Buildings last as long as we care for them and to do that, we have to love them. Can we maintain ugly buildings; yes, but its easier to mistreat an ugly building and give it short shrift. Humans are drawn to beauty, what else can be said?
And so it is, in 1962 a plaza was built on a large parcel of land just off Dundas St. West, south of Bloor Street in Toronto. After the Zellers closed a few years back, this nondescript parking lot was given a new lease on life with an LCBO opening a store. But for how long?
This plaza south of Bloor Street West at Roncesvalles and Dundas Streets won’t be around to fulfill the promise made below.
When I pick up groceries, I often walk across this beautiful, heavy brass plaque entombed in part of the sheltered walk way. It’s a time capsule, not to be opened till 2062. We’re not talking Ghiza, we’re talking a plaza that’s run down with a leaky roof over the vacant, flagship unit.
Will the time capsule have to be moved as the areas gets increasingly gentrified? Only 48 years left before we can open it, a bit more than halfway done its time.