This is old news, but I found it interesting. According to this story in the Star, the company developing the project, Landmark, have bought 400 art pieces from local Queen west galleries. The plan is to offer a piece of art to each buyer as an incentive.

“We thought that because this is an artist’s district, instead of offering an incentive or an upgrade, we could initiate (buyers) to the art world by providing them with an original work of art,”

The plan isn’t without it’s detractors who see this as a PR move or a poor use of the sum dedicated to the purchases.

With $700,000, as local writer Brad Doner pointed out, a sizable studio facility could have been built.

This is unsurprising in an neighbourhood where artists and other residents fear they will be pushed out as developments move in and affordable rents move out. Overall though, I find this an intriguing idea, whatever the pros and cons.