What's going on with the massive development where Honest Eds once stood?
CBC
It's been nearly eight years since Honest Ed's closed its doors for good, and construction has become part of the scenery at Bloor Street W. and Bathurst Street.
In its place was set to be a massive development including hundreds of purpose-built rental units, dozens of new businesses and an overall space that nods to the history of the legacy block.
But as Toronto experiences a housing crisis, some are wondering what's going on with the hundreds of affordable and purpose-built rental units that were supposed to be completed by now.
Mirvish Village's lead developer, Westbank Corp., admits they're running between 12 and 16 months behind schedule.
"There's a number of reasons that this has taken longer than we'd originally anticipated," said Ian Duke, head of the development group at Westbank, adding lengthy approvals and consultations are partly to blame.
"The pandemic threw us a curve ball and extended our schedule... We also made some design decisions that I think with a long-term view make a lot of sense and they will result in a more extraordinary project."
Duke also said Westbank made the decision to switch construction companies to speed up the process.
In a statement, a spokesperson from EllisDon said, "Westbank and EllisDon mutually decided to part ways on this project in 2022. Unfortunately, the circumstances and actions that followed this decision are now the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and we are unable to comment further."
Duke says the purpose-built rentals will include 890 residential homes total, 366 of which will be affordable units. So far, about 90 units in one of the six residential buildings are occupied, he says.
"By the time we get to next summer, people will be able to come to Mirvish Village, stroll down Markham Street, and there will be restaurants open, and a lot more people living here."
According to Westbank's website, 24 heritage buildings will be conserved across the site.
"Markham Street will be restored and will be re-landscaped as a pedestrian-first street with vibrant restaurants, boutiques, generous patios, trees, public seating and a new public park," the website says.
Dianne Saxe, Toronto city councillor for Ward 11 (University-Rosedale), says full occupancy can't come soon enough.
"Getting those units finally available so people can live in them will be huge for the people who need the housing and also huge for the businesses and community all around," she said.
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