innsertnamehere
Superstar
It's not labelled probably to minimize it's visibility. It's still in the visual site plan.
Toronto Ontario Place: New Science Centre | 4s | Province of Ontario | Snøhetta + HPA
- Thread starter northyorker1
- Start date
nightstreak
Senior Member
If someone at the Province is listening: consolidate this with the parking garage. Snohetta builds something like their Oslo Opera House with a parking building facing Lakeshore, then a sloped grand staircase facing the water and the Science Centre building rising above. Yes, it would be fewer parking spots, but there's room to do more parking near Exhibition Station where parking makes more sense.
ComptoirGeneral
Active Member
I actually quite like the design and think it looks nice from streetlevel. The subtle pattern on the facade is nice too. Hopefully they use some high quality tiling to give it a really nice look.
ComptoirGeneral
Active Member
Yea I was very surprised to see an opening date of that soon. However, I also read that construction is anticipated to start in a couple weeks?
ComptoirGeneral
Active Member
Regrettably, it's true! I used to live in LV and during the winter time the Ontario Place grounds were an absolute ghost town, especially in the evenings. But personally, I liked it for that reason as it allowed a bit of respite from the claustrophobia of LV
Full Metal Junkie
Senior Member
They don't want to bring any more attention to the crown jewel of the Doug Ford era of privatizing the gains and socializing the losses.
ComptoirGeneral
Active Member
Holy moly, seeing it from a bird's eye view really emphasizes how large the parking structure is smh. Why they won't put it on the Exhibition grounds I'll never know.
UtakataNoAnnex
Superstar
Maybe I am being greedy and dreaming out of a toked pipe here, but I would like to see this and the restoration of the ole Science Centre.That would be both grand and smexy, IMO. <3
UrbanAffair
Senior Member
So, that's interesting. Didn't honestly expect something with 400,000 sq ft. How large was the old Science Centre?
I like the design. If it ends up looking like that with quality materials, as is functional on the interior, I wouldn't be upset. Is there opportunity for further expansion if needed in the future?
However, it seems odd that we had to move it in the first place. It certainly takes away from the only real attraction (outside the Don Valley) at the old Don Mills spot, and concentrates a lot of amenities in one location by the water. I imagine this city could have supported another museum at Ontario Place instead.
I like the bridge, and I assume it will meet accessibility standards with elevators at the connection spot between the Science Centre and the pods?
It always feels like it will be flash for politics sake, and the product delivered to the people will be lesser. I hope that's not the case here.
I like the design. If it ends up looking like that with quality materials, as is functional on the interior, I wouldn't be upset. Is there opportunity for further expansion if needed in the future?
However, it seems odd that we had to move it in the first place. It certainly takes away from the only real attraction (outside the Don Valley) at the old Don Mills spot, and concentrates a lot of amenities in one location by the water. I imagine this city could have supported another museum at Ontario Place instead.
I like the bridge, and I assume it will meet accessibility standards with elevators at the connection spot between the Science Centre and the pods?
It always feels like it will be flash for politics sake, and the product delivered to the people will be lesser. I hope that's not the case here.
narduch
Senior Member
I hope they aren't counting the years using the Metrolinx time scale.
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hawc
Senior Member
I just hope the existing science centre building gets fixed up and used long term for something else. Would make an awesome university/college campus. Or maybe like a research centre. Just as long as they don't tear it down.
Full Metal Junkie
Senior Member
Tearing down the old Science Centre so that a 'lucky' developer gets to build on that spot seems to be a pet project of the current Premier. So I wouldn't get my hopes up.
If and when they demolish the old building, I would recommend this spot in Toronto to remind yourself of what once was:
It's a covered pedestrian connection between York University's Farquharson and Lumbers buildings. If you look past the fact that it's not inclined, it is very reminiscent of the escalator sections of the old Science Centre, complete with bare concrete interior finishes, dirty windows, lots of greenery beyond the windows, and most importantly the exact same dusty smell.
Nostalgic experience is guaranteed.
Northern Light
Superstar
The old OSC was 570,000ft2.
Of that, 160,000ft2 was exhibition space.
The new OSC will be 400,000ft2
Of that, 120,000t2 will be exhibition space.
nightstreak
Senior Member
The Province doesn't own this property (it belongs to the City of Toronto) which is in a protected conservation green zone in the ravine. The Moriyama building itself was designated heritage protected in 2023 so it cannot be demolished. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
From Infrastructure Ontario itself on the limitations of expanding the Ontario Science Centre:
via: https://www.infrastructureontario.c...b5/osc-modernization-business-case---2016.pdf
The Province is the tenant and they are required in their lease to give the City of Toronto (the landlord) the option of maintaining the building on site if either party wishes to terminate the lease.
That's not to say that Doug Ford didn't get what he wanted out of this. He pitched an Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place subway line and then sold the rights to build at Ontario Place to Therme and Live Nation and the rights to develop around the new subway line to private developers. They don't need the Ontario Science Centre lands or building to develop at the immediate intersection surrounding Don Valley Station.
The City of Toronto will inherit the entire Science Centre complex as soon as the lease with the Province is over (2064) but the city can now require an early termination since the Province no longer operates the Science Centre, violating the terms of the lease. The Moriyama building would make an excellent Community Centre for the rapidly expanding neighbourhood.
70Challenger
Active Member
The Snohetta design looks pretty clean. Fits well with the Zeidler complex while still clear it’s a new addition. Also I’m really glad to hear the old Moriyama building was heritage designated, it would make a great gallery or museum.
edit: Actually I can't find any evidence that it was designated, only listed.
edit: Actually I can't find any evidence that it was designated, only listed.
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