Built between 2007 and 2011, Lanterra Developments'One Bedford replaced a block of restaurants and stores on Bloor Street at Bedford Road, just west of Avenue Road with a new 32-storey, KPMB Architects-designed condominium tower. The approval of such a high-density residential building on the same block as Varsity Stadium and the ROM paved the way for similarly scaled developments to the east, like the recently completed MuseumHouse and the under-construction Exhibit Residences. Back in 2005, the block of restaurants and stores had yet to be demolished to make way for the new development.
Looking west on Bloor Street from just east of Bedford, December 10, 2005, image by Edward Skira
Jumping forward to 2015, construction of One Bedford has long since been completed. The development includes the retained facade of the historic John Lyle Studio on Bedford Road (not visible in the image below), and retail fronting on to both Bloor and Bedford. The addition of 262 residential units, a strong streetwall, and the spurring of new developments to the east, have all factored in to create an impressively urban high-density experience on the north side of Bloor between Bedford and Avenue.
Looking west on Bloor Street from just east of Bedford, June 23 2015, image by Jack Landau
We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!