One of Toronto’s most anticipated office developments inched closer to reality last month, when Oxford Properties submitted its Site Plan Approval application for The HUB. The move follows last summer’s Zoning Bylaw Amendment (ZBA) approval by City Council for the project, and refines a number of details for the building’s final form. The height, materials, and some design elements have been clarified in this latest submission, reflecting exactly what the developer intends to build. The submission of this Site Plan Application may be indicative of the leasing process for the tower, as specific elements are being adjusted from the rezoning process to meet the needs of prospective tenants. 

Looking north-west to two variations of The HUB, images via submission to the City of Toronto

The most notable change relates to the height of the Rogers Stirk Harbour-designed building; dropping from the 60-storey height approved in the ZBA phase, the site plan now only calls for 57 storeys. As the new proposed height is less than the density allowable by the City, this decision is possibly an economic one by Oxford, looking to bring its approvals in line with the pre-leasing process. This now results in a height of 258 metres to the top of the structure, or 304 metres to the top of the lightning rod. 

The lightning rod itself has also been altered. Previously featuring an ‘H’ shaped design, with two vertical spires intersected by a rectangular box, the crown is now more akin to an upside down ‘Y’; with four prongs reaching up to the rectangular box (which is now more square shaped), and a single spire above. Given that this is the first time the spire has been altered in the planning process for the tower, the design change could potentially be at the request of an anchor tenant, who may have their signage incorporated into this design element. 

Two variations of the spire plan at The HUB, images via submission to the City of Toronto

The ground floor lobby has also been altered in the latest revision. The multi-colour cladding on the elevator cores have seen the coloured elements shifted only to the interior hallways of the core, rather than fully wrapping around as has been seen in previous submissions. Whereas the colour would previously have been a prominent element in the building's ground realm expression, it has been substantially dusted in the new design.

Overview of the lobby floorplate at The HUB, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Material selections have been clarified for the building's exterior cladding. Clad in a curtainwall system, the tower's defining vertical bands would be clad with precast concrete segments. Metal louvres, articulated aluminum panels and a stainless steel canopy will frame the entrances at grade. 

You can learn more about The HUB from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided on this page.

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