The Great Canadian Skyline Thread!

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by isaidso

It's amazing how quickly we forget what it used to be like just a little while ago. I was surprised that it was only 10-11 buildings as well. Calgary is at 15 right now so they've moved past the Toronto of 2004 already.

The flip side of that is the tremendous growth in Toronto. Toronto turned on the jets and its still rocketing up. Hopefully Calgary can follow in Toronto's footsteps. We're really blessed here in Canada. Most countries are lucky to have 1 great skyline. We have 4 with Edmonton showing signs that it wants to make it 5.

Using the format that Travis was using (66 over 150 meters for Toronto built/uc/approved-likely to start soon), Calgary has 20. 15 complete, 2 UC, and 3 approved/likely to begin soon. It might be 4 approved, as the details of Kings on Fourth are quite fuzzy.

The breakdown for Toronto is - 33 complete, 25 UC, and 8 approved/likely to begin soon, for the total of 66. Quite amazing. There has been talk of a slowdown in Toronto recently, I think any city in the world would be lucky to have such a ultra-supercharged "slowdown"



Here's a pretty pic of Edmonton!


Tranquil by WherezJeff, on Flickr

[tele75]

Awesome Edmonton pic. Thanks for posting.

[Calgarian]

Can't wait to see how Stantec changes the Edmonton skyline!

[Beedok]

Edmonton is sorely underrepresented on here.

[Chadillaccc]

Lots of people say that, but the Edmonton forumers haven't stepped up their game! I'll post more Edmonton pics then I have lots in my archives from photo tours this summer.

[travis3000]

You guys should head over to the 50 top proposals thread. Some developments out of TO on 45 Bay...

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by SkahHigh

It's good to see Toronto becoming a true metropolis in North America, along the ranks of New York, Chicago, LA and Houston. And this, coming from a Montreal guy

I think a lot of Canadians have longed for a home grown metropolis to call their own. Historically we've had to leave Canada in search of it: New York, Hong Kong, LA. Toronto isn't there yet, but people seem to acknowledge that it's more a matter of 'when' than 'if' at this point.

It's not just the skyline that's upped its game. The city is acquiring all the pre-requisite baubles, elements, or what have you.

It's important that we recognize that this isn't just Toronto's accomplishment, but Canada's as Canadians from coast to coast have moved there and had a hand in its growth and success. We'll still go visit those big global cities, but we'll now have one of our own. It will attract not just Canadians fresh out of university, but people from around the world. I never thought I'd see the day.

[Chadillaccc]

I think Toronto's CMA population officially surpassing 6 million as of this year may also do a lot to legitimize it as Canada's mega city. 6 million sounds friggin big, at least by New World standards. Obviously not of the scale of New York, Rio, or Mexico City, but it's definitely upper 2nd tier (again by New world standards) Including the entire urban area (Toronto, Hamilton, Oshawa) it is over 7.1 million.

I wonder when the Golden Horseshoe will reach 10 million? The core area is currently at about 7.5 million (Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara), but I feel like the Greater Golden Horseshoe (probably what will eventually be called the Ontario Megaregion or Toronto Megaregion) is definitely over 9.3 million by now.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

To be honest I totally forgot about The Bow when I wrote that I guess you're right, but I'd say it's a pretty close race. MNP certainly has a more dynamic form, but The Bow's significant height advantage probably gives it the win. Due to its height, it isn't just another tower lost in the skyline, it defines the skyline.

I would say EAP even with its unfortunate curtainwall impresses me more for curvy buildings.. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool tower but, the scale is of a condo tower comparable to the Pacific Rim or Shaw and turns me off. Would be much harder to pull off at a larger floor plate.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Can't wait to see how Stantec changes the Edmonton skyline!

Hope it includes a complete redesign.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Using the format that Travis was using (66 over 150 meters for Toronto built/uc/approved-likely to start soon), Calgary has 20. 15 complete, 2 UC, and 3 approved/likely to begin soon. It might be 4 approved, as the details of Kings on Fourth are quite fuzzy.

The breakdown for Toronto is - 33 complete, 25 UC, and 8 approved/likely to begin soon, for the total of 66. Quite amazing. There has been talk of a slowdown in Toronto recently, I think any city in the world would be lucky to have such a ultra-supercharged "slowdown"

Agree. Can you imagine if Calgary can get to 66 in the next 10 years! I have high aspirations for both Calgary and Edmonton. They may not have the population base of Toronto, but they've got huge momentum right now.

I want to see both big enough to land NBA, MLS, and MLB franchises within the next 30 years. Come on Alberta!

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

I wonder when the Golden Horseshoe will reach 10 million? The core area is currently at about 7.5 million (Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara), but I feel like the Greater Golden Horseshoe (probably what will eventually be called the Ontario Megaregion or Toronto Megaregion) is definitely over 9.3 million by now.

The GGH should breach 10 million by 2020-2021. Go Transit and Metrolinx is helping better integrate the whole region. We're much stronger together and better connections will be a boon for businesses across the region. It's already an economic juggernaut with GDP around $500 billion. That's not small potatoes by anyone's standards.

[Chadillaccc]

Yeah, I'd say the GDP of the GGH is probably a good $550 billion now. Yeah, 2020 sounds reasonable, 6 years at about 120 000/year growth.

Originally Posted by isaidso

Agree. Can you imagine if Calgary can get to 66 in the next 10 years! I have high aspirations for both Calgary and Edmonton. They may not have the population base of Toronto, but they've got huge momentum right now.

I want to see both big enough to land NBA, MLS, and MLB franchises within the next 30 years. Come on Alberta!

LMAO! You know I love Alberta, but even I am not that confident in the future of this province. Even if one city got MLS and the other got MLB, I would be totally happy. Both cities will be near 2.5 million in 30 years, with Calgary closing in on 3 million according to the most recent projections. So it is possible. Both skylines are about to explode though. With the momentum we have, especially now with so much tall residential proposed and underway (5 of which are around the 150 meter mark), I wouldn't be surprised to see Calgary with 30 towers over 150 meters by 2025.

[craner]

^Yeah I agree, 30 over 150 by 2025 is definitely attainable (economic downturn notwithstanding).

Originally Posted by BretttheRiderFan

Took a road trip with a buddy to Calgary for the last couple days, it was my first time in the city (besides being in the airport) since 2011. It was a blast checking out all the improvements to the skyline since then, as well as seeing all the cranes downtown.

I'd never heard of that face sculpture in front of The Bow (which still wasn't finished last time I was downtown), it was really cool checking it out. I also enjoyed the new C-Train liveries and Eighth Avenue Place.

Even with all of the improvements to downtown Edmonton coming up in the next decade (heck...even if EVERYTHING planned is actually completed) we'll still be light years behind as far as the skyline goes. Cheers, Calgary.

Thanks dude!
Right back at ya.

[Innsertnamehere]

Toronto isn't slowing down either. We have a bit of a "slowdown" in construction right now to account for the lower sales numbers of late 2012 and all of 2013, but 2014 sales numbers are back up to "normal" and construction will starts will probably pick up again in the spring.

Toronto has launched sales on 7 buildings over 150 meters in the last 12 months, and that isn't really likely to slow down. Every single one of them has met strong sales receptions as well from my understanding, a couple are over 95% sold at this point.

2015 will likely see 7-8 construction starts for over 150 meters.

From order of tallest to shortest:

488 University
YC condos
1 Yorkville
11 Wellesley
CASA III
The Selby
Yonge + Rich
Monde

[Chadillaccc]

That is awesome, Calgary has 1 fully residential building at 150 meter proposed, and it is going to be rentals. Apparently construction is set to begin shortly into the new year. Telus Sky (2/3 residential) will also be rentals, with site prep already underway. Others such as 3 Eau Claire and Kings on Fourth seem to be on hold. The Guardian twins also come close, at 147 meters. We have no condos currently proposed at such a height, but I imagine it's only a matter of time.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

LMAO! You know I love Alberta, but even I am not that confident in the future of this province. Even if one city got MLS and the other got MLB, I would be totally happy. Both cities will be near 2.5 million in 30 years, with Calgary closing in on 3 million according to the most recent projections. So it is possible.

What can I say, I have moxie. If Missouri can snag 3, Alberta can surely one up them and snag 4. I'd be happy with 1 MLS team and 1 MLB team, but they're both capable of achieving a franchise in each. They're already the same size as Salt Lake City MSA (home to MLS) so should be thinking on those lines already. MLB is a harder prize to reel in, but will be doable 20-25 years from now if those population projections are realized.

Besides, if Moncton has the ambition to pursue a CFL team, Edmonton and Calgary can surely do the same in pursuit of bigger prizes.

[Innsertnamehere]

GGH at current growth rates will probably hit 10 million around 2019, maybe somepoint in 2020.

What will be interesting is when the city of Toronto reaches 3 million around 2019.. Although it really is an arbitrary boundary, it will be interesting to see how 400,000 people fit into a fully built out city over the course of 15 years. We are already half way there.

[MTLskyline]

IMG_0147 by Camille Slimani, on Flickr

[Delirium]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

GGH at current growth rates will probably hit 10 million around 2019, maybe somepoint in 2020.

What will be interesting is when the city of Toronto reaches 3 million around 2019.. Although it really is an arbitrary boundary, it will be interesting to see how 400,000 people fit into a fully built out city over the course of 15 years. We are already half way there.

especially when i see a pic like this, it's like 'holy shit there's a lot of buildings!'
can't wait for the next 20 years...

Photo by aa440 https://www.flickr.com/photos/aa440/15375583482/sizes/h/