Plans have been resubmitted to the City Planning Department for Alaska Condos, a mid-rise condominium development proposed by developer Bianca Pollak for the corner of Yonge Street and Strathgowan Avenue, a few blocks south of Lawrence Avenue. Revised plans show the evolution of the building's design, by Will Alsop of ALL Design of London, England with Quadrangle Architects of Toronto. The most notable change is the removal of a 3-storey cantilevered top projecting out over the curved west façade, as well as the re-envisioning of the building's envelope.

Alaska Condos viewed from the south on Yonge, image courtesy of Quadrangle/Alsop

The new renderings depict a unique cladding system, utilizing glass louvers to convert whole rooms into indoor-outdoor spaces.

Indoor-outdoor balconies at Alaska Condos, image courtesy of Quadrangle/Alsop

In the image below, horizontal dashes of pastel coloured fritted glazing adds a playful touch, further accented with bright balcony railings painted a full spectrum of colours.

Indoor-outdoor balconies at Alaska Condos, image courtesy of Quadrangle/Alsop

Alaska's western elevation steps back with a series of terraces, all featuring the same colourful balcony railings seen in the images above.

Alaska viewed from the east on Strathgowan, image courtesy of Quadrangle/Alsop

The stretch of Yonge Street that Alaska is proposed to be built on is identified as an Avenue in the City's Official Plan, which encourages mid-rise growth along our city's major pedestrian and retail thoroughfares. 

Alaska Condos viewed from the south on Yonge, image courtesy of Quadrangle/Alsop

For comparison, we include a rendering of the original proposal which featured the cantilevered upper section and a different exterior treatment. It was this very white design which suggested glaciers of snow and ice and the name Alaska. It is unclear if the name will change or not with the redesign.

Original proposal for Alaska Condos, image courtesy of Quadrangle/Alsop

We have additional renderings of the revised design, as well as the earlier design in our dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Related Companies:  BDP Quadrangle, II BY IV DESIGN, Janet Rosenberg & Studio