[URBAN NOTE] On the World's Biggest Bookstore becoming Restaurant Row

[rfmcdonald]

The above is a quick shot I took this evening of the exterior of the World's Biggest Bookstore, located on 20 Edward Street just north of Yonge and Dundas.

I learned as early as June 2012 that , was set to close. I was quite surprised to learn that the bookstore will be replaced not by condos, but by a row of restaurants. blogTO's expression of surprise was understandable.

The iconic World's Biggest Bookstore in downtown Toronto will become a row of four restaurants by fall of 2015, promises the developer which bought the property last year.

The new property owner, Lifetime Developments, is building a "new culinary mecca" at 20 Edward St.

No restaurants have been named as possibilities for the space, but the developer has offered "multi‐level patio opportunities, soaring ceiling heights, column free space, and common 'back of house' elements."

The plans began when the closure of the World's Biggest Bookstore was announced in November of last year. It will close in March.