I really wish we had some Urban Design Guidelines that builders needed to adhere to, especially on larger projects. I mean even just for the podium or first 2-3 storeys.
Something along the lines of the Toronto Tall Building Design Guidelines or there Low-Rise Infill Guidelines.
As it sits this podium is pretty dreadful. The design is monolithic, uses low-quality materials and creates an uninteresting street level experience. Windows/glazing, and entrance canopy is fine just change out the materials to something nice and permanent feeling that isn't all the same aluminum panel.
Make this:
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Look more like this (without the historic facade preservation:
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Or at least like this:
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Ultimately, we need higher quality at-grade treatments to make for nice street walls. Something like this should be the standard:
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