Old City Hall Proposals

[adma]

With all the talks about the future of the Old City Hall, why don't we make it a central library for the city? Reference Library is not particularly valuable from architectural perspective and can be sold for reasonable amounts, given its location. Old City Hall is perfect for a Central Library: its location, architecture and floorplans. We can even have a bright atrium at the place of the yard.

Though I think you're selling the existing library short, architecturally (and mythically) speaking.

 

[Irishmonk]

Museum/archives/City Hall branch + urban affairs library would be great. Maybe move planning there too?

AoD

Awesome idea. And with so many people living downtown there's enough traffic for 2 big DT branches. (That inner courtyard would make for an inspiring reading room.)

 

[pman]

Though I think you're selling the existing library short, architecturally (and mythically) speaking.

It's not that bad inside, but that blank brick wall fronting Yonge is revolting.

 

[adma]

It's not that bad inside, but that blank brick wall fronting Yonge is revolting.

I wouldn't go so far as to call it "revolting", even if it was a Moriyama compromise (and Moriyama Jr.'s entrance cube doesn't help things). In fact, its well-crafted warm'n'fuzzy Aalto tone has always nicely announced the interior volume in an eternally comfy 70s way...

 

[Skeezix]

The outside of the TRL is not on any list of my favourite buildings, the exterior being very much a product of its time, but the Moriyama design (both in and out) has received a fair share of acclaim over the years. One is entitled to disagree, of course, but "revolting" is hardly fair criticism, and the interiors are substantially more interesting and better than "not that bad".

 

[adma]

The outside of the TRL is not on any list of my favourite buildings, the exterior being very much a product of its time, but the Moriyama design (both in and out) has received a fair share of acclaim over the years. One is entitled to disagree, of course, but "revolting" is hardly fair criticism, and the interiors are substantially more interesting and better than "not that bad".

I like how the exterior has this quality

 

[MetroMan]

The city has finally... FINALLY!!!!... accepted that people want to walk across the front lawn of Old City Hall.

I guess they've eventually been shamed into cleaning up the muddy beaten paths in front of one of our most visited landmarks.

 

[jje1000]

I actually would prefer if they reworked the entire landscape in front of Old City Hall into hardscape surfaces with steps for people to sit on.

 

[MetroMan]

I don’t mind the lawn but it’s incomprehensible why they don’t just add another metre to the Queen Street sidewalk to match the wide sidewalks on either side in front of Nathan Phillips Sq and in front of the Eaton Centre. At the very least, move the streetcar stop into a cut out in the grass. The city owns the land!

 

[jje1000]

This probably really is just a patch job done by the Parks department, rather than any long-term fix.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

This probably really is just a patch job done by the Parks department, rather than any long-term fix.

One'd hope so - it's kind of uninspired.

AoD

 

[Northern Light]

In belatedly reading the June agenda for the Toronto Public Library Board, I came across their capital budget update.

It has quite a few juicy tidbits hidden in it.

City Hall branch looks to be re-located and expanded. (could this be a move to old City Hall?)

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Full Details here:

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/...-capital-budget-and-plan-preview-combined.pdf

 

[ChesterCopperpot]

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2018.EX30.8

The Deputy City Manager, Internal Corporate Services, and the Chief Purchasing Officer recommend that:

1. Council direct the Deputy City Manager Internal Corporate Services to further develop a design and plans for Old City Hall that include a Museum of Toronto, a Toronto Public Library branch and wedding chamber with complementary uses such as a museum café and shop, public event space, and institutional uses, consistent with Option 3 as set out in this report.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2018.EX30.8

There is a TON of delicious materials in the report itself:

https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-110694.pdf

It will be amazing.

AoD

 

[Northern Light]

The proposed new Library branch is significant. Going from 5,000 sq ft at City Hall to 25,000 sq ft at Old City Hall.

One could reasonably infer the move would also come w/full service District Branch hours.

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A museum of Toronto is also very welcome.

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I wonder about giving consideration to save one court room for the benefit of movie/tv production ..... not in the report.........just saying.

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Proposed Path Connection to Eaton Ctr/Trinity Ctr Path.

Cost $12M

Hmmm, not sure about the value here.

Were this to be done, I think it would need to feature a massively upgraded connection to TEC; vibrant retail in Trinity Ctr; and maybe a path connection under Bay St. to City Hall.