The Crossways

The Crossways is a mixed-use complex in Toronto's west end, occupying most of a city block at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West. The development combines two high-rise residential towers with a broad, terraced podium containing an enclosed retail mall and other commercial space. Its architecture is strongly associated with the Brutalist style and with the large-scale urban redevelopment projects built in Toronto during the 1970s. The project originated in 1971, when developer Consolidated Building Corporation agreed to purchase a roughly four-acre site from Corporate Foods, a company later associated with Canada Bread. The property had previously been occupied by a bread factory. Consolidated Building Corporation redeveloped the industrial site as a large mixed-use complex intended to combine residential accommodation, retail services, and commercial space in a centrally located urban setting. Residential and retail leasing began in early 1976, while construction was completed in 1977. The finished development contained approximately 111,480 square metres of space, or about 1.2 million square feet. Its principal elements are twin triangular brick towers, each rising 29 storeys and approximately 92 metres, set above a substantial podium. The podium originally included an enclosed mall with a cohesive 1970s interior characterized by extensive brick surfaces, brown brick floor tiles, lacquered wood-slat ceilings, and large globe-shaped wall lights. The mall has historically served local residents, office users, and surrounding neighbourhoods. It contains approximately 7,900 square metres, or 85,000 square feet, of enclosed retail space and has accommodated more than 40 stores and services, largely operated by small independent businesses and service providers. The lower level formerly included a full-sized grocery store, initially branded Food City and later operated as an IGA. A Boots drug store was also previously located in the mall. These former tenants are historical features rather than current operating claims. The complex was expanded with an approximately 3,900-square-metre, or 42,000-square-foot, addition providing two floors of commercial office space on the roof of the existing structure. Designed by architect Chris A. Montgomery, the addition was connected to the existing retail mall. The retail interior was renovated in 2012 and 2013, changing the appearance of the mall and reducing the visibility of many of its original 1970s design elements. The Crossways received a 1977 residential building design award from the Canadian Housing Design Council, an organization funded by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The award recognized the project during the period of its completion and reflects its importance as a large Canadian residential design project. The complex is owned by Creccal Investments Ltd. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate founder, current executive leadership team, website, or detailed present-day tenant roster.

The Crossways was developed on a former industrial site in Toronto's west end. In 1971, Consolidated Building Corporation agreed to acquire approximately four acres occupied by a bread factory from Corporate Foods, now associated with Canada Bread. The acquisition enabled the conversion of an industrial property into a substantial mixed-use urban project. The development was designed by the Webb Zerafa Menkès Housden Partnership and constructed by Consolidated Building Corporation. Its architectural composition consists of two triangular brick residential towers rising from a wide, terraced podium. Each tower is 29 storeys, reaching approximately 92 metres. The podium was planned to accommodate an enclosed retail mall, while the overall project also incorporated residential and commercial functions. Leasing of the residential and retail areas began in early 1976. Construction was completed in 1977, producing a project of approximately 111,480 square metres, or 1.2 million square feet. The Canadian Housing Design Council awarded the project in residential building design in 1977. The award placed The Crossways among the notable Canadian residential developments of its period. The podium's original mall interior expressed the design language of the 1970s. Its finishes included floor-to-ceiling brick cladding, brown brick floor tiles, lacquered wood-slat ceilings, and large globe-shaped lanterns attached to the walls. The enclosed retail area measured approximately 7,900 square metres, or 85,000 square feet, and included more than 40 stores and services. For many years, a full-sized grocery store operated on the lower level, first as Food City and later as IGA. The mall also formerly contained a Boots drug store. A later expansion added two floors of commercial office space above the existing complex. The approximately 3,900-square-metre addition was designed by architect Chris A. Montgomery and connected to the retail mall. This intervention increased the commercial component of the property while retaining its original mixed-use structure. The mall was renovated in 2012 and 2013. The renovation altered the interior and means that much of the original 1970s visual treatment is no longer present. The Crossways remains a mixed-use property with residential, commercial, and retail functions. Creccal Investments Ltd. is identified as its owner. Available reference material does not provide a complete chronology of ownership changes, current management, tenant composition, or later redevelopment plans.

• 2013

  Mall renovation completed

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  The retail mall renovation was completed. The updated interior no longer retained many of the original 1970s design features.

• 2012

  Mall renovation begins

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  Renovation work on the retail mall began, forming part of a project carried out in 2012 and 2013.

• 1977

  Complex completed

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  Construction of the approximately 111,480-square-metre mixed-use complex was completed, including the twin residential towers and enclosed retail podium.

• 1977

  Residential design award

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  The Crossways received a residential building design award from the Canadian Housing Design Council.

• 1976

  Residential and retail leasing begins

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  Leasing began in the residential and retail portions of the developing complex.

• 1971

  Industrial site acquired for redevelopment

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  Consolidated Building Corporation agreed to purchase the approximately four-acre former bread-factory site from Corporate Foods, establishing the basis for The Crossways project.

• Commercial office expansion

  [1]The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org

  A two-floor commercial office addition of approximately 3,900 square metres was added above the existing complex and connected to the mall. The available reference does not specify the completion year.

A large urban mixed-use development combining residential towers, neighbourhood retail, services, and office space in Toronto's west end.

• Residential real estate · 1977

  Residential towers

  The Crossways includes twin triangular brick apartment towers, each 29 storeys high and approximately 92 metres tall. Together they form the principal residential component of the mixed-use development and rise from the complex's broad terraced podium.

• Retail and services · 1976

  The Crossways mall

  The enclosed mall at the base of the towers provides approximately 7,900 square metres of retail and service space. It has historically accommodated more than 40 businesses, including independent retailers and services. Food City, IGA, and Boots are documented former tenants rather than confirmed current occupants.

• Commercial real estate

  Commercial office space

  A later addition created two floors of commercial office space above the original complex. The approximately 3,900-square-metre expansion was designed by Chris A. Montgomery and linked to the existing retail mall.

1. 1The Crossways (Toronto)en.wikipedia.org