall walkability and success of the neighbourhood. The brick and beam buildings along Duncan Street are well suited to office and institutional tenancies. Post-secondary users can efficiently use the space found in these buildings while also providing more pedestrian activity and energy than a typical office use. Duncan Street is proximate to the Ontario College of Art and Design University and to their existing buildings within the District. OCAD and other educational uses will enhance foot traffic along Duncan Street and customer spending in a variety of commercial uses, while providing an employee base for local businesses, and the character and personality of a college neighbourhood. Some retail uses along Duncan Street can create successful student-serving businesses. Outdoor gathering places for students, prominent signage and public art can all help to reinforce the identity of Duncan Street as an educational area. Programming Recommendations

• • • • •

Quick-serve food Interactive community art Student oriented retail Cafés and casual restaurants with patios Destination retailers

The Events Area, home to some of Canada’s top attractions, receives millions of visitors each year. Poor pedestrian connections to other areas of the District and a lack of programming exterior to these major venues promotes drive-in, drive-out visitation and misses a great opportunity to extend the stay of existing visitors. Additionally, public space surrounding these venues is frequently vacant when programming within the venues is not taking place. Animation of underutilized outdoor space can leverage existing assets and provide things-to-do for visitors. Such strategies can include adding recreational opportunities, interactive public art, and other elements that will attract children and families. Temporary sports facilities can tie into the programming within the larger venues and give area residents a reason to visit this area. Lastly, creative strategies to deliver food & beverage options during peak traffic periods will improve the end-user experience while creating additional revenues for the area’s stakeholders. Improving the functionality of this area can help transform many of the single-venue trips to the BIA into longer and more enjoyable experiences. Activated programming which attracts area residents will bring additional pedestrian vitality to the area and make it more inviting for visitors. Programming Recommendations

• • • • • • •

Events and activities aimed at children Interactive recreational programming Pop-up carts and kiosks Public Art Additional cultural and tourist attractions Coordinated programming between major destination facilities Prominent wayfinding

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy

4.3.3/ Commercial Maximization Strategies Programming and activation strategies provide a framework for envisioning and locating commercial uses within the District. Location and use are two necessary components for successful commercial implementation, however, the physical design of the commercial space is also a central determining factor in the success of the businesses and the neighbourhood. Creating functional space, which accommodates the prosaic aspects of operating a store or restaurant (e.g. venting, garbage), is as critical as creating prominent store fronts that capture passing pedestrian traffic and make a strong statement about the products and

services on offer. The design requirements of commercial space are frequently compromised in larger building formats. In these buildings, the architectural and engineering requirements of the upper stories of the building are prioritized at the expense of the ground floor space, creating commercial units that do not support the operatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; efforts to attract clients and function efficiently. Specific guidance for the design of retail uses are provided in Section 4.5 Development Performance Standards & Guidelines

Prominent Signage

â&#x20AC;˘ Signage should be prominent and distinct

from the building treatment and distinct from the signage treatment of adjacent businesses. Protruding signage, bold colours and large signage solutions help to increase the visual presence of commercial operators.

Clear and Unobstructed Glazing

â&#x20AC;˘ Broad and unobstructed glazing allows passing shoppers to begin their shopping experience before entering the store, and facilitates strong window displays.

MASTER PLAN

Distinguished At-Grade Retail

• Successful retail space is visually assertive and

•

grabs the attention of passing pedestrians and motorists, thereby increasing sales and supportable rent levels. Façade treatments best achieve this condition when they are distinct from the larger architectural pattern of the building as well as adjacent commercial businesses. Recessed support columns and tall clearances for commercial space also increase the visual presence of commercial operators.

Continuous Double-Sided Retail

• Great shopping experiences allow shoppers

to browse a variety of shops across select merchandise categories. In addition to an intelligent merchandising plan, continuous, double-sided retail allows shoppers to “pingpong” along the street as they see different shops.

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Retail & Mixed-Use Strategy

Retail Uses At-Grade

• Knits together areas and provides an engaging

street with many things for people to do and see.

• Retailers at-grade are able to attract a greater range of end-users who will spend time and money in their establishment.

Space Configuration

• Unit depths between 60 and 80 feet (18.3 and

•

MASTER PLAN

24.4 metres, respectively) are most adaptable to a range of successful commercial businesses. With 18 to 30 feet (5.5 to 9.1 metres), store widths, these spaces will create single Commercial Retail Units (CRUs) between 1,000 and 2,400 square feet (93 and 223 square metres), which can accommodate a range of uses. CRUs can be combined to create larger uses, while retaining the flexibility of multiple operators. The placement of support columns should anticipate these dimensions. Columns should be located at the periphery of planned commercial spaces, where they can be placed within demising walls, thereby increasing the functionality and flexibility of the commercial space. Support columns should be recessed from the building façade at least five feet (1.5 metres) to facilitate open retail display areas.

Sidewalks • Wide sidewalks with streetscaping, such as

planter boxes, trees, and benches for resting, create a positive pedestrian environment. Sidewalks should be between 14 and 17 feet wide (4.3 and 5.1 metres), with 17 feet being optimal for shopping. Corner areas and areas designated for restaurant terraces should have sidewalks between 24 and 28 feet wide (7.3 and 8.6 metres).

Back of House

• Back-of-house areas (laneway or delivery)

•

through rear entrances should have approximately 10-15 feet (3 to 4.47 metres) of depth to allow for proper vehicular access. They should be located away from prominent streets as they deter from the pedestrian experience of the surrounding area. Utility metres, transformers, and trash bins, always potentially unsightly, should not be overlooked during design, and can and will be detrimental to the overall look, feel and smell of the public spaces within the TED. “Out of sight yet convenient” should be the overarching philosophy in designing and locating back-ofhouse functions.

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Heritage & Distinct Character Areas

4.4/ HERITAGE & DISTINCT CHARACTER AREAS This section identifies the variety of heritage resources and heritage cultural contexts that currently exist within and adjacent to the Toronto Entertainment District, and which ought to be taken under consideration where affected by new development. These resources are a legacy to the area’s rich history as a pre-industrial residential neighbourhood and one of the main Victorian era industrial and manufacturing nodes of Toronto. More importantly for a Business Improvement Area, these resources and contexts are cultural assets, as they comprise a significant aspect of the area’s current distinction and unique ‘sense of place’. A key objective with respect to heritage resources and heritage cultural contexts in the Toronto Entertainment District is to ensure that these distinct characteristics are considered and, if appropriate, leveraged to enhance the District’s draw and attraction for businesses and visitors. Most of these resources are house forms or ‘brick and beam’ structures clustered primarily in the Warehouse and Theatre identity areas. As demonstrated by many successful comparable warehouse districts across North America, a tremendous untapped opportunity exists in the Toronto Entertainment District to transform it’s Warehouse area into a destination in its own right. A destination where a mix of uses, attractions, shops and restaurants exist in a unique setting comprised of both old and new buildings, but of distinctly industrial look and feel.

The purpose of this section is to:

• Recognize that with respect to considering heritage,

• •

the Toronto Entertainment District is not a ‘museum’ but rather a living, thriving and evolving part of the city. Maintain existing, designated and listed heritage assets. Ensure contiguous heritage cultural contexts and streetscapes – Distinct Character Areas - are reinforced with compatible developments with respect to matters such as uses, scale, massing, proportions, as well as material and design distinction.

The extent of impact and/or design mitigation that will be deemed appropriate will depend on the significance of the heritage resource and/or its context. The intent of this section is to identify existing and potential heritage resources and define areas of distinct character for consideration. Specific built form and design guidance for developments that impact heritage resources and Distinct Character Areas are provided in Section 4.5 Development Performance Standards & Guidelines.

Toronto Entertainment District in 1966

MASTER PLAN

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Heritage & Distinct Character Areas

4.4.1 Heritage Assets Existing and potential heritage assets are identified on the Heritage Assets Plan and include the following: Heritage Conservation Districts (HCD) – are contiguous areas of heritage significance where a bylaw has been passed that replaces the zoning and that designates all buildings within the HCD boundaries. Developments are subject to ensuring the protection of heritage buildings and conforming to the aspects that define the character of the HCD. Designated Heritage Buildings – are properties containing one or more components of a building designated of heritage significance and afforded protection under the Heritage Act. The designated aspects of these properties should be protected to the greatest extent possible and adjacent developments ought to provide appropriate transitions and complementary design and material qualities. Listed Heritage Properties – are existing properties that have been listed on the City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties, for which development and building applications are subject to review by Heritage Preservation Services. Listing also requires the owner to provide a 60-day notice of their intention to demolish a property. When listed properties are considered for intervention, or development is proposed adjacent to the property, a heritage impact assessment should be required to determine what, if any aspects should be protected and/or respected through designation. Character/Context Buildings – throughout the Entertainment District, a variety of older character/ context buildings help to define a general historic ‘feel’. While it is not expected that these buildings would become designated or listed heritage resources under the Heritage Act, they do have a certain scale, materiality and architectural expression that can contribute to the historic character of the area. While it is worth considering the contribution that these character/context buildings may have to the District, it is recognized that the concern for their protection and preservation is not as important as that reserved for listed and designated heritage properties. There should be a consideration of whether there is a practical way of integrating them into new development. If it is determined that integration is not practical, a balancing of the value of their contribution to the character and context of the District against the contribution to the District of the proposed new development should be undertaken.

TOP/ Designated Westing House Building; CENTRE/ Listed Georgian Row Houses on Clarence Square; BOTTOM/ Character Contributing 205 Richmond Street (OCAD University)

MASTER PLAN

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Heritage & Distinct Character Areas

4.4.2 Distinct Character Areas Contiguous and intact areas where there are concentrations of existing heritage assets and character and context contributing buildings work in concert with functions or uses to lend an area a distinct sense of place. The enhancement of Distinct Character Areas is as much about ensuring the thriving of unique cultural and economic functions as about celebration of local history. All of these areas remain predominantly non-residential, comprising of a mix of offices, studios, galleries, theatres, entertainment venues, restaurants and bars. It is in these locations that most of the creative industries, such as design and multimedia firms have located, attracted by the unique working environments afforded by Victorian row houses or ‘brickand --beam warehouses forms. The introduction of residential towers into or near these areas has presented a number of challenges. Rapidly increasing land values and large-scale developments have forever changed the development context and character of the Entertainment District. Today, facing the realities of the market place within the Entertainment District, it is important to encourage the retention of key elements of the remaining heritage character creatively integrated with new development in a way that conserves those characteristics that have made the Entertainment District so appealing in the first place. This principal should not however be an impediment to a redevelopment proposal that would make a superior contribution to the District. Where development or alteration is proposed the objectives for these areas include:

• The conservation and appropriate integration of the • •

•

heritage attributes of designated and listed heritage properties The protection of distinct streetscapes through the retention of the heritage attributes of designated and listed heritage assets The retention of non-residential GFA and in a quality and character that continues to retain and attract non-conventional and creative industries, as well as businesses in entertainment, culture and hospitality Creative and unconventional design and implementation solutions to accommodate new development in a manner that meets these objectives, such as additional densities for retention and directing tall buildings internal to the blocks Areas of distinct character are recognizable places that draw visitors, such as the Distillery District and Yorkville in Toronto, Gastown in Vancouver and the South Street Seaport in New York City

MASTER PLAN

The defining attributes of these Distinct Character Areas that ought to be protected and reinforced are as follows:

Richmond-Peter-Adelaide General Description

• Low to mid-rise warehouse and pre-industrial house forms

• Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly office, studios, galleries and entertainment uses

Recognizable or unique features

• Early 20th century commercial and industrial • •

architecture such as 401 Richmond and the Commodore Building Office and retail uses that maintain the form and appearance of their industrial origins. A history that includes the heart of Toronto’s fur industry.

Degree of Distinction

• City-wide

Widmer Street General Description

• Pre-industrial row house forms on Widmer and

Adelaide and a mid-rise warehouse form on Adelaide

• Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly office, studios, galleries and

entertainment uses, as well as accommodations for backpackers

Recognizable or unique features

• The exceptionally narrow Widmer streetscape • The continuous and intact row houses that are home to Canadian Backpackers

• Last remaining intact remnant of the area’s late-19th century residential fabric and streetscape.

Degree of Distinction

• District-wide

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Heritage & Distinct Character Areas

North John Street General Description

• Pre-industrial row house forms and low to mid-rise warehouse forms

• Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly office, studios, multi-media, hospitality and entertainment uses

Recognizable or unique features

• A concentration of media and entertainment uses • •

including the Bell-CTV Broadcasting Centre, NFB, Much Music and the Scotiabank Theatre A concentration of continuous restaurants and bars with sidewalk cafes along the east side of John Street A stable and well integrated mix of new and old structures

Degree of Distinction

• City-wide and Nation-wide

Duncan-Adelaide General Description

• Low to mid-rise warehouse forms • Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly office, studios, hospitality and entertainment uses

Recognizable or unique features

• Cultural uses such as OCAD, Soho House, and the CHUM building at 250 Richmond

• Last remaining intact warehouse form streetscape on Duncan Street

Degree of Distinction

• District and City-wide

MASTER PLAN

Theatre Row General Description

• Low to mid-rise warehouse forms and theatres • Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly office, studios, hospitality, theatres and entertainment uses

Recognizable or unique features

• The exceptionally narrow and authentic industrial streetscape character of Pearl Street

• Opened in 1907, Theatre Row’s Royal Alexandra, North •

America’s longest continually running theatre and North America’s first air-conditioned’ theatre. Sits at one of the oldest parts of the city - known as Campsite Founding, because it was where John Graves Simcoe pitched his tent upon arrival at Fort York

Degree of Distinction

• City and Nation-wide

Restaurant Row General Description

• Low-rise pre-industrial main street and house forms • Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly hospitality uses Recognizable or unique features

• Extraordinary concentration of 21 eating

•

establishments that form one of the most iconic and animated restaurant and sidewalk café areas in the country Late 19th century architecture was once an upscale residential neighbourhood that grew up around the first Toronto General Hospital, the original Upper Canada College and the Provincial Legislature. Italianate and Renaissance revival architecture adapted to modern uses.

Degree of Distinction

• City and Nation-wide

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Heritage & Distinct Character Areas

Clarence Square General Description

• Low-rise pre-industrial house forms and a mid-rise warehouse form framing a public square

• Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly office, studios, shops and over night accommodations

Recognizable or unique features

• One of the city’s last remaining intact Georgian row houses and Victorian era squares

• A centrepiece of a distinct form of early city planning,

•

Clarence Square was built in the Regency Style intended to connect with Victoria Square along the tree-lined axis of Wellington Street. One of Toronto’s oldest park spaces

Degree of Distinction

• City-wide

Union Station-Front General Description

• Mid to high-rise civic, hotel, office and warehouse forms

• Brick and stone materiality • Predominantly civic uses, offices, studios, shops and over night accommodations

Recognizable or unique features

• Union Station – Canada’s busiest building and • • •

finest examples of Beaux Arts architecture – and the Fairmont Royal York. A grand and monumental district designed in 1911 by architect John Lyle. The role of Union Station as central organizing feature of downtown Toronto When complete, Front Street Plaza will create a splendid ‘welcome area’ to the Downtown and BIA

Degree of Distinction

• Nation-Wide

MASTER PLAN

District Base Map

DUNDAS STREET WEST

GATEWAYS &SITES PROMINENT PUBLIC & CORNERS ART BIA Boundary

Prominent Corner Sites Potential Public Key Major Gateways ArtView SitesCorridors

Open Spaces/Plazas

Prominent Visual Sites Minor Gateways

City Hall

Grange Park Anglican Parish Churches in Toronto

BEVERLEY STREET

QUEEN STREET WEST

* *

* * PETER STREET

401 Richmond

NFB

PEARL STREET

YORK STREET

AVENUE

Roy Thomson Hall

David Pecaut Square

Metro Hall

MERCER STREET

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

BAY STREET

Royal Alexandra Theatre

Hotel Le Germain

Shangri-la Hotel

UNIVERSITY

Princess of Wales Theatre

SIMCOE STREET

DUNCAN STREET

JOHN STREET

WIDMER STREET

DRUMMOND PL

CHARLOTTE STREET

TIFF Bell Lightbox

Hyatt Regency Hotel

NELSON STREET

KING STREET WEST

CLARENCE SQUARE

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

OCAD

Scotiabank Theatre

ADELAIDE STREET WEST Hilton Garden

Bell Media

RICHMOND STREET WEST

Templar Hotel

OXLEY ST

* * *

SPADINA AVENUE

Nathan Phillips Square Osgoode Hall

SoHo Metropolitian Hotel

WELLINGTON STREET WEST

BLUE JAYS WAY

Marriott Hydro One

The Ritz-Carlton

RBC Dexia

Simcoe Park

Simcoe Place

CBC

PIPER STREET

WINDSOR STREET

Clarence Square

FRONT STREET WEST

InterContinental Hotel

STATION STREET

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

NAVY WHARF CRT

Renaissance Hotel

* *

Union Station

Delta Hotel

Olympic Park BREMNER BLVD

Telus Centre

Air Canada Centre

LOWER SIMCOE STREET

* *

CN Tower Ripleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aquarium of Canada

Rogers Centre

Fairmont Royal York

Roundhouse Park

MARINER TERRACE

Hotel Le Germain

REE

S ST REE

Maple Leaf Square

GRAND TRUNK CRES

Steam Whistle Brewery

LAKE SHORE

BLVD WEST

GARDINER EXPRESSWAY

QUEENS QUAY WEST

H2O Park West

Radisson Hotel Admiral

H2O Park

Ann Tindal Park

York Quay Centre

Toronto Police Marine Unit

Queens Quay Centre

The Power Plant Gallery

Toronto Inner Harbour

N 0

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Prominent Sites

4.5/ PROMINENT SITES Prominent Sites identify special frontages and sites with exceptional visibility and/or that currently or can anticipate the greatest exposure to pedestrian traffic. The quality of development on all these sites can profoundly shape the image of the District and how it is experienced. Accordingly, development here ought to have a greater civic responsibility that obliges consideration for the highest possible architectural design and material quality, including articulation and features that reinforce their visual prominence. Particular attention to the appropriate design of these sites can enhance the quality of the public realm, reinforce the Toronto Entertainment District identity, and orient pedestrians and visitors. They include:

Prominent Corner Sites

Prominent Corner Sites occupy key intersections of streets that often correspond to potential Gateways into the Toronto Entertainment District.

Prominent Visual Sites

Prominent Visual Sites occupy extraordinary and strategic locations that terminate an important view corridor and can strengthen visual connectivity to and across the District. Specific built form and design guidance for prominent sites are provided in Section 4.5 Development Performance Standards & Guidelines.

Prominent Corner Sites: architectural feature and signage of the Scotiabank Theatre reinforce the important corner at John and Richmond Streets

Prominent Visual Sites: public art is integrated into the Rogers Centre at the termini of Peter and John Streets

Prominent Visual Sites: architectural articulation and through lobby of 225 King Street West are aligned to the view terminus of Duncan Street

MASTER PLAN

4.6/ DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE 4.6.1 Uses STANDARDS & GUIDELINES Vertically integrate a mix of uses in residential developments The following Performance Standards and Guidelines are informed by local best practices in planning and urban design, and in many cases build on current and applied City policies and guidelines. As much as possible, these standards are tailored to the specific circumstances and emerging context of the Toronto Entertainment District, either responding to the emergence of undesirable developments or reflecting those that set a good precedent. While the Performance Standard defines the fundamental objective for guiding the use, form and character of new development, the Guidelines provide recommended approaches for achieving that objective. Where proposals are not consistent with the Guidelines, they will be assessed on how well the meet the underlying intent of the Performance Standard and overall Master Plan vision.

Rationale

• To retain the balance of mixed-uses in the District with most active uses directed to the street level

Guidelines

• Active commercial or cultural uses should be provided

• •

at grade and potentially the second level, and should be required in Commercial Priority Enhancement Areas Office/commercial uses should be provided above the retail uses Where retail is not provided at grade, work-live or office/commercial uses can be considered with the condition that it is designed to enable conversion into retail uses in future

Ensure an equal or greater amount of displaced office/commercial, cultural, hospitality or other entertainment related uses in conjunction with redevelopment Rationale

• To ensure the retention and increase of office/

commercial and cultural/entertainment uses in the district and particular where current concentrations exist

Guidelines

• The gross floor area of office/commercial, cultural,

hospitality or entertainment related uses equal to or greater than the amount displaced should be provided in the development

Vertical integration of retail, office and residential uses - Vancouver

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Performance Standards & Guidelines

Maximize the commercial viability of retail uses through appropriate design measures that support and optimize flexibility and visibility Rationale

• To enhance the retail environment and ensure

high quality retail spaces are provided in proposed development

Guidelines

Architecturally distinguished and prominent retail level

• Involve a retail consultant and/or designer to ensure optimal, viable and appealing retail spaces

• Architecturally distinguish retail levels in the building • • • • • •

• •

façade and enhance their visual prominence through tall clearances of no less than 4.5 m Provide broad and unobstructed glazing of no less than 70% for grade-levels Ensure unit depths of no less than 18m and unit widths of no less than 5.5m Ensure support columns are consistent with retail unit dimensions and recessed from the retail frontage by no less than 1.5m to enable adequate display areas Commercial signage should prominent and distinct from the building Rear delivery areas should have no less than 3.0m of depth for proper vehicular access Support retail environments with adequate sidewalk widths of no less than 5.0m or 7.0m at corners, with inviting streetscaping elements such as planters, trees, and benches for seating Ensure no less than 3.0m for commercial spill out space such as patios on sidewalks Utility metres, transformers and trash bins should be conveniently located but visually concealed

Double storey, broad and unobstructed glazing

Architecturally distinctive treatment and prominent signage

MASTER PLAN

Minimize or mitigate potential conflicts between residential uses and cultural, hospitality and other entertainment related uses Rationale

• To enable a greater residential population in the

District while ensuring the continued viability of nonresidential uses

Guidelines Nightlife is a key aspect of the area’s appeal and draw for which new residents ought to be aware and tolerant of

• Noise attenuation measures should designed for residential uses such as triple glazing

• Disclosure agreements regarding traffic congestion, occasional road closures, light and noise associated with the area’s entertainment related uses and nightlife should be provided to condominium purchasers

Ensure an equal or greater amount of displaced public parking in conjunction with redevelopment Rationale

• To ensure the viability of employment uses contained New residents ought to be aware and tolerant of frequent street closures associated with special events and festivals

•

in ‘brick-and-beam’ structures that do not provide for parking To support the area’s major attractions that rely on the availability of public parking facilities

Guidelines

• An equal or greater amount of public parking

spaces that are displaced should be provided in the development

Integration of public parking into new development

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Performance Standards & Guidelines

4.6.2 Heritage & Distinct Character Areas Celebrate the defining attributes of heritage resources and integrate them into new developments in a harmonious manner that retains their visual prominence Rationale

• To ensure the conservation of the designated and •

listed heritage resources that define the area’s rich history and lend to its extensive architectural variety To discourage the appearance of facadism where only facades are retained

Guidelines

• Heritage attributes of existing, designated or listed

The 3-dimensional character and roofline retained , consistent setback and street wall height - YWCA Toronto

heritage properties should be conserved

• Where the heritage value of a building includes its

•

• • • • •

3-dimensional character and roofline, that aspect of the building envelope should be conserved, and the transition or integration of new construction should respect all three dimensions. New developments should provide consistent or modest setbacks as a means of distinguishing and/ or strengthening the prominence of the heritage building. Maintain the same or similar cornice height to create a consistent street wall height Step back taller building elements above the heritage façade by no less than 6.0m to avoid the appearance of facadism New construction should maintain the same or similar height of the grade level Maintain the rhythm of existing heritage buildings by clearly articulating vertical divisions or bays in the façade The design of new construction should be visually distinguished from the heritage features

The Shangri-la demonstrates a successful example of heritage protection and integration into new development

Taller elements setback 6.0 or more metres to avoid the appearance of facadism - Boston

New construction in its design and materiality is visually distinguished from the heritage building - Montreal

MASTER PLAN

Where practical, integrate and celebrate the defining attributes of Distinct Character Areas as defined by the heritage, distinct building forms, streetscapes and/or uses and functions Rationale

• To encourage the celebration of the area’s distinct • New developments massed and designed to complement historic Downtown Washington DC

ensembles of buildings, streetscapes and functions that provide of ‘sense of place’ and draw to the area To ensure that new developments do not overwhelm or detract from the defining qualities of these places

Guidelines

• New development should be encouraged to integrate

•

existing character elements and functions/uses that contribute to the defining attributes of the Distinct Character Area. The street walls or podiums of new developments should be no taller than the prevailing heights of the Distinct Character Area, at which point taller elements should set well back and distinguished Taller buildings should be carefully considered, placed, massed and designed to ensure they do not appear to visually overwhelm or detract from the defining attributes of the Distinct Character Area Where functions or uses that are defining aspects are being displaced, they should be reincorporated into the development in a similar character, scale and intensity

Redevelopment of Woodward’s in Vancouver reinforced the defining characteristics of the district in its design, mixed-uses, affordable housing and public services and amenities

New development in the Distillery District in Toronto complement the architectural character as well as the unique open space qualities

New development in the historic St. Lawrence Market area of Toronto that complements the heritage streetscape

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Performance Standards & Guidelines

4.6.3 Grade Level Interfaces Ensure grade levels positively contribute to and enliven the public realm through active uses, visual prominence, material quality, and design excellence Rationale

• To animate and enhance grade level conditions • • •

throughout the district to support and attract pedestrian traffic To fill in ‘gaps’ in the streetscape To ensure continuity in streetscaping To enhance pedestrian safety, appeal and comfort

Consistent prominent, animated and high quality grade level conditions

Guidelines

• Grade-level setbacks should be consistent with • •

•

• • • • • • • • •

adjacent buildings, otherwise transitions should be provided Grade-level heights should be 5.5m and no less than 4.5m The priority locations for maximizing active retail uses are first on primary street frontages, followed by secondary streets and mid-block passages, followed by lane ways Non-active uses, residential lobbies and internal circulation infrastructure should be directed away from primary frontage where ever possible, otherwise minimized Double storey retail uses are encouraged where possible Publicly accessible mid-block passages and courtyards are encouraged and should be clearly visible from public streets and animated with active uses Grade-levels should be of the highest possible material and architectural quality Colonnades or arcades are generally discouraged, otherwise not to be less than 2-storeys tall Continuous weather protection for pedestrians such as awnings and canopies should be provided Setbacks to enable spill out activities such as sidewalk cafes are encouraged At-grade residential uses fronting on public streets should be prohibited Blank walls at-grade should be prohibited Streetscaping improvements should be consistent with applicable City or BIA Streetscape Pallet

Setbacks to enable spill-out activity and continuous weather protection

Clearly visible and animated mid-block pedestrian passage

MASTER PLAN

4.6.4 Street Walls & Podiums Orient, scale and design street walls and podiums to frame and animate the public realm, and to reinforce the scale and character of streetscapes, open spaces, heritage and Distinct Character Areas Rationale

• To ensure the visual prominence of heritage and Distinct Character Area contexts

Street wall or podium heights proportional to the width of the street

• To provide comfortable and appealing pedestrian

•

environments by ensuring heights proportional to public right-of-ways, maximizing sun penetration and sky view and preventing overwhelming ‘canyon’ effects To ensure the highest possible design quality and articulation where most visible to pedestrians

Guidelines

• Street wall or podium heights should be no less than

Transitions in street wall heights to complement heritage buildings

•

• • • • Vertical breaks to provide visual relief on frontages that exceed 30.0 metres

• • Green roof treatment on top of a podium

3-storeys and no taller than the width of the street or open space as measured from building face to building face, at which point a minimum 3.0-4.0m step back free of encroachments should be provided Street wall or podium heights should be consistent with the prevailing heights of heritage and character defining buildings within a Distinct Character Area, at which point step backs free of encroachments should be provided that are adequate for retaining the visual prominence of the existing street walls – generally no less than 6.0m Where abutting heritage buildings or Distinct Character Areas, street walls or podiums should provide transitions in heights to these properties High quality materials and a high degree of articulation in street walls and podiums are encouraged to enhance the streetscape experience Street walls or podiums with frontages greater than 30.0m should provide for vertical breaks through materials and/or massing to provide for visual relief Exposed side walls that are visible from streets or open spaces should have design treatments such as material articulation and, where possible, should include windows that can be enabled through limiting distance agreements with adjacent property owners such as in the case of an adjacent heritage building Roofs should be utilized for private or common outdoor amenity areas or gardens Consideration for visual enhancement at night should be considered through the creative use of facade illumination

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Performance Standards & Guidelines

4.6.5 Tall Buildings Site, orient, mass and distance tall buildings so as to ensure they do not overwhelm and adversely impact the public realm and adjacent properties with respect to shadow, wind, sky view, privacy and development opportunities Rationale

• Tall buildings have the greatest visual and physical • •

impacts and accordingly have the greatest civic obligations To provide comfortable and appealing pedestrian environments by ensuring adequate sun penetration, sky view and comfortable wind conditions To ensure the highest possible design quality and articulation where visible to pedestrians and from further distances

Towers as slender as possible and set back from the podium building Maple Leaf Square

Guidelines

• Tall residential buildings (over 12-storeys) should be

• •

• • • • • • • •

as slender as possible to minimize visual and shadow impacts with max average floor plates of 750sm and max 32.0m tower widths fronting on streets or open spaces Tall non-residential buildings with large floor plates should provide for vertical breaks through materials and/or massing to provide for visual relief Tall buildings should be set back and free of encroachments of no less than 4.0m from the top of the podium and 6.0m from a heritage façade or within a Distinct Character Area Tower separation distances should be no less than 25.0m, enabled through side-yard setbacks and/or limiting distance agreements with adjacent properties Tall buildings should not cast any shadows on public parks and open spaces between the shoulder seasons (March 21st to September 21st) Tall buildings should minimize additional shadow impacts on King Street or John Street Mitigation measures for wind should ensure street level conditions comfortable for sitting Exposed blank walls visible from streets or open spaces should be prohibited The heights of adjacent tall buildings should visually vary to enhance the skyline Upper levels of tall buildings should be articulated, including the design integration of mechanical penthouses Consideration for visual enhancement at night should be considered through the creative use of illumination of the upper levels

Tower separation distances that meet or exceed 25.0 metres ensures adequate sky view from the street level - City Place

Upper level articulation, design integration of mechanical penthouses and varying heights of adjacent towers to create a more appealing skyline

MASTER PLAN

4.6.6 Prominent Sites Design development on prominent sites to serve as visual landmarks, stimulate and orient pedestrian movement, and enhance the overall image of the District Rationale

• To draw and orient pedestrians to and through the district and its Identity Areas

• To ensure inappropriate functions are not located at visually prominent sites

• To reinforce gateways, key intersections and enhance the visual quality of the public realm

The use of a ‘drum’ to architectural express and reinforce a key corner - Washington DC

Guidelines

• Modest exceptions to step backs and heights could • • •

•

Massing and architectural treatment to respond to the terminus of a view axis - Vancouver

A portico passage aligned to the view axis - Toronto

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•

be considered to encourage massing and designs that accentuate the visual prominence of the site Unique architectural treatments are strongly encouraged and can include vertical slender elements such as drums, spires and turrets New developments on all corner sites should orient to both street frontages New developments that terminate view corridors should align design features to the view axis, which, in addition to vertical elements, can include aligned entries or portico openings but not ramps that access below or above grade parking or loading areas As new developments on prominent sites and corners are highly visible, the highest possible standards in design and material quality should extend to all aspects of the building within the view corridor or at the intersection These sites do not necessarily warrant additional building height to make a visible impact, as they are already afforded with visibility that is free of interference

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Performance Standards & Guidelines

4.6.7 Parking, Loading & Utilities Locate and design utilities and parking and loading areas and their access so as not visually detract from the quality of the public realm or conflict with pedestrian movement Rationale

• To ensure that parking and loading areas are • •

adequately concealed from streetscapes or open spaces To ensure the optimal use of existing rear lanes where possible To ensure the pedestrian environment or experience is not compromised by access to parking and loading areas

Rear lanes should be utilized and design treated where visible from streets and open spaces - Yorkville Toronto

Guidelines

• As much as possible, new developments should utilize

•

• •

•

existing rear laneways for their intended purpose — parking access, loading, garbage and other utility purposes Where not serviced by a rear laneway or access is limited, ensure vehicular and service access has a minimal impact on the streetscape by: • Minimizing the width of driveways; • Consolidating adjacent driveways; • Ensuring adequate separation distances between driveways; and, • By designing integrated access portals and ramps Where access and service areas are visible from streets or open spaces, provide high quality materials and features that can include continuous paving treatments, landscaping and well designed doors and entries Locate loading, storage, utilities, and areas for delivery and trash pick up out of view from streets and open spaces Above-grade parking structures should be visually concealed with at-grade active uses and similar façade articulation and materials to that of a building or other distinctive architectural treatment Coordinate and integrate utilities, mechanical equipment and meters with the design of the building, for example, using rooftop parapets or internal utility rooms Locate heating, venting and air conditioning equipment and vents away from public streets

Distinctive paving treatment of a visible rear courtyard for drop-off, loading and parking access - Four Seasons Toronto

Above grade parking concealed with distinctive architectural treatment to the podium facade

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4.6.8 Commercial Signage Design, locate and scale commercial signs to contribute to the quality of individual buildings, the streetscape, and to reinforce heritage or distinct character areas Rationale

• To enhance the overall quality of the streetscape • To enhance the quality of the retail environment • To stimulate and orient pedestrian movement Guidelines Signage scaled to the pedestrian and integrated into the facades

• Signage should exhibit high quality materials and design

• Commercial signage should not overwhelm the building and/or the storefront

• Back lit illuminated rectangular sign boxes are discouraged

• Signage should be integrated into the design of • • • Coloured illumination of signage can enhance the streetscape at night

•

Protruding banner signage can enhance the visibility of businesses while contributing to the streetscape

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building façades wherever possible, by placing them within architectural bays, friezes or datum lines. Signage should not obscure windows, cornices or other architectural elements The scale and positioning of signage should orient to the pedestrian, through location at or near grade level for viewing from sidewalks Signage on heritage buildings should be complementary and consistent with traditional sign placement such as on a sign band, window lettering, or within architectural orders Protruding flags and banners as commercial signage should be encouraged

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Performance Standards & Guidelines

4.6.9 Architectural & Material Quality Ensure excellence in the architectural design of new developments and in the use of highgrade materials, particularly at street-level Rationale

• To achieve a balance between consistencies in design •

quality and interfacing with the public realm, while enabling individual expression in new developments To contribute to the area’s mix and variety of high quality architecture while remaining respectful of context

Buildings of all scales and styles should express a base, middle and top

Guidelines

• Buildings should contribute to quality of the • • •

•

• •

streetscape and skyline through the expression of a base, middle and top Entrances to buildings should be clearly articulated and expressed Mechanical penthouses should be integrated with the architectural treatment of roofs and screened from view Building materials should be chosen for their functional and aesthetic quality and exterior finishes should exhibit quality of workmanship, longevity, sustainability and ease of maintenance Building materials recommended for new construction, particularly at street level, include brick, stone, wood, glass, in-situ concrete and pre-cast concrete In general, the appearance of building materials should be true to their nature and should not mimic other materials Vinyl siding, plastic, plywood, concrete block, darkly tinted and mirrored glass should be discouraged

Clearly articulated and expressed entries

The use of glass, stone and brick in a highly articulated manner is most important at the lower levels of a building where it meets the street

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4.6.10 Community Benefits Priorities Proportionately direct development contributions to public benefits that support the objectives of the Master Plan with respect to site-specific and area-wide priorities Rationale

• To allocate improvements or funds in a manner

• • Retention of Character Contributing Buildings

that supports identified priorities necessary for best enhancing the livabilty and appeal of the BIA over the short and long term To ensure that improvements or contributions directly benefit the contributing development To leverage benefits to most effectively bring to fruition the vision of the Master Plan as opportunities for focused efforts, partnerships and alliances arise

Guidelines Development contributions should always allocate a proportion for site-specific as well as area-wide public benefits Site-specific priorities are as follows: 1. Provision for cultural amenities and facilities 2. On-site community services or amenities 3. Publicly accessible open spaces 4. Affordable artist work, live, studio or exhibition space

Provision for cultural amenities and facilitates

Streetscape improvements

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Area-wide priorities are as follows: 1. Streetscape improvements on the nearest street to the development where improvement are planned or in progress 2. Priority district-wide streetscape or open space improvements – such as John Street, King Street and Festival Square 3. Priority district-wide public realm improvements – such as gateways, banners, landscaping, lighting or furnishing programs

4.0/ DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Development Review

4.7 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW The BIA tracks and assesses all development applications in the District with respect to consistency with the Master Plan. Based on this assessment, the BIA may choose to support or oppose development proposals. To ensure consistency with the development objectives for the District, developers are encouraged to review the Master Plan and meet with the BIA prior to submitting a formal application to the City.

BIA’s Key Objectives in Reviewing Development Proposals Consistent with the Development Performance Standards & Guidelines in the previous section, the key objectives for the BIA in reviewing development proposals include:

• The retention, replacement and/or intensification of a • •

•

wide variety of cultural, entertainment and arts related functions and uses. The conservation, adaptive-reuse and/or integration of all designated or listed heritage resources. Ensuring a critical mass of activity and a vibrant street life through a balanced mix of uses and in particular, animated at-grade functions such as shops, restaurants and cultural facilities, as well as a viable and robust office/commercial sector. Ensuring comfortable, safe and appealing pedestrian environments as shaped by appropriate relationships between buildings and streets with respect to uses, levels of transparency, shadow, wind, weather protection and material and architectural quality. Enhancing and contributing to the quality of the public realm with respect to streetscaping, landscaping, public open spaces, passages and public art.

Although the BIA’s primary interests are with how a development interfaces with the street, they also take an interest in the design of tall buildings with respect to how they may impact the quality of the public realm and the area’s livability. Accordingly, the key objectives for the BIA in reviewing proposals for tall buildings, includes:

• Creating a high quality urban environment as

•

impacted by the relationship between towers with respect to access to amenities, light, view and privacy as impacted by proximity and density of towers, contributions to the public realm, in addition to the quality of architecture and skyline Minimizing shadow impacts, particularly on key pedestrian areas with respect to length and duration

•

and as impacted by tower floor plate size and dimensions Minimizing visual impacts as experienced by pedestrians and as impacted by tower placement and dimensions in relation to the podium and street, as well as separation distances between towers Minimizing wind impacts at the sidewalk and as impacted by provisions for setbacks from the podium/ base and avoidance of tall sheer walls at the street edge

The Development Proposal Design Review Checklist used in the assessment of applications is available to the public and can be provided by the BIA or accessed online.

How to Gain BIA Endorsement of Development Proposal Official written endorsements from the BIA for development proposals are only provided where the BIA is assured that the spirit and intent of the Master Plan are respected. Accordingly the following process is recommended:

1. Obtain and review the Master Plan 2. Meet with the BIA early in the design process and prior 3. 4.

to a formal application to ensure that key concerns will be addressed and key objectives met Present or submit plans for initial review by the BIA and where concerns remain, demonstrate that they can be addressed or mitigated Upon first review, or second review where necessary, the BIA may provide a letter endorsing the development if it is satisfied that the proposal adequately meets the objectives of the Master Plan

If this process is not followed, letters of endorsement will only be provided where development proposals are in conformance with the Master Plan. All reviews conducted by the BIA and summary of meetings will be provided to the City Councillor and City Planning Department. The Councillor or representatives from his office may also be present at meetings or presentations. Where proposals are deemed to be fundamentally at odds with the spirit and intent of the Master Plan, the BIA reserves its right to voice its opposition to the application to the City and/or Ontario Municipal Board.

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5.0/ IMPLEMENTATION

5.0/ IMPLEMENTATION Implementation Strategies provide a roadmap for action. They outline the necessary steps for implementing the Master Plan for the Toronto Entertainment District BIA, as well as identifying the priorities, order of magnitude costing, and the players who can assist the BIA in the undertaking.

5.1/ ROLE OF THE BIA

The responsibilities of Business Improvement Areas typically fall within four general categories:

Maintenance & Beautification

The general maintenance and beautification of the BIA typically requires the largest portion of the operating budget, typically up to half of the annual budget. This includes not only the general upkeep and maintenance but also includes smaller beautification projects, such as installation of street furniture (lights, benches, waste receptacles), flower baskets, and banners to name but a few.

Public Realm Enhancements

These are items related to capital projects in the public realm — which are those elements that are primarily in public ownership such as streets and open spaces. These are large infrastructure and/or public realm improvements such as streetscaping, and can be site specific or generic. Public realm enhancements will require approximately one-quarter (1/4) or the BIA’s operating budget, and projects typically require several years of budget allocations to see a project through to fruition. Public realm enhancements initiated by the BIA are typically projects that are jointly funded by other levels of government, and through the private sector development processes. The recommended actions contained within this implementation section have been organized around these four general categories.

Promotion & Events

Promotion and events typically require one-quarter of the BIA’s operating budget and include all those elements that fall within the planning and execution of festivals and events and general economic development initiatives such as marketing campaigns.

Private Realm Involvement

These are responsibilities related to addressing issues and opportunities with new private sector development applications within the BIA boundaries. This requires minimal budget requirements on the part of the BIA, as

funds will only be required on an as-needed basis rather than a fixed annual operating cost. It is recommended that the BIA set up a reserve fund to address any development application related matters. The BIA must be seen as an organized and consistent commenting agency on all private sector development applications within its boundaries.

5.2/ IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

The Master Plan is intended to provide a long-term vision that remains relevant and applicable for guiding decisionmaking over a number of years or until such time that it is reviewed and updated – generally every 5-years. The initial Plan set out a comprehensive and detailed implementation strategy for which many recommended initiatives have been undertaken or are underway. At, the same time, numerous initiatives were also undertaken that were never anticipated or that responded to a particular issue or opportunity that arose. Given the pace of change, much of which has been unpredictable, and the need for the BIA to remain both committed to long-term objectives as well as being flexible and responsive to opportunities as they arise, the implementation strategy can be most effective as a more frequently reviewed and revised document. Accordingly, the Master Plan has now been designed to be a living document that can easily be updated when initiatives are complete and the implementation strategy will now be a stand-alone but complementary document to be defined and revised by the Master Plan sub-committee on an asneed basis. Key priorities will be identified in accordance with the Master Plan, budgetary considerations, strategic and partnership opportunities, and consultation with the broader membership where appropriate. For further details on current implementation priorities and initiatives, please refer to the applicable documents as provided by the BIA or available on-line.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area (BIA), as its first significant initiative upon being formed, initiated the Entertainment District Master Plan in March 2008, and initiated an update in 2012. This Plan was prepared through a collaborative process that involved a broad representation of individuals and organizations. Numerous residents, business owners, landowners, City staff and even visitors from afar have voluntarily contributed their time, effort, experiences, expertise and knowledge throughout the process. Whether through the various Entertainment District BIA committees, focus group meetings, on-line survey or participation in the Visioning Workshop, the involvement and support of the local and broader community has been invaluable and greatly appreciated. We would like to thank the BIA Board of Directors, the Marketing Committee and the Safe Streets Committee for the time and commitment to the Master Plan. We especially appreciate the involvement of the Master Plan Advisory Committee members, as their direction, enthusiasm and assistance has been instrumental in its preparation. We would like to extend our appreciation to numerous City of Toronto Staff members for their involvement throughout the process and for providing the necessary base information and background documents. Lastly, we would also like to extend a special thanks to Janice Solomon, Executive Director of the Toronto Entertainment District BIA, for her unwavering commitment and attention to all aspects of the process.

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The Toronto Entertainment District Master Plan was initially completed for the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area, in March 2009 and subsequently amended in January 2013. This study was undertaken and authored by

The Planning Partnership

Harold Madi, Planner, Urban Designer & Project Lead Donna Hinde, Landscape Architect & Facilitator David Leinster, Landscape Architect Ron Palmer, Planner Rick Merrill, Planner & Urban Designer Vincent Tong, Planner & Project Manager Ana Isabel Aulestia, Urban Designer Svetlana Lavrentieva, Landscape Designer Johanna Evers, Landscape Architect Tonya Crawford, Landscape Architect Lucas Van Meer-Mass, Planner Evan Truong, Planner

Contributors:

Kramer Design Associates Jeremy Kramer, Principal & Creative Janet Young, Sr. VP, Brand Strategy Doug Logtenberg, Graphic Designer Adam Kelly, Sr. Signage Designer Omari Dos Santos, Industrial Designer

Live Work Learn Play Rob Spanier, Senior Vice President Daniel Byrne, Vice President Erin Senior, Project Manager Max Reim, Co-Managing Partner & Principal

Toronto Entertainment District BIA Dana Duncanson, Urban Management Coordinator

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