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It's time to look back on the last month of activity on UrbanToronto, checking in on the busiest threads, the most consulted database files, and the buzziest news stories, which we'll dive into first!
While the rate of new development applications was comparatively low based on the Toronto's historic averages, the month of December was still an active one for construction and development as the city closed out a big year. With a suite of marquee projects being built and a handful of exciting new infrastructure projects focussed on the Toronto waterfront, the news cycle remained busy as ever.
Our Top 10 Most Read News Stories:
To open up our Top 10 News Stories of December list, we are starting with number 11, a story investigating the contentious spa and wellness centre proposal at the heart of the redevelopment plans for Ontario Place. The glass structure from Therme Group would become a year round paid attraction that hopes to welcome 5 million visitors a year, but with a resoundingly negative reception of the plans from the public, the new year is set to be full of challenges in the process of the privatization of Ontario Place.
11. Unpacking Therme Group's Spa Attraction at Ontario Place
The future of Ontario Place was a popular topic on UrbanToronto last month, with three of our four news stories covering the redevelopment plans earning spots in the top 15. Meanwhile, construction update stories generally captured the attention of our readers as news from the planning sector saw a slower-than-usual month, with coverage of CIBC SQUARE, St Lawrence Market North, and The One filling out the Top 10 list… but it was a Quayside planning story that earned December's top spot as an agreement advanced the development of the new waterfront community.
10. Work Transforming Lower Don Lands as Redevelopment Continues
9. Expansion of Budweiser Stage in the Works as Ontario Place Taps Private Partners
8. Exterior Close to Complete at St Lawrence Market North While Interiors Advance
7. Tower Proposed by Skale Developments on Bayview north of Eglinton
6. How Steel Bracing Will Support CIBC SQUARE's North Tower
5. Changes to Public Realm Proposed as Part of Ontario Place Redevelopment Plan
4. Three Levels of Government Invest in Expansion of Bloor-Yonge TTC Station
3. End of 2022: The One Rises 18 Storeys, First Mechanical Section Being Formed
2. Proposed Tower on Jarvis Significantly Increases in Size with Redesign
1. Waterfront Toronto Finalizes Quayside Agreement with Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf
Our Top 10 Most Searched Database Files:
Beginning the list of Most Searched Database Files at number 14, we have a newcomer to the often tough-to-crack group, a 60-storey high-rise residential proposal at 295 Jarvis just north of Carlton. After an initial proposal in 2018, the project resurfaced last month with a revamped IBI Group design that saw a dramatic height increase, lifting the proposing tower from 36 storeys.
As for the Top 10 proper, the usual minor shuffling of spots took place but aside from just two projects, the core remained generally the same. The second phase of Menkes' Sugar Wharf development broke into the top 10 for the first time as site preperation got underway on the Lake Shore Boulevard East site, while Nobu Residences climbed its way back onto the list, earning the 6th spot. The impending supertalls, meanwhile, did what they do best, and wowed their beholders, with Pinnacle One Yonge reclaiming the second spot behind The One.
10. Sugar Wharf Condominiums (Phase 1)
8. Sugar Wharf Condominiums (Phase 2)
7. 8 Elm
5. CIBC SQUARE
3. The Well
1. The One
Our Top 10 Busiest Threads:
Finally, in the Top 10 Busiest Threads group, our list begins with a pair of threads that ranked at number 11 and 12. Both pertaining to the ongoing efforts of Metrolinx and their improvements to GO Transit; the Davenport Diamond grade separation specifically in one thread, and various GO construction projects in a grab-bag thread saw high engagement as transit remains a focal point in the evolution of the City.
11. GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx Various)
12. GO Transit: Davenport Diamond Grade Separation
The transit craze also carried over to the Top 10 list with both the Crosstown LRT and the Ontario Line claiming the 5th and 6th spots respectively. While the timeline for the completion of the Crosstown line is still muddy, things are starting to ramp up for the Ontario Line, which promises to be a recurring presence in this list for months to come.
9. Sugar Wharf Condominiums (Phase 1)
8. Forma
6. Ontario Line
4. CIBC SQUARE
3. The Well
1. The One
We will be back at the beginning of February for a recap of January's top news stories, Database files, and Forum threads!
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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.
