innsertnamehere
Superstar
Any building must be approved by the design review panel before moving forward, regardless of whether the density has been approved yet. The DRP has the capability to deny a project approval.
Toronto Union Park | 303.26m | 58s | Oxford Properties | Pelli Clarke Pelli
- Thread starter Conrad Black
- Start date
sixrings
Senior Member
Its simcoe and front. The building on the right is simcoe place with the lonestar grill. If this and mirvish happened this area would be one crazy place visually.
yyzer
Senior Member
Enviro, I suppose that Oxford and Foster could in theory pull a bait and switch, but then again, they could in theory also actually deliver what they promise - so why dwell on the negative possibilities, when we are so early in the process?
EnviroTO
Senior Member
So design is controlled in the zoning by-laws now? For so long everyone was looking to Vancouver as a model.
Peepers
Banned
I read some of the presentation made by the Las Vegas Sands COO to the board of trade and an interesting number that jumped out was the fact that currently Toronto is in 67th. place in world rankings on the Convention circuit. Not very good for a city that likes to think of itself as "world class".
A key part of the LVS plan is a revamped Convention Centre that would attract many more major conventions than we currently get. I believe last year there was only one mega convention in the city - the Microsoft Corporate Partner conference which brought 15,000 delegates to the city. Imagine how much money these 15,000 delegates - all with large expense accounts - pumped into the city? Large scale conference like this are few and far between for Toronto and this is exactly why it is so important to develop a world class attraction as is being proposed by LVS - over top of a revamped convention centre. Logically this is the only place to put a casino.
A key part of the LVS plan is a revamped Convention Centre that would attract many more major conventions than we currently get. I believe last year there was only one mega convention in the city - the Microsoft Corporate Partner conference which brought 15,000 delegates to the city. Imagine how much money these 15,000 delegates - all with large expense accounts - pumped into the city? Large scale conference like this are few and far between for Toronto and this is exactly why it is so important to develop a world class attraction as is being proposed by LVS - over top of a revamped convention centre. Logically this is the only place to put a casino.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
Agreed, this is the only place that I could support one. A location like exhibition place would do nothing but create an isolated casino that sucks people in and doesn't let them out. A casino like the one proposed by Oxford would be an amazing addition and attract many more major conventions, and bring much more business to the downtown core.
fedplanner
Active Member
fouronesix
Active Member
Not true. The design review panel provides design advice that informs planning staff's final report to Council.
From the City of Toronto DRP website:
"The Design Review Panel is set up as an advisory body to City staff, and takes place as an additional stream of consultation within the existing framework of development review. Advice from the Panel is focused on matters of design that affect the public realm. The process of design review does not affect approval timelines, and the process of community input and the role of Council to approve development remain unchanged."
You could argue that Council could approve or refuse a by-law amendment based on the advice of the DRP, or even that the OMB may take the DRP's position into consideration, but to say that the DRP "approves" development is the same as arguing that planning staff approve development, when really they only make a recommendation to Council.
SP!RE
°°°°°°
Where on Earth are you getting that information? The DRP is a voluntary process that explicitly does not affect project timelines or approvals.
Last edited:
Critique
Active Member
Oh WOW! Love that podium on the very last picture...you would think that the twins would deserve a better podium rather than that one on the second pic.
And can please tell me what that building is on the first picture along Front street right past the twins?? That twoer looks gorgeous but I dont recall one like that in other renders. Is that supposed to be the hotel??? THAT looks better than the twins themselves! Just WOW.
And can please tell me what that building is on the first picture along Front street right past the twins?? That twoer looks gorgeous but I dont recall one like that in other renders. Is that supposed to be the hotel??? THAT looks better than the twins themselves! Just WOW.
ttk77
Senior Member
This is one project that I really want to happen. The twin towers are beauties.
Those renders are stunning, and I love the way the twin towers float above the podium like that. If a casino is the price to pay for architecture of that quality, in that spot, then I'm willing to pay it.
sentinel
Active Member
That IS the hotel. The old design was a placeholder.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
I wonder how much personal involvement Foster has in the design. In any case, the renderings are definitely a very strong sell to me.
The extensive use of curved glass for the casino/hotel portion is shocking - almost like they took a page out of the Apple UFO project at Cupertino. Another observation - just where is the core for the office tower? The renderings made it look as it the tower is suspended above a giant atrium and supported at the periphery only (which was a technique used only in some of the most signature of all the Foster projects - e.g. HSBC HQ, Commerzbank)
AoD
The extensive use of curved glass for the casino/hotel portion is shocking - almost like they took a page out of the Apple UFO project at Cupertino. Another observation - just where is the core for the office tower? The renderings made it look as it the tower is suspended above a giant atrium and supported at the periphery only (which was a technique used only in some of the most signature of all the Foster projects - e.g. HSBC HQ, Commerzbank)
AoD
Last edited:
Grimace
Active Member
I think the twin towers look great but it remains unclear from the renders whether anything is happening along Front Street. Despite all the render people, it looks distinctly possible that Front Street would remain a blank face with a few big entrances to the mall. They don't even show patios for restaurants/cafes at the back facing the park. It would be nice if this was designed to offer some street/outdoor life and not just to suck everyone indoors. 6 or 7months of the year it can be nice here, with climate change maybe more!
As much as I like the Foster towers this is just a nice looking mega mall, and I only go to those around Christmas.
As much as I like the Foster towers this is just a nice looking mega mall, and I only go to those around Christmas.
Filip
Senior Member
My eyes have exploded.
Wow.
I can't wait Adam-no-fun-Vaughan to poopoo all over this. A casino is a very small price to pay for the absolute renewal of a shabby part of downtown.
Wow.
I can't wait Adam-no-fun-Vaughan to poopoo all over this. A casino is a very small price to pay for the absolute renewal of a shabby part of downtown.