I couldn't find a thread for The West Don Lands, so I started this one. If there already is a thread for it, please move this over. (thanks mods)

The west Don Lands seems to not change much but that should all be changing very soon. Right now it looks like this.http://www.youtube.com/watch?aFePRZ8GUMs[/QUOTE]

What used to be in the west don lands back in the day? Or has it always been undeveloped?

What used to be in the west don lands back in the day? Or has it always been undeveloped?

From Wikipedia:


The region was originally a large city park in the old city of York. It was sold off to private developers in the 1830s to finance the construction of a new city hospital. By the late nineteenth century it was part of the Corktown community which was home to working class Irish immigrants. Most of the land was industrial or owned by the railways, and it became the site of an array of factories and warehouses, including one of the largest pork processing facilities in the world.

Deindustrialization of the 1970s saw most of the land abandoned. In 1987 the area was expropriated by the provincial government at the urging of Toronto mayor Art Eggleton. The city proposed creating a new community of 14,000 called Ataratiri to solve Toronto's pressing subsidized housing crisis. The Ataratiri project was to have consisted of a mix of subsidized and market priced housing, similar to the development of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood further west. The name for the project was taken from the Huron word for "supported by clay" in reference to the clay soil of the area. After investing a considerable amount of money purchasing and clearing the site, the project eventually failed to attract private investors. The industrial history meant the soil was highly polluted and needed expensive cleanup before any residents could live there. The risk of flooding from the Don River also required a flood barrier to be erected. By 1992 the city and province had already invested some $350 million, and new estimates put the final cost at more than a billion more. The real estate market had also collapsed, making any private investment unlikely. The new provincial government of Bob Rae thus decided to cancel the project in 1992. Since then the land has sat deserted.

A number of plans were advanced for the land. For a time the provincial government considered selling it to a developer who wanted to build a harness racing facility, but local opposition put a halt to it. The lands were also have been a central part of Toronto's bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2001, Mike Harris pushed for a complete redevelopment of Toronto's waterfront, but mayor Mel Lastman objected to the idea of removing parts of the Gardiner Expressway. During Lastman's six years in office no progress was made on redeveloping the site.

Some time ago I started a thread about the West Don Lands in the General Urban Development section:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=982936
From time to time I will post some pictures.

When are things gonna really get moving here?

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I filmed a bit of the new condo construction on King Street E, in Corktown, by Streetcar Developments.

Good progress, thanks for keeping us updated.

Finally, I'm seeing a building going up in the West Don Lands. The Don River Park Pavillion is being built. It looks pretty big for a pavillion. I'll try to get a video or pic next time I'm near there. (If it's not too cold)

I see it as well from the GO train in the morning. Some steel frames are being erected.

The tall Hydro lines that run along the eastern edge of the project should be coming down soon. They've completed burrying the lines now.

Don River Park Pavillion.

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Thanks, Molly, for keeping us up to date on this one! Waaay too cold for me to get out there by bike.

Thanks, Molly, for keeping us up to date on this one! Waaay too cold for me to get out there by bike.

I agree with you there. Funny thing is, I was walking by Sherbourne Common Park, around 9:30pm and there were 3 brave souls skating on the rink. It was damned cold, so I was surprised to see people skating there on a Wed night.

I can't believe this will be a whole new neighbourhood and ready for the Pan-Am Games by 1015. That's not much time. When I film this area, I can't help but think about all the possibilities. The Underpass Park area looks like it could be interesting. I like The Don River Park Pavillion, from what I can see. It looks nice and spacious.

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my father might be doing the surveying for this whole area. if i'm lucky i might manage to get some pics of his drawings ;)

2 shots from yesterday:

http://i56.tinypic.com/28bfvno.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/zmmdrk.jpg

I was passing by the area today... Too bad I didn't have a camera. Although the main part of the West Don Lands didn't change much (although they have planted a few trees in the park area), there was a big improvement at the Underpass Park. Some of the concrete floors have been already done as well as a few benches and some other "street furniture". I will try to take some pics next time I go over there.

Ps. It looks like nothing is going on on the River City construction. Is it just slow, or is the project on hold?

I was passing by the area today... Too bad I didn't have a camera. Although the main part of the West Don Lands didn't change much (although they have planted a few trees in the park area), there was a big improvement at the Underpass Park. Some of the concrete floors have been already done as well as a few benches and some other "street furniture". I will try to take some pics next time I go over there.

Ps. It looks like nothing is going on on the River City construction. Is it just slow, or is the project on hold?

I noticed some boring equiptment on site today, maybe they've started? Also they should be removing those hydro towers soon as they have finished with the burried lines.

Progress in the Underpass Park:
http://i55.tinypic.com/9rhh5c.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/29fxftf.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/2wdq0k7.jpg

Also - the Mill St extension is already paved!
http://i54.tinypic.com/2q903zr.jpg

It's nice to be finally seeing some changes here.

http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/35495/1571465-S1600x700.0.jpg?optimalizedperformance=true

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac197/innsertnamehere/DSCN0978.jpg

Finally, the first crane goes up in the West Don Lands. I think it's for River City.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6122402924_a3642e248a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/queer_central/6122402924/)
DSC02200 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/queer_central/6122402924/) by queer_central (http://www.flickr.com/people/queer_central/), on Flickr

The site is coming together, albeit slowly. I was on the train a couple of days ago and can imagine it completed. They've planted some new trees within the recent weeks.

Waterfront Toronto August Newsletter:

West Don Lands Stormwater Infrastructure Update

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/4c69743fe945bfd319e7e85cd/images/Installing_the_Tunnel_Boring_Machine_M.jpg

Construction is steadily progressing on the stormwater treatment and management system Waterfront Toronto is constructing in the West Don Lands (http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/west_don_lands). Once complete, the system will service the West Don Lands and the future North Keating portion of the Lower Don Lands (http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/lower_don_lands).

At the main shaft, located at 480 Lake Shore Boulevard East, concrete forming and pouring of the walls is complete which has allowed the tunnel boring machine to be installed. Excavation has begun on the tunnel from the main shaft to the outfall in the Keating Channel. It is expected to take approximately a month to dig this tunnel, after which work will begin on the tunnel north of the main shaft tunnel to the smaller shaft north of the rail line.

A tunnel boring machine is a large machine used for excavating through a variety of materials, including soil and rock, to create tunnels below grade. Tunnel boring machines bore through the earth by cutting into the bedrock at the tunnel face using disc cutters mounted in the cutter head at the front of the machine. The excavated rock, known as muck, is transferred through openings in the cutter head to a belt conveyor where it runs through the back of the machine to muck cars on rails for removal from the tunnel.

A tunnel boring machine is being used on this project because it limits the disturbance to the surrounding ground, is much more efficient than other methods and is more suitable in heavily urbanized areas such as this one.

The marine contractor, engaged to construct the storm sewer outfall portion of the system at the Keating Channel, has mobilized. Work has started on the removal of the top section of dock wall. Concrete coring for the removal of the balance of the dock wall is ongoing. Inland the coffer dam structure is complete to within 1.5 metres of the back of the dock wall, and forms part of the dock wall bracing structure.

Mill Street Construction Update

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/4c69743fe945bfd319e7e85cd/images/Mill_Street_August_2011_S.jpg

The Mill Street extension on the east side of Cherry Street is almost complete. In mid-August, the final lift of asphalt was installed above the base coat asphalt and concrete road-base. Streetlights, Silva Cells, and sidewalk construction are complete. Boulevard grading is the only remaining work and is expected to be complete in early September.

Don River Park Construction Update

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/4c69743fe945bfd319e7e85cd/images/Planting_underway_in_Don_River_Park_M.jpg

Extensive work continues on the iconic Don River Park as park services including water lines, storm sewers, and sanitary sewer system are complete. The park's pavilion is almost complete as well. The final piece of the pavilion, the sliding wind-break system sheltering the outdoor fireplace, will be installed by the end of September.

Sub-soils to support the park’s planting are being installed and tree planting has begun. More than 700 varieties of deciduous and coniferous trees native to southern Ontario will create large forested pockets throughout the park. The extensive marsh area is also taking shape. Marsh plantings have been installed and water levels have been raised to final level. The marsh boardwalk deck and curbs are complete. The boardwalk handrails will be installed shortly.

Work continues to progress in the play areas. The layout is almost complete in the wet play area; the concrete slab is poured, which will be followed by the installation of equipment and rubber surfacing. In the dry play area the layout is also complete. The installation of playground equipment has begun and will be followed by slides and sand.
In River Square, the park’s urban square, stormwater services have been installed and sub-grades finalized. Light pole bases will be installed at River Square, after which planting and soil installation will follow.

Watch the construction progress of Don River Park through the West Don Lands webcam (http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/explore_projects2/west_don_lands).

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/2011001081.jpg

i have an odd (insiders) feeling that the roads will be opening in about a week.

The streetlights have been installed, and there is extensive landscaping going on near the furthest eastern portion of the donlands right next to the river.

Underpass Park in The West Don Lands.
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My father had the surveying plans home for this again.. This time working on getting final approval for the roads. Hopefully soon!

I drive by this every day on the way to work. Most of the park/flood barrier appears to be complete with greenery being laid out. As well there's numerous cranes. The roads appear to be mostly laid out as well. Pretty excited to see how this turns out.

Is it really called 'Underpass Park'? :uh:

I guess the fact that they're building parks, etc. underneath the Gardiner pretty much means they're not going to be dismantling or burying the Gardiner any time soon.

I guess the fact that they're building parks, etc. underneath the Gardiner pretty much means they're not going to be dismantling or burying the Gardiner any time soon.

It's not underneath the Gardiner, it's underneath the Eastern Avenue bridge.

I guess the fact that they're building parks, etc. underneath the Gardiner pretty much means they're not going to be dismantling or burying the Gardiner any time soon.


Thats the Eastern Ave. viaduct.


EDIT: oops, Molly beat me to it.

'Underpass park' sounds like the punch line in a Stephen Colbert skit.

i'm pretty excited for the spring and longboarding around this new hood.

i'm pretty excited for the spring and longboarding around this new hood.

Me too!!!!

I was down in that area last weekend, they were pouring concrete base for the road beside the Don at that point. Great little pub in the neighborhood is the Dominion on Queen, at the site of the historic Dominion brewery. Live music, Cask beer, what more could you ask for.

Ah the good old DH. I've had many a pint there back when I used to work nearby. Now I live just over the bridge and haven't been there in a few years.

National Post article:
Hill Not the Only Thing Rising on Toronto Waterfront

Peter Kuitenbrouwer
Jan 28, 2012 – 7:01 PM ET
http://nationalpostnews.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/toronto1.jpg?w=620 (http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/28/hill-not-the-only-thing-rising-on-toronto-waterfront/)
Tyler Anderson/National Post

Toronto has a new hill. It’s between the Distillery District and the start of the Don Valley Parkway, and is the central feature of Don River Park, the new 9-hectare expanse of greenery speckled with 700 new trees and connected by a network of pathways and staircases, at the eastern edge of the West Don Lands.

On Friday Tari Stork, an effervescent spokeswoman for Waterfront Toronto and self-described “infrastructure wonk,” led photographer Tyler Anderson and I on a tour of the area; we walked east on the extension of Mill Street from Cherry Street, and on up the hill.

Ms. Stork showed us the new park pavilion — mostly a soaring roof on tall stainless-steel posts that resembles a bird in flight. The pavilion boasts washrooms, a built-in outdoor fireplace and large charcoal briquet barbecue, suitable to cook souvlaki for 50 guests. Swing-sets and slides are in, along with rubberized mounds for kids to roll down and not get hurt.

The city 25 years ago expropriated industry from here to build a housing development called Ataratiri — “an old Indian word,” my colleague Terence Corcoran has written, “that roughly translates to ‘Swamp of the Taxpayer.’”

In any event, from this man-made hill one now looks down, when facing west, on a man-made marsh, complete with a boardwalk made of recycled plastic. Wires with pink ribbons tied to them hang across the swamp, to discourage ducks and geese from eating the reeds and rushes while they take root.

The hill provides a vantage-point from which an observer can see that, after too much delay, plenty is happening in this long-suffering corner of town.

To the east, looking across the Don River and the DVP, one sees the Unilever factory, empty since 2009. On Thursday, First Gulf Corp. purchased the 14-hectare Unilever site with plans to turn the old soap factory into an office park and adding more office buildings clustered about....


Read More: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/28/hill-not-the-only-thing-rising-on-toronto-waterfront/

The TCHC building on King Street is now showing signs of life again. For almost a year, it has been inactive but I just saw some workers on site today, so that's good news. River City (just across the street) is going up fast and having a major impact. You can now see the structure this neighbourhood will take.

What building is that?

What building is that?

It's in this video. It's on the south side of King Street, near River Street. This is an update of The West Don Lands. (Feb 23, 2012)

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This video is a look at Don River Park. The area is completely fenced off so I could only film a small portion of it.
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I can't wait for that park to open. Amazing vantage point of the core. It's going to make for a great place to take night shots.

Took a drive down the extension the other day, worth a drive, its not long but enjoyable if you take it slow. This whole area is really getting me excited, except the weird play structures under Richmond/Adlaide. Hopefully when I see it not from my car ill be more impressed. Great Video Mollywood, glad security didn't give you any problems.

Taken today by me, River City:

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj513/k1o2n3/00284.jpg

I can't wait for that park to open. Amazing vantage point of the core. It's going to make for a great place to take night shots.

Downtown view is amazing from that point.

Took a drive down the extension the other day, worth a drive, its not long but enjoyable if you take it slow. This whole area is really getting me excited, except the weird play structures under Richmond/Adlaide. Hopefully when I see it not from my car ill be more impressed. Great Video Mollywood, glad security didn't give you any problems.

I drove there just on my normal commute the other day. Was very surprised that it was open! Looking pretty good I think. I like the use of different materials for the streets/sidewalks.

Every time I see River City ads, I start hearing "Ya Got trouble" in my head. Damn high school musicals

I think River City is going to be one sharp looking development. White and black look so good together, as cladding. It seems to be going up quite quickly.

White and black look so good together, as cladding.

Ebony and Ivory ... together in perfect harmony

I like this project but I wish it had retail or public uses on street level. I want all buildings on major streets to have mixed uses, to help animate the area.

^^ ? What makes you think there won't be? Looks like retail spaces on the main level in that construction photo above taken by Konte...
many people assumed there would be no retail in Cityplace, either, and there is lots.

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01387/site-rivercity0_1387440cl-8.jpg

The rendering seems to indicate there will be no retail included in the building.

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01387/site-rivercity0_1387440cl-8.jpg

The rendering seems to indicate there will be no retail included in the building.

That rendering shows the east side, facing the river, so I would expect that section to not have retail but the west facing side, along River Street, would be perfect for retail. From what I remember, I think the first phase, the black tower, will have retail on the ground level but not the white section. I know the TCHC building will have retail along King St. I was just walking by there today and you can see from the layout, that King & River will be a major gateway into the district. I think both sides of River Street would be a perfect place for some serious retail.

Front Street will be the main retail street in the West Don Lands but I think that other streets will have bits of it too, so this district will not make the same mistakes that Cityplace and Fort York made. It will be more mixed usage, which is great. I saw some signage up today, talking about student housing, public uses and retail, going into the first building on Cherry Street, so that's a good start.

The views of the central core will be quite nice.

It looks like they have already started digging for the student residence on Cherry.
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6815/dsc02685sk.jpg

I love the huge retail space on this development.
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7470/dsc02762d.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-05-06
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2894/dsc02763so.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-05-06
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3096/dsc02766t.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-05-06
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3232/dsc02776ap.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-05-06


And the new park across the street
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/8728/dsc02779i.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-05-06

River City
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9845/dsc02994t.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-07-06
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7368/dsc02995t.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-07-06
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8679/dsc02999z.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-07-06

River City
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/3708/dsc03072f.jpg
By torontovibe (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/torontovibe) at 2012-08-02