New York style street awnings in Toronto??

COLUMBUS, OH

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MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

New York style street awnings in Toronto??

New York is flush with amazing awnings sticking out of condos and buildings from the front door to the street.

These would be fantastic in Canadian cities, where it could protect from snow, rain and the sun.

So, why aren't they here??

Are the cities too protective over their sidewalks to allow for such a thing??

Why don't we have them in Canada?? Anyone?

Ontario / General Chit-Chat

MARC

Buzzer

1 BEST REPLY

Awnings are regulated by City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks. In order to construct an awning the building owner must apply for permission to do so from the City. If that application is approved, the owner must then enter into an encroachment agreement with the City which sets out the specifics of the proposed structure, the annual feeand which indemnifies the City.
The City is pretty protective of the sidewalk, although I think a lot of the reason has to do with the built form differences between Toronto and NYC.

MARK SAVEL

Buzzer

143

Totally speculating on my response, but we probably have some by law as to how far the awnings can encroach on city sidewalks... SoHo hotel on Wellington has a pretty cool one though.

I'd rather see a really cool looby than a awning lol

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

@mark savel...cool lobbies are great, but very expensive. I would think that an awning like this would barely even show up on a buildings budget... well, the one above is VERY nice and probably quiet expensive.

I think these awnings are incredible, and would add a huge benefit to downtown condos.

If there is a by-law, can't it be voted out?? Am I the only one who wants one of these?

DAVID B. RODGERS

NewBee

I think they're awesome, and they sure do make a discreet entrance look grand! But I think it could only work for specific buildings/streets/side-walks.

BRIAN ELIZABETH

Buzzer

166

Has any developer in Canada tried to get this passed by their respective city?

CONDO CHRIS

Buzzer

These awnings are from a day when buildings had actual doormen who needed to stand outside all day.. If Toronto had any such thing as a true "luxury" building - maybe we would see something like this... But we never will. The day of the doorman is gone.

ANDREW LAFLEUR

Buzzer

119

I think it's more a function of the built form of NYC vs. Toronto. most of our buildings are 'set back' from the street, therefore this type of awning is not really possible or practical. It might work though on some smaller buildings located on busy streets. like for example you could probably pull this off at The Hudson (438 King) but it's such a busy sidewalk that it would get in the way. I think it works well on buildings on side streets with less foot traffic, or on avenues that have less retail.

CONDO CHRIS

Buzzer

To further the "doorman" idea - NYC is also a taxi city.. Most people call for cars (especially rich people) and have them pick them up at the front door (or have the doorman flag one down) So the awning allows you to load and unload in inclement weather... I bet the King Eddy or the Royal York have had them at one point...

NICHOLAS GAVEY

Buzzer

88 Scott has it in their plans to have a doorman! We might be catching up to NYC after all :-)

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

Hey @Marc, have you ever seen this done before in Toronto?

MARC

Buzzer

There is a mention of 88 Scott above, but in my practice the encroachment agreements usually relate to existing encroachments or construction materials/hoarding. Awnings are not a Toronto thing.