By Dara Hakimzadeh
After three years of intensive planning, the NCC is finally developing property facing Sparks, O’Connor and Queen streets.
Some of the businesses in the area say it’s about time.
“It’s been in the works for about three thousand decades and they’ve finally got a hold of it and they’re going to do it,” says Tony Fisher, manager of a men’s clothing store on Sparks Street.
Under the NCC’s agreement with the developers, 131 Queen Street Ltd. and Morguard Corporation, construction will include about 90,000 square feet of office space, 6,000 square feet of retail space, 36 apartments and 200 parking spaces.
“It’s a great first step. I’m hoping we’ll see more of this mixed development,” says Coun. Elisabeth Arnold, referring to the residential and commercial aspects of the proposed building.
Fisher adds that the location is fabulous.
“You will look out on the nice tranquil Sparks Street Mall with the birds singing and the trees flowering,” he says.
Holly Layte, owner of the Marvelous Mustard Shop, says vested city planning interests have blocked visions the city has had for Sparks Street in the past.
“I have to commend the NCC (project) for putting residential spaces (in the building).”
The NCC will lease office space within the building for 20 years and plans to sublet space to Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Currently there are no agreements for the retail space, but Fisher thinks finding tenants should be easy.
“You can be sure the developer is going to get class ‘A’ rent for any space, that means class ‘A’ tenants which is good,” he says.
The building construction starts next May and should be completed by September 2006.
Paul Snyder, owner of 131 Queen Street Ltd., is currently working on design plans for the building with Bregman and Hamann Architects, who conceived parts of Pearson Airport and residences at the University of British Columbia.
“It’s sensitive to other buildings that are there. We’re preserving the façade of the Hardy Arcade,” says Snyder. The Hardy Arcade is the historic north-south route that links Sparks Street to Queen.
Replicating or restoring the “same sort of motif that’s been on the street for the last 100 years” will bring people downtown, fitting the City’s strategy of intensification, says Arnold.
“If you look at capitals around the world, success is where you have this mixed development, where people aren’t just around (the downtown core) for a 9-5 period.”