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Block-rocking midrises

Call me a block head, but compared to the cookie-cutter condos going up to house the masses, the stylishness of our World War II-era low-rises is often overlooked.

Up and down all the main arteries stretching north along Avenue Road and Bayview sit some timeless yellow and red brick structures.

Arranged around courtyards and gardens that act to connect neighbours, the blocks create a sense of place and community all their own.

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Set back from the road in a U-shape and built in the Georgian Revival tradition, the buildings resemble English-style rowhouses more than they do apartment blocks.

A long stretch just north of Moore on Bayview across the street from Mount Pleasant Cemetery was saved from the wrecking ball last October after the city intervened at the OMB on a plan by Context Developments to erect 25 metre high condos on the site.

Not the most egregious attempt at a density grab by a developer, but a challenging proposal nevertheless considering the importance of these subdued beauties to the development of Leaside.

They were the most ambitious projects undertaken in their time, one of the reasons they show up on the city’s inventory of historic properties.

Over on Avenue, the post-modern blocks on a leafy stretch just south of Eglinton recall New York-style midrises.

Standout features include rounded balconies, columned entranceways with curved stainless steel topped porticos.

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There’s no heritage designation to save these gems from future development, though – or the foibles of landlords with bad taste, for that matter.

A few of the structures closer to Chaplin have unfortunately been faux finished, their charm covered over in foam and pale paint to resemble some Beaches knock off. I’ll take the Gotham-inspired grace any day.

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