Volume 15 Spring 2003
Award-Winning Development King West Central named Office Project of the Year
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ing West Central claimed the prestigious Office Project of the Year Award for 2002 at the annual National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Real Estate Excellence Awards gala event held in February of this year. The project involved the redevelopment of nine heritage buildings comprising the bulk of two city blocks immediately to the west of King and Spadina. It was launched in the latter part of 1998, involved four separate acquisitions, the renovation and retrofitting of more than 625,000 square feet of brick-and-beam space, the leasing of nearly 600,000 square feet of that space, and the consequent revitalization of an entire inner-city neighbourhood. The people who helped create King West Central often referred to themselves as The Downtown West Wonder-Team. My colleagues and I at Allied Properties were certainly part of that team. We were fortunate to have superb equity partners, most notably Gerry Connor and Gord Cunningham of Cumberland Asset Management, who stood with us shoulder-to-shoulder from inception through to completion. We were also fortunate to have a superb general contractor in Andrew Clarke of Marketblock Construction, who brought not only construction capability to the effort, but a genuine understanding of real estate.
On the leasing side, we had not one, but two listing agents: CB Richard Ellis and J.J. Barnicke. The CB Richard Ellis team was spearheaded by Jeff Friedman and Chris Vanexan, with strong support from Mark Renzoni and John O’Toole. The J.J. Barnicke team was spearheaded by Tom Burns and Stephen Alikakos with strong support from Ted Bloom, Jim Higgs and Tom McLeod. We also had the support of numerous selling agents. Perhaps the most important members of The Downtown West WonderTeam were the more than 30 business tenants, each of whom shared the vision of what King West Central could become, had the courage to make a significant commitment and, in doing so, made a distinct contribution to the creation of one of the BOIGON PETROFF most vibrant and proSHEPHERD ARCHITECTS ductive neighbourDR. KRISTIN HEENEY hoods in downtown ACTON LEATHER Toronto. To all the members INCOMING! of The Downtown SPACE FOR RANT West Wonder-Team, PATIO CENTRAL I say, Thank You and Congratulations!
Inside...
– Michael R. Emory, President & CEO, Allied Properties
Front & Central
Petroff Opens Downtown Institutional Office New location in King West Central helps re-brand division of architectural firm
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oigon Petroff Shepherd Architects is an international, award winning, full-service architectural firm, and with its sister firm, Petroff Partnership Architects, has giant retail clients like WalMart and First Professional, a total staff of 130, and a sizeable corporate office that occupies 18,000 square feet...in Markham. “We’ve found that young, talented architecture grads are somewhat reluctant to come to Markham, partly because they don’t own a car, but also because working for a suburban architectural firm is not perceived as cool,” says Glen Meschino. As managing partner of Boigon Petroff Shepherd Architects’ new downtown office, Meschino says location played a big part in the 46-year-old firm’s new business direction - opening a smaller, collaborative facility with a sharp focus on its continued expansion into institutional architecture. The firm’s Markham headquarters are inherently more hierarchical than the new 82 Peter Street location, explains Meschino. It’s also organized for the speedy production of large
mercial group. The battle for this separate identity started in 1991, with the acquisition of a smaller institutional firm, Boigon & Armstrong and its talented staff. With a concerted effort and high quality projects, the new firm managed to market itself in this sector, but found that the Petroff name and the Markham address retail projects of the type that have made Petroff one of the top 20 firms in the world in this sector, not to mention one of Canada’s largest. Institutional architecture is a different world, and Petroff’s institutional team felt the need to differentiate itself from the very well known and established comcontinued to present an impediment to some institutional clients. The reinforcement of the separate identity became a priority. “Having a physically separate, urban location was the next logical step”, says Meschino. “It was important to create and reinforce the perception that Boigon Petroff Shepherd Architects is functionally a separate
entity from Petroff. Of course, we have the financial strength and critical mass of the combined organization, but we operate as a different company in virtually every way.” Meschino likens the new, open concept to a school environment or a collaborative design studio, rather than something more rigid and corporate. Much smaller than the Markham office at 7,000 square feet, 82 Peter Street is populated by a somewhat younger staff of mostly graduate architects. Meschino and a new partner, Guela Solow-Ruda, along with senior associate Mark Feldman, head up the Peter Street location, which began operation in January, but whose interior furnishings were only completed in April. The new office location is the first part of a larger re-branding strategy that will likely include a new name and logo package later this year. Given the nature of the downtown operation, Meschino doesn’t expect to grow the staff to more than 30, but to date the firm has 20 staff and is still hiring.
Site For Sore Eyes Optometry practice sets up shop on Brant
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hen you drop by Dr. Kristin Heeney’s optometry practice, one of the first things you may notice is the dog. Poodle to be exact. That’s Buttercup, and she’s the official greeter, explains Heeney. The dog, the sofas, the brick-and-beam setting are all part of what gives this new Brant Street optometry practice it’s casual feel – a professional, friendly type of sensibility shared by many of King West Central’s businesses. Heeney opened the doors of her optometry practice at the beginning of February. The King West Central Community Chronicle
Her office at 25 Brant Street is in keeping with the post-industrial feel of the neighbourhood. The casual brick and beam space is dotted with plants and fitted with sofas to allow patients a quiet and open atmosphere. While most of the 1,800-square-foot space is open-concept, there are two consultation rooms, and a space in which to expand as the practice grows. Right now, Heeney and her assistant Tanya Madrick (a trained optician) make up the two-person operation. Continued on page 3.
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ith the slogan, “worth the drive to Acton,” for several years the Acton Leather Company has owned one of Ontario’s most popular shopping attractions, 40 minutes outside of Toronto, with almost an acre of leather outerwear, accessories, gifts and furniture, attracting more than 250,000 visitors annually. Recently, the management identified an important new market: busy young urban professionals, especially downtown loft dwellers, who might not venture so far out of town to shop for leather. This demographic appreciates the fine quality leather goods but prefers a more sleek, modern aesthetic than that emphasized at the original location. To serve this market, the company asked II BY IV Design to create a new lifestyle superstore at King West Central, in a heritage building in the revitalized former garment district, adjacent to a very trendy work/live neighbourhood that’s experiencing record-setting new residential development. II BY IV was asked to make a powerful contemporary statement while respecting the historic architecture.
The designers’ first challenge was to create a powerful new street front identity. They replaced the existing single entrance door with a pair of glazed and side lighted wooden doors surmounted by a classically detailed ornamental framework in a heritage paint finish. In addition to the channel-lit brushed metal signage letters, this entrance façade incorporated recessed lighting and leatherwrapped metal door pulls. With 15,000 square feet of space, the Acton Leather Company’s Inside, the huge new selling showroom features leather and shearling garments as well as top-grain leather furniture. floor includes discreet areas for women’s, men’s fashion accessories and specialty products, as well as the furniture and in order to create variety and interest. home accessory showroom. With a magnificent lifestyle product Given the products’ neutral tones and collection, compellingly merchandised consistent textures, the space’s designers in an extraordinary heritage site, The made strategic use of varying fixture Acton Leather Company’s new location heights, a skillful combination of conat 522 King Street West is likely to be – cealed track lighting and pendant fixfor out-of-towners – worth the drive to tures and the dramatic application of the King West Central. logo’s red on the few drywall partitions,
A graduate of the optometry program at the University of Waterloo, Heeney offers the gamut of eye care services, from examinations to Lasik consultations. She is also skilled in the co-management of eye health and vision care. She prescribes and/or provides eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and vision therapy. It’s a full service shop with more than 400 glasses frames from which to choose. When asked to describe her assortment, Heeney likens it to the local clientele. “We carry a wide variety, from designer brands to very classic, contemporary stuff. We also have an assortment of funky conservative kind of styles. It’s a lot like the neighbourhood.” Dr. Heeney is accepting new patients and is open for walk-in appointments Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9am - 5pm. Evening and Saturday appointments are available, visit www.heeney.ca to schedule an appointment.
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Optometry Continued from page 2.
ing!.. m . o
Canadian Magazines 425 Adelaide Street West’s seventh floor will house the new headquarters for the Canadian Magazine Publishers’ Association. This 18-person office handles issues of advocacy, professional development and marketing for the national consumer magazine industry. With 300 consumer titles across the country making up the association’s membership, the CMPA represents everything from small publications like TickleAce Journal (a magazine devoted to the promotion of Newfoundland and Labrador writers and visual artists), right on up to widely distributed weeklies like TV Guide and Maclean’s. For more information about the association, visit: www.cmpa.ca
Taylor/Hazell Architects Ltd., an awardwinning firm that specializes in conservation, site development and contemporary design. Established in 1991, Taylor/Hazell has focused on complex building and site re-development projects for clients such as Humber College (Robert A. Gordon Learning Centre at the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital), the Ministry of the Attorney General (Osgoode Hall - heritage conservation and building retrofit) and the City of Toronto (Casa Loma and the R.C. Harris Filtration Plant - exterior restoration). The firm’s new King Street West headquarters will house a multi-disciplinary team of 12 architects, technicians and support staff – all of whom collaborate on projects requiring master planning, building diagnostics, program analysis, design, contract documents and field services. For more information, visit: www.taylorhazell.com
Architects and Restoration Consultants Preparing to move into 331-333 Adelaide Street West’s fifth floor on August 1st is The King West Central Community Chronicle
Photo by David Whittaker
Acton’s New King West Showroom “Worth the Drive”
Space for Rant ‘Spring’ Into Shape The arrival of spring will see many people hit the outdoors with extra vigor and intensity. But if you’ve had a sendentary winter, there are a number of steps you can take to get back into condition safely, efficiently and successfully. Step 1 - Take your time. Bathing suit season is still a couple of weeks away and it is important to start slowly and build a base as you get back into your regular activities. Olympic athletes take this approach for a reason. Step 2 - Have a plan. Organize your time so that you know how you are going to get from where you are today, to your eventual goal. We recommend you set your plan for the long term (one year or more) rather than for your Speedo or bikini fitting on the July long weekend. Ideally you should consult with a professional to maximize your efforts and build in the necessary safety mechanisms. At Totum, we always say we wouldn’t recommend building a house without an architect, so why take a chance on your own body? Step 3 - Keep it enjoyable. One of the reasons the winter hibernation/summer activity cycle continues is people are not involved in activities that they find enjoyable and inspiring. The Totum Philosophy encourages trying a broad range of activities. This helps to keep your program mentally and physically stimulating, and may allow you to try something new that you end up loving. Think of all the activities out there as tools for you to use to enhance your lifestyle. In the end it is about smart choices. Our experience has seen countless people move into a consistent program that becomes part of what they do and who they are. Take the time to invest in yourself.
Tim Irvine, MSc. President, Totum Life Science Inc., 445 King Street West www.totum.ca LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! SEND US YOUR VIEWS, NEWS, BLUES AND OPINIONS ON JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. IF WE PRINT YOUR PIECE YOU’LL RECEIVE AN UTTERLY SPECIAL, TOO-COOL-FOR-WORDS PRIZE DESIGNED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE BREATHING SPACE!
Please send your ‘Rant’ to Allied Properties, 469 King Street West, Toronto ON, M5V 3M4 or by email: memory@alliedproperties.ca
Patio Central
reed from winter’s icy grip, Homo sapiens urbanus moves much of its socializing out of doors. Drinking and eating continue to be the focus of interactivity for this species but much of this occurs in comfortable confines of territories called “patios” – spaces defined mostly through zoning by-laws and menu selections. While some species consider eating outside a form of punishment, Homo sapiens urbanus thrive in this setting, with the volume of their voices growing in proportion their thirst. King West Central features a particularly solid example of these outdoor settings and affords ample opportunity to partake in “people watching” (nothing fascinates Homo sapiens urbanus more than watching another member of the species).
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Bakerberry’s Cafe Juicebar 469 King Street West (416) 595-5155 Serving the breakfast and lunch crowd, Bakerberry’s patio seats about 18 and gets busy from noon to 2:00. While most of its menu is vegan fare (baked goods and cold salads), Thursdays they bring out the BBQ and cook up sausages, chicken and other things un-veganlike. Brassaii 461 King Street West (416) 598-4730 With space for 70 diners, a choice of eight different salads and an outdoor grill cooking up traditional bistro fare with a twist, Brassaii’s patio mixes a European-inspired menu with the pleasures of dining in a downtown courtyard setting. Offering an unpretentious, diner-like
attitude, Brassaii is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.
events and barbecues scheduled for the summer, then you can just sit back and relax with a stunning view of the CN Tower.
Crush Wine Bar 455 King Street West (416) 977-1234 A classic French bistro patio with an awning and marble-topped trattoria tables. Surrounded by ironwork to match the courtyard’s gate, Crush’s outdoor dining seats 36. Lunch and dinner are served Monday to Friday and Saturdays are dinner only.
Rodney’s Oyster House 469 King Street West (416) 363-8105 The Oyster Garden, as Rodney’s calls its patio, is a cozy, shrub-enclosed corner of a courtyard that seats 40 at communal tables. Open from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, some times to check out include the Thursday and Friday Northern Ontario Fish Fry lunch or the Friday and Saturday night oyster boat display where you can witness oyster shucking at its finest.
Temple Bar 420-A Wellington Street West (416) 598-4050 Down the courtyard from 469 King West, Temple Bar’s licensed patio seats 25 and keeps hours the way you’d expect a nightspot to, from 10:00 at night to 3:00 in the morning. If you’re not there to enjoy the fashion
The King West Central Community Chronicle
606 606 King Street West (416) 504-8740 Dinner for 40 or drinks for 120. Depending on what time you find
yourself at 606 will determine whether you sit or stand on this roof-top patio that stays open ‘til 2:00 a.m. Either way, the Caribbean feel of the space, combined with the aromas billowing forth from a sixfoot barbecue set the perfect tone for a warm summer evening. For a more quiet setting, you can dine downstairs on the sidewalk patio that seats 12. West 500 King Street West (416) 361-9004 With a 160-person capacity, suspended ten-foot diameter umbrellas and a 10 x 10 VIP tent, West’s great outdoors has more in common with Nikki’s Beach Bar in Miami than it does with your run-ofthe-mill, street variety T.O. patio. Tapas are on the menu and drinks are on the table from 5:00 to 2:00.
www.alliedproperties.ca