TORONTO | 480 University Ave - The Icon | 55 fl | Pro

cruzin4u · December 8th, 2012, 08:20 AM

Address: 480 University Ave
Developer: Amexon Development Corp.
Architect: Core Architects

Existing 18 storey office building would be reclad and 37 stories added to the building, which would top out at 55 stories.

Existing structure:

Proposal:

Podium:

The design review panel will request changes (something more "iconic") - so the render of the tower will surely change.

ThatOneGuy · December 8th, 2012, 11:09 PM

Pretty good. The old one looks like a prison.

tim1807 · December 8th, 2012, 11:28 PM

I think the tower looks boring and the base doesn't match the tower.

Kiboko · December 10th, 2012, 04:13 PM

Is it even possible to build such a big skyscraper on that existing box, without causing it to collapse?

ThatOneGuy · December 13th, 2012, 01:23 AM

Obviously it can hold, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

540_804 · December 13th, 2012, 03:13 AM

You know, I kinda like that older building.

But I don't live in Toronto, so what does my opinion matter...

isaidso · December 15th, 2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 540_804

You know, I kinda like that older building.

But I don't live in Toronto, so what does my opinion matter...

It's not a master piece, but at the rate we're going Toronto will have few quality examples of 60s office buildings left in a decade or 2. I believe it was designed by the same architect who designed New York's WTC.

That era is out of favour these days, but there seems to be a large block of people that see the wisdom in preserving our architectural heritage. It would be a travesty if we did to 60s-70s architecture what we did to our pre-war buildings.

I wish they would maintain the architectural heritage of this building along with the floor additions.

Eric Offereins · December 17th, 2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim1807

I think the tower looks boring and the base doesn't match the tower.

I agree. The new tower is just another anonymous glass box.

in'sauga · December 17th, 2012, 10:44 PM

so ordinary

isaidso · December 18th, 2012, 11:42 AM

The base is great, the tower is forgettable. I just wish we didn't have to lose a piece of our architectural heritage in the process. When my grand kids want to look at an example of Yamasaki 60s office architecture, I don't want to have to refer them to a text book.

ThatOneGuy · December 19th, 2012, 03:51 AM

Is it Yamasaki's building? I don't think so. But I agree that the classy, formal skyscrapers from the mid 20th century like TD center and FCP are being overshadowed by the endless glass condos being built everywhere.
I don't really like the current building, but many people apparently do, and, like it or not, such international-style 60s skyscrapers are part of toronto's architectural history, being devoured by the glass condo plague, or 'Vacouveritis' as I call it.

isaidso · December 20th, 2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatOneGuy

Is it Yamasaki's building? I don't think so. But I agree that the classy, formal skyscrapers from the mid 20th century like TD center and FCP are being overshadowed by the endless glass condos being built everywhere.
I don't really like the current building, but many people apparently do, and, like it or not, such international-style 60s skyscrapers are part of toronto's architectural history, being devoured by the glass condo plague, or 'Vacouveritis' as I call it.

It is Yamasaki according to the chatter on UT.

cruzin4u · December 20th, 2012, 07:40 PM

UT mentions it's not...

"An 18-storey office tower designed by WZMH Architects and opened in 1968, its design has been called the best example of Yamasaki Modern in Toronto."

For those unfamiliar with the meaning of 'Yamasaki Modern':

Yamasaki Modern: term refers to the all-encompassing deep precast grille from which is punched closely packed and vertically elongated lozenge-shaped windows, and which typified the work of Minoru Yamasaki, designer of New York's fallen World Trade Centre.

It goes on to mention the reasoning behind the renovation. The precast is falling a part, also the windows are not energy efficient and allow very little light into the building.

isaidso · December 21st, 2012, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the clarification. It's a shame that they're doing a renovation instead of a preservation. We're going to end up with a boring cityscape if they re-make every by-gone style to fit the tastes of the day. When does it end?

koolio · December 21st, 2012, 10:20 PM

Completely agreed. I really hope this does not go through.

Innsertnamehere · January 26th, 2013, 06:27 AM

tim1807 · January 26th, 2013, 10:41 PM

It looks interesting when walking by but you don't have to look up.

December 8th, 2012, 08:20 AM	#1
cruzin4u Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 383 Likes (Received): 11	TORONTO \| 480 University Ave - The Icon \| 55 fl \| Pro Address: 480 University Ave Developer: Amexon Development Corp. Architect: Core Architects Existing 18 storey office building would be reclad and 37 stories added to the building, which would top out at 55 stories. Existing structure: Proposal: Podium: The design review panel will request changes (something more "iconic") - so the render of the tower will surely change.

December 10th, 2012, 04:13 PM	#4
Kiboko hubba hubba Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,292	Is it even possible to build such a big skyscraper on that existing box, without causing it to collapse? __________________ Visit the Netherlands

December 18th, 2012, 11:42 AM	#10
isaidso the new republic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The United Provinces of America Posts: 18,886 Likes (Received): 450	The base is great, the tower is forgettable. I just wish we didn't have to lose a piece of our architectural heritage in the process. When my grand kids want to look at an example of Yamasaki 60s office architecture, I don't want to have to refer them to a text book. __________________ World's 1st Baseball Game: June 4th, 1838, Beachville, Ontario, Canada North America's Oldest Pro Football Teams: Toronto Argonauts (1873) and Hamilton Tiger Cats (1869) I started my first photo thread documenting a recent trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Have a peek: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=724898 Last edited by isaidso; December 18th, 2012 at 11:49 AM.

December 21st, 2012, 03:27 PM	#14
isaidso the new republic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The United Provinces of America Posts: 18,886 Likes (Received): 450	Thanks for the clarification. It's a shame that they're doing a renovation instead of a preservation. We're going to end up with a boring cityscape if they re-make every by-gone style to fit the tastes of the day. When does it end? __________________ World's 1st Baseball Game: June 4th, 1838, Beachville, Ontario, Canada North America's Oldest Pro Football Teams: Toronto Argonauts (1873) and Hamilton Tiger Cats (1869) I started my first photo thread documenting a recent trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Have a peek: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=724898

December 21st, 2012, 10:20 PM	#15
koolio Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,780 Likes (Received): 308	Completely agreed. I really hope this does not go through. __________________ Victoria, Canada

December 8th, 2012, 11:09 PM	#2
ThatOneGuy Dubstep Producer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Constanța Posts: 7,380 Likes (Received): 1320	Pretty good. The old one looks like a prison.

December 8th, 2012, 11:28 PM	#3
tim1807 faster than buildings Join Date: May 2011 Location: Den Helder Posts: 7,148 Likes (Received): 1047	I think the tower looks boring and the base doesn't match the tower.

December 13th, 2012, 01:23 AM	#5
ThatOneGuy Dubstep Producer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Constanța Posts: 7,380 Likes (Received): 1320	Obviously it can hold, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

December 13th, 2012, 03:13 AM	#6
540_804 VA is for LOVERS! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Roanoke and Richmond, VA Posts: 673 Likes (Received): 1	You know, I kinda like that older building. But I don't live in Toronto, so what does my opinion matter...

December 17th, 2012, 10:44 PM	#9
in'sauga Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mississauga Posts: 422 Likes (Received): 1	so ordinary

December 19th, 2012, 03:51 AM	#11
ThatOneGuy Dubstep Producer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Constanța Posts: 7,380 Likes (Received): 1320	Is it Yamasaki's building? I don't think so. But I agree that the classy, formal skyscrapers from the mid 20th century like TD center and FCP are being overshadowed by the endless glass condos being built everywhere. I don't really like the current building, but many people apparently do, and, like it or not, such international-style 60s skyscrapers are part of toronto's architectural history, being devoured by the glass condo plague, or 'Vacouveritis' as I call it.

December 20th, 2012, 07:40 PM	#13
cruzin4u Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 383 Likes (Received): 11	UT mentions it's not... "An 18-storey office tower designed by WZMH Architects and opened in 1968, its design has been called the best example of Yamasaki Modern in Toronto." For those unfamiliar with the meaning of 'Yamasaki Modern': Yamasaki Modern: term refers to the all-encompassing deep precast grille from which is punched closely packed and vertically elongated lozenge-shaped windows, and which typified the work of Minoru Yamasaki, designer of New York's fallen World Trade Centre. It goes on to mention the reasoning behind the renovation. The precast is falling a part, also the windows are not energy efficient and allow very little light into the building.

January 26th, 2013, 06:27 AM	#16
Innsertnamehere insertoronto Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,958 Likes (Received): 17

January 26th, 2013, 10:41 PM	#17
tim1807 faster than buildings Join Date: May 2011 Location: Den Helder Posts: 7,148 Likes (Received): 1047	It looks interesting when walking by but you don't have to look up. __________________ SAIL DEN HELDER 2013 20-21-22-23 JUNI http://www.saildenhelder.nl/

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