May 2012 was very eventful in Toronto, and we have the full recap for you here in this month's Topping Off post. While Forum thread discussions continue to be dominated by ten of the largest developments currently underway in the city, the top 10 news stories list contain quite a few projects that were only recently announced. The top 10 dataBase list was almost exclusively dominated by exciting new projects that are sure to make quite a mark on Toronto's urban fabric in the not-so-distant future.

Top 10 Forum Threads

We'll begin by looking at the top 10 threads. Threads are where you can find UrbanToronto's extensive community, largely unfiltered. If you want to know what the city and its development junkies really think about a project, this is the place to go. The threads are open to users from all backgrounds regardless of personal taste —sign up here and let us know what you think about any one of the hundreds of projects proposed — under construction or completed — within the GTA.

Aura condos under construction, image courtesy of caltrane74

Coming in at number 1 is Aura. This project has seen a boom in construction recently as the tower component begins its ascent to a whopping 75 storeys. Massey Tower comes in at a close second with its promise of delivering an innovative design perched above one of Toronto's heritage jewels.

1. Aura: Residences of College Park III

2. Massey Tower Condos

3. L Tower and Sony Centre

4. Ice Condominiums at York Centre

5. Bay-Adelaide Centre East Tower

6. Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences

7. Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto

8. 300 Front Street West

9. One Bloor East

10. Living Shangri-La Toronto

Top 10 News Stories

Our news page delivers the latest information to our readers, and is the easiest way to keep up-to-date with what's going on in Toronto. May 2012 saw a variety of stories make the top 10 list, with everything from public art, to large-scale district proposals to contentious zoning applications being represented.

Rising by Zhang Huan at Shangri-La Toronto, image by cruzin4u

The number 1 story was the unveiling of Zhang Huan's 'Rising' installation outside Living Shangri-La; the artwork has set a precedent for future public art compenents in developments, and has definitely contributed to the University Avenue public realm. The report of the renovations to the Delta Chelsea Hotel at Yonge and Gerrard came in at number 2.

1. Zhang Huan's Astounding 'Rising' Unveiled at Living Shangri-La

2. Extensive Renovations Planned for Delta Chelsea Hotel

3. Introducing the Canary District Neighbourhood in the West Don Lands

4. Substantial Development in the Works for Sherbourne and Front Street East

5. Canary District Condos Looking to Change Development Within Toronto

6. Photo of the Day: A Surprise at First Canadian Place

7. Lanterra's soaring Burano heading for completion on Bay

8. Amidst Massive Expansion Works, Union Station Sees Its First Reopening

9. Redevelopment Proposed for Historic Coffin Factory on Niagara Street

10. Photo of the Day: King West's Growth Spurt

Top 10 dataBase Projects

Our dataBase section is where we provide you with high-quaily renderings, project information and floorplans for over 300 projects in Toronto. The section is invaluable for those looking for specific information about buildings, as well as contact information for potential purchasers.

E Condos project rendering, image courtesy of Bazis, Metropia and RioCan

The large-scale buildings currently under construction or nearing completion in Toronto have some competion on the way, and our readers appear to be sizing up the competition. E Condos at Yonge and Egliton came in at number 1, while the first condominium to be sold in the brand new Canary District sparked interest following UrbanToronto's report on the media release earlier last month.

1. E Condos

2. Canary District Condominiums

3. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

4. 50 Bloor Street West

5. Aura at College Park

6. 88 Scott Street

7. Massey Tower Condos

8. Picasso Condos

9. INDX Condos

10. L Tower

May 2012 was a hot month for development in Toronto, and a great month here on UrbanToronto. June promises to be just as exciting with some juicy stories in the works, and even more developments to be reported on. All three sections of the site — Forum, News and dataBase — are invaluable on their own, but even better when read together! We encourage you to check all the sections of the site, and get to know Urbantoronto even better!

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