Toronto KESKUS Estonian Cultural Centre | 17.07m | 3s | Kongats

Yep, the TTC subway tunnel runs right under those two adjacent parking lots for both this project and the 300 Bloor West one. So they've got be careful here, to put understated'ly.

Also FYI: 11 Madison was at one time a Tibetan Buddhist Temple.
 
Very exciting project.

OMA used that aluminum foam at the Prada Foundation in Milan.
https://www.archdaily.com/catalog/u...am-in-fondazione-prada-cymat-technologies-ltd

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Really excited for this one. Some tidbits from a couple pages on their website, linked to from their most recent newsletter:

Despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents to all aspects of our lives, the International Estonian Centre (IEC) project team is charting good progress. The team is working steadily on next steps toward opening the new Centre in mid-2022.

Project Manager David Kalm and architect Alar Kongats provided a look at the planning and work that is taking place.

What is the status of the work underway for the IEC?

In early March, the drawings required by the City of Toronto for the IEC’s Building Permit were completed. This was a mammoth task, representing literally thousands of hours of work by the project team. The permit submission shows the IEC from every conceivable angle and strata through to detailed drawings. It describes the building’s construction methods and proposed materials.

Consultants who contributed to the permit process included geotechnical, structural, acoustic, mechanical and electrical engineers; the landscape architect; heritage architect and the kitchen/catering consultant.

Another major task recently completed was another separate submission to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) since the building straddles subway tunnels.

Where are things at now with the permit process?

The submission to the City was made before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Toronto. While the pandemic has slowed the permitting process, it has not stopped. The City of Toronto continues to review the submission, and we have been responding to comments from the various municipal departments as they come in.
 
Hopefully by mid-2022 this COVID thing will all being a bad memory by then. So they should complete this project with that goal in mind, IMO.
 
Sale of 11 Madison by Northern Birch to International Estonian Centre closed

December 10, 2020 - International Estonian Centre Inc. (“IECI”) and Northern Birch Credit Union Limited (“Northern Birch”) are pleased to announce the closing of the sale of 11 Madison to the International Estonian Centre project on December 9th, 2020, taking the next step in the development process that launched in 2017 with the signing of the letter of intent with the City of Toronto for the purchase of 9 Madison Avenue. This was followed by the Estonian House in Toronto Limited (“EHTL”) shareholder special majority decision to participate in the project as it was seen to best meet the needs of the Estonian Community by ensuring a viable and sustainable centre for successive generations.

The closing of the 11 Madison sale is a major milestone. The International Estonian Centre project has now completed the land assembly on the Madison site and can start construction. This aligns with the contracting of the construction manager and with groundbreaking, scheduled for the beginning of 2021.

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International Estonian Centre in downtown Toronto will be a dynamic hub showcasing our rich heritage and promoting Estonian innovation. It will be a vibrant gathering place for Estonians of all generations and backgrounds to connect, celebrate, and share our culture and achievements with each other and the world. (Opening mid-2022). Visit estoniancentre.ca to learn more and to sign up for the monthly newsletter.
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www.estoniancentre.ca

Sale of 11 Madison by Northern Birch to International Estonian Centre closed

Update #84 December 10, 2020 - International Estonian Centre Inc. (“IECI”) and Northern Birch Credit Union Limited (“Northern Birch”) are pleased to announce the closing of the sale of 11 Madison to the International Estonian Centre project on December 9th, 2020, taking the next step in the...
www.estoniancentre.ca www.estoniancentre.ca
 
The IEC will video record and live stream its construction progress from the roof of the neighbouring Tartu College building, when work is expected to start in early 2021:

www.estoniancentre.ca

Time-lapse video will record IEC’s historic construction

Update #86 We only have one chance to record history in the making, and three intrepid members of the local Estonian community are making sure we don’t lose a single moment of how the new International Estonian Centre (IEC) will take shape. Tarmo Remmel, Sean Hooper and Taavi Tamtik put their...
www.estoniancentre.ca www.estoniancentre.ca
 
Oh...that's what they call that building. I knew it was s student residence for the ages, I never knew it had a name to it though. Silly me.
 

NEWS: Estonian Centre gets green light (Jan. 2021)​

January 27th, 2021​


The Committee of Adjustment at the City of Toronto and the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) have approved the latest changes proposed for the New Estonian Cultural Centre. The new centre, to be located in the Annex, will replace the current building, located on Broadview Avenue.

The Estonian Centre’s project committee had submitted eight minor changes to the design of the building. These changes, which included adjustments to the building’s height and parking, were well received by neighbours.

“In the latest proposal we liked the design and we were in favour of the changes. We think it will be really beneficial for the Estonian community,” says Sandra Shaul, the chair and director of the ARA.

The three-storey building will be located on Madison Avenue, where the Green P parking is located, which is very close to the Estonian Tartu College.

The new centre will be used by the Estonian Credit Union, the Estonian Choir, and Estonian schools and it will be occasionally rented out to third parties as well. Public events such as Estonian events and celebrations will also take place there.

Despite wide approval for the development of the centre, the Estonian Vice-Consul in Toronto, Tom Heinsoo, says the community is divided on the project.

“Some people in the community thought it would be better to spend the money on the existing house on Broadview and renovate the current building,” says Heinsoo, who adds that he is in favour of the creation of a new centre. “I do think the majority of people realize that it wouldn’t be financially logical to renovate the old building since it would cost a small fortune to bring it up to modern standards.”

According to the Estonian Centre’s due diligence report, the Madison Avenue project is set to cost approximately $25 million.

Construction is scheduled to begin in January [2021].
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NEWS: Estonian Centre gets green light (Jan. 2021)

gleanernews.ca gleanernews.ca
 
...and now my days of short cutting across that respective parking lot are numbered. And for excellent reasons! <3
 
trnto.com

The Annex is getting a new cultural centre featuring a restored heritage building

Toronto’s Estonian community will soon have a new cultural centre
trnto.com trnto.com

Toronto’s Estonian community will soon have a new cultural centre in the Annex that residents say is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

The International Estonian Centre is set for construction between 9 and 11 Madison Ave., a little north of Bloor Street West. It will integrate and restore a heritage building that dates back to 1891, and a new modern structure will replace the Green P parking lot.

The three-storey building designed by Alar Kongats Architects will include an Estonian and Latvian credit union, bistro, music performance space, classrooms, rooftop green space and a business accelerator, according to Ellen Valter, the board chair of the Estonian Credit Union.

Valter said that the area is a perfect fit for the centre, given its proximity to the Tartu College student residence, which is also owned by Estonian organizations. The centre will replace the community’s current hub on Broadview Avenue.

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Councillor Mike Layton is in favour of the project and said it works well within the context of the neighbourhood, given the street already hosts a number of institutions, such as the University of Toronto.

“It’ll be a big facelift to an area that hasn’t seen much development,” he said, “but in a relatively attractive way.”

Layton said that the development will also include a cut through to Huron Street that will link the centre’s publicly accessible courtyard to another redevelopment at 300 Bloor St. W.

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Valter said construction will begin as soon as possible once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and she hopes the $25 million centre will be completed in 2022.
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estonian.jpg
 
www.estoniancentre.ca

A strong name for a bold vision

Announcing the new name and new brand: the International Estonian Centre will be known as KESKUS. Here's how it came about!
www.estoniancentre.ca www.estoniancentre.ca


March 24, 2021

Unveiling the brand to anchor Toronto’s International Estonian Centre​

Over 750 Respondents Weighed In Across 5 Continents

Toronto, Canada - As groundbreaking is imminent to begin building the award-winning new International Estonian Centre, we are thrilled to announce the Centre’s new name and brand identity. Over 750 members of the Estonian community and beyond offered their input on naming the dynamic new hub for Estonian culture and innovation slated to open in 2022 in Toronto. The International Estonian Centre will be known as KESKUS.

The name KESKUS, Estonian for “centre” and a combination of the individual words “KES=who” and “KUS=where”, lends personality and invokes curiosity. KESKUS was determined as part of a broader branding exercise, which has also led to a distinctive new logo. The logo incorporates the beautiful colours of the Estonian flag while lending a distinctive look and feel to the brand.

The new International Estonian Centre will consolidate the largest Estonian community in Canada. KESKUS aims to attract local community, events, businesses and organizations and be a foundation for Estonians and their friends not only locally but from around the globe. The 33,000 sq. ft. hub will be a vibrant gathering place for Estonians of all generations and backgrounds to connect, celebrate, and share Estonian culture and achievements with each other and the world. The opening of the Centre is slated for the back half of 2022.

The new KESKUS name and logo will be used to tell our story, as well as in all communications such as the Centre’s website, promotional materials and signage. It will establish a strong and lasting brand to complementthe Centre’s position as a forward-thinking cultural landmark that reflects Estonian heritage while welcoming all users.
 
seems odd that an organization from an obscure country with roughly the population of ottawa is building a brand new cultural centre that looks pretty nice. is marty byrde involved with this development?
 
I believe they've been pretty transparent throughout this process. Majority of the funds were generated from selling their old Estonian House building on Broadview, which generated around $15.6 million. They have financing for construction secured. Other sources likely from donations, fundraising, and corporate sponsorships from local and abroad.
 
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