I actually agree with @70Challenger as it relates to that photo.
You see there's this thing called 'photographs'. The evidence is all in here for anyone to see, unless your suggesting that the dozens of close up pictures of it in this thread have all been photoshopped? Sure the building is still under construction but they're not going to suddenly redo the recladding that they've completed.
I will say that from afar, the black is a nice contrast to the monotonous bluey-grey of the Entertainment District cluster. This could've been quite striking had the materials been executed (far) better, definitely a lost opportunity.
Fortunately, this building will mostly be seen from a distance, as it's located mid-block on a narrow side street (Mercer) and almost completely surrounded by buildings of similar heights. Only residents or passersby who venture down Mercer will see it up-close, and even then they'll have to crane their necks. Hopefully Nobu will be open only at night, when the sight of bargain spandrels is somewhat muted and not so unappetizing.
Though I appreciate this sentiment, that we urban design aficionados are forced to resort to sour-grapes defense mechanisms for aesthetically unsatisfactory builds such as "it'll be hidden from view in time" or "it'll disappear into the dark night sky" speaks volumes about how pathetic the state of this city's self-respect remains. A truly mature and confident civic culture would build self-assuredly competent urban architecture and public realms with "nothing to hide".
Yes, but as long as people are buying these units, and in the absence of legislation prohibiting developers from using cheaper products than advertised, developers will continue to maximize profit by turning out buildings like this or Social. You’re right about Toronto lacking self-respect: for the most part, everything here is about functionality, not aesthetic, though there are hopeful signs that it’s changing. That applies to public realms (anything non-functional is seen as a waste of tax payers’ money) and private developments (buyers completely disregarding what the building will look like, as long as it’s liveable). Sad and frustrating, but true. I’ve heard so many visitors saying our city is ugly, and can’t disagree with them. If living in a pretty city was my #1 priority, I would’ve moved a long time ago.
Doesn't seem very thick for a transfer slab?
