Lanterra Developments' new One Bedford condos is coming close to completion. The 32-storey KPMB Architects and Page + Steele-designed tower is an excellent addition to Toronto's condo market. The significant podium looks great as does the tower's sculpted top.

One Bedford from Varsity Field, image by jasonzed

The only misgivings we have are with one component of the base where a totally out of place piece of facadism was inserted. The One Bedford site was once was the home of architect John Lyle's studio. Lyle designed Union Station, the Bank Of Nova Scotia headquarters, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and many other heritage buildings across the city. He was well known for using Canadian imagery and references on his buildings. Construction resulted in the destruction of Lyle's studio. In order to retain some history of the site and celebrate Lyle's legacy, the studio's front wall was saved, then reconstructed. It is now located to one side of the new tower's entry courtyard.

John Lyle studio facade, image by urbandreamer

We don't know if we want to laugh or cry when we consider the treatment of Lyle's historic studio. The reconstructed facade, deprived of its original context, does neither Lyle's studio nor One Bedford much justice. Frankly we feel we would have been better off with it entirely gone, or completely relocated. What do you think?

author:Ed007Toronto

posted:2010-10-24 20:37:40