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After an exciting period of voting over the holidays, the results of UrbanToronto's 9th annual Year-End Reader's Poll — brought to you this year by MEP DESIGN: Landscape Architects — are in! Much like the year 2022 itself, the class of construction projects completed over the last 12 months certainly showed some flashes of greatness, but could be more generally described as a mixed bag that was, in the end, rather average (so... right on brand for Toronto!). After a record breaking year in 2021 that saw a total of 72 projects listed as eligible for best-of-the-year honours, respondents had a much slimmer selection this year, despite expanding to include GTA projects beyond the 416 this year. Nevertheless, votes were cast, and champions were crowned! Here are the winners of the 2022 Year-End Reader's Poll.
6-9 Storeys (11 Entries):
The low-to-mid-rise group was markedly smaller this year despite being the most attainable typology in terms of construction… but no new building in the category was able to hold a match to the well-received renovation and expansion of a beloved landmark. Located firmly in Downtown Toronto, and holding a special place in the hearts of many as an iconic entertainment venue of great cultural heritage, the KPMB Architects-designed Massey Hall Revitalization was an ambitious heritage preservation project that succeeded in restoring many of the building's defining features while making the necessary improvements to modernize the systems for future enjoyment, and adding a new tower at the south end to expand programming.
1. Massey Hall Revitalization (37.14%)
2. Bianca Condos (22.42%)
3. The Laundry Rooms (15.60%)
Tied for the last place spot, Canvas on the Rouge and Amica Pickering secured a marginal 1.32% of votes, earning little praise for their designs.
T11. Canvas on the Rouge (1.32%)
T11. Amica Pickering (1.32%)
10-19 Storeys (15 Entries):
Despite being pitted against the largest group of projects, the winner of the 10-19 storey secured the victory with almost four times the votes of the nearest runner up. The Ace Hotel, designed by Shim-Sutcliffe, was probably the predictable winner of the group the start, with an impressive and formally complex lobby bar providing just enough flair for an otherwise minimal tower, but with the Waterworks building in the group as well, the votes could have gone either way. It looks like we will have to wait for the opening of the food hall to fully experience what the Waterworks has to offer.
1. Ace Hotel (39.56%)
2. Waterworks Building Redevelopment (11.21%)
3. 65 King St East (10.99%)
At the bottom of the group, taking the title of the only project on the list of 45 nominees to score zero votes, we have The Cardiff. Whether it was the competitive group or the extensive use of window wall that killed the Cardiff's chances is unclear, but at least it can celebrate the fact that the Eglinton Avenue East condo was completed and added to the city's housing stock.
15. The Cardiff (0.00%)
20-29 Storeys (8 Entries):
In the 20-29 Storey group, the winning project secured the most resounding vote of any winner it its group, amassing an impressive 45.27% of the total votes. Benefitting from a design that was both clean and yet had plenty of character, the 29-storey tower shone among the medium-scale towers of the year, reaffirming the role of architects—Alliance as one of the leading firms in multi-family residential and mixed-use design.
1. 75 on the Esplanade (45.27%)
2. Liberty Market Tower (18.46%)
3. 2Fifteen (13.19%)
On the bottom end of the group, another GTA project, Erin Square Condos, failed to earn a full percentage point. The twin 21-storey towers in Mississauga apparently did nothing to rock the boat design wise.
8. Erin Square Condos (0.88%)
30-39 Storeys (7 Entries):
Developers Fitzrovia sought to curate the highest form of rental living with their 39-storey development dubbed, The Parker, and clearly their efforts resonated with the voters this year as the Graziani + Corazza Architects project won the top spot among a closely ranked top three. Ultimately, it was the simple — but classic — massing and detail of The Parker that probably won the vote against the more formally ambitious Azura Condos, while Scotiabank North Tower's position in third place demonstrated that minimalist curtainwall can still impress some as a go-to finish for office towers.
1. The Parker (26.15%)
2. Azura Condos (20.00%)
3. Scotiabank North Tower at Bay Adelaide Centre (18.24%)
The race for last place in this category was even closer than the race for first in this 7-project group, resulting in a draw between The Diamond Condominiums and Mississauga Square, which simply failed to sway voters.
T7. The Diamond Condominiums (5.27%)
T7. Mississauga Square (5.27%)
40+ Storeys (4 Entries):
Finally, in the tallest height class of the poll, we also saw the closest finish with both of the 2-tower nominees separated by a margin of less than 3%. The victory of architects—Alliance-designed TeaHouse 501 Yonge Condominiums against Via Bloor, another of architects—Alliance's designs, might indicate that size does matter in a city like Toronto, with the first place spot being awarded to the tallest of the group. Beyond height though, a dynamic curved elevation on the shorter tower may have actually been the factor tipping the scales in TeaHouse's favour.
1. TeaHouse 501 Yonge Condominiums (39.78%)
2. Via Bloor (37.36%)
3. The Gloucester on Yonge (11.87%)
At the bottom of the group, we have Cumberland at Yorkville Plaza. Standing at 40-storeys, the tower was the shortest in this group, but we'll let you decide for yourself if that's just a coincidence and if there were other factors.
4. Cumberland at Yorkville Plaza (10.99%)
That's it for the results of the 2022 Year-End Reader's Poll. If you want to catch a preview of what might be on the list next year, be sure to keep an eye out for our monthly topping off stories that report on the hottest projects of each month! Until then, you can learn more about each project by visiting the database files below and, if you like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated forum thread.
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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
