A new project in Oshawa given the label "Genosha Phase II" (see site plan below) will naturally generate plenty of questions. It is being planned for the small parking lot behind the former Genosha Hotel/(now remodeled as the 70 King St. E. apartment building). It seems it will be given a new municipal address: 10 Mary St. N. I have to say I am just as surprised as the next person that the new apartment building proposed for 114 apartments is planned to be 21 storeys high.

When looking for a picture of the Genosha Hotel what popped up was an article written only 4 years ago by journalist Joel Wittnebel describing in detail the building's history and restoration and that "SHE STANDS TALL on the corner of King and Mary Street in downtown Oshawa. Well it seems the next article may be "HONEY, WHO SHRUNK THE GENOSHA?" when the 21 storey 114 apartment building towers over the 6 storey heritage building.
I feel I should be more clear. This post is to draw attention to the Planning Act public meeting April 11, @ 6:30 p.m. which should provide more details and answers to many questions. I am not against an expansion of 70 King St. E. Yes I am surprised at the height, and the problematic parking...adding 2 floors to the Mary St. Parkade and a skywalk raises many questions. But remember the owners did a remarkable job repairing and repurposing a landmark heritage building, when no one else had the vision to move forward on it. If they have a strong plan for further redevelopment, why wouldn't anyone want to keep an open mind for what's next.
I recall in 2015, long before I was on Council how many people were saying tear it down. I didn't agree with tearing it down and appreciate it was preserved. It a marker of a earlier era in downtown Oshawa. Recall how negative people were about it ever being completed. Reka Szekely wrote back then that "Downtown Oshawa’s biggest eyesore is on the brink of a much-needed facelift after City councillors approved a package of incentives for the redevelopment on the former Genosha Hotel." https://www.durhamregion.com/.../5766243-oshawa-approves.../
Although in 2022 the 21 storey building plan may strike some as perilously high over the corner landmark building, it sure has an incredibly small foot print...measuring approximately 80 feet by 70 feet.
Above the main and 2nd level, the building becomes wider…by about 20 feet. The other 19 floors will overhang about 10’ over top the laneway and another 5’ over the back 2 storey section of 70 King St. E. So the 114 apartments will be distributed among floors that would seem to measure 80’ x 115’, result: a tall and ‘skinny’ new building.
I recall in 2015, long before I was on Council how many people were saying tear it down. I didn't agree with tearing it down and appreciate it was preserved. It a marker of a earlier era in downtown Oshawa. Recall how negative people were about it ever being completed. Reka Szekely wrote back then that "Downtown Oshawa’s biggest eyesore is on the brink of a much-needed facelift after City councillors approved a package of incentives for the redevelopment on the former Genosha Hotel." https://www.durhamregion.com/.../5766243-oshawa-approves.../
Although in 2022 the 21 storey building plan may strike some as perilously high over the corner landmark building, it sure has an incredibly small foot print...measuring approximately 80 feet by 70 feet.
Above the main and 2nd level, the building becomes wider…by about 20 feet. The other 19 floors will overhang about 10’ over top the laneway and another 5’ over the back 2 storey section of 70 King St. E. So the 114 apartments will be distributed among floors that would seem to measure 80’ x 115’, result: a tall and ‘skinny’ new building.
Although this proposed new apartment building has zero parking...no underground or street parking, there is a note for a future pedestrian bridge above Mary St to the City parking garage.
In the NOTICE FOR THE MONDAY APRIL 11TH, 6:30 p.m. Planning Act public meeting (where the public is invited to speak in person in the City Council Chamber or electronically on-line) it states that "The applicant proposes to construct TWO ADDITIONAL FLOORS on the existing City-owned parking garage located directly east of the subject lands, at the northeast corner of King Street East and Mary Street North, to provide appropriate off-site parking."
In the NOTICE FOR THE MONDAY APRIL 11TH, 6:30 p.m. Planning Act public meeting (where the public is invited to speak in person in the City Council Chamber or electronically on-line) it states that "The applicant proposes to construct TWO ADDITIONAL FLOORS on the existing City-owned parking garage located directly east of the subject lands, at the northeast corner of King Street East and Mary Street North, to provide appropriate off-site parking."
It would have been nice to see a rendering that could show how the new design could compliment the former Genosha building. As shown in the site plan it seems there is no plan to have them attached.
There is a narrow 12' lane between the old and new. Not very wide for a garbage truck, and clearly no room to turn around...so residents may have to listen to that beep, beep, beep, back up noise.
However this is not clear because on the EAST ELEVATION RENDERING is shows a Garage Door…but we know there is no underground parking. At the Monday April 11th Planning Act Public meeting hopefully more will be made clear. Especially about who will be paying for 2 additional floors on the Mary St. Parkade and the skywalk, and who will be receiving the parking revenues.
There is a narrow 12' lane between the old and new. Not very wide for a garbage truck, and clearly no room to turn around...so residents may have to listen to that beep, beep, beep, back up noise.
However this is not clear because on the EAST ELEVATION RENDERING is shows a Garage Door…but we know there is no underground parking. At the Monday April 11th Planning Act Public meeting hopefully more will be made clear. Especially about who will be paying for 2 additional floors on the Mary St. Parkade and the skywalk, and who will be receiving the parking revenues.
The high rise trend in Oshawa continues ...indicating there should be no shortage of apartments in the downtown. Not counting the coming 2,145 apartments Medallion is to begin soon on their 24 acre site at Bruce and Charles St behind the Tribute Community Centre 2 blocks away from from King and Mary. ...
together the proposed new Genosha II and the original Genosha total around 200 units.... then on the corner of Mary and Bond Streets - the new high rise at 100 Bond and soon to be completed 21 storey 80 Bond together total around 500 units, and on another Phase at 55 Mary St N, another new building is planned for 335 apartments for students...then at Richmond and Bond two more 21 story towers with over 600 apartment units, well that totals over 1,600 apartments, 5 high rises within steps of each other. A veritable Marytown in the Downtown. And not-to-forget, the large Medallion project two blocks to the south! Over 2,000 more apartments!
together the proposed new Genosha II and the original Genosha total around 200 units.... then on the corner of Mary and Bond Streets - the new high rise at 100 Bond and soon to be completed 21 storey 80 Bond together total around 500 units, and on another Phase at 55 Mary St N, another new building is planned for 335 apartments for students...then at Richmond and Bond two more 21 story towers with over 600 apartment units, well that totals over 1,600 apartments, 5 high rises within steps of each other. A veritable Marytown in the Downtown. And not-to-forget, the large Medallion project two blocks to the south! Over 2,000 more apartments!