Toronto is Booming, but how?

[ssiguy2]

Not that I think it will happen in decades, if ever, but it would be interesting to see if Toronto would actually allow a tower higher than the CN Tower. Many cities don't allow building higher than their icons like in Ottawa with the Peace Tower. I beleive it's still true in Calgary with the Calgary Tower.

I don't think it's going to be a concern for decades but if I was a betting man I would say that Toronto would not allow it.

[Nouvellecosse]

Neither the Peace Tower nor the Calgary Tower is the tallest building in its respective city. In the Peace Tower's case, it's only the 12th tallest.

In Toronto's case, I doubt it will ever allow anything taller than the CN, at least within the century, but not due to the CN Tower. There would always be some other unrelated issue like shadowing, sight lines, scale of the streetscape, etc.

[isaidso]

Growing cities periodically build new iconic/landmark buildings/structures. I'm not sure why Toronto would be any different. It's not like a growing city is ever 'finished' building. Who knows, 100 years from now the CN Tower might not even be in the top 10. Skyscraper heights might continue increasing or they may level off at some point. A lot depends on technology and the economics of building that tall.

[Taller, Better]

I think Toronto is the city in Canada most likely to encourage height, as it is striving for density and doesn't have blanket height restrictions like Vancouver or Montreal.

[isaidso]

Agree, although I can't see Vancouver's height restriction lasting too much longer. They'll have to allow much taller buildings in the future or see development/growth move to Burnaby or further a field.

I already heard about some 70 floor buildings planned for Burnaby.

[ACT7]

Not really news, but still post-worthy...

http://www.thestar.com/business/arti...se-development

Toronto leading the western world in high highrise development

Published on Wednesday December 12, 2012

By Susan Pigg Business Reporter
20 Comments

Toronto’s stretch into the skies is capturing the attention of the world.

Tall-building development here is outpacing every other city in the Western Hemisphere with 15 skyscrapers exceeding roughly 45 storeys now under construction, according to a new study by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

That means by 2015, Toronto will be home to 44 highrises exceeding 150 metres, more than triple the 13 skyscrapers that graced the city’s skyline in 2005, says the Chicago-based clearing house on all the latest in tall building design and construction.

In a report titled “Canada Rising,” the well-respected council points to the Great White North’s fast-paced push upwards in just the last eight years. And it credits Toronto with “spearheading a countrywide interest in tall building development” that has seen a dramatic shift away from simply highrise office towers to homes in the heavens that are transforming the look and feel of Canada’s major cities.

[Taller, Better]

Thanks for posting! Nice to read an article that takes the bigger view of city building and of the health of our city:

“There’s no doubt that Canada is at the forefront of discussion around how to create more vibrant urban centres, increase density and build more sustainable cities,” said council spokesperson Kevin Brass".

"We’re turning into a very exciting city. The tall buildings are bringing the density and the people into the downtown core and making us more of a walkable city, which is fantastic.”

"In fact, the council (Council on Tall Buildings) now considers Canada such a North American leader in green highrise development, it’s looking to establish a Canadian chapter and considering holding an annual conference here so leading architects and building professionals can see what’s happening firsthand".
all quotes from:
http://www.thestar.com/business/arti...se-development

instead of the usual myopic moaning about how ugly condos are while completely ignoring what the new condos represent.

[softee]

Ugh, the comments following that article make my head hurt.

[Marcanadian]

"People are being crammed into these little prison cells they call condos against their will! Density is inhumane and cruel! We need ever-expanding urban sprawl, where people have to drive 20 minutes to get a bag of milk. That's the humane thing to do!"

[Mollywood]

Walking is considered cruel and unusual punishment by many suburbanites.

[Taller, Better]

I gave up reading those readers comments years ago. They can be funny, but honestly most of them are blithering idiots.

[isaidso]

[isaidso]

Niagara Falls might very well move into 4th spot if their hotel proposals get built while Edmonton and Winnipeg might get on the list for the first time.

[Taller, Better]

I'm really wishing for a couple of nice tall ones for Winnipeg this year.

[isaidso]

I was impressed with the architectural quality in Winnipeg when I visited and there have been lots of great things happening there: Manitoba Hydro, the CMHR, Investors Field, and isn't there a 36 floor rumour circulating?

[Taller, Better]

Yes! Could be a new tallest for Winnipeg.

[isaidso]

That sounds fabulous. It could easily be 150m+ if it's office. In a city like Winnipeg, that's probably a good bet.

[Urbania]

Wow...that's a large number of 150m+ buildings for a city the size of Calgary.

[isaidso]

Despite only being Canada's 5th largest metropolitan area, Calgary has become the nation's 2nd most important business centre after Toronto. What's even more amazing about Calgary is that almost every one of those 150m+ buildings is office. The Calgary skyline has the potential to get significantly bigger if they ever start building tall residential downtown.

[Nouvellecosse]

It makes me feel bad that Montreal doesn't have 15. 7 would still be exceptional for a metro area its size, but at Montreal's size it's just depressing.