Bachelor of Architecture 2006

Richard Yiu Cheong Li

 

 

What is it about a hotel, about a building providing accommodation on a short-term basis, which permits it to become enshrined as a cultural landmark and imbedded in a nation’s collective consciousness? What is it about a hotel that attracts the company of notables, be they writers, be they politicians , or be they social activists? Is it a simple question of fulfilling a need- providing shelter to a person while he or she is away from home? Or is it more? Is it possible that a hotel, in and of itself, can affect a person’s psyche? That a room with a view, with a particular view, in a particular place, at a particular time, can make a difference, can, in fact, be the difference?

 

 

Site

The site is located on an infill site situated on the west side of Church Street, near the corner of Maitland, in Toronto's Gay Village. The site is heavily populated with pubs and retail on both side of the street.

 

This Mid-block, Infill site is boudned on the north by the two and a half storey O'Grady's Pub; on the east by Church Street, on the south by a two and a half storey commerical establishment; and on the west by Donna Shaw Lane, a public lane owned and maintained by the city of Toronto. The site is to be serviced from the lane. The Hotelier has obtained the department's approval to provide for parking off-site due to the Five-Star Hotel property located in a densely built-up area. 

 

Design Concept

The zoning designation is CR. This part of Church Street is classified as an area of special identity. A building may occupy 100% of its site area at grade.

 

Height Limits:

- 18 m from the Church Street property line westward for 18m.

- 30 m over the rest of the site

- The maximum building height may be increased to 36m, by employing a minimum 10m radius of the tree located mid way along the south property line.

 

Setbacks:

- 0m front, rear, side (North) yard setback

- 0m side yard setback from south property line to a height of 9m, then a 3m side yard setback from a height of 9m to a height of 18m, then a 4m side yard setback from a height of 18m to a height of 30m