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Great list - I wasn't aware of some of these so thanks! Aura is turning out quite nicely and is very imposing in the skyline now. The two Ice's, two Harbour's and Ten York are 5 +200 m towers U/C in practically a city block.. Insane!
I actually really like alot of these projects architecturally as well. The list you posted and Atticman's really puts into perspective how phenomenal the growth in Toronto is at this time.
What people don't realize is that despite all this growth, there is actually a pretty strong NIMBY sentiment scattered throughout TO. So you can't exactly propose and build a masterpiece on every parcel. Developers have to pick and choose their battles and at times propose boxy, uninspired towers because they know they can get it through approval.
Philadelphia only has 43 million square feet of office space IN TOTAL. In all likelihood, Philly has never had 5.7 million plus square feet of office space under construction at one time. Toronto has more than 5.7 million square feet of downtown office space u/c, more than even downtown Manhattan.
I'm thinking that you are incapable of telling the truth. I haven't seen you tell the truth once yet in any of your posts in any thread.
Philadelphia does not only have 43 million square feet of office space in total. That is just Center City and it it's not including University City right across the river or the Navy Yard or other city business districts.
I actually really like alot of these projects architecturally as well. The list you posted and Atticman's really puts into perspective how phenomenal the growth in Toronto is at this time.
What people don't realize is that despite all this growth, there is actually a pretty strong NIMBY sentiment scattered throughout TO. So you can't exactly propose and build a masterpiece on every parcel. Developers have to pick and choose their battles and at times propose boxy, uninspired towers because they know they can get it through approval.
One thing that I've noticed is that the general condo is getting better architecturally (One Bloor East, Massey Tower and 88 Scott really stick out for me) in the city and this is definitely a good thing. With the growth a city like T.O has had, not every piece is going to be a work of art but we did have a lot of uninspired cookie cutter green glass boxes. I'd prefer less development but more signature buildings that skew taller to balance things out.
Further to what you said a perfect example is Gehry's Theatre tower project which through compromise had to be scaled back from 3 towers to 2 and not quite a show stopper design like the original.. Having said that, Two Gehry designed buildings - one being a Supertall we really can't complain about that but you are right, for all the growth and development in the city, there has been a lot of Nimbyism (is that a word) actually stunting projects in terms of architectural merit and height. Slowly but surely and kicking and screaming the city is making progress in spite of this conservatism!
I think you'll find that as time goes by we've gone past the point of no return when it comes to vertical development. The city can't expand outwards anymore due to the places that grow act and Toronto has had a dense and vibrant core for decades now - I don't think this is going to change. The city is still going to be the benefactor of federal policy of huge immigration growth so a Toronto with plenty of density and vertical endowment is pretty much here to stay imho I don't thing the city is a one hit wonder or a one decade boom wonder if you will. It is the new reality - Toronto sailing past Chicago last year in city proper population wasn't just a result of a decade - the writing has been on the wall since the 70's.
One thing that I've noticed is that the general condo is getting better architecturally (One Bloor East, Massey Tower and 88 Scott really stick out for me) in the city and this is definitely a good thing. With the growth a city like T.O has had, not every piece is going to be a work of art but we did have a lot of uninspired cookie cutter green glass boxes. I'd prefer less development but more signature buildings that skew taller to balance things out.
Further to what you said a perfect example is Gehry's Theatre tower project which through compromise had to be scaled back from 3 towers to 2 and not quite a show stopper design like the original.. Having said that, Two Gehry designed buildings - one being a Supertall we really can't complain about that but you are right, for all the growth and development in the city, there has been a lot of Nimbyism (is that a word) actually stunting projects in terms of architectural merit and height. Slowly but surely and kicking and screaming the city is making progress in spite of this conservatism!
I think you'll find that as time goes by we've gone past the point of no return when it comes to vertical development. The city can't expand outwards anymore due to the places that grow act and Toronto has had a dense and vibrant core for decades now - I don't think this is going to change. The city is still going to be the benefactor of federal policy of huge immigration growth so a Toronto with plenty of density and vertical endowment is pretty much here to stay imho I don't thing the city is a one hit wonder or a one decade boom wonder if you will. It is the new reality - Toronto sailing past Chicago last year in city proper population wasn't just a result of a decade - the writing has been on the wall since the 70's.
Speaking of the Gehry-Mirvish project, which camp were you in? The first proposal was incredible when it comes to the towers being built, both height wise plus design, but it demolished the Princess of Wales Theatre. The revised version saves the Theatre, but is obviously scaled back. Thoughts?
Speaking of the Gehry-Mirvish project, which camp were you in? The first proposal was incredible when it comes to the towers being built, both height wise plus design, but it demolished the Princess of Wales Theatre. The revised version saves the Theatre, but is obviously scaled back. Thoughts?
Saving the Princess of Wales Theatre big plus and a good thing.. We have to preserve our cultural heritage and growth for the sake of it whilst sacrificing character is NEVER a good thing. I like Scrapers going up over what was a parking lot or replacing a ghastly commie block or uninspired building that nobody will miss. Tearing down what makes us interesting not so much!
I am a bit disappointed however in the new rendering vs the old architecturally. The new one just seems more mundane in comparison but overall I think the project is better now in terms of preservation than the original. I never really wrapped my head around how they would actually build the original anyway... It was maybe a bit too flamboyant for T.O so the new one is as Gehry said - Dignified for Toronto and I do like that they are incorporating an art gallery into the project. Certainly they are a step up from these lol
Saving the Princess of Wales Theatre big plus and a good thing.. We have to preserve our cultural heritage and growth for the sake of it whilst sacrificing character is NEVER a good thing. I like Scrapers going up over what was a parking lot or replacing a ghastly commie block or uninspired building that nobody will miss. Tearing down what makes us interesting not so much!
I am a bit disappointed however in the new rendering vs the old architecturally. The new one just seems more mundane in comparison but overall I think the project is better now in terms of preservation than the original. I never really wrapped my head around how they would actually build the original anyway... It was maybe a bit too flamboyant for T.O so the new one is as Gehry said - Dignified for Toronto and I do like that they are incorporating an art gallery into the project. Certainly they are a step up from these lol
Agreed on all points. Its not that the exterior of the Princess of Wales is that incredible, but what it stands for in terms of the city's cultural heritage, means alot more than some tower, no matter how spectacular it is. Add to that the interior of the Theatre is grand as well.
With that said, whenever preserving a heritage structure and incorporating it into a new project, you will run up against rising costs. Preservation costs money, high quality materials cost money and time costs money. So rather than go back and re-write the construction loan, you have to work within the funding parameters in place. Ambitious projects are expensive, bottom line.
Saving the Princess of Wales Theatre big plus and a good thing.. We have to preserve our cultural heritage and growth for the sake of it whilst sacrificing character is NEVER a good thing. I like Scrapers going up over what was a parking lot or replacing a ghastly commie block or uninspired building that nobody will miss. Tearing down what makes us interesting not so much!
I am a bit disappointed however in the new rendering vs the old architecturally. The new one just seems more mundane in comparison but overall I think the project is better now in terms of preservation than the original. I never really wrapped my head around how they would actually build the original anyway... It was maybe a bit too flamboyant for T.O so the new one is as Gehry said - Dignified for Toronto and I do like that they are incorporating an art gallery into the project. Certainly they are a step up from these lol
Good post. I like the 'waterfall' effect on the new Gehry renderings and that half glass design. And of course, the height of the taller one.
I'm more excited about the Yonge and Bloor/YorkVille area that has many tall proposals up there that will help balance the skyline from a North-South point of view even more.
Proposals like:
2 Bloor St W (85 + 70 stories)
27 Yorkville Ave (65 + 55 stories)
50 Bloor St W (83 stories)
80 Bloor St W (66 stories)
One Yorkville (58 Stories)
...there's more, but that's just off the top of my head.
You'd have 1 Bloor (U/C), The Four Seasons (built) and the new buildings up there, and the financial core (to the south), South Core (further south by the lake) Entertainment District which is on fire right now (south west) .... with various other towers in between (Massey, Aura ,U Condos, Five, Karma etc)
Exciting to see all of this happen before our eyes.
You are without a doubt, the world's biggest idiot. As of Q3 2013, downtown Philly had no office space under construction. Downtown Toronto had 5.7 million square feet. More than any American CBD, including downtown and midtown Manhattan. These screencaps are from the Q3 2013 Colliers North American Office Outlook:
Philadelphia only has 43 million square feet of office space IN TOTAL. In all likelihood, Philly has never had 5.7 million plus square feet of office space under construction at one time. Toronto has more than 5.7 million square feet of downtown office space u/c, more than even downtown Manhattan.
I'm thinking that you are incapable of telling the truth. I haven't seen you tell the truth once yet in any of your posts in any thread.
I really just think Colliers just didn't do Philly. There is always office buildings under construction in the suburbs and there were office buildings under construction in the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia as well. These aren't highrises though, so I would assume maybe 2 million sq ft under construction max. The only office highrises under construction in Q4 2013 was:
^^Since then, Penn Medicine tower has been completed. 3737 Market is finishing up now. Other towers that are just beginning construction however will add a lot more office space:
I don't like the new Mirvish/Gehry proposal. I much preferred the original. And to me it's kind of silly to call a 20 year old building "heritage".
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