This is how they "preserve" beautiful old buildings in Toronto. They destroy everything but the front, which is then stuck on the front of a glass tower. Seeing it at this stage is more than a little sad, to me; if only because this practice seems to occur at an unfettered rate. I was told the city consistently rejects these kinds of projects, and the Ontario Municipal Board consistently overrules the city. I can't verify the veracity of that fact, but based on what I have heard about the OMB over many years, I'm inclined to believe it.
It's August and as I seem to do every August, I grab hold of summer with the strongest arms I can muster and threaten to never let go. It calls me outside, August. Fortunately, I have the kind of job where I can get up and go for short walks throughout the day as I need to.
The Graphic Arts Building is around the corner from my office. I always stop to admire its imposing classical features. It's been converted to lofts; unlike so many other historical buildings in the city, it wasn't merely preserved as a "front" to a tower behind it. It's refreshing to see the five storey thing there amidst all the towers in the surrounding financial district.
I would like to live in a building like that.