Toronto Union Park | 303.26m | 58s | Oxford Properties | Pelli Clarke Pelli

What buildings will all be demolished? Intercontinental hotel, Metro Convention, 277 Front st. Any others?
 
There's an RBC Tower on the south of front opposite 300 Front Street West

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and this building as well

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I'm glad none of these buildings were built in the early 19th century, other wise we'd have another Mirvish+Gehry thread. My main concern is a lot of jobs will be lost, unless the office/hotel workers can be relocated to other offices or other Intercontinental hotel. I know the Casino will bring a lot of jobs to the city. I'm guessing that will be a good 4 years or more away, if it gets approved.
 
Re: completion date.

No way this thing starts in 2014. The political haggling over whether to even build a casino will likely carry to the end of this year. Then there's the competition to determine who gets to build it. Then actually obtaining necessary approvals and permits.

Plus there's the whole change in premier that could throw a wrench into everything. I'd be very surprised if this is anywhere near completion by 2020 (if ever).
 
The renderings look amazing. With this development, we'll be seeing a massive improvement of our built form and impressive things like decking over the railway corridor that were never even officially discussed before (except for the unacceptable proposal in the 1970s that included demolishing Union Station), without sacrificing grand theatres and irreplaceable architecture of the past. The Mirvish development shouldn't go forward in its current form. This project should. The city should do everything it can to save the heritage buildings on the Mirvish block and to help this development go forward to Foster + Partner's design.
 
That's the spirit!

If demolishing the existing buildings is a pre-requisite for full scale re-development, then there's no reason why some of the work couldn't begin later this year even. When that occurs (especially removing the existing above ground elements of the MTCC) then I believe it will be full steam ahead. The site is far too valuable to allow it to sit in limbo for any length of time.
The city's image is on the line also.
 
DarkSideDenizen said:
The city's image is on the line also.
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And if these plans are never realized, then what happens? Toronto remains an awesome city. The buildings are still functional, valuable, revenue generating properties. They're not the prettiest to look at or most engaging to walk by, but neither are they offensive or a blight. If a casino doesn't get approved for this location, it wouldn't preclude a different redevelopment scheme from happening in the future.
 
marcus_a_j said:
And if these plans are never realized, then what happens? Toronto remains an awesome city. The buildings are still functional, valuable, revenue generating properties. They're not the prettiest to look at or most engaging to walk by, but neither are they offensive or a blight. If a casino doesn't get approved for this location, it wouldn't preclude a different redevelopment scheme from happening in the future.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying that the casino is vital as I believe the site is worthy of a world-class development regardless of the casino "hitch." I am saying however, that once the properties are sold, whomever develops the site won't waste a lot of time before getting something moving.

Many cities have had their reputations, development planning boards, and even their motives, questioned due to the lack of, or their slow-pace, action at a key site. This can hurt a city's image and economy in many many ways, including ways we don't fully understand and/or through negative consequences that take decades to materialize.
 
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According to the Toronto Star, the latest poll of Councillors is a flat no to a casino. That is for decided voters. Unless there is a massive turnout of pro casino people in the next month, this isn't going to happen anyway.
 
bmiller said:
According to the Toronto Star, the latest poll of Councillors is a flat no to a casino. That is for decided voters. Unless there is a massive turnout of pro casino people in the next month, this isn't going to happen anyway.
Click to expand...

Hahaha, who did that poll? hopefully not the Star, that has pretty well been dead wrong on all current municipal predictions and polls:D
 
DarkSideDenizen said:
I am saying however, that once the properties are sold, whomever develops the site won't waste a lot of time before getting something moving.
Click to expand...

No matter what the outcome of the casino decision, I doubt that these properties would go up for sale. Oxford Development has spent a time, and a lot of money to assemble the site - south side of Front from Simcoe all the way to Blue Jays Way. Oxford is the property development arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System - investors who are looking for stable returns over the long haul, not looking to do a quick flip. It would take an incredibly rich offer from another party to induce Oxford to turn over this site. Not to speak of the amount of effort and involvement in the planning process to date for the redevelopment.
 
Front street is gonna be completely transformed when these buildings are finally levelled (demolition). Talk about a HUGE strip of the city just empty and eventually becoming a construction zone! ground zero. but beautiful view of the CN tower for pedestrians thats for sure.
I'm sure the Ritz residents won't be happy. massive demolition, excavation, and construction for years to come. and the Ritz will be DWARFED out of proportion, not to mention, immediately north, 3 more massive towers will be going up at the same time.
the view from that park below Metro Hall will be impressive.

I remember hearing that the upper floors of the office towers would be residential. Looking forward to hearing more details on these units that's for sure...
 
Considering that parks/greenspace is constantly talked about by many here on UT, im surprised no one is drooling over the possibility of 1600 east/west feet of decking/park over the rail corridor connecting the waterfront.....Strange:confused:, my guess is that people that like more, parkland, city squares, fountains, etc.
just dont like the fact of the Casino component here...oh well
http://oxfordplace.ca/OxfordPlaceDevelopment.pdf
 
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