Developer: Westbank Corp, Allied Properties REIT
Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group, Diamond Schmitt Architects
  
Address: 489 King St W, Toronto
Category: Residential (Condo), Commercial (Office, Retail), Public Space / Park
Status: ConstructionCrane(s): 2
Height: 189 ft / 57.60 mStoreys: 16 storeys
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Toronto KING Toronto | 57.6m | 16s | Westbank | Bjarke Ingels Group

Those glass cubes are going to age horribly, they are very 1980s, I'm sure all of you have seen old post-war buildings using them
I totally agree. Honestly, I already think it looks dated. The glass block design just feels like a relic of postmodernism rather than something timeless. We’ve seen how poorly these kinds of designs age - just look at post-war buildings that attempted similar geometric glass elements; they often end up looking grimy, outdated, and out of place within a couple decades. That said, I’m still excited for the building and its overall design, but I think it could've benefited from a different aesthetic or material that would age more gracefully. Maybe a brick & metal hybrid like 520 West 20th (The High Line) in New York City, or a glass and timber fusion like Brock Commons Tallwood House in Vancouver. Using warmer, more natural materials could have helped it age more gracefully and blend in better with Toronto's architectural landscape, in my ever-so-humble opinion. 😊
 
I totally agree. Honestly, I already think it looks dated.
I think some of the posts earlier in this thread show that glass blocks can be timeless. The result here will be subjectively judged, but I would disagree that the material will automatically lead to a negative result.
 
I think we should see the final product before passing judgement, however I do think there is a chance this looks terrible in a few years.
 
I think it looks great, but if its maintenance comes down to a condo corp finding the budget for it (does it? Or is there someone else responsible for at least the ground level retail?), I'm worried about its future state.
 
I think some of the posts earlier in this thread show that glass blocks can be timeless. The result here will be subjectively judged, but I would disagree that the material will automatically lead to a negative result.
I actually think if these blocks are gonna look better because the way they filled the gaps seems better, and I think this type of wall looks great with plants.

I am pretty positive about this.
 
Could the blocks not just be washed like normal windows? It's all one unitized system anyways. I think we're reaching here considering how little cladding has been installed - patience is a virtue!
Agreed. Kudos to the teams involved for trying to do something different and innovative at this scale. Not easy to get it right. Much easier to throw darts from behind a computer screen.
 
January 30 - Multiple large trailer trucks delivering Kone elevator components over the past several days - elevator cab components, hoist motors, cables, counter weights, controls, etc.

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Side note - no photo. Scaffolding for installation of the heritage wall components has now been set up in the centre entrance to the King Toronto courtyard.
 

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