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photo^ of^ DIZZYbyJACQUIJENSEN- R
OYPHOTOGRAPHY;^parkletbySTEVENEVANS^ PHOTOGRAPHYLas Ramblas in Scarborough. Malls may
be dying, but Scarborough’s Agincourt Mall
is being reborn. A bold redevelopment will
transform the staid suburban plaza with high-rise density
and a pedestrian-first public realm. Masterplanned by
Giannone Petricone Associates for North American
Development Group, the plan envisions some 5,000
residential units, paired with a big box store (a new
Walmart) and fine-grained urban retail. Designed by Janet
Rosenberg & Studio, the landscape scheme calls for
two new public parks alongside a generous retail-lined,
extra-wide sidewalk – inspired by no less than Barcelona’s
Las Ramblas – to replace what’s now a surface parking
lot. GPAIA.COM; JRSTUDIO. CAALLEY CATJust west of Spadina, two highly
anticipated developments – The Well
and King Toronto – are poised to
reshape the city. Between them? A
former nightclub. But not for long: a
playful linear park called The Cats is in
the works.
The new green space draws inspiration
from the unofficial mascot of nearby
Draper Street: a plump orange and
white feline named Dizzy, who, as any
neighbourhood fixture would, kept
watch over the area for more than a
decade. Dizzy – who, sadly, died last
year – will be immortalized with two
kitty-shaped statues that will bookend
the park, becoming the community
ambassador once more.The landscape design is by Claude
Cormier + Associés, and the park will
complement his dog statue–ringed
fountain at the popular Berczy Park,
located on the East End. The canines
can have that; the West End belongs to
cats. CLAUDECORMIER. COMKing Street Parklets. From the Financial
District to Roy Thomson Hall to TIFF Bell
Lightbox and a wealth of theatres and bars,
bustling King Street cuts through the heart of the city.
It also plays home to the busiest surface transit route in
Toronto – the 504 King streetcar – and an eye-catching
collection of new parklets. With the pilot project that
mitigates car traffic recently made permanent, a series
of temporary and two durable parklets now meet the
sidewalk with playful hangout spaces. Our favourites
include the playful Face to Face/Tête à Tête installation
by PLANT Architect Inc., a striking two-toned space that
frames a casual patio with new planters, creating a sense
of insulation from the busy street. BRANCHPLANT.COM02
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