TORONTO | Number One Bloor | 65 fl | Prep

[Taller, Better]

As reported in the SSC Toronto threads, there is a new proposal for a mixed development at Yonge St and Bloor Street in Toronto:

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/5159/1blooreastnewmar07dn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/4868/1bloor2newmar07sk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Here is the Press Release:

Bazis International unveils plans for Canada's most celebrated corner

TORONTO, March 22 /CNW/ - Bazis International of Toronto, Ont., willunveil its plans to redevelop Canada's most important corner at a newsconference Thursday, April 5, 2007. Bazis International has acquired a one-acre property on the southeastcorner of Yonge and Bloor Streets in the heart of Toronto. It will create aninnovative mixed use development featuring a nearly 80 storey tower with afour storey double-height podium at the base making it Toronto's tallestresidential/commercial building. Michael Gold together with celebrated Toronto architect, Roy Varacalli,both of Bazis, will offer details and be available for interviews as will CityCouncillor Kyle Rae. The news conference will be held in the Panorama Room on the top of thenearby ManuLife Centre, a vantage point that offers a bird's eye view not onlyof the 1 Bloor site but also of Bazis' first Toronto project, the Crystal Blucondominium, soon to start construction on Balmuto Street just south of Bloor.

WHAT: Unveiling plans for 1 Bloor, Canada's most high profile urban address
WHERE: The Panorama Room on the top of the ManuLife Centre
WHEN: Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 10 a.m.

NOTE: Parking under the ManuLife Centre will be validated for thoseattending the press conference.

and the developer's website:

Bazis International

[cncity]

I love the design. I hope this gets built maybe with a helipad on it.

[CrazyCanuck]

It was just the other day someone was asking about another supertall for Toronto and BAM! That whole area is going to be one huge construction site the next 5 years or so, it's going to be amazing transformation. A midtown we can really call midtown. We're going to look like Chicago now with book ends! ;)

[ZZ-II]

The design reminds me a lot on BoA in Seattle or am I wrong?

[Taller, Better]

The design reminds me a lot on BoA in Seattle or am I wrong?



This one?

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5910/bankofamericaseattlewo3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I don't see much resemblance, personally...

[b13]

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im so excited about this building, its sooooooooooooo sexy and modern. Everyone always says Toronto's buildings are bland and boring but this should change everyhting! Everything is going great for Toronto, first Trump reveils that financing is secured and WILL begin this year and now this! its just AMAZING!

[Xander]

nice, i like it.

[circuitboy84]

This certainly will re-define that intersection as well as that part of town.

[SYDNEY]

YUMMY ! This is what Auckland needs - BADLY !

[G_DOG]

awesome ,i like the podium too.

[Grey Towers]

Much better than the previous design. Any idea when it will go before council? The first one languished for years. We don't want the same thing to happen.

[thryve]

Very modern... very Asian yet not... Hmmm. I really like it actually! I just think it'd suit Yonge-Dundas Square better.

Bye bye closed GAP store? JK :P

[Drunkill]

looks very cool, except the advertisements :p

[Jaye101]

It was just the other day someone was asking about another supertall for Toronto and BAM! That whole area is going to be one huge construction site the next 5 years or so, it's going to be amazing transformation. A midtown we can really call midtown. We're going to look like Chicago now with book ends! ;)

I think that when I heard the Mayor and a Toronto Star article refer to YnE as Midtown--the fight was over. Yonge and Eglinton is Midtown.

[Tuscani01]

I think that when I heard the Mayor and a Toronto Star article refer to YnE as Midtown--the fight was over. Yonge and Eglinton is Midtown.

Well, Midtown Honda just moved to Eglinton... That means it has to be midtown now.

[Xander]

does anyone have any skyline renders with this in?

[yin_yang]

yonge-bloor is officially recognized as downtown (or CBD) by most if not all urban professionals.

[softee]

What an awesome building. I love it.

I've always considered Yonge and Bloor to be Midtown, but that's within the context of the old City of Toronto. Yonge and Eglinton was uptown and North York was just North York. I still think of it this way.

[lpioe]

Looks really good.
Some skyline renders would be awesome.

[spyguy]

The billboards are kind of meh, but the building is very sleek.

[elliot]

Here's a quickie look at how 1 Bloor East and RoCP 3 (Aura) might look, plopped into a n/s future render I did a long time ago.

SCROLL>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://www.upside-down.ca/sdphotos/new2010.jpg

[Nout]

Very nice design. Like it! Fits very well in this skyline.

[Skyman]

Beautiful tower, good for Toronto

[Northern Lotus]

Really like this desing.
What a relieve, It is much better than the previous one.

[Ithaqua]

The billboards are kind of meh, but the building is very sleek.Yeah I have to say the billboards tend to lower the tone but the building is ace. :)

[Taller, Better]

I think the billboards make perfect sense. This is not a typical residential neighbourhood... it is an incredibly busy midtown intersection. The corner calls out for a bit of flash and pizazz. Subdued sophistication is a block to the west in the form of Yorkville.

[Nouvellecosse]

I think the billboards make perfect sense. This is not a typical residential neighbourhood... it is an incredibly busy midtown intersection. Sorry, but I don't like the billboards either.
The corner calls out for a bit of flash and pizazz. To me this isn't as much flash and pizazz as it is crass and pizazz. Definitely more appropriate for Y&D as some have said. (Not necessarily the whole building, just the style of the podium).
Subdued sophistication is a block to the west in the form of Yorkville.I don't see why pizazz and sophistication have to be mutually exclusive. The way it is now, it actually clashes with the style of Yorkville. I'd prefer something that blends the upscale sophistication of Yorkville with the flash of Y&D. The way it is, the podium could use more charm, more intelligence, and more originality.

If it were built exactly as proposed, it would still be good, but it wouldn't be great.

[Taller, Better]

^^^ When you come to visit, (and I hope it is soon), I will take you to this intersection... I would be willing to bet it makes more sense once you stand at one of those corners.... There are lots of similarities between this intersection and Yonge Dundas. So get on that train and head on out here!!!!! :) I live about two blocks from this corner and I think it desperately needs a bit of pizazz..... I just think sometimes we can be a bit too "restrained" and sometimes it is good to be a teensy bit garish.
I'm hoping those are not billboards, but video screens.

[Brad]

Is this not a super tall?

[Taller, Better]

^^^We don't know the height yet... that information has not been released. The proposal is only a few days old. This thread can be moved to Supertalls if it turns out that it is.

[Northern Lotus]

^^^ When you come to visit, (and I hope it is soon), I will take you to this intersection... I would be willing to bet it makes more sense once you stand at one of those corners.... There are lots of similarities between this intersection and Yonge Dundas. So get on that train and head on out here!!!!! :) I live about two blocks from this corner and I think it desperately needs a bit of pizazz..... I just think sometimes we can be a bit too "restrained" and sometimes it is good to be a teensy bit garish.
I'm hoping those are not billboards, but video screens.

I think it will be video screens.
I attended one of their neighbourhood meetings and there will be 4 screens cinema inside, replacing the Uptown cinema used to be across Yonge St. That was the plan, anyway.

[thryve]

Yeah, I think this should be in the Supertall category. Aren't we pretty sure it is, at 80 floors?

[A r c h i]

Looks set to be a stunner, I'd be surprised if it wasn't a supertall especially @ 80 storeys and being mixed-use. What sort of height are people expecting? 320m?

[SpatulaCity]

only the podium is commercial/office use... the tower itself is residential. 260m - 290m is my guess.

[Northern Lotus]

One unfortunate note: The corner of Yonge and Hayden, currently occupied by the Shoe Company and beer store, may not be part of the development as it is owned by Scotia Bank. The developer has been trying to buy it from the bank and let us hope it can be done, otherwise it won't be a complete rectangular site.

[SpatulaCity]

and that is bad because....

[Taller, Better]

One unfortunate note: The corner of Yonge and Hayden, currently occupied by the Shoe Company and beer store, may not be part of the development as it is owned by Scotia Bank. The developer has been trying to buy it from the bank and let us hope it can be done, otherwise it won't be a complete rectangular site.

Hasn't that beer store been gone for ages?

[globetrekker]

That whole area is going to be one huge construction site the next 5 years or so, it's going to be amazing transformation. A midtown we can really call midtown. We're going to look like Chicago now with book ends! ;)

I agree, CC. I'm in love! This tower rocks! This is exactly the type of skyscraper Toronto and Bloor needs.......It's beautiful! Slick! Modern! Curvy! This is a perfect signature piece for Bloor. I would love for this building to be constructed and resemble this exact rendering. It's perfect! :banana:

[globetrekker]

I think the billboards make perfect sense. This is not a typical residential neighbourhood... it is an incredibly busy midtown intersection. The corner calls out for a bit of flash and pizazz. Subdued sophistication is a block to the west in the form of Yorkville.

I completely agree. I enjoy the ads. A lot. They add to the excitement and thrill of a big city, such as Toronto - and to the Bloor area. They're fun and look great - especially on this building! Anything else on that podium would be dull and mediocre. This is a prime location for ads (which I, too, hope are actually video screens) - styled in the way shown in the rendering. The use of glass is also impressive! I love the quality as well. You guys, I'm really excited about this skyscraper! The curves of this baby….and height….they’re killer (and I hope that it doesn't get lowered.)

[Taller, Better]

I wouldn't like these ads in the Annex, or Greektown, or Yorkville, or any number of locations, but on Yonge St at Bloor? You bet your boots. Bring 'em on.

[Jackhammer]

^^^ When you come to visit, (and I hope it is soon), I will take you to this intersection... I would be willing to bet it makes more sense once you stand at one of those corners.... There are lots of similarities between this intersection and Yonge Dundas. So get on that train and head on out here!!!!! :) I live about two blocks from this corner and I think it desperately needs a bit of pizazz..... I just think sometimes we can be a bit too "restrained" and sometimes it is good to be a teensy bit garish.
I'm hoping those are not billboards, but video screens.
I completely agree. This intersection is a gateway to what Yonge Street is front Front to Bloor- video screens are no issue here. In fact isn't there one on top of the optical store as it is?

[Taller, Better]

I completely agree. This intersection is a gateway to what Yonge Street is front Front to Bloor- video screens are no issue here. In fact isn't there one on top of the optical store as it is?

Good point. The corner as it exists is covered with signage.

[LordMandeep]

Yonge from Front to Bloor is an entertainment area.

Yonge gets more "posh" north of bloor.

I really think Yonge/eglinton is in better shape then the Yonge/Bloor intersection today.

[yin_yang]

yeah might as well, though that particular podium would be better if it was open to the street since it's all glass.

[KGB]

yonge-bloor is officially recognized as downtown (or CBD) by most if not all urban professionals.


Bloor is definetely "downtown", but back in the 20's & 30's, everything north of College was refered to as "Midtown" (actually I think it was just Uptown...not midtown at the time). Old habits die hard, so I think the old monickers still get used occaisionally.




There are lots of similarities between this intersection and Yonge Dundas.


You're correct...Yonge & Bloor and Yonge & Dundas are both part of the "Yonge Strip", which basically runs from Queen to Bloor, and is a completely different vibe (and just as important IMO) from the upscale Bloor West/Yorkville shopping district. I think any of the visual loudness found at Y&D should be "appropriate" anywhere along the stretch.




Looks set to be a stunner, I'd be surprised if it wasn't a supertall especially @ 80 storeys and being mixed-use. What sort of height are people expecting? 320m?


That'd be nice, but I don't think so. Going off the rendering, actual floors look to only be around 69...only the bottom 4 floors is commercial, and have high commercial floor-ro-floors...the other 65 residential floors will probably be no more than 10 feet. The roof structure looks to be the equivilent of about 6 floors.

I'd be very surprised if this goes much over 800 feet.




KGB

[raymond_tung88]

I'm all for that tower being developed! I love the design and I find it visually innovative- something Toronto's most exclusive street needs.

I believe that if this tower is built, it will spark further development on Bloor and we could possibly see a lot of the low-rise buildings turning into high-rises.

[Taller, Better]

^ it is amazing how many condos are going up within a few blocks radius of that
corner.... the area is on fire.

[cassius]

This is not the design, it's been updated since and this one's been removed from the architect's website. We'll get a glimpse of it on April 5th.

[Taller, Better]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... I wonder what the insider scoop is on it.. do you
by any chance know, cassius?

[G_DOG]

crystal blu has 10 ft ceilings.i wonder if bazis does it on this tower

[Ithaqua]

^^^ When you come to visit, (and I hope it is soon), I will take you to this intersection... I would be willing to bet it makes more sense once you stand at one of those corners.... There are lots of similarities between this intersection and Yonge Dundas. So get on that train and head on out here!!!!! :) I live about two blocks from this corner and I think it desperately needs a bit of pizazz..... I just think sometimes we can be a bit too "restrained" and sometimes it is good to be a teensy bit garish.
I'm hoping those are not billboards, but video screens.Well it might be ok if the vibe is different. :)

[cassius]

Taller, Better. Can't say that I do. And to be honest I may end up being proved wrong come April 5th, but the developers made mention that a rendering floating around the internet is an older version, in a newspaper article yesterday. But I suppose it's possible they were referring to the original 1 Bloor East proposal, though that was completely different developers, architects and owners.

[kelw]

Those ads from the rendering look to me like video screens, not billboards. It's a nice looking design so hopefully the final version won't be too different.

[G_DOG]

how the tower fits in the immediate area

done by wyliepoon from urban toronto

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1bloor.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/4s.jpg

[Dino Domingo]

Damn, that's impressive!!

[Bronteboy]

That top section's really going for height! Someone has the right idea - very impressive.

[isaidso]

Is the unveiling at the Manulife open to the public? Any word on proposed development across the street on the southwest corner?

[Skyman]

Damn, it's very huge stuff

[isaidso]

80 floors sounds tall, but certain comments suggest that it will only be 205 metres which would be extremely short for a building with that many floors. The unveiling is on April 5th, so we'll know shortly.

[zerokarma]

I think it looks good

[yyzer]

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/bazi.jpg

[Taller, Better]

That big photo is hard to see.. here is a smaller version of the tower and the podium.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/390/newoneblooreastgh2.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1751/newoneblooreastpodiumql4.jpg

I love it!

[leaf345]

Wow, that looks completely different.

[Northern Lotus]

I like the precious design better. This one looks rather ordinary.
Too bad it is not taking more ground space at the corner lot.

[Northern Lotus]

Sorry, it should be previous design.

[Ithaqua]

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/bazi.jpgI really like this render. :cheers:

[SOLOMON]

mmmm!

[globetrekker]

Wow, that looks completely different.

I know. Disappointing, huh?

[Taller, Better]

^^ Why? what were you hoping for?

[thryve]

^^ I think many of us were expecting only slight revisions. I sure was :(

[Taller, Better]

I like it. I think it is sleek and cleanly designed and will look smashing on that corner. Possibly part of the fallout of this huge building boom is that people do become a bit shell-shocked from it all, and might become a bit immune to all the announcements every week; instead seeking out more and more novelty in building design. I like the idea that architects here don't succumb to the temptation to build every new building in a brand new "unique" shape. Future generations will thank us for that.
But then again, my eyes are bugging out of my head from tiredness and I think it is time I go to bed..

[Dale]

The base is better than I'd hoped for. The tower itself is less than I'd hoped for, as I was smitten with the earlier design.

[ZZ-II]

great new render, i really like the tower

[leaf345]

I know. Disappointing, huh?

I didn't even like the first one either :(

[wiki]

nice and tall, great for toronto's skyline.

[BIPV]

I think the first design suited T.O. and the intersection more. However, I feel the base of the latest design is much better. I am thrilled that a building of this magnitude is being built in midtown.

[cncity]

I like the first design more than this one.
Any news about its height ?

[G_DOG]

I like the first design more than this one.
Any news about its height ?

223m or 732 ft

[-Corey-]

wow,, toronto's skyline will looks great

[AM Putra]

Wow, the core looks slicing the tower. It's a sword theme?:)

[ZZ-II]

223m or 732 ft

have thought it would be taller

[leaf345]

I hope they redesign the tower. It looks too much like a taller version of some ugly apartment building found in one of the suburbs.

[Bertez]

welll...seeing how the easter break brings me a lot of free time...I did a few calculations. I picked 10 res buildings above 100 metres in height from Toronto..and divided by the number of floors...found the average between the 10, then I multiplied by the number of stories in 1BE. My number that I got was around 254 metres (mind you this is to the top floor, soo it excludes any thing above the last floor)

[Northern Lotus]

I hope they redesign the tower. It looks too much like a taller version of some ugly apartment building found in one of the suburbs.

I agree with you.
It looks like those apartment buildings done in the 70's, wrapped with balconies except this time the balconies will be in glass and all the junk residents stored on the balconies will be viewed by everyone on Yonge and Bloor. Yuck.

[sudburyboy]

why is everyone complaining, a year ago, everyone would have been extatic to hear about this new tower, but since its accompanied by 200 others, it makes it less impressive? every tower has its downfall, you have to look beyond them and see the qualities, its tall, its in an area that desperately needs it, and it ll add a new area of interest north, who cares about waht could have been, and what was, think about what is. This is, pure and simple, anew 200m+tower for toronto, stop being so picky

[crazeed]

Its got a crown and its curvy. To me it doesnt look much like a tower from the burbs, maybe just the section right above the podium, which is also very well done. All thoes balconies will really make this building look huge. I love it :)

[Waterloo_Guy]

welll...seeing how the easter break brings me a lot of free time...I did a few calculations. I picked 10 res buildings above 100 metres in height from Toronto..and divided by the number of floors...found the average between the 10, then I multiplied by the number of stories in 1BE. My number that I got was around 254 metres (mind you this is to the top floor, soo it excludes any thing above the last floor)

Thanks for the investigation. This is just one more thing that convinces me that the reported height is wrong. We'll know soon, I think.

[Waterloo_Guy]

why is everyone complaining, a year ago, everyone would have been extatic to hear about this new tower, but since its accompanied by 200 others, it makes it less impressive?

You're right on the money. Torontonians are getting so many new developments we can't get excited over a really promising proposal. I think we're spoiled.

[Chi649]

I agree with the others that said the first design was better. Hopefully, the rendering of the new design isn't doing it justice, and a newer render or the actual building will look better.

[Taller, Better]

why is everyone complaining, a year ago, everyone would have been extatic to hear about this new tower, but since its accompanied by 200 others, it makes it less impressive? every tower has its downfall, you have to look beyond them and see the qualities, its tall, its in an area that desperately needs it, and it ll add a new area of interest north, who cares about waht could have been, and what was, think about what is. This is, pure and simple, anew 200m+tower for toronto, stop being so picky



Because people are getting spoiled and shell shocked with the building boom, and deep down quite a few people just enjoy complaining! :lol:
I'd love for Leaf345/Northern Lotus to show me which suburban apartment buildings this reminds them so much of.

[G_DOG]

i think we wont be happy till we get a supertall.

[Dino Domingo]

The tower part isn't so bad. But the base, wow, I liked the first one better. Gone are the large wrap-around screens that was a hit with so many.

Hey, it could've been a lot worse.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Beautiful. How can an 80 floor be 223 metres. A waste of space for the country's most significant intersection. 320 would be suitable. What a joke. :ohno:

[gappa]

Looking good TO. A city Godzilla himself would be proud to trash.

[Sentient Seas]

The design is great. Looks to be quite tall as well. Excellent tower for Toronto.

[Ralphkke]

Looks damn hot!

[vancouverite/to'er]

Omg, its going to take around four years to complete unfortunately and it's only 223 metres. I personally think that intersection needs a supertall more than the financial district.

[Skyman]

Pretty cool stuff

[VikkyD]

I personally think that intersection needs a supertall more than the financial district.

no.... This intersection needs some buildings, I'll grant you that, but even 1 Bloor East is far too tall. look at Yonge street in this part of Toronto, its covered in 2-3 story buildings, and then all of a sudden a 223 Meter tower pops up? its too big! and doesn't fit in with any of the surrounding buildings. Plus if it does go up, that intersection will be eternally dark, covered in shadows, which makes it a very unappealing place to be.

The reason the financial district can handle so many high-rise buildings is because no one spends any time (other than work hours) in that neighborhood! when people are spending leisure time in a neighborhood they enjoy street life, and HUMAN-SCALE projects, which is why walking along Bloor in the annex is always crowded, same with Queen street west, and even Yorkville. because people feel more comfortable around smaller buildings.

1 Bloor east should not go on.

and thats my 2 cents..

[Jaye101]

Well, the wind already makes it a very unappealing place to be. lol.

[valantino]

Omg, its going to take around four years to complete unfortunately and it's only 223 metres.


The 223m is the height of the previous 60 storey tower approved for the site. This one most likely will be much taller. All we know is that they do not want to re-submit a new development proposal however that doesn't rule out the committee of adjustments which recently gave Bloor Street Neighbourhood to the south a 'minor' height increase equivilant to 120m on One Bloor. The city has designated this area for tall towers - the sky's the limit

[vancouverite/to'er]

I still think it should be 250 m+, has eternal darkness made Times Square unnapealing, no..^^

[isaidso]

no.... This intersection needs some buildings, I'll grant you that, but even 1 Bloor East is far too tall. look at Yonge street in this part of Toronto, its covered in 2-3 story buildings, and then all of a sudden a 223 Meter tower pops up? its too big! and doesn't fit in with any of the surrounding buildings. Plus if it does go up, that intersection will be eternally dark, covered in shadows, which makes it a very unappealing place to be.

The reason the financial district can handle so many high-rise buildings is because no one spends any time (other than work hours) in that neighborhood! when people are spending leisure time in a neighborhood they enjoy street life, and HUMAN-SCALE projects, which is why walking along Bloor in the annex is always crowded, same with Queen street west, and even Yorkville. because people feel more comfortable around smaller buildings.

1 Bloor east should not go on.

and thats my 2 cents..

Those 2-3 story buildings are out of place. Embarrassingly ghetto, dinky crap architecture like that has no place in a central city. I don't think building heights at Bloor and Yonge should be decided upon based on these tiny buildings. Tall buildings do not make people want to be somewhere else in their spare time. It is how the buildings meet the street, and the vibrancy at street level that determines that. No one hangs out in the financial district because there is nothing to do there, not because the buildings are tall.

Walking around Manhattan, you are in a shadow all the time. It never once made me want to seek out a low rise neighbourhood. It is the pace of life on the street that matters. 1 Bloor East could be 350 metres with a plethora of 200 metre plus towers in every direction. If people want direct sunlight, go to the Annex, or Barrie.

[The 'Sauga]

no.... This intersection needs some buildings, I'll grant you that, but even 1 Bloor East is far too tall. look at Yonge street in this part of Toronto, its covered in 2-3 story buildings, and then all of a sudden a 223 Meter tower pops up? its too big! and doesn't fit in with any of the surrounding buildings. Plus if it does go up, that intersection will be eternally dark, covered in shadows, which makes it a very unappealing place to be.

The reason the financial district can handle so many high-rise buildings is because no one spends any time (other than work hours) in that neighborhood! when people are spending leisure time in a neighborhood they enjoy street life, and HUMAN-SCALE projects, which is why walking along Bloor in the annex is always crowded, same with Queen street west, and even Yorkville. because people feel more comfortable around smaller buildings.

1 Bloor east should not go on.

and thats my 2 cents..

If that's your opinion then I'm fine with that but I'm also entitled to disagree with it. Sorry but I don't see why this tower would be out of place at all being at Yonge/Bloor. It is one of Toronto's most busiest and most important intersections being where the two main subway lines meet. It's a perfect spot for a supertall highrise with public transportation and downtown life being so convenient. There's also already two 450 ft-ish buildings there and the 500 ft. manulife building just a stones throw away.

That entire midtown area is also going through a huge development boom which is going to add the Four Seasons project, the Uptown, Crystal Blu, CASA, X-Condo, Couture, etc. all being between the 400-600+ ft. range. If anything, that intersection should strive for something even taller, considering it being located at such an important intersection.

Towers this huge can also be inviting as long as the retail spaces along the podium are executed nicely and have inviting and exciting retail, which unfortunately has yet to happen for most of Toronto's condo projects. However, retail does seem to be a huge priority for One Bloor East which should definitely be a huge boost over what is there right now

[Zaki]

Why did they have to redesign this one, I was really looking forward to it :P

[Muse]

How many redesigns has this one had since I first read about it in 2001?

The new one looks good, but preferred the sleek renders on page 1.

[isaidso]

Yes, I much preferred the first render on page 1 also. The new tower is just ok. It would be satisfactory on a side street, but not Bloor and Yonge.

[valantino]

Walking around Manhattan, you are in a shadow all the time.

you obviously haven't walked around too much and you're definitely missing out on most of the fun

[isaidso]

No, I've walked around lots of it, but the parts that seem in constant shadow don't bother me in the slightest. I actually relished the feeling of walking at the foot of concrete giants. I find it very re-assuring. What I will never feel comfortable with, is being underwhelmed. Bloor and Yonge is certainly very underwhelming to me.

As far as missing out on most of the fun, that is something I have never ever even remotely been implicated in. If anything, I've found the need to reel myself in, stay out of trouble, and settle for something abit more mundane from time to time (like Bloor and Yonge).

Perhaps it is you who is missing out on most of the fun. The decadent fun happens in a gallery, a restaurant, a warehouse, or abandoned church turned house of debauchery. Sun tanning? I'll save that for some white sandy beach in France.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Could the "confirmed" height of 236 m possibly change?

[caltrane74]

demolition of the existing buildings on the site begins shortly. Maybe next month or October??

cool!!

[Jackhammer]

Re-post from the Toronto section

New condo guide has an ad:

Building is to be 80 floors (22 for hotel and retail and 58 residential) and is promoted as the tallest residential building in Canada.

Demolition of the site is to begin in the fall.

I wonder if it will now be taller than Trump? I suppose you could advertise it as the tallest residential building in Canada (even if shorter than Trump) since it will be taller than anything already constructed.

or

60 floors at 223 approved = 3.71m / floor so 80 floors = 297 m. Would certainly be the tallest residential building while still being 1 m short of the tallest building. Then again ... add the mechanical/roof element ... Supertall ?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From urbandreamer at UT:

re: porcelain cladding

http://www.aecinfo.com/1/resourcefil.../26/pgspec.htm

A local company from Georgetown!

What it looks like:
http://www.trico-ve.co.uk/panels

http://www.architectureweek.com/2001...mage_9.150.jpg

[ale26]

I'm just sooo excited about this building..but its so true..Torontonians are becoming very spoiled and picky about there buildings because there's sooo much construction going on!..We have to accept the fact that buildings play a purpose...not only to be asthetically appealing and be cheap and not built properly.. I think this building is just fine and very impressive!

By the way this will add great excitement and more bustle to that intersection..which is already very very busy...I don't think it's sinking in but Toronto is becoming a major city..and fast.. I remember 10 years ago ( not even ) when the streets after 5 were dead and there was no life in Toronto..but recently its been soooo busy! Especially..the bloor corridor, Y&D square, the harbourfront...its insane! We're quickly becoming the New York of Canada!!

I hope this trend continues and people are drawn to Toronto for its big city feel and hustle and bustle..plus beeing fun and exciting!

This is a new era for Toronto..REJOICE !

[caltrane74]

Very True - ale!

[vancouverite/to'er]

I wouldn't be suprised if it becomes a supertall in the end- did you hear Baziz will pay 1 million to Toronto public schools to have it built? It will truly be a beautiful landmark of the Bloor corridor that people around the world will recignize-opening more opportunities for further redevelopment of the area!!
-how can the city resist?
Also the ceiling height will have to change to appeal to the target market meaning since its approved at 80 stories could very well be Toronto's tallest building!!!

[LordMandeep]

true Trump is starting next month and we are all like "its only in-fill now".

lol

[Zaki]

80 stories tall :colgate: Thats incredible news. Hopefully these things actually go through and not get stalled like the ones before.

[ToRoNto, g-town]

Re-post from the Toronto section


From urbandreamer at UT:

re: porcelain cladding

http://www.aecinfo.com/1/resourcefil.../26/pgspec.htm

A local company from Georgetown!

What it looks like:
http://www.trico-ve.co.uk/panels

http://www.architectureweek.com/2001...mage_9.150.jpg


i see that a local company from my town is doing the caldding (Y) kind of shocking since a company from a rather small town is doing cladding for a huge building in a huge city (Y)

[vancouverite/to'er]

I wonder how tall the Baziz Toronto Landmark project will be and where it will be located...

[elliot]

I'll be attacked but... let's move the Landmark project to the Portlands... in the emerging great/wacky/don't care what you think architectural lab.

[vancouverite/to'er]

^^ i agree, depending on how tall the three towers will be...

[vancouverite/to'er]

60 floors at 223 approved = 3.71m / floor so 80 floors = 297 m. Would certainly be the tallest residential building while still being 1 m short of the tallest building. Then again ... add the mechanical/roof element ... Supertall ?


lets prey..

[Rizzato]

oooh 297 m- lets hope.
so is the area where this is going to be sort of like a Times square ?

[ale26]

oooh 297 m- lets hope.
so is the area where this is going to be sort of like a Times square ?

Well..not really but kinda..lol if that makes sense...Times Square for Toronto is Y&D Square basically..especially when Metropolis is completed..but I can see Y&B becoming that way too!

AleE..

[vancouverite/to'er]

297 m at Y&B may be the icing on the cake with all these new projects to justify the majority of postcards and pictures of Toronto switching from the lake view to the Manhattanish view of the city:) Who knows, maybe someday this area will be more dense than the financial district...

[*UofT*]

297 m at Y&B may be the icing on the cake with all these new projects to justify the majority of postcards and pictures of Toronto switching from the lake view to the Manhattanish view of the city:) Who knows, maybe someday this area will be more dense than the financial district...

I really won't be surprised if that happens Y&B is some serious real estate.

[softee]

I remember 10 years ago ( not even ) when the streets after 5 were dead and there was no life in Toronto..

Say whaaaa??? That is sooo not true!

[valantino]

^^actually, I somewhat agree with him. There were times in the mid to late nineties where it seemed Toronto was never going to fully recover from the devastating crash and recession around 1991

[*UofT*]

^^actually, I somewhat agree with him. There were times in the mid to late nineties where it seemed Toronto was never going to fully recover from the devastating crash and recession around 1991


BUT EMPTY STREETS LMAO!! No way dude.. I remember when times were hard finding a job but empty streets?? I do not remember.

[Jackhammer]

I'll be attacked but... let's move the Landmark project to the Portlands... in the emerging great/wacky/don't care what you think architectural lab.
You certainly won't get attacked by me ... I think the form perfectly fits the area given the cattails that will be spouting up around the new Don mouth.

[elliot]

...maybe the wavy fingers art installation planned near the airport would be an appropriate icon near the mouth of the Don.

[hkskyline]

Great location overdue for a tall tower.

[AltinD]

Is the height a typo? How can, a 80f tower with a roof feature and commercial/retail space at the bottom, be just 223 meters tall?


... or am I thinking differently.

[*UofT*]

Is the height a typo? How can, a 80f tower with a roof feature and commercial/retail space at the bottom, be just 223 meters tall?


... or am I thinking differently.

Ur thinking dubai terms.

This is Toronto :lol:

[AltinD]

^^ But I see in the render a roof feature that seams to take some 15 meters out of the total height, or is the quoted height up to the roof of the highest habitable floor?

[*UofT*]

^^ But I see in the render a roof feature that seams to take some 15 meters out of the total height, or is the quoted height up to the roof of the highest habitable floor?

hmm no i think its included with that roof feature.. I know it doesn't make sense but for some reason the 300m buildings in Toronto are SUPER TALL, like Bank of mtl building is 298 meters. So whenever I try to grasp the fact that there are tons of 300m+ buildings going up in dubai i just can't fathom how tall they'd actually look.

[AltinD]

^^ My concearn is with floor to ceiling height of 2.5 - 2.6 meters (depending how big the roof feature is) and you have to remove some 0.2 ocupied by the floor slab and a 2.3 meters tall living space seams un-imaginable for me, and I am not talking in Dubai terms here at all.

[isaidso]

Alot of people in Toronto are also baffled at how short this 80 floor building is going to be. You are bang on. An 80 floor building is usually closer to 300 metres or more. There have been lengthy discussions in the Toronto thread regarding this very issue.

The tower is supposed to house fairly high end condos. Condo owners are going to want high ceilings, not lower ceilings. Crunching the numbers implies a ceiling height that just doesn't make sense. Either this tower has closer to 60 floors or the height of the 223 metre height that was announced is wrong. These numbers were what the developer stated though. It's a little bizarre.

[vancouverite/to'er]

I reckon that'll be a waste of some valuable land if it ends up only being 223 m and especially considering it'll take 4 freaken years to build :( I mean seriously, what more valuable land is there on Bloor? You're steps from transit to the financial district, Eglington, ect.

[isaidso]

Agreed. This intersection should be anchored by a supertall. I'd love to see Bloor and Yonge rival the cluster around King and Bay one day. Over time, having the 2 clusters merge together would be dramatic. In some sense, that has already happened along Bay Street, but with midrise condo towers mostly under 500 ft.

Softee and UofT: I agree with ale26 also. Toronto did seem quite dead 10 years ago, and once in awhile still does. It all depends on what you are used to. To a Torontonian, Winnipeg seems dead. To a Londoner, Toronto can seem dead at times. My mother stood at Bloor and Yonge on a nice summer afternoon and couldn't get over how deserted it was. I told her, that it wasn't considered dead by Toronto standards. Having lived in London myself, I understood how valid her observation was.

[CrazyCanuck]

This tower will literally tower above everything else, nothing is even close in the area. It will also give us a Chicago looking bookend skyline.

[isaidso]

Rather than just adding to the downtown cluster, the skyline is growing south to north, and to the west to Bathurst Street along the the lake. With the portlands plans, perhaps the skyline will also one day stretch all the way to the Don Valley in the east.

800 ft - 1300 ft towers at Bloor/Yonge and from Bathurst to Cherry Street would increase the footprint of the central city. Toronto would certainly feel like a much larger city if skyscraper construction were spread out like this.

[CrazyCanuck]

The distillery might be getting a couple of 45 story towers so it will move eastward.

[Sentient Seas]

I really like the design... looks to be an awesome proposal.

[ale26]

Agreed. This intersection should be anchored by a supertall. I'd love to see Bloor and Yonge rival the cluster around King and Bay one day. Over time, having the 2 clusters merge together would be dramatic. In some sense, that has already happened along Bay Street, but with midrise condo towers mostly under 500 ft.

Softee and UofT: I agree with ale26 also. Toronto did seem quite dead 10 years ago, and once in awhile still does. It all depends on what you are used to. To a Torontonian, Winnipeg seems dead. To a Londoner, Toronto can seem dead at times. My mother stood at Bloor and Yonge on a nice summer afternoon and couldn't get over how deserted it was. I told her, that it wasn't considered dead by Toronto standards. Having lived in London myself, I understood how valid her observation was.

I understand what you mean about someone from London that thinks Toronto is dead at times because look at the population of London and then that of Toronto...but i don't think its "dead" these days..For a city of only 2.7 million, it can seem quite bustling and hectic...If you venture out on bloor/bay or bloor/yonge around lunchtime on a weekday..you'd think you were in New York or something..the number of people is unbelievable..literaly the sidewalks ar CRAMMED..but compared to other American cities of around the same size..Toronto seems much much more busy(Not New York or L.a etc..)

[kenworth]

Awesome high rise go Toronto! :) :cheer:
And really amazing design!

[Sentient Seas]

Toronto has always had a really nice skyline. This will help as well I believe.

[isaidso]

ale26:

'Dead' isn't the best description, but should be taken as a figure of speech. Toronto is much much busier than it was even 10 years ago, and is bustling for a city its size. Regardless, if you were walking around central London the last 2 weeks and then walked downtown Toronto, you would notice a significant difference. There are occasions when Toronto seems abit 'deserted' in comparison to London, but it doesn't happen very often anymore. In 10 years from now, it probably won't ever feel like that......unless Canada is playing for a gold medal in Olympic hockey.

I realize that London is alot bigger, but alot of these observations are coming from people used to much larger cities. Of course, they are going to find it slower. Toronto is very busy for a city it's size, and getting noticeably busier each passing year. I would imagine that New York and Mexico City are the only cities on the continent with busier streets.

[ale26]

ale26:

'Dead' isn't the best description, but should be taken as a figure of speech. Toronto is much much busier than it was even 10 years ago, and is bustling for a city its size. Regardless, if you were walking around central London the last 2 weeks and then walked downtown Toronto, you would notice a significant difference. There are occasions when Toronto seems abit 'deserted' in comparison to London, but it doesn't happen very often anymore. In 10 years from now, it probably won't ever feel like that......unless Canada is playing for a gold medal in Olympic hockey.

I realize that London is alot bigger, but alot of these observations are coming from people used to much larger cities. Of course, they are going to find it slower. Toronto is very busy for a city it's size, and getting noticeably busier each passing year. I would imagine that New York and Mexico City are the only cities on the continent with busier streets.


Yea thats what i said^^ lol but yea about New York and Mexico City being the only busier cities is true and thats great considering how much smaller Toronto is.

[isaidso]

Agreed.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Rather than just adding to the downtown cluster, the skyline is growing south to north, and to the west to Bathurst Street along the the lake. With the portlands plans, perhaps the skyline will also one day stretch all the way to the Don Valley in the east.

800 ft - 1300 ft towers at Bloor/Yonge and from Bathurst to Cherry Street would increase the footprint of the central city. Toronto would certainly feel like a much larger city if skyscraper construction were spread out like this.

Lets hope...

[ale26]

so true...

[vancouverite/to'er]

Lets hope it also turns out as how it looks in the rendering.. remember what happened to Four Seasons design:ohno:

[vancouverite/to'er]

BREAKING NEWS!!

1 Bloor is now to the right of FCP in the Toronto diagram on ssp (AHEAD OF TRUMP!)
go check it out!

[elliot]

No.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Well you obviously haven't checked^^

[CrazyCanuck]

BREAKING NEWS!!

1 Bloor is now to the right of FCP in the Toronto diagram on ssp (AHEAD OF TRUMP!)
go check it out!

That means absolutely nothing.

[ale26]

wtf is that about?

[vancouverite/to'er]

I dunno, but I have a feeling ssp forumers can't change the diagrams as they're a very reliable source

[Waterloo_Guy]

Think twice, post once.

[caltrane74]

I think Tony at SSP was messing around with the diagrams chart to match the agressive marketing coming out of Bazis and tagged the tower at 309 Meters.

i doubt it will be this tall, it may come in around 250 -275 Meters at the tallest.

[Kamuix95]

The floor count changed too =\ maybe he was judging the height based on the floor count or something

[vancouverite/to'er]

If the floor# changed the height inevitably changed...it wouldn't make sense to lower the ceiling height to fit more units-that would affect the units that've ALREADY SOLD. So the tower will definetly be over 223m .

[caltrane74]

any confirmation that this one is going to 308 meters

[vancouverite/to'er]

^^ yes, confirmation..

[Muse]

I dunno, but I have a feeling ssp forumers can't change the diagrams as they're a very reliable sourceIt looks just over 230m on the diagram. The point beeeinnggg?

Gosh, out of all talls since I joined the previous forum in 2001, I've seen a few design changes, and now multiple anouncements on height decreases and increases. So much drama. :nuts:

Just build the frikken thing! lol

[vancouverite/to'er]

^^ no lets not build the freakin thing. This is some world class real estate...Anything under 280m(to roof) would be a waste of potential..

[caltrane74]

agreed.

[ale26]

K so lets make this clear and stop beating around the bush...

Exactly how tall will this building be?

[caltrane74]

The Latest Rendering

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/1bloor.jpg

[Marcanadian]

I haven't seen that yet. Thanks a lot Caltrane!

The base is much better looking. I hope those brown and white panels turn out good.


http://i24.tinypic.com/wv7kw6.jpg

[vancouverite/to'er]

Kill the flourescents and that would look pretty nice.:)

[Canadian74]

I like the top... Let's hope it's over 300m! Canada's first supertall! It will be even more cool if this thing is taller than Q1 or Eureka! ;)

[isaidso]

Why those 2 towers out of the sea of 300m+ towers around the world?

[Canadian74]

Those two towers because I was compare Canada to Australia a lot.:D And it will cool if Canada gets the title back.

[great184]

Kill the flourescents and that would look pretty nice.:)



Its just a render effect.

[ZZ-II]

great new render, looks really tall :)

[isaidso]

Those two towers because I was compare Canada to Australia a lot.:D And it will cool if Canada gets the title back.

I see, but tallest in the Commonwealth would be nicer! That's a title that usually goes to Canada, but Malaysia has it now. Q1 is more realistic though. I don't see anything in Canada rivalling Petronas except a possible Manulife tower. It would need to be >1483ft. Manulife is a big firm, so not not unthinkable that they would go that tall.

[Coral Builder]

Manulife is panning a tower? Where? When?

[isaidso]

They are simply rumours, but it does seem like an eventuality. Toronto based Manulife is the 5th largest insurer in the world, yet has no signature headquarters building that mirrors it's size. The rumour mill talked of Canada's tallest office tower which would put it over 1000 ft. Fun to ponder, but it really isn't worth speculating on at this point.

[Coral Builder]

Did you see the article on the new office tower in Calgary? It also mentioned that the office vacancy rate in TO will go up to 12-13% by the time the new crop of towers are built in 2009. Thus, I find it highly unlikely that Manulife would go ahead with a huge office tower development. I can always keep my fingers crossed though... :2cents: .
Either way, for a city of 2.4 million (5 million in GTA) Toronto's skyline is stellar. We should really be focusing on better designed, but shorter buildings like european cities. Large towers disconnect poeple from structures, whereas shorter buildings allow more elements of style and can thus add to the streetscape feel, which in turn makes a city a great place to live.
Oh yeah and someone really needs to figure out what to do with all the 1960-70s style short concrete block condo buildings around the core and along the Don Valley/401/427. Driving along those roads really makes one wish for a couple sticks of dynamite to lob.

[isaidso]

Yes, I read that article. It's amazing how Calgary can absorb so much new office space. It's fantastic news for them, but haven't been impressed with any of their new office towers with the exception of the Bow. You are right about Manulife also. Having one large centralized office would be beneficial to Manulife, but Manulife freeing up so much space in a move to their own building would spike the vacancy rate up significantly.

Regarding shorter buildings. Montreal does a great job proving that you don't need tall buildings to create a great looking city. On the other hand, I don't think building tall necessarily means that you sacrifice a great feel at street level or that you create a disconnect between people and building. The problem is that design often takes a back seat to the desire for height.

I wouldn't worry about a focus on tall buildings in Toronto. There is a very strong anti-height mentality at the municipal board. Toronto is one of the few places on the continent where there shouldn't be opposition to tall buildings, but it's almost a non-starter here. Reduce height or don't get approved. It is like being anti-Victorian architecture in London, or anti-skyscraper in Chicago. The tall = bad mentality here is very frustrating. What is important, is that when we do build tall that strict guidelines are met as to how these buildings meet the street. The encouragement of a high street feel at the base is imperative, as is the street grid. Height isn't the problem. That said, all buildings should focus on good design.

The concrete condo buildings you refer to aren't going away any time soon. I hate them too, but we will have to live with them for another 50 years or so.

[ale26]

I agree that for a city with only 2.5 million and 5.6 million metro, Toronto has a great and big skyline. Especially when your down on King/Bay or Yonge/bloor you'd think you were in New York..I'm serious, we were down on bloor this summer with some people from Italy and they were amazed with the size of Toronto and how busy it is..it is very comparable to New York (not size wise but how busy it gets)..Especially in the past year Toronto is becoming increasingly busy and important, financially and business wise.

Toronto really needs to focus on expanding transportation and solidifying its role as an economic powerhouse in order for the city to prosper..as for Manulife, the worlds 5th largest insurance company, they should wait acouple years and then build a huge supertall that would be the envy of the world to showcase Torontos power and place in the business world. Right now all the construction going on is good and it needs to be watched carefully and should not be overdone.

I don't see a HUGE spike in vacancy rates but it is inevitable that it will increase slightly but thats normal..For now Toronto should continue to grow and prosper

[vancouverite/to'er]

yes, i'm ancy about vacancy rates going up and the Manulife tower not becoming a reality because of all these abismal boxes (i.e RBC) But the density will be amazing!
lets remember though Toronto is N.A's fastest growing major city which is a plus.

[Canadian74]

I thought Calgary was North America's fastest growing major city?

[ale26]

I thought Calgary was North America's fastest growing major city?

uhh nope.

[velut arbor aevo]

toronto does have a great skyline, from where I live (harbour square), toronto just appears magnificent, especially at night. However, I still prefer toronto to add more density and height.

[Canadian74]

uhh nope.

Can you provide a link then?

[yyzer]

well, I am from T.O., and while it is booming big time, I also believe that I read somewhere (Globe?) that Calgary is Canada's fastest growing city, although there are different ways to measure...by net increase in population total numbers, the GTA may be ahead, but by percentage increase, it could very well be Calgary...

Doesn't really matter though, it's a great time for both cities and that's what is important, imo.

yyzer

[Coral Builder]

I abslutely love the Bow building in Calgary, we don't get updates often enough on it though. Any posters out there want to elaborate on it's development?? What of the other large oil companies in Calgary, any planning complimentary towers to fill the glut of demand, or is it too expensive to build anything around Calgary these days?

[Canadian74]

Some of the major ones in Calgary are the Bow, Penny Lane, Jamienson (sp?) and a few others I forgot. Check the Calgary Construction Thread on SSP. There are rumours that Imperial Oil might build a 300m+.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Some of the major ones in Calgary are the Bow, Penny Lane, Jamienson (sp?) and a few others I forgot. Check the Calgary Construction Thread on SSP. There are rumours that Imperial Oil might build a 300m+.

Really? What's your source? A supertall in Calgary would be phenomenal

[Coral Builder]

No way, they'd have to convince evil ExxonMobil to stop penny pinching on everything. Sorry, I get a little carried away with Imperial (can't stand their business practices, though I guess it's good to be an EXX shareholder). I guess I was hoping the likes of Suncor, CNRQ, Penn West etc.. would want to build some kind of monument to their success. Any way you get it, a 300 + would be awesome for Calgary. Go Flames:)

[vancouverite/to'er]

If you we can always create a thread in the Canada section about general growth of cities. Back to 1 Bloor. Any thoughts? I'm beginning to think the latest tower is the best becuase it makes the most sense financially and thus would have a higher chance of becoming a supertall. I love the base on the second rendering. Too bad they couldn't have kept those sexy slanted pillars.

[Canadian74]

Really? What's your source? A supertall in Calgary would be phenomenal

As I said, only rumours at this time.

[Canadian74]

Really? What's your source? A supertall in Calgary would be phenomenal

Even the Bow was suppose to be over 300m, but because of the shawdow people, it got down to 247m, then 236m.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Even the Bow was suppose to be over 300m, but because of the shawdow people, it got down to 247m, then 236m.

Well, thats because they were afraid of the Bow River getting shadowed. That said I believe it's possible to build a supertall in Calgary if it dosen't shadow the Bow River.

[Canadian74]

^^ Imperial Oil! :D
Heard before that their location won't cause problems with the shawdow guys...

[caltrane74]

let's go Calgary!

[Chi649]

Even the Bow was suppose to be over 300m, but because of the shawdow people, it got down to 247m, then 236m.That sucks :ohno:. Not including the CN Tower of course, it's weird to think that Canada doesn't have a supertall.

[CHAPINM1]

Even the Bow was suppose to be over 300m, but because of the shawdow people, it got down to 247m, then 236m.

It's a damn shame, it has to be the most bastardized project on record... As is lowering the height on that project once wasn't enough... :ohno:

[Taller, Better]

Well, First Canadian Place has been around since the 70's and is just under the magical
figure now used of a supertall being 1000 feet. I don't know if a few feet make a difference.. certainly not from street level. In any case, the 1000 foot thing is arbritrary.

In any case, **ahem** back to One Bloor East.

[hkskyline]

Sky seems to be limit for One Bloor East
Oct 30, 2007 04:30 AM
Christopher Hume
Toronto Star

In a city afraid of heights, the advent of an 80-storey condo tower can be counted on to set off howls of outrage.

Yet if history is any indication, once the screaming has subsided, Torontonians will be lining up to buy units in One Bloor East.

The $450 million project on the southeast corner of Bloor and Yonge will get underway at the end of the year when the leases in existing buildings expire. Demolition will start and after that, by next September, construction.

If all goes according to plan, the first residents will arrive in late 2011.

The developer, Bazis International of Kazakhstan – yes, that's right, Kazakhstan – has no qualms about investing in the Toronto condo market.

"We believe prices of real estate are still undervalued compared to world cities," says Bazis president Michael Gold. "Yonge and Bloor is the most important corner in Toronto. We wanted to address it and do something for Toronto. The city has been tough, but supportive. We believe real estate prices have a long way to go."

Indeed, if One Bloor East is any indication, the sky's the limit, physically and financially.

Let's face it, there's no more appropriate site in the city for such a tower than Bloor and Yonge. In truth it's amazing it has taken so long for something to happen here. Certainly the area needs work; it may be one of Toronto's most desirable corners, but you'd never know it by looking.

As downtown councillor Kyle Rae puts it; the intersection is "an armpit. To think that the intersection of two major streets and two subway lines is greeted with this dross – this is an opportunity that can't be missed. The project is fantastic. The architecture has been cleaned up and they are still working with the urban design department."

Robert Freedman, director of design for the City of Toronto, confirmed: "We're still working with the architects."

At the launch of One Bloor East last night, several hundred frenetic investors showed up and were clearly excited by what they saw.

"We could sell 5,000 units," Gold said. "The response has been amazing."

Even Mayor David Miller seemed impressed: "If there's one corner in the country that calls out for something spectacular, he said, "it's Yonge and Bloor."

The new 275-metre skyscraper, tall, skinny and sleekly sculptural, will include shops at street level, an eight-storey hotel and residential above. Sitting atop a three-storey glass podium, the tower will become a midtown landmark.

"This is about the fourth or fifth version," explains architect Roy Varacalli. "It's changed quite a bit; the biggest move is the addition of a second skin. The balconies bothered me, so now each will be covered with a glass panel that can be opened or closed. It'll be like a pixillated façade."

Most dramatic of all are the series of "fins" that extend along the top of the building. They are, Varacalli says, "pure art. The inspiration came from the 1957 Cadillac. I wanted something that would respond to the skyline."

Since the project was first announced last April, Bazis has also acquired the building on the southwest corner of its property; that means the complex will extend south from Bloor all the way to Hayden St.

[yyzer]

275 Metres! :)

275.00000 Metres = 902.23097 Feet

and that may or may not include the crown.....this one should really have an impact at Yonge & Bloor...

[Skybean]

275m?!

[caltrane74]

yeah, I too think the 275 m is without the crown element.

We need to see the plans that have been forwarded to the city to determine the final hieght. And if this thread will eventually have to be moved to the supertall forum.

[Canadian74]

SSP lists this as 286m. Maybe that includes the crown?

[vancouverite/to'er]

SSP lists this as 286m. Maybe that includes the crown?

God knows crown could still make it supertall but 275 sounds awesome!!!

[yyzer]

need to change the header to 275m.......:)

[Canadian74]

Maybe we should wait for the height with crown first...

[caltrane74]

I wanna see the plans they have submitted to the city. Then we will know the hieght for sure.

[vancouverite/to'er]

someone change the header to 275m!!.... or 275(+)m for me:)

[isaidso]

http://i24.tinypic.com/wv7kw6.jpg

I hope the detailing in the podium doesn't get compromised. There's a grid effect in the glass. Very nice touch. Same goes for the crown. Too many buildings don't know how to 'finish' at the top. This one does.

[hkskyline]

An 80-storey tower reclaims the lost corner of Yonge and Bloor
2 November 2007
The Globe and Mail

So long, Harvey's. Hello, Hy's Steakhouse.

The southeast corner of Bloor and Yonge streets has long been a festering blight on the city, according to the self-appointed custodians of Toronto iconography. This February, however, its fast-food joints and kitsch stores will be on the business end of sledgehammers and backhoes. When the rubble is cleared, the 80-storey, $450-million 1 Bloor Street East will rise on the famous corner.

And unlike other skyscraping high-rises throughout downtown Toronto, few people seem to mind.

This particular project, which includes retail space and a hotel, is under the direction of Kazakhstan-based Bazis International and has set a land-speed record from concept to approval to sales launch. But the quest to bring something appropriate to the storied intersection has been a 20-year journey.

The project's powerful yet graceful rendered figure, overseen by Toronto architect and Bazis's design and construction director, Roy Varacalli, appears to have scored the thumbs-up from even the crankiest of architecture critics, (though our own John Bentley Mays has his reservations; see page G2).

Mr. Varacalli started working with Bazis on the design team for Crystal Blu, a 38-storey high-rise now under construction on Balmuto Street, a block west of the 1 Bloor site. At the time, he was a partner in Burka Varacalli Architects. For 1 Bloor, he left the firm and became a partner and senior executive with Bazis.

He toured the company's myriad construction projects around the world, concentrated mostly in Russia.

“I learned they did things very quickly, and their projects are realized very quickly,” Mr. Varacalli said. Techniques included employing three shifts of workers a day, multiple crane systems and innovation in materials, he added.

At least 100 people crammed the presentation centre for 1 Bloor on Monday night, sipping vodka-based cocktails and nibbling on rich hors d'oeuvres, to take a first glimpse at some of the model suite layouts. They also heard Mayor David Miller and area councillor Kyle Rae, fresh from pushing the municipal land-transfer tax through council, speak effusively of the project and all that it would mean to the city's most famous intersection.

Attendees included consultants and real estate agents representing interested buyers. Some were recent immigrants from Asia and Eastern Europe who'd done well for themselves in Canada. Some of these particular potential buyers, while duly admiring the slick finishes of the model suite, admitted they were definitely going to purchase a suite, maybe two, as investment properties.

On their way out of the overcrowded presentation centre, a pair of cheerful, fetching ladies handed out a hefty catalogue of suite layouts and dazzling photos and renderings.

Mr. Rae, never shy to offer an opinion, has been too happy to run down the corner's current tenants (which includes, yes, Harvey's) and their low-rent quarters, and foist lavish praise upon the promise held by Bazis's 1 Bloor.

Mr. Rae has a point. But the city has no shortage of so-called revitalization structures that are only marginally more appealing than the blight they replaced. Look only as far as Dundas Square and some of the glass catastrophes among the CityPlace communities on the railway lands west of the Rogers Centre.

Luckily, 1 Bloor goes a long way toward raising the standard for high-rise design. Mr. Varacalli, who grew up in Toronto, certainly felt the pressure in delivering something that would cut a striking figure on a very important corner.

“I want it to be truly memorable,” he said. “I was particularly interested in how it relates to the skyline, but also how it relates at the street level and the human scale.”

To that end, Bazis purchased property south to Hayden Street, a relatively quiet side street going east from Yonge. It's here where you'll find the entrance to the condominium portion of the project, 564 suites from the 18th to 77th floor.

The first six floors above the retail platform will be a hotel, with an entrance on Bloor instead. An L-shaped steel frame dissects the entire building, settling into a cornice separating the street-level glass façade from the residences above.

Another innovative feature 1 Bloor brings to the table is the use of lanais. These are essentially extra balconies, but with moveable glass walls that can enclose the space in cooler weather.

“On a warm day it will look porous, but on a cold day it will look like a solid block,” Mr. Varacalli said. “It will be able to produce a pixilated façade.”

Sales officially launched Tuesday morning, ranging from $355,000 to more than $2-million for pre-registered potential buyers, with sizes ranging from 540 to 2,110 square feet (excluding lanai space). A large majority of the suites, even the smallest ones, have lanais and balconies.

Extra costs include $5,000 for a locker and $45,000 for a parking spot (available only for suites larger than 700 square feet).

[Taller, Better]

^^ who wrote the article?

[hkskyline]

^^ who wrote the article?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071102.DIGS02/TPStory/?query=bloor+east
By Derek Raymaker

[Taller, Better]

thanks for the link! :)

[CrazyCanuck]

SSP lists this as 286m. Maybe that includes the crown?

That crown looks a lot taller than 11m. Probably closer to 30. This tower is growing on me.

[Canadian74]

$45,000 for a parking spot! Is that normal? :nuts:

[isaidso]

Yes, pretty normal. That's quite cheap by international standards. Too bad you can't buy these parking spots separately from the condo. It would be a nice way for people to break into the real estate market.

[vancouverite/to'er]

That crown looks a lot taller than 11m. Probably closer to 30. This tower is growing on me.

agreed

[Milllos]

Wow, next skyscraper for dwarfs :) 223 m - 80 fl. Same as las vegas tower with some 350 m and 142, its total utopia.

[Skybean]

Wow, next skyscraper for dwarfs :) 223 m - 80 fl. Same as las vegas tower with some 350 m and 142, its total utopia.

The new height is 275m+. The title has yet to be updated.

[DrT]

$45,000 for a parking spot! Is that normal? :nuts:

I'd say $25,000 is closer to average, and generally parking spaces do not carry their own separate maintenance fee.

[Jackhammer]

The new height is 275m+. The title has yet to be updated.
Its bloody killing me to know exactly what the "+" will be.

[ale26]

CAN SOMEONE FKN CHANGE THE HEIGHT TO 275+

[vancouverite/to'er]

I'll 2nd that! Someone please!!

[vancouverite/to'er]

I'll 2nd that! Argh! Someone please!!

[CityofVillains]

Bazis International has other Toronto projects on there site:

http://www.bazisinternational.com

[Frankfurter_Bockwurst]

i guess taller will change it in some days!

[vancouverite/to'er]

I've heard sales are going extremely well! :banana:

[cassius]

^ Not yet, considering that the VIP sales haven't started yet. There is apparently a lineup of 90 people that will be waiting in line for about 10 days to make their purchases though.

[LordMandeep]

with about 500 units I expect at least half to go in one shot...

[ale26]

Ya something tells me this thing will sell out pretty quickly...

[vancouverite/to'er]

A height increase would be amazing...however I think this will be around 305 in the end.

[Skybean]

..http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20071113/210_to_condo_071113.jpg
Condo mania hits as 1 Bloor St. goes on sale
toronto.ctv.ca

After paying people thousands of dollars to stand in line for a week in bone-chilling temperatures, investors finally got a crack at what is arguably the hottest property in the city.

Condominiums went on sale Tuesday night at 1 Bloor, located at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets. About 90 people have been waiting in line, holding spots for realtors hoping to secure a suite in the luxury building.

The demand was so high that developers raised the starting price to their units Tuesday morning to $500,000. Others are priced at more than $8 million.

The night before, the price range for the units was from $300,000 to $2 million.

"I have not seen this ever happen before in Toronto," said realtor Anna Cass, standing at the front of the line. "I've never seen a builder raise their prices so quickly, but it's the law of supply and demand -- this is business."

But for some, price wasn't an object. One agent told CTV News he had a client who was ready to offer $24 million for the penthouse suite.

Anxiety turned to tension for some of the people waiting in line Tuesday morning as the crowds started shoving, trying to move up a few spots closer to the front.

"It's a real shame, business doesn't have to be like that," Adam Szalai told CTV News from his spot in line.

Police officers were on hand to monitor the crowd and maintain peace.

The doors opened around noon for people waiting in line to get a number. Those people were told to return after 6 p.m. to buy a piece of the property.

People waiting in line outside the sales office kept a record of the order of the lineup. Their patience wore thin when it appeared the sales office would not honour the list, but the builder changed his mind.

"It started so early it's unprecedented," said real estate agent Kathy Kalina. "I don't think there is anybody with enough experience to handle this. We're making the rules as we go along."

Bazis International, working on behalf of the Kazakhstan-based firm Bazis-A Group, will offer each agent up to three of the tower's 596 units. The remaining units will then be sold to the general public.

The tower, standing at 80 storeys, will be the tallest in Toronto. It is not expected to be built before 2011.

Cass said the wait will be well worth it.

"It was tense this morning and it seemed like it might not happen but it was totally worth it," she said. "It was something we've been planning for weeks and I'm so thrilled that it came through in a very honorable way."

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20071113/Condo_mania_071113/20071113?hub=TorontoHome

[Jackhammer]

Tallest in Toronto now.

If only the news was a reliable source of information we could finally confirm this as a supertall.

[Canadian74]

Taller than FCP? Wow!

[velut arbor aevo]

Yea I saw that news on the Financial Post, but it has been rumoured to be the tallest for a long time now, and I am not sure if the developer is really up for it.

Man, it would be really exciting to have an 80 storey in the city. Should be a supertall in this case.

[cassius]

This is the first I'm hearing about it being the tallest building in Toronto. I thought what they've been saying is tallest residential. I'm curious to know how many of the units sold today and if any of the units will actually make it to the public or not before the agents snap them all up.

[LordMandeep]

heard a riot almost broke out...

[vancouverite/to'er]

^^say what?

[hkskyline]

Just 90 people trying to earn a few bucks waiting in line. That's not a very big crowd.

I wonder why didn't the agencies strike a deal with the developer beforehand?

[LordMandeep]

no some real estate agents starting yelling at each other for spots...

I wonder why didn't the agencies strike a deal with the developer beforehand?

Why, the developer can do what it wants now...

[yin_yang]

Just 90 people trying to earn a few bucks waiting in line. That's not a very big crowd.

I wonder why didn't the agencies strike a deal with the developer beforehand?

that goes against liberal thinking...so there are laws against it?

[Joe P]

I too believed it would the tallest residential building in Canada.

But if it is indeed a new tallest building, then it will be the tallest building in Canada and finally an official supertall!

[vancouverite/to'er]

shit it's only going to be 278 in total. Go to the Toronto forum-last page of 1 Bloor East in highrises.

[Skybean]

I'm disappointed. Thought it would surpass the CN Tower in height.

[vancouverite/to'er]

^^I meant they made it sound like it would be a supertall:bash:... waste of a great corner. :bash:

[Marcanadian]

I don't think it's a waste of a corner because a building is "only" 280 metres tall.