Toronto Clare R. Copeland Transformer Station | ?m | ?s | Toronto Hydro | Arcadis

[Edward Skira]

Who would have thought a transformer station could look so good. Kind of an industrial noir thing going on, particularly like the lamps and corten steel. Refreshing to see different materials and textures, aside from the roundhouse that area was otherwise quite dull- if not bleak.

There's certainly a history of it happening. Here's a couple:

Adelaide and George

Yonge and Glengrove

 

[Bogtrotter]

Too true, ironically this utilitarian building is also a diamond in the rough. Swivel around- yeesh.

 

[achender]

A couple pictures from today.

 

[Torontovibe]

It's almost finished and surprisingly, it's looking good!

 

[achender]

Sidewalk was open today when I went by.

 

[LUVIT!]

Very cool..I can't wait to see it in person.

 

[ponyboy]

Photos from this afternoon. Since they are calling this the "highline", it would be cool to extend the path south over Lake Shore and under the Gardiner, terminating at a new multiuse development on the empty parking lots at Queens Quay. On the west side of Rees St, could the pumping station and driveway down to parking under Rogers stadium be redesigned to accommodate some kind of development on top? It is a large parcel --

 

[interchange42]

I think a pedestrian bridge from the High Line to the new Rees St Park there is a great idea, assuming the Gardiner is as high here as it is at the Air Canada Centre so that they've got the clearance.

And yes, I'd also like to see something done at the pumping station to cover the ramp, and the South Linear Park should be extended through it. A bridge is needed across Spadina (shouldn't that be under construction now since the schools are going in just to the west?), and another bridge over Rees to the High Line wouldn't be the worst idea ever either.

It all takes money though…

42

 

[LUVIT!]

I drove by today and am visually impressed by the corten work done. This is a great contribution to our fair city.

 

[allabootmatt]

The attention to appearances here is pleasantly surprising, given Hydro's usual utter disregard for aesthetic considerations of any kind.

 

[Torontovibe]

I too am surprised and delighted to see some effort put into making this development look good. I wish beauty was a major concern with all development in this city. (public & private) Why not create a beautiful city if we have the ability to do so.

 

[TransitBart]

Two comments.

One. This would be way cool to visit at Door Open Toronto. Hope I can.

Two. Great that it’s nice to look at. Its true purpose is to keep the lights on and strengthen an aging and approaching overloaded downtown transformer capacity. When is it in service? Or is it already?

I believe the plan was to do an extensive overhaul and upgrade of the Windsor Station when Copeland was in service.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Two comments.

One. This would be way cool to visit at Door Open Toronto. Hope I can.

Two. Great that it’s nice to look at. Its true purpose is to keep the lights on and strengthen an aging and approaching overloaded downtown transformer capacity. When is it in service? Or is it already?

I believe the plan was to do an extensive overhaul and upgrade of the Windsor Station when Copeland was in service.

I recall reading that as well. I imagine once Copeland is online, Windsor will shut down and be rebuilt. Hopefully they pretty that one up a bit too.

 

[Automation Gallery]

Windsor will shut down and be rebuilt. Hopefully they pretty that one up a bit too.

Hopefully they can bury that one and build over top

 

[TransitBart]

Hopefully they can bury that one and build over top

That is not a rebuild. That is a total demo which implies twenty four or thirty six months without the capacity of Windsor. My understanding is that we are one fire or explosion from a complete disaster downtown.