Canadian City Proposals II

[urbandreamer]

One thing that's becoming apparent as I explore Toronto and its suburbs by car is how the truly wealthy live in quiet, isolated pockets while profiting off this marketing push for smaller less private spaces for the middle classes. Vic West is an example of turning undesirable land into a sink for the wealthy, who in turn live in Oak Bay, Maple Bay etc.

I would advocate for a six storey height limit, wood frame construction and strict control of street-facing materials (brick and colorful stucco), facade and landscape design. There should be a natural rhythm and variety, say a minimum of 5 facade designs per block. Yes, wood frame buildings can be built quicker for cheaper. Buildings should return to the 15/30/45'x 80/100' lot size of old, avoid masterplanned laziness and encourage individuals to build their own using an approved catalog of facade designs. Essentially, Vic West should look like old downtown Victoria not Langford. Under ideal conditions, facades could be built in an assembly line indoors, brought to the site by truck and hung in place by small mobile cranes, if hand laid brick is too expensive.

Yes, Vic West, like Langford is walkable. But as I walked across the Johnson Street Bridge on 1st July 2022, it felt hostile and unwelcoming. And what exactly was so interesting about the large generic condo tower neighborhood? There wasn't even the charm of say downtown Nanaimo to look forward to. So I did my loop and GTFO.

[WhipperSnapper]

The Toronto TOD is a tale of two blocks. One block is uncharacteristically considerate of its surroundings and interesting while the other is overpowering and boring. Overcompensating to create the sensitive block is a strong argument that would be popular on Urbantoronto. I'd rather have two considerate, interesting blocks even if it meant fewer units and a lower land/sale value. The overall neighbourhood wasn't planned for a large influx of units in these few blocks nor is this vision independently self sufficient.

And, of course, the organically developed incubators currently housed in these buildings will be lost forever.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

One thing that's becoming apparent as I explore Toronto and its suburbs by car is how the truly wealthy live in quiet, isolated pockets while profiting off this marketing push for smaller less private spaces for the middle classes. Vic West is an example of turning undesirable land into a sink for the wealthy, who in turn live in Oak Bay, Maple Bay etc.

I don't oppose as of right multi-family zoning for certain single family lots. I can't help but ponder the Ford's government broad, all encompassing push for this and I always end up concluding that having this option will improve single family homes as an investment for large institutions. More funds and trust owning homes and less home ownership. Right now, home ownership is key to the wealth of the middle class.

[Maldive]

Yonge and Scollard | 167.5m | 49s | Cityzen | KPMB l approved

A bit of movement on this one with the filing of its site plan application (including redesign of the public space).

This one bounced up and down on the height front: first proposed at 59s, then knocked down to 46s for approval and then back up to 49s. Right of centre in the rendering below.


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Northern Light


815 Eglinton Avenue East | 114.45m | 34s | RioCan | Diamond Schmitt l pre-construction

A good mix of built-form/styles/materials. 8 buildings up to 34s with residential, office, retail, a community centre and public space.


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425 Bloor West | 104.4m | 30s | The Brown Group | IBI Group l pre-construction


Northern Light

Northern Light

[WhipperSnapper]

Happy render people. The second image is reinvigorating my European heritage.


Re: 425 Bloor

Frumpy.

[SpongeG]

A proposal for Surrey is sort of in a weird area that is currently mostly SFH or townhouses, Probably the furthest north for any proposal for towers in Surrey.


The three towers proposed for 11151 Bolivar Road in Surrey.
(Chris Dikeakos Architects / Oviedo Properties)


Phase 1 will be these two joined towers

Aerial view of Tower One and Tower Two from Bolivar Road. (Chris Dikeakos Architects / Oviedo Properties)









source: https://storeys.com/surrey-oviedo-bo...ateway-towers/

[craner]

Here’s one for zoomer:

Victoria council gives green light to Roundhouse project
http://https://www.westerninvestor.com/british-columbia/victoria-gives-green-light-to-roundhouse-project-8165779

[Maldive]

A bunch of settlement offers have been reached and are off to council for approval:


147 Spadina | 82.8m | 24s | Hullmark | AUDAX l settlement offer

A settlement agreement has been reached for this one. Another nice addition to Spadina Avenue.


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2-20 Glazebrook | 115.24m | 34s | Gairloch | Gabriel Fain Architects l settlement offer

Looks like a settlement offer is in the works for this one. Gairloch is delivering some great mid-rises and this is one of a couple of high-rise designs in their portfolio.


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685 Warden | ?m | 49s | Choice Properties | Turner Fleischer l settlement offer

A settlement offer for this large project in Scarborough. 49, 37, 32, 32 and 17 storey towers and a large 6 storey mid-rise building. A condo and retail mix with a park and community space.


Northern Light

The 49 storey tower would land in the 150 metre+ proposal thread but no new renderings yet. The 36 storey version originally submitted is below:


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133 Erskine | 107.05m | 31s | 133 Erskine LP | Arcadis l settlement offer

Looks like a settlement offer is in the works for this one as well. A rental and condo mix.


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One Roxborough West | 49.42m | 12s | North Drive | Reflect Architecture l pre-construction


AlbertC

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AlbertC

[zoomer]

Originally Posted by craner

Here’s one for zoomer:

Victoria council gives green light to Roundhouse project
http://https://www.westerninvestor.com/british-columbia/victoria-gives-green-light-to-roundhouse-project-8165779

Ha, thanks craner - see the previous page or two as it was mentioned a couple days ago

As for the Toronto proposals, it’s pretty rare not to see a good and great quality mid-rise share here on SSP - the high rises are not as inspiring. It’s almost a if they’re trying too hard if that makes sense.

[craner]

^Ha - damn, I thought I was breaking news. Sorry I missed it earlier.

[MonkeyRonin]

Another Ontario Line TOD, this one in Thorncliffe: https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2024/01...-station.55125

[WhipperSnapper]

Welcome to Toronto where 56 storeys is the new 15 storeys.

I think this site is currently a Costco, parking. Can't remember if the two 8 storey senior blocks are on this side of Overlea or on this side of Don Mills Road.

One of the fastest growing communities in Canada is represented here. They may actually appreciate the 56 storeys as much as the owner of the blocks.

[Nouvellecosse]

Looks great!

[Coldrsx]

10507 to 10539–124 Street NW - Casia Developments - 2 x up to 27 - Proposed

What’s happening?

Casia Developments is applying to rezone five adjacent properties on 124 Street and 105 Avenue.

These properties are currently occupied by commercial and residential buildings, with the earliest construction dating back to 1948.

Learn more:
https://www.claritydevelopment.ca/pu...t-westmount124

[zoomer]

Positive development for that area - Coldrsx, any idea about the podium? While this is just a massing render, the look of almost feels as if it’ll be partially above ground parking?

As for this Toronto tower - this building in particular is quite nasty. Three ok ideas randomly piled on top of one another does not result in greater than the sum of its parts. Also confusing as the overall site render shows an all black glass upper portion..?

[vanman]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Welcome to Toronto where 56 storeys is the new 15 storeys.

The same can be said of Surrey, Coquitlam, and especially Burnaby. It's getting hard to keep track of all the 50-60+ storey proposals these days.

[Coldrsx]

Simply a massing exercise at the moment, so expect to see more refinement. Given that this would look very out of place 'as is', I fully expect a 2 storey podium, maybe 3, but not five to be a better fit and probably not 27 storeys, but certainly over 20.

[WhipperSnapper]

Toronto's is little more than a massing exercise as well. The provided renderings are marketable conceptualization.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by vanman

The same can be said of Surrey, Coquitlam, and especially Burnaby. It's getting hard to keep track of all the 50-60+ storey proposals these days.

I'm not impressed by the majority conceived in Toronto. Increased chance iparticularly the suburban transit oriented communities will be dumps in 50 years and Toronto will be losing population. No one dreams to live in an overpriced shoebox on the 40th floor with a narrow obstructed view and long elevator waits. The sheer numbers constructed and pricing has created the housing precedence for decades to come.

I can't recall if it was this development. One of these province's TOCs had 1100 units with 450 of them two and three bedrooms in a puny gross floor area of 65,000m2

[Maldive]

68 Wellesley Street East | 91.9m | 28s | KingSett Capital | BDP Quadrangle l pre-construction

Affordable rentals, condos and community space.


Northern Light

Right of centre below (in white).


Northern Light