Forum member marcus_a_j attended the public meeting last night for the new Southcore Financial Centre. Here is his report. Some details from the public meeting tonight:

* Fairmont not involved, no explanation of their role, if any at all except for past ownership of the lands around the area as CP Rail * Great West Life is the proponent (backed by BCIMC, also building 18 York)

* Page & Steele/IBI Group (one company now) is the architect

* 2 buildings connected by a 2-storey podium, which will also connect to 18 York

* One 50-storey, ~175m tall residential/hotel tower, situated on the northwest portion of the site connected by a 10-storey podium along Lower Simcoe

* One ~26 storey office building. No specific details, but will be similar to 18 York in terms of massing, height and GFA. ~600,000 sf was suggested). North-south orientation along eastern portion of the site

* Hotel guest drop off/loop and small square between two buildings along the northside of Bremner

* Residential/hotel building requires a minor variance for height increase, but is within density limits

* Office building would require a full rezoning application in the future for density purposes

* Residential units will be high-end rentals. BCIMC wants to maintain ownership of entire buildings, therefore no condominium units

* Fully connected to PATH via 18 York with retail and possibly to MTCC and the Skywalk

* No deals lined up with a hotel company as of yet (at least that's what they said)

* No timeframes given for construction to commence A design was shown that was fairly decent, however it is very preliminary and was mainly shown to highlight the massing of all the buildings.