Recent content by bengaijin

If you folks want to pitch towards my hypothetical condo, I will happily repay you in pictures of me making duck-face with the skyline in the background.

This is a block from my house and I'm a definite YIMBY on it. It's appropriate to the site, well-considered, and elegantly formed. Bring it on. I might even look into buying a unit.

I wouldn't worry too much about WZMH. It looks like the RFP hasn't closed, and as per the IO site, there are two bid teams, and each has a big international player: Plenary Justice: Architects : WZMH Architects, Perkins Eastman, and CGL Ricci Greene Ellis Don Infrastructure: Architects: NORR...

This thread needs a little update - this building (Phase 2) is designed by Moriyama and Teshima Architects/Montgomery Sisam Architects in joint venture. RDH did Phase 1. Also it is planned to be 29m tall.

I've only taken a quick look at it thus far and have no specific comments, but I just wanted to say that this is a truly excellent addition to the site. It really helps to give a sense of where the development hot spots are, and for people to get a clear view of what's happening in their own...

Check this interactive map.

Not even close to the renders. Too bad. Those renders looked like they could have led to an exciting building - not that the application version is a write-off. What's odd is that the city application and the renders posted on the website were posted in the same week. Which supersedes which?

Sorry, where is this comment? Do mean the one where they said that they would redesign it to make it 'look less like the four seasons'? I believe them, but I'm still shocked that they would feel comfortable putting forward a design that they clearly spent some time on (3d models don't build...

I also think that it is a deep shame that they would completely eliminate the current precast cladding, which I think is both handsome and representative of a distinct era of modern architectural history. Do something to improve the base, sure, but does it really mean that you also have to strip...

The whole thing is a carbon copy of the Four Seasons! I thought there was an image mix-up at first.

I'm pretty keen on the design, too. Strong, modern lines; a bit of mass, colour, and pattern; a dramatic cantilever, no apologetic podium. It seems appropriately restrained in its selection of design 'moves', unlike many other large buildings underway (Aura, the Yorkville, the new thing above...

Caltrane - I'm a little confused by your post. Where is all of that information from?

It seems the small, positive, programmatic changes made (more office/retail, changed vehicular entrance strategy) are completely unrelated to the big, gestural, and totally negative changes made. Change the crown, amplify the boxiness of the glazed boxes, and voila, you have transformed a...

Gristle - I think you were one of the strong opponents of the earlier version of this building. What do you think of the new version? It seems to be a much more sophisticated and exciting design, but does it do much to address the height/massing concerns of the neighbourhood?

I've got to say, I think this is one of the more interesting condos under review right now in Toronto. I think it represents a nice development forward for aA, taking off from the bases of the Distillery and Market Wharf condos in terms of solidity, rhythm, etc. A nice move away from the pure...