Toronto Sugar Wharf Condominiums (Phase 2) | 283.6m | 85s | Menkes | a—A

I guess there's a few redeeming qualities from the revisions here in my books from what we can see so far:

Positives

1) The huge podium will be broken up into 3 smaller podiums + the elimination of the larger scale retail size. If we've seen anything from Menkes (especially with Phase 1) is that they dont know how to create coherent and useful retail space, especially when in a larger footprint. This will essentially force them in a way to maximize the new retail footprint in an efficient manner (or at least one would rationally think so).

2) Related to 1 above, the retail use will be more flexible allowing for retail that will draw people to the area. Queens Quay East is pretty much a retail wasteland from an entertainment/crowd gathering perspective.

3) The school is separated from the residential/retail podium

Negatives

1) Towers shifted to the south will result in more pronounced shadowing in the park

2) School will be facing the vehicular cesspool that is the Gardiner and Lake Shore Blvd instead of a quieter Harbour St extension.
 

Toronto Model 09-12-24 Sugar Wharf.png
 
steveve said:
Some additional context for the new massing:


View attachment 595588View attachment 595589
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YES! YES!! YES!!!!!

These buildings were absolute trash before! They would have become an incredibly boring and irreparable blight on the eastern skyline, lasting for untold generations. The new designs are far more interesting; for one they no longer looks like a five year old created them. And just as important is the new variation in heights, it's about time someone said NO to plateau skylines!

This is everything that I wanted, it's like they read my damn mind. Now I can rest in peace when I pass instead of rolling in my grave 🥹
 
SkylineHorizons said:
YES! YES!! YES!!!!!

These buildings were absolute trash before! They would have become an incredibly boring and irreparable blight on the eastern skyline, lasting for untold generations. The new designs are far more interesting; for one they no longer looks like a five year old created them. And just as important is the new variation in heights, it's about time someone said NO to plateau skylines!

This is everything that I wanted, it's like they read my damn mind. Now I can rest in peace when I pass instead of rolling in my grave 🥹
Click to expand...
Trapezoidal prisms are more interesting than a boxes. These appear slimmer point towers too. However, this could be three identical tall trapezoidal prisms with the 25 metre separation feeling a lot less based on their positioning. It could end up just as boring in the skyline with greater feeling of an uninterrupted wall of condos. The drawing two posts above puts it all into perspective.
 
SkylineHorizons said:
YES! YES!! YES!!!!!

These buildings were absolute trash before! They would have become an incredibly boring and irreparable blight on the eastern skyline, lasting for untold generations. The new designs are far more interesting; for one they no longer looks like a five year old created them. And just as important is the new variation in heights, it's about time someone said NO to plateau skylines!

This is everything that I wanted, it's like they read my damn mind. Now I can rest in peace when I pass instead of rolling in my grave 🥹
Click to expand...
It’s like we had the same damn minds 😄
I also love slight height decrease, it will eventually make Pinnacle OY truly stand out. It wouldn’t make that effect if the tallest tower would be surrounded by another tall towers.

P.S. I also wish 19 Bloor West gets lower to let The One stand out in Skyline
 
Paclo said:
The database stats have been updated to reflect the Minor Variance application.
Renderings currently in the database reflect the previous design.
No CoA hearing date has been set at this time.
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Minor variance? They’re radically altering the design and layout of the towers, goodness….
 
UtakataNoAnnex said:
Minor variance? They’re radically altering the design and layout of the towers, goodness….
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Agreed, this is a big change. All explained in the front page story.

urbantoronto.ca

Minor Variance for Sugar Wharf Phase 2 Comes With Major Changes | UrbanToronto

Menkes Developments has submitted a minor variance application for Sugar Wharf Condominiums Phase 2 on the historic LCBO lands in Toronto's South Core. Designed by architects—Alliance, the revised proposal seeks to reduce the planned heights from a maximum of 90 to 85 storeys.
urbantoronto.ca urbantoronto.ca

42
 
Don't get too excited. Just because the 3 towers are no longer rectangular doesn't mean they're going to be interesting. The 2 existing towers are also trapezoidal, but they're as monolithic as other elongated boxes, mitigated by their balcony patterns (which only look good from afar IMO). I hope the new design won't be yet another variation of these patterns (see also Canada House), which are becoming a cliche on our skyline.
 
interchange42 said:
Agreed, this is a big change. All explained in the front page story.

urbantoronto.ca

Minor Variance for Sugar Wharf Phase 2 Comes With Major Changes | UrbanToronto

Menkes Developments has submitted a minor variance application for Sugar Wharf Condominiums Phase 2 on the historic LCBO lands in Toronto's South Core. Designed by architects—Alliance, the revised proposal seeks to reduce the planned heights from a maximum of 90 to 85 storeys.
urbantoronto.ca urbantoronto.ca

42
Click to expand...
The best reply to my UT ponderings is when Mr. 42 replies with an entire front page story! Sweet!! <3
 
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