Toronto Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto | Perkins&Will

Although I liked the spirit of the article, it didn't provide much news. What is the next step? When will we see shovels in the ground? Will Old City Hall be incorporated into the new paving theme as has been mentioned on and off?
 
True - not a lot of "hard" news in the article but it is exciting that this will be completed in only two years by 2012.
 
I have to say the City did a horrible job of marketing the project and keeping citizens abreast of what the plans are - tapping into and building on the public interest on projects that affect the public realm is a glaring weakness on the part of the city in general. If one is going to spend public money, shouldn't there be at least some attempt to tell us what one is doing with it? I am not suggesting that it turns into an exercise in propaganda and chest beating, but something to sort of engage the public and encouarge them to do their part. If we, who are more or less trained to be digging up project information couldn't find much beyond what's in the press, hearsay, odd report here and there - you bet the general public don't know anything about it - and that's a shame.

Oh and the project is funded by City according to the 2010 Capital Budget:

Revitalize Nathan Phillips Square (2010 $7.009 million, 2010 - 2012 $28.258 million)
From http://www.toronto.ca/budget2010/pdf/presentation_cap2010_council_final.pdf

AoD
 
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Yes, we really need to improve the marketing of important public space improvements. General indifference or even frustration with public space improvements will only encourage neglect. It's not healthy for a city to have public spaces look dumpy and deteriorated. In the long term it will discourage people from living here or visiting the city.
 
I found Joe Pantalone on College Street yesterday and after a little chat about his Mayor's bid, the Strachan avenue underpass and the Fort York bridge, I asked him about this project. While he's not fully aware of the exact time (it's not his ward), he knows that a significant portion of the renovation will begin this spring. Also, from the most recent plans he's seen, this included redoing Bay street sidewalks on both sides so Old City Hall is indeed incorporated into this project.
 
Thanks for the update MetroMan. Did you ask him whether there any are scope changes? The budget seem to be a bit low for what they're proposing, so I was wondering if anything got dropped from the scheme.

One can only wish this revitalization plan is tied into a broader vision for the district - the area is ripe for a treatment like Bloor Street. I hope they're going to tear down the walkway to Sheraton as well, which along with the elevated link between EC and the Bay stands as some of the worst bits of visual pollution in the area.

That, and the on street parking ramp at Sheraton.

AoD
 
AoD, we didn't talk a lot about chronology details and I don't think he knew of much. He was obviously very informed and keen to share information about the Strachan and Fort York projects (both going ahead this year) but only offered superficial information about this NPS project.

My informed guess is that the budget for 2010 includes the redevelopment of the Queen St. plaza and the sidewalks around the square and on Bay St.

The bigger budget items such as the stage/steps, restaurants, walkways seem to be reserved for 2011 and 2012.
 
Nathan Phillips Square and other projects from the 52nd floor of FCP. i particularly enjoy how X looks from here. please excuse the poor quality photo.

4436484297_15ee7ac8c5_b.jpg
 
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I had to squint, but City Hall's green roof is looking great! There's supposed to be an outdoor café on the south east corner of the roof. I wonder if they'll have it up in time for this spring. It looks like the space is there.
 
Thanks for posting -- I'm eagerly anticipating this project, and very excited to see it opening this summer.

It's a bit hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like they've started up some work again recently. Any reports on activity?

- J.
 
Is this project going forward? I thought it was on hold indefinitely until the city can find money to pay for the renovations. Who is paying for the renovations then?
 
That shot of NPS reminded me of one from The Toronto Archives posted over at the Then & Now thread. It was taken from The TD Tower, I'm guessing around Spring 1968. It's fun to compare it to the recent aerial shot showing the green roof.
 

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My how things have changed in over 40 years. Toronto looks like a tiny baby city in 1968, and now we've matured to a raging teenager status, an emerging metropolis.

I'm very glad the NPS reno is going through. Are they starting construction this year?
 
News on the opening of the City Hall Podium Green Roof garden, from a press release on Doors Open Toronto.

>The City Hall Podium Green Roof will re-open as the city's largest publicly accessible green roof on the Doors Open Toronto weekend. New landscaped gardens, a courtyard framing the Council Chamber, a podium terrace, and new walkways provide unique views from this urban oasis in the heart of the city.

Can't wait!

- J.

**

News Release

March 25, 2010

11th annual Doors Open Toronto will unlock the city’s architecture on May 29 and 30

Doors Open Toronto, the popular annual citywide celebration featuring free access to architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings, is back for its 11th year. This year’s Doors Open Toronto will be held on May 29 and 30.

In recognition of heightened public awareness of architecture and the architects who have shaped this city, Doors Open Toronto is going back to its roots: architecture is the theme and central focus in 2010. The 150 buildings will highlight their unique architectural features and stories providing an authentic urban adventure that celebrates Toronto’s architectural excellence from urban to suburban, blockhouses to bank towers.

Doors Open Toronto programs and locations for 2010 include:

Ask an Architect: Two new programs add the expertise of architects to the visitor experience at more than a dozen locations. Ask an Architect @ their Building and Ask an Architect @ their Office engage architects as on-site hosts at venues they designed as well as at the offices of Diamond and Schmitt Architects, du Toit Allsopp Hillier/ du Toit Architects Limited, Farrow Partnership Architects, Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd., Kasian Architects, Stantec, Taylor Smyth Architects, Zeidler Office and others.

Launch of Architecture Walks: The Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) will launch two Guided Architecture Walking Tours on the Doors Open Toronto weekend. One tour will highlight the architecture of the city’s recent “cultural renaissance†while the second features the historic to modern buildings of the financial district. These tours, developed by the TSA, will include in-depth information about the unique design features, building challenges and urban context for some of Toronto’s most iconic buildings. Trained volunteers with knowledge and passion for architecture will lead all tours. Following the launch, paid tours will be offered weekly from June through September.

Green and Sustainable Projects: Toronto is an international leader in innovative green and sustainable building projects. The City Hall Podium Green Roof will re-open as the city's largest publicly accessible green roof on the Doors Open Toronto weekend. New landscaped gardens, a courtyard framing the Council Chamber, a podium terrace, and new walkways provide unique views from this urban oasis in the heart of the city. Residents and tourists can also tour Cabbagetown’s Hugh Garner Housing Co-operative Inc. - Green Roof; the largest residential green roof in Canada (on completion), featuring a “wild†garden, storm water retention system and photovoltaic panels. In the heart of the Don Valley, visit the Evergreen Brick Works, recently selected as one of the world’s Top 10 destinations for sustainable travel by National Geographic Traveler.

Toronto’s Transportation Heritage: Toronto's railway heritage gets on track at the John Street Roundhouse and Park with the opening of the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre. Highlights include a heritage steam locomotive and cars alongside a functioning interlocking tower, the fully restored historic Don Station and a miniature railway traversing the park. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Trillium, Toronto's legendary island ferry boat still operating in the Toronto Bay. Rehabilitated in Port Colborne in 1974-75, the vessel is the last side-wheeler paddle steamer operating in North America. It will be moored both days at the water’s edge in Harbour Square Park (west of the Toronto Island Ferry Docks).

University of Toronto: On Saturday, May 29, University of Toronto Scarborough College will feature six buildings on its beautiful campus; from the original 1965 John Andrews Buildings, a massive, poured-concrete, linear structure that stretches for a kilometre along the rim of Highland Creek valley, to the new Science Research Building by Moriyama Teshima Architects (2008). Four other buildings feature work by some of Canada’s leading architects including: Joan Foley Hall by Baird Sampson Neuert/ Montgomery Sisam Associates (2003); Management Building by Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects Inc. (2004); Student Centre by Dunlop Architects (2004); and the Arts & Administration Building by Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. (2005). A St. George campus highlight is the newly restored and renovated home of Regis College in the former Christie House, a late Victorian Mansion situated on Queen’s Park Circle East.

Doors Open Toronto is produced by the City of Toronto and sponsored by the Toronto Star. Media sponsor: Citytv. Program Sponsor: Woodcliffe. Program Partners: Indigo Books and Music Inc. and Toronto Society of Architects. The complete “Buildings to Visit†information will be available as of May 1 at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen and the official Program Guide will be published in the Toronto Star on May 27. Media can obtain high-resolution images of Doors Open Toronto locations upon request.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

- 30 -

Media contacts:
Shane Gerard, Senior Promotions & Communications Coordinator, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca
Jane French, Project Manager, Doors Open Toronto, Museum Services, Cultural Services, 416-338-0496, jfrench@toronto.ca
 
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