Canadian City Proposals

[TorontoDrew]

Its pretty ugly isn't it? It also looks pretty preliminary. Put that is probably the best location along the Danforth for a project of that scale.

[samne]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

Its pretty ugly isn't it? It also looks pretty preliminary. Put that is probably the best location along the Danforth for a project of that scale.

Existing apartments in that location are very utilitarian. This doesn’t add much in aesthetics.

Great location for added density. Main station TTC and an expanded service Danforth GO station.

[WhipperSnapper]

Accessible transit is just another amenity. It's a big one but not the be all and end all as descirbed on forumland. There's more conversation on underground access between the stations than the value added by the intensification proposed here. Main Square is one of the original transit oriented development. However, this giant apartment complex within a low rise community is what ultimately led to its decline. (as case studies refer to as hyper density) The mall's anchor tenants including a Dominion grocery store closed. The mall was shut and the space subdivided into medical/ cheap office space. It has remain a lower income neighbourhood despite much investment in the last 20 years.

Doubling the number of units with brand new, never lived in, should increase household income. I don't see anything with this proposal that adds to the existing apartment community or the greater neighbourhood except maximizing densities squeezing in additional towers with minimal separation. I don't see how this doesn't degrade to something much worst than the lower income block with limited retail it is now once the new units reach 25 years old.

[JHikka]

Agree that 2575 Danforth is an ideal location for intensification given Main Street TTC and Danforth GO, but there'll need to be an increase in amenities in the area to make it an attractive place to live aside from simply being located next to transit. Not nearly as bad as Vaughan Metro Centre but same vibe, IMO, just a bit closer to downtown.

I'd be curious how quickly one could get from Danforth GO to Union GO with RER.

[hipster duck]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Agree that 2575 Danforth is an ideal location for intensification given Main Street TTC and Danforth GO, but there'll need to be an increase in amenities in the area to make it an attractive place to live aside from simply being located next to transit. Not nearly as bad as Vaughan Metro Centre but same vibe, IMO, just a bit closer to downtown.

I'd be curious how quickly one could get from Danforth GO to Union GO with RER.

I think Main and Danforth is a lot better than VMC. Danforth and Woodbine, barely a kilometer away, is actually a very nice prewar neighbourhood that well-heeled professional families want to move to. Danforth has been calmed from a stroad into a pedestrian and bike-friendly two lane street. The Main and Danforth area is also surrounded by either existing residential areas or nice greenspace, like Taylor Creek ravine.

VMC just seems like a dumping ground for population growth. I go up there a few times a year to go to IKEA and other than the fact that it's near transportation corridors and far from NIMBYs, the area has no redeeming features for a residential neighbourhood. The industry surrounding the area is actually even more heavy and unpleasant than your usual light manufacturing and warehouse employment district.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Agree that 2575 Danforth is an ideal location for intensification given Main Street TTC and Danforth GO, but there'll need to be an increase in amenities in the area to make it an attractive place to live aside from simply being located next to transit. Not nearly as bad as Vaughan Metro Centre but same vibe, IMO, just a bit closer to downtown.

I'd be curious how quickly one could get from Danforth GO to Union GO with RER.

Isn't Danforth a commercial strip in that part of town?

[samne]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Isn't Danforth a commercial strip in that part of town?

Plenty of amenities in the neighborhood. Perhaps I’m wrong but this development is replacing the Canadian Tire and parking lot.

This stretch of Danforth is jammed with commercial. Sobeys a block away. Shoppers World barely a km east is a “shopping mall”. Hockey Arena, library etc blocks away.

[urbandreamer]

That's gotta be the ugliest cheapest arched facade concept I've seen this cycle. Main & Danforth needs more Kingston & co-style mid-rises, not these overbearing towers.

[samne]

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

That's gotta be the ugliest cheapest arched facade concept I've seen this cycle. Main & Danforth needs more Kingston & co-style mid-rises, not these overbearing towers.

Agreed…really like what’s happening on Kingston Rd all the way into Scarborough, but that corridor is only supported by a commuter streetcar.

This intersection is a heavy public transit access point. Theres also plenty of existing overbearing residential towers like Main Square and Crescent Town down the street.

I know many people in the east end who avoid the TTC and take the GO train from Danforth station. It’s one stop to Union station in around 10-20 mins. No brainer. With increased capacity at Danforth GO station currently underway, only more density coming.

[samne]

I was thinking McDonalds with all those arches though.

[WhipperSnapper]

We must stack as many housing units around subway stations would make a lot less sense if Toronto had twice the number of stations or coverage. I also think public sentiment is that transit investment must prove itself almost immediately and, in a place like Toronto, proof is construction and development.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Isn't Danforth a commercial strip in that part of town?

Depends on what you're looking for. Lots of run-down places in need of gentrification revitalization.

Originally Posted by hipster duck

I think Main and Danforth is a lot better than VMC. Danforth and Woodbine, barely a kilometer away, is actually a very nice prewar neighbourhood that well-heeled professional families want to move to. Danforth has been calmed from a stroad into a pedestrian and bike-friendly two lane street. The Main and Danforth area is also surrounded by either existing residential areas or nice greenspace, like Taylor Creek ravine.

That's true enough. I was probably being too harsh on the area in general.

Originally Posted by hipster duck

VMC just seems like a dumping ground for population growth. I go up there a few times a year to go to IKEA and other than the fact that it's near transportation corridors and far from NIMBYs, the area has no redeeming features for a residential neighbourhood. The industry surrounding the area is actually even more heavy and unpleasant than your usual light manufacturing and warehouse employment district.

I loathe the area as a whole. Plopping towers down next to highways or big box stores is not conducive to anything, really. I struggle to think of anything redeeming of that area stretching from VMC through Woodbridge towards Pearson. Miserable.

[Maldive]

505 University Avenue l 213m l 64s l Cartareal l BDPQ l pre-construction

Another skyscraper + heritage retention proposal for University Avenue, this one for the former Shell Oil building across from the United Building (u/c). 704 residential units, office and retail.

Full office replacement and a rebuild of the heritage facade. 505 University is on the left, The United Building (u/c) is on the right


Northern Light

Have to wait for better renderings, but the punched windows of the tower look promising (and BDPQ is a great firm).

Northern Light


2256 Lake Shore Boulevard West l 113.5m l 35s l 2589727 Ontario l Core l pre-construction

594 residential units plus retail in towers 35s and 18s. Podium sculpting looks interesting.


Northern Light

Northern Light

Northern Light


639-651Queen Street East 29m l 9s l Streetcar l Giaimo l pre-construction

Wonderful (almost full) heritage retention of the existing buildings plus recreating the “Smith Block” which was demolished for a parking lot.

Existing.

Northern Light

Proposal.


AlbertC

Northern Light

[WhipperSnapper]

^^Great proposal.

Re: University Avenue.

LOL Heritage retention? Looks much better than the United Building though.

[Maldive]

591 Sherbourne | 152.65m | 51s | Medallion | IBI Group l site demolition soon(?)

Another tall one for the Bloor-Sherbourne area looks be getting underway soon (demolition permit issued).

Unfortunately for locals a large part of St. James Park West will be closed for construction staging according to new on-site signage. The entire park will be closed in spring 2024 for a large, year-long make-over.

UT

UT


Six99 | 40.5m | 12s | Originate | srm Architects l Approved

Centre of rendering.

AlbertC

AlbertC

AlbertC


Cloverdale Mall Redevelopment | 154m | 48s | QuadReal | Giannone Petricone l pre-construction

Phase 1 is 32 storeys and located on a triangular site adjacent to the existing mall.

UT

UT


Master-plan includes 14 mixed-use building up to 48 storeys.

UT

UT


Brampton
31-33 George St N (Brampton) | 153.95m | 42s | Greenwin | Sweeny &Co l recommended for approval

I think this one had a haircut down to 37s after negotiations.

UT


A really great crosswalk design idea near (and inspired by) the Aga Khan Museum… the city should roll out more of this near landmarks.


Link

The Museum

torontosavvy

[TorontoDrew]

This is so great!

[JHikka]

Definitely a great proposal. That area is quickly becoming condo fodder so good to see at least some street-level preservation take place.

[Coldrsx]

What an oasis!

[WhipperSnapper]

Best description yet.

You think it comes with valet parking?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

What an oasis!

It's oriented in the opposite direction but if the shot is turned 180 degrees the future Islington/Kipling developments wouldn't be too far away.