Canadian City Proposals II

[hipster duck]

Originally Posted by GeneralLea

I genuinely hope this doesn't see the light of day - I'd be surprised if it does happen in the next 5 years anyway. It's a ridiculous proposal that entirely desecrates a respectable modernist tower along University, all for another shehorned shoebox condo tower, not unlike 488 University (which reclad the existing building, and made it very sterile), or the project going up by Davpart next door.

This may just be a zoning exercise, but given the precedent nearby, this could also happen - but I don't see the point, given the cost to rehabilitate and conserve the existing tower.

The timeline needed to build a project like this makes it such a hard sell, especially right now.

The United Building, which is next door to this proposal and actually the building rendered to the right in the last pic posted, is a useful comparison because it had a similar scope. It's also a 50+ storey mixed use residential tower that involved the complex deconstruction of a historic highrise while maintaining its facade intact.

Based on looking up old pages on Urban Toronto, The United Building was first proposed in 2013, sold 2/3 of all units by end of 2019 and broke ground in March 2020. Here we are 5.5 years later and they haven't even reached the main tower portion of the build.

[TorontoDrew]

I know I'm not alone but I do know others dislike the United Bldg design (WS).

But they are on the tower portion now, about the 5th floor of it, above the Heritage facade, unless you want to call the first 5 floors above the podium as well.

Posted on urbantoronto.ca
photo by:AdamS






Also, until I see high-detail renders of the proposal, I won't take it too seriously as a final massing or design.

[Nouvellecosse]

I'm actually kind of partial to the United building project aesthetically, but it still annoys me to see the podium treatment given to large existing buildings when there are plenty of under-utilized lots nearby. To me, that sort of thing should be limited to places with ultra high building density like the financial district. Although better than tearing down and replacing them. And it does look like they're doing a decent job in this case.

[TorontoDrew]

I'm waiting for a decent proposal for that parking garage next to it.

[cranes]

https://www.therecord.com/news/water...bb3be713d.html
Revised 3-tower plan for Kitchener development reduces height, adds retail
The proposal would need approval from the city’s planning committee and council.

Sept. 18, 2025 - Revisions to a three-tower development proposal in Kitchener will reduce the buildings’ height while adding ground-floor retail space.
The towers are proposed by Woodbridge-based i-Squared Developments as the final phase of the Victoria Common development in the Margaret Avenue and Wellington Street area.
The towers would be built on what’s currently open space at the centre of the development that’s already home to four- and six-storey condominium buildings, and several blocks of townhomes.
Area residents had a chance to look at the revised plans during an informal meeting Tuesday afternoon in Oscar Lauber Park, which forms the southwest corner of the Victoria Common development.
No decisions have been made yet. The proposal could come to the city’s planning committee and council for a decision before the end of the year.
The biggest change will see the towers reduced by a total of 18 storeys — heights that had been proposed at 21, 33 and 35 storeys would become 19, 25 and 27 storeys.
...
The revised plan also adds ground-floor retail space to each of the three towers, where none had been proposed initially.
Nearly 3,800 square feet of commercial space helps to address concerns the area is lacking in retail amenities, said i-Squared Developments’ Joseph Hong...

A developer is proposing to bring three towers to this open space as the final phase of the Victoria Common development in Kitchener. Brent Davis/Waterloo Region Record


A revised rendering showing height reductions to three proposed towers at the Victoria Common development in Kitchener. TACT Architecture Inc.


Map showing the location (in red) of three proposed towers at the Victoria Common development in Kitchener. MHBC

[zoomer]

I think this belongs here. I was in the World Trade Centre in Montreal today and saw them setting up for the Montreal of the Future Exhibition. Took a few quick clips on my phone and put them in this 4K video, hopefully some locals will be enticed to check it out. Agora Montreal plays a big role as you’ll see. From checking their site looks like some of the exhibits were moved to the second floor for egress safety. SSP’ers will recognize some building diagrams and there is lots of models and other interesting info.

• Video Link

[TorontoDrew]

Thanks for sharing, I love stuff like this.

[zoomer]

You're welcome TorontoDrew - definitely some good geek out info and displays for enthusiasts. I should check to see if they have any downloadable info online to peruse later on.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by zoomer

I think this belongs here. I was in the World Trade Centre in Montreal today and saw them setting up for the Montreal of the Future Exhibition. Took a few quick clips on my phone and put them in this 4K video, hopefully some locals will be enticed to check it out. Agora Montreal plays a big role as you’ll see. From checking their site looks like some of the exhibits were moved to the second floor for egress safety. SSP’ers will recognize some building diagrams and there is lots of models and other interesting info.

• Video Link

Nice.

[2009]

18 floor mass timber residential proposal for downtown Kelowna

[James Bond Agent 007]

^
This looks more like something they'd build in Winnipeg.

[2009]

Originally Posted by James Bond Agent 007

^
This looks more like something they'd build in Winnipeg.

To be fair, it's a rental project with 30% of units being dedicated to affordable housing. I think the mass timber construction, rental and affordable housing make it an interesting project despite the bland design.

[WhipperSnapper]

The design is adequate. It's the girth, the lot coverage with the bare minimum setbacks in relation to the 20 storey height that is what sucks here for both tenants and the urban environment (for the latter, if replicated to the surrounding lots.)

[SFUVancouver]

After so many years of fussy, overly articulated, and cheaply clad buildings, I, frankly, welcome a return to more restrained and regular design language. The characteristics of mass timber tall buildings lend themselves well to such a design aesthetic.

[Nouvellecosse]

Looks excellent!

[TorontoDrew]

I thought this was dead, but it appears to be moving into pre-leasing now, and they will be releasing animations of the building next week. This might not mean anything; they may just be testing the waters, but word on UT is that several banks are looking for some serious office space in the city.


source: urbantoronto.ca
The HUB | 258.46m | 59s | Oxford Properties | Rogers Stirk Harbour

[Nouvellecosse]

The Hub I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, i like the idea of this lot getting occupied and I'm glad to see an office proposal rather than only residential this close to Union. On the other hand, while the design itself isn't bad, there's something that really bothers me about the spire. It's too small and weak for the size of the building and there needs to be more buildup to it. Plus that weird floating box thing is just awkward. I also don't like how it overpowers the Harbour Commission building. If they were just side-by-side rather than The Hub being partially cantilevered over it, it wouldn't be as bad. Or if the HC building was bigger and closer to the sidewalk rather than being set back. But with there being so few historic buildings in the South Core, the few that do exist deserve more reverence.

But hey, it was redesigned once so maybe it'll happen again.

[TorontoDrew]

I feel the same.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

After so many years of fussy, overly articulated, and cheaply clad buildings, I, frankly, welcome a return to more restrained and regular design language. The characteristics of mass timber tall buildings lend themselves well to such a design aesthetic.

This.

[gaviscon]

Would not be opposed to another iconic office tower but it's poor business decision making if they're paying attention to developments in agentic AI this year.

They won't need nearly as much admin roles in 5 years