Toronto Enigma on the Park | 27.74m | 9s | Aragon Properties | BDP Quadrangle

[agoraflaneur]

Just saw this project on urbaNation's twitter feed: http://twitpic.com/7ctud7

I am interested by the notion of a mixed-use office and residential project in the Little Portugal/Brockton Village neighbourhood, significantly reinvigorating it. The building is just north of College St. and just west of Lansdowne. Its form is unlike other bland developments nearby, especially on Bloor between Lansdowne and Dundas and on Dundas itself.

The building fronts the park well, adding visual interest by incorporating a barrier to the rail line with a courtyard and an angled top half in a way somewhat reminiscent of Market Wharf. There appears to be green roofs as well as a slightly tapered form as it approaches the peak. All in all, better than I expected.

 

[urbandreamer]

RAW Design. Love it!

After their Showcase disaster in the east end, Aragon Properties Ltd may be the quickest developer in T.O's history to learn that good design does sell in this town!

 

[interchange42]

Very cool! Not enough yet to picture it exactly, so I am looking forward to more contextual renderings!

42

 

[AlbertC]

This looks really nice. Would definitely inject some fresh life and kick start this rugged area. The land running along the westside railways offer many potentially interesting redevelopment opportunities (ie. the lofts and townhouses on Wallace).

 

[junctionist]

It looks promising. This area has seen too many poorly designed projects in recent years to the point that it's just unfair. It's time to turn things around.

 

[urbandreamer]

New rendering from Richard Witt. Site plan approval submitted to the city this week.

https://p.twimg.com/AoIppXRCAAIZ2fP.jpg

Very different. Love it.

 

[AlbertC]

http://app.toronto.ca/DevelopmentApplications/searchDevelopmentProjectsSetup.do?action=init

138 ST HELEN'S AVE

Ward 18

- Tor & E.York OPA / Rezoning 12 141001 STE 18 OZ Mar 22, 2012 ---
Rezoning application to permit the redevelopment of the lands for the purposes of a new 8 storey plus mechanical penthouse building complete with 90 residential dwelling units and institutional space adjacent to the rail corridor. 94 vehicular parking spaces located in a below grade parking facilitly would be provided on site

 

[adHominem]

New rendering from Richard Witt. Site plan approval submitted to the city this week.

https://p.twimg.com/AoIppXRCAAIZ2fP.jpg

Very different. Love it.

Toronto's first condo with WWI battleship "Dazzle" camouflage?

 

[grey]

Wow. On par with the original BSN Architects + Alsop design for Westside Lofts.

 

[CanadianNational]

Oooh! Out here. Well, that's good.

 

[jje1000]

Definitely has a naval feeling to it, ad Hominem has said earlier.

 

[junctionist]

Wow. On par with the original BSN Architects + Alsop design for Westside Lofts.

It's for that reason I'm concerned that they're going to simplify the design significantly or replace it altogether with something completely banal.

 

[urbandreamer]

Mods, RAW is no longer involved. It's Richard Witt.

Thx to urbanation for the tip, here's the developer's info site with additional renderings:

http://www.sthelensplanning.ca/index.html

 

[urbandreamer]

6 April 2012 - Interesting street, sort of has a Junction Rd/Mulock Av feel to it (not surprisingly)

 

[urbandreamer]

28 April 2012: Love this theme, very nautical (ship's bridge?) Fitting for an architect from Portsmouth.