TORONTO | 50 Bloor West | 230 M / 755 FT | 72 FLOORS | CANCELLED

[DrNest]

Originally Posted by cruzin4u

Some comments from the DRP (Design Review Panel):

"Members felt that proposal was elegant and tasteful, but architecturally understated"

"Members felt the massing was relatively acceptable, but also that it was perhaps too rectilinear and reserved for a building that will have such a strong
presence upon the skyline."

"At 80-storeys, they felt it was an opportunity to create a signature skyline building - ensure this opportunity is not missed - introduce more "adventure" into the tower expression"

I agree with all of the above. I, too, was a little concerned that such a significant tower was actually quite bland in design. I will look forward to seeing what modifications they make.

[Dwils01]

So they like the height here. That's a good thing, would love to see this one built.

[koops65]

I finally got around to updating my drawing of Holt Renfrew. It shows 2 sides now, and has lots more detail than the older drawing I made.
Toronto diagram: http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=12
Building page: http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=57390

[Design-mind]

Originally Posted by koops65

I finally got around to updating my drawing of Holt Renfrew. It shows 2 sides now, and has lots more detail than the older drawing I made.
Toronto diagram: http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=12
Building page: http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=57390

The detail is phenomenal Koops. Great job yet again.

[cruzin4u]

You do some amazing work koops65. Much thanks for all your diagrams!

[yaletown_fella]

Originally Posted by DrNest

I agree with all of the above. I, too, was a little concerned that such a significant tower was actually quite bland in design. I will look forward to seeing what modifications they make.

It looks fine. The only problem was the podium could've had more metal/marble ornamentation.

I hope they don't add staggered windows That shit will looks so dated in 10 years. Council has no design taste.

[TriWolf]

Wow, this forum's been quiet. Guess there's no new news on this?

[Gresto]

This project has been quiet. I don't know why. I am also eager to hear something about it. In that location it should sell very well.

[middeljohn]

Quoting from.the Canada forum:

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

There was also a DRP meeting for 50 bloor last week, I42 at UT is apparently still trying to cobble together official renders from the developers before releasing a story. It has apparently been completely redesigned.

[yaletown_fella]

A redesign? Dosent sound promising.

Fingers crossed it wont have staggered windows.

[koops65]

I remember reading a report last year saying something about the planning committee liking the height, even possibly going taller...

[DrNest]

I remember that too Koops. Never made a note of where I read it, but it certainly is something I recall reading.

[cruzin4u]

From the DRP (Design Review Panel) meeting – March 18th, 2014.

http://www1.toronto.ca/City%20Of%20T...rch%202014.pdf

50 Bloor Street West
Pellow & Associates
Morguard Corp.
Rezoning Application

Positives:
- the celebration of retail in the heart of city
- efforts to improve residential address and north-south
connectivity on the lane
- the move to put townhouses on the roof deck, rather than
trying to make it a public space

Problems:
- mid-block north-south connectivity at grade is missing from
proposal
- bulkiness of tower; the building floor plates are too large
- separation to the new tower on the 2 Bloor site is not
acceptable, tending to tower over-crowding
- the base building feels massive from the perspective of a
pedestrian; there is no justification for the height of the base
- the building expression doesn’t appear to have changed much
from previous review

Recommended Refinements
- reduce floor plate size and density
- provide more connectivity at grade
- address proximity and skyview issues
- create a bigger setback and try to move the tower west
- lower the height of the base
- further refine the building expression; an 80-storey building
has to be exceptional

[Innsertnamehere]

50 Bloor West has been shortened to 72 floors and 230 meters from 85 floors and 278 meters. complete redesign as well.

[Innsertnamehere]

[cruzin4u]

Not trying to be a height whore, but what was the reasoning for the height decrease? I remember the DRP saying that height was not an issue with this one and yet it gets chopped down. I am looking forward to the redesign, as the previous renditions were hideous. 72 stories of what looks like exterior lattice (much like Theatre Park) - I can live with that.

[Innsertnamehere]

likely market studies, they probably thought there were to many units.

Shadows on Jesse Ketchum park may have been an issue as well.

[koops65]

Looks like the podium has hardly changed...

A new diagram drawing will be showing up soon.

[DrNest]

...

[koops65]

I have posted a revised drawing of 50 Bloor W: http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=57390
Toronto diagram: http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=12
I'm not a fan of the new height, but I do like the new design, that subtle curve should look pretty sharp. And those stripes remind me of Eddie Van Halen's guitar...