Canada's 50 Tallest Proposals

[DrNest]

Originally Posted by Ramako

From the press release, the architect is Norman Foster.

That would explain the twin towers from his WTC proposal showing in this image.

[LeftCoaster]

Now this is a project you can take seriously.

Don't expect an overnight rollout though, Oxford has been and will continue to take their time with this one, especially given the casino component of it and the necessary loops they need to jump through for that one.

Also before everyone goes balistic, though the towers look 400m tall when compared to their neighbours they won't be that height. This is simply an artists rendition of where the buildings will be and their general massing.

That said this will still he a huge project on buildout.

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by suburbanite

I assume the whole complex, convention centre plus dual 15 story buildings, would be demolished. Although the proposal for the new centre looks significantly smaller than the existing one.

From the Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/...asino-plan-unveiled-for-downtown-toronto

“It’s a complete, elegant, private solution to what would otherwise be a complex problem,” he said. “We’re able to completely retrofit (the convention centre) to make it one of, in our view, the best in the continent.”

The project would add 500,000 square feet to the convention centre and connect the South building to the North.

...

Two office buildings at 315 and 325 Front St. W., one occupied by the Royal Bank, will be demolished and construction will proceed at that site first, said Hutcheson. The Intercontinental Hotel will be the last building to be demolished.

The convention centre will remain open during the construction. Hutcheson said the project would create 10,000 on-site sustainable jobs in addition to construction jobs.

[The_Architect]

Holy 🞵🞵🞵🞵!!! That looks fantastic, and although I don't hate the Intercontinental, those towers would be a huge improvement for the city, and I cannot understate the value of building over the tracks. That would help fix the biggest barrier in downtown right now.

[DrNest]

Originally Posted by Ramako

From the Star:

Two office buildings at 315 and 325 Front St. W., one occupied by the Royal Bank, will be demolished and construction will proceed at that site first, said Hutcheson. The Intercontinental Hotel will be the last building to be demolished.

That means my favourite hot-dog stand in the city will most likely have to move.

[caltrane74]

Originally Posted by Ramako

Breaking News

Renderings for the much anticipated redevelopment of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre by Oxford Properties have been released. The project would potentially involve a casino, hotel, new convention centre, retail, residential and office space. There would be four towers in total. They would also build a new park over the train tracks. It looks like the two easternmost towers are close to supertall height, but it's hard to tell from the renderings.


Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...t-could-include-a-casino/article4608014/


Press release: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/...ale-project-downtown-toronto-1712716.htm








Now this is a proposal from a team with the money to back it up. Could this be the Rogers Stirk Harbour design we've been hearing rumours about?

Decking over the railway tracks has been a dream for so long. Finally it's happening, too bad, I'll be almost dead, by the time it's complete. Won't be able to enjoy it in my old age. But still, this must be done for the good of the city.

[WhipperSnapper]

The tracks will be covered eventually. I'm indifferent to a downtown casino. The office towers are possibly the biggest game changer in my lifetime. Their resounding success or utter failure will determine the direction of commercial design for the foreseeable future.

[steveve]

Now THIS is getting me excited!!!
... but at the same time... 🞵🞵🞵?!??!!

I'm guessing those are just conceptual renders and not finalized designs.
2 x 2 Twin Towers??!!?! what is that? that's just lazy. As cool as the residential/office towers look, why twin towers? a design like that should be a standalone, if not, built out in the suburbs.
not to mention, why aren't the towers/development pushed up closer along Front Street? converting it into one huge (low-rise) retail podium across the entire street with green space above???? cmon!
the Casino concept is interesting, though an awkward location.
but it is cool seeing the tracks covered up, thus, joining the city together.
*the designs make the Gehry Proposals look like heaven.

EDIT: nvm, the render said for massing purposes only.. although my twin tower comments i think still apply, cause that seems like that is what they'll be doing (twin towers)

[koops65]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

and @ Koops, why no drawings?

As I said before, the heights are still not confirmed, and there are even a significant number of knowlegable people here who don't even think this proposal is anything more than a pipe dream. I'll wait for more firm news before I put alot of time and effort into what are likely to be difficult drawings to make. (2 of the 3 towers IMO)

And now suddenly it looks like there will be 4 more 200M+ towers, 2 of them possibly over 300M, to make drawings of... The number of proposals in Toronto may have dropped off from the last 2 years, but the size of new proposals seems to have increased.

[DrNest]

Originally Posted by steveve

the Casino concept is interesting, though an awkward location.

Personally I think it is a great location for a casino, if there is to be one in Toronto. (That's a whole other debate not for this thread) It is centrally located, close to the Gardiner and Union station, and near many hotels.

[Dylan Leblanc]

For reference, here's an aerial of the area currently - http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=r86jfd8chx5j&lvl=17&dir=0&sty=o&where1=Toronto%2C%20ON&form=LMLTCC

[Biff]

Amazing a plan to tear down 3 existing towers and replace them with new when there is a large surface lot right across the street.

[DrNest]

Originally Posted by Biff

Amazing a plan to tear down 3 existing towers and replace them with new when there is a large surface lot right across the street.

The vast majority of that lot is currently being built on with 300 Front St. They're already around the 30th floor height. The aerial photo on Bing and Googlemaps is at least 2 years old.

[rbt]

Originally Posted by DrNest

That means my favourite hot-dog stand in the city will most likely have to move.

You have a number of years before that will happen.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by DrNest

The vast majority of that lot is currently being built on with 300 Front St. They're already around the 30th floor height. The aerial photo on Bing and Googlemaps is at least 2 years old.

...gotcha. Is the Intercontinental Hotel still operating?

[DrNest]

As far as I know it is still in business.

[caltrane74]

Hey, I hit my target for 2012.

Forty - 200 meter towers, built, proposed or under-construction in Toronto.

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Hey, I hit my target for 2012.

Forty - 200 meter towers, built, proposed or under-construction in Toronto.

Yes, you did. Yes, you did. And I unadvisedly doubted your prognosis. Still, let's wait and see how many of these actually happen.

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by Gresto

Yes, you did. Yes, you did. And I unadvisedly doubted your prognosis. Still, let's wait and see how many of these actually happen.

Of the 24 proposals over 200 metres, I definitely see 88 Scott and Massey Tower getting built, and perhaps Ten York or Eau Du Soleil. Everything else could very well be a decade away.

[caltrane74]

As Whippersnapper said, I don't see Menkes sitting on a 75 million dollar parking lot for a decade.

Expect a longer sales cycle than in the past, but Harbourrplaza will get built.


However, the days of the one day "sell out" are over.