Canada's 50 Tallest Proposals

[Ramako]

After noticing the numbers in the database and taking a look at the Final Report again, I realized that the approved height for The Icon (aka 480 University), including mechanical penthouse, will actually be 207 metres, not 197 metres.

[rike5]

^ Wow, that is well hidden and very subtle. The only evidence linking it to being 207 meters tall is in the diagrams from p15-17. They show that the roof height is 301m and ground height is 94m. By my calculator 301 - 94 = 207m. Not only is that extremely indirect but I had to zoom to 500% (max amount) in the PDF to read the height numbers (sounds like some sort of shady contract).

Anyway, is this normal in building applications that mechanical isn't counted in the building height?

On another note, another 200m building to add to Toronto's exploding skyline!

[Nouvellecosse]

I happen to notice this section from the same PDF on page 23:

e)No portion of the building or structure on the lot shall have a greater height, in
metres above grade, than the height limit in meters above grade specified by the
numbers following the symbol ‘H’, on the attached Map 2 except that:


i. A stair tower, elevator shaft, chimney stack or other heating, cooling or
ventilation equipment or window washing equipment on the roof of the
building or a fence, wall, decorative feature or structure enclosing such
elements may exceed the height limits on the attached Map 2 by no more
than 10.0 metres provided that such elements or enclosures are within the
mechanical area lines shown on Map 2;

ii. a structure on the roof of the building, used for outside or open air
recreation, landscaping, architectural purposes, privacy, safety or wind
protection may exceed the height limits shown on the attached Map 2 by
no more than 3.0 metres;

iii. notwithstanding the provisions of By-law 438-86, as amended, ornamental
and architectural elements, which are permitted on the may exceed the
height limits shown on the attached map 2 by no more than 10 metres.

So technically the document makes it clear that the developer would be permitted to exceed the main building height by up to 10m for a few select elements, so a total height of 207m when the approved height is 197m would be within the guidelines.

[caltrane74]

Well last week 460 Yonge got decreased from 207 meters to 198 meters. So its nice to get one back in this way from 197 meters to 207 meters.

[travis3000]

^ Good news

[Chadillaccc]

Lots of activity at Brookfield Place this morning.


Brookfield Place September 2013 by Chadillaccc, on Flickr

[caltrane74]

Calgary is on a roll!!


Debris cleared, time to move in the construction equipment

[Ramako]

100 Adelaide West slowly coming down for Ernst & Young Tower:



By: mk39920 at Urban Toronto

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Originally Posted by Ramako

We already got some glimpses of aA's design for Signature Tower, but UT's down right now so I can't find them.

Sorry to bring this point back again - here's the design referenced by Ramako

[craner]

Truly special times in this country for skyscraper construction geeks, especially in Toronto. We really need to relish this period as there has never been anything like it, never dreamed it could be like this. Maybe this is the new "normal" but I don't want to count on it. I'm enjoying every second of it while it lasts.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Calgary is on a roll!!


Debris cleared, time to move in the construction equipment

We sure are! This year our tallest UC are only 177 meters and 170 meters.

Next year, it could be 247 and 220 meters!


The site has been cleared at Herald Square for months, longer than the demolition process actually took. We're just waiting on the BP, which should be given this month. They are getting as much work done as they can right away though. The removal of the +15 and +30 between The Bow Parkade and Scotia Centre, and structural reconfiguration of the parkade. I'm not sure when demolition of the parkade will happen, but I don't expect tower two to be under construction until tower one is complete.

[rbt]

Originally Posted by craner

Truly special times in this country for skyscraper construction geeks, especially in Toronto. We really need to relish this period as there has never been anything like it, never dreamed it could be like this.

Not since the 70's and 80's at least. Those towers weren't as tall, but there were more of 'em then than we've built in the last decade.

Glass point towers are new to Toronto; hundreds of active cranes in the sky are not. This is better described as Toronto's 3rd skyscraper cycle and while it will have an end, you can look forward to a 4th.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

Sorry to bring this point back again - here's the design referenced by Ramako

YAY! It's not glass.

[caltrane74]

Don't know how design will work as two 60 floor plus towers, but it has potential.

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by isaidso

YAY! It's not glass.

Don't get excited yet. An insider on UT has implied that Page+Steele, strong contenders for the worst architects in Toronto, and indeed Canada, will get the project.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by craner

Truly special times in this country for skyscraper construction geeks, especially in Toronto. We really need to relish this period as there has never been anything like it, never dreamed it could be like this. Maybe this is the new "normal" but I don't want to count on it. I'm enjoying every second of it while it lasts.

The normal? Possibly, yes. Of course time will time -- but until we reach that point of confidence in our pace of skyscraper construction, we should try to gain a better understanding of:

(a) the effect foreign investment is having on our markets (as well as its density dilution, since we have empty units, translating into less consumerism for the businesses at-grade and anything within walking distance, which translates into fewer jobs produced by these businesses);

(b) our urbanising population.

If our trend of urbanisation grows, what we're seeing in downtown Toronto currently may just be the previews

[vegeta_skyline]

Originally Posted by Ramako

Don't get excited yet. An insider on UT has implied that Page+Steele, strong contenders for the worst architects in Toronto, and indeed Canada, will get the project.

Generally speaking I'd be inclined to agree they'd be contenders for such a title. However, sometimes even the worst offenders are capable of creating a quality building. Case in point Page+Steele's Delta hotel, Imo the best looking building in the southcore district;

Originally Posted by udo

image by udo from UT

I'm just hoping they'll put equal effort into designing CityPlaces Signature tower if its them.

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by vegeta_skyline

Generally speaking I'd be inclined to agree they'd be contenders for such a title. However, sometimes even the worst offenders are capable of creating a quality building. Case in point Page+Steele's Delta hotel, Imo the best looking building in the southcore district;

image by udo from UT

I'm just hoping they'll put equal effort into designing CityPlaces Signature tower if its them.

The difference is that the Delta is a hotel, so the developer was willing to spend the money to make the tower look good. If you look at P+S's condo designs, they're all subpar. Any architect can produce solid work on a high budget.

[vegeta_skyline]

Which is why I have hope that even a P+S version of Signature tower might turn out decent. Though that's probably just wishful thinking.

[rbt]

Originally Posted by vegeta_skyline

Which is why I have hope that even a P+S version of Signature tower might turn out decent. Though that's probably just wishful thinking.

P+S will do whatever the developer wants.

With sales lagging, it's possible that Concord Adex will invest a bit more money into design to boost sales of new launches as quality product is still selling.