The Uptown Yonge Neighbourhood Alliance is preparing for battle tonight in the first public consultation for the proposed Alaska Condos by Will Alsop. Will Alsop, the renowned UK-based architect best known for his work with the OCAD building, in collaboration with Quadrangle architects is proposing a new mid-rise condo just north of Yonge and Eglinton at Straghgowan Avenue. The renderings inspired by the Great White North look a bit like an Igloo with a box affixed to the top. The opposition to the development has been gaining momentum this summer with the Uptown Yonge Neighbourhood Alliance's "Why Alaska?" lawnsigns sprouting up throughout the neighbourhood.
The group is primarily concerned with three key issues: the height and density of the project, traffic flow issues and the design. With respect to the design the group says:
The proposed condominium is within one block of the Blythwood Road Heritage Conservation District and within one short block of the Glengrove Substation, a designated heritage property. This historical context gives the neighbourhood much of its character. The design of the Alaska condominium clearly does not respect or reinforce the historic quality of the area. Instead, it seems to simply be a re-tread of the architectural concept developed for the OCAD building in the high-rise context of the Dundas and University area. The community consultation meeting takes place tonight, Wednesday, September 11th at 7:00pm, 40 Erskine Avenue.
· Alaska Condo, 2781 Yonge Street, [UrbanTO]