Street Level Toronto Film: The Honest Ed's Site and "Why I Became a Planner"

The iconic Toronto “Honest Ed” site is being redeveloped by Westbank at Bloor and Bathurst in the Annex area. The City of Toronto has gone with a straight up tower form without the podium massing commonly used in Vancouver. The development will have 801 units in five thin towers, the highest tower being 29 storeys. And no, they did not keep the Honest Ed’s sign intact, it was demolished. Spacing Toronto had a draw for a few light bulbs from the sign, as well as part of the sign with the letter “O”.

The City of Toronto has also launched a film series called “Street Level” and in the first film “Senior Planner Graig Uens explains how the redevelopment plans for Mirvish Village evolved based on community feedback & the City’s own planning policies”.
It is a fascinating take on how Toronto sees itself, its policies (the bike lanes!) and its processes. Graig’s talk describes the public process to get to the 29 storey tower massing, and mentions some of the heritage facade retention. The short film has a feel like the City of Angels film where Nicholas Cage viewed Los Angeles from the roof tops.  Films on what city planners actually do are scarce~kudos to the City of Toronto for including their planner.
You can check it out here.