Parade - (Phase I - Complete) & (Phase II - T/O) | PI: 39 st (112 m) + 18 st (53 m); PII: 44 st (127 m ) + 22 st (62 m) | CityPlace

[valantino]

Yeah, The award winning, famous St Lawrence Market area masterplan is just brimming in mixed-use awesomeness. Why can't an area be residential especially with an oversupply of commercial space only a few blocks away?

Just look at the many employment areas the city is intent on enforcing ... wastelands. Let them be developed. There will alway be land to intensify should the need for more commercial space arise.

[dleung]

IMO every single high-density development should be mixed-use. Townhouses (if desired) can sit on top of a retail podium, and have the green space terrace down to grade somewhere.

Originally Posted by isaidso

I don't want any more Concord Pacific type developments.

Concord Pacific was mostly built in the 90's, it's safe to say that both cities have since gone from identical buildings of green glass + white mullions to identical buildings of blue glass + grey mullions. Ah, progress...

@ Elkhanan: "design excellence"... lol, are you for real??

[HipHopCanada]

Originally Posted by Elkhanan1

Parade is a Kohn Pederson Fox design. They're a NYC firm. Montage, Neo, and Luna Vista are by KPMB from Toronto. Other buildings are by architectsAlliance and Page + Steele, also from Toronto. In fact, none of the buildings at Cityplace are Vancouver designs, as evidenced by their scale, heft, and design excellence, the likes of which Vancouver can only dream of. And there are still many, many more buildings to come, both public and private, the latest being Library District Condos by Context, a Toronto developer. I think this neighbourhood is shaping up to be a real winner. Kudos to Concord Adex for a job well done.

Now, if only the city could figure out what the hell to do with the goddamn Spadina 'Expressway' bisecting the site. It's ridiculous and dangerous

But will we see an end, if ever to this constant influx of green glass buildings? Or is this just the beginning?

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by CharlotteJ

I totally agree on this one Andrew.

If it happens more often in the future, TO might begin to look like Hong Kong too. (I hope that they at least add up a few of those supertalls to TO's skyline as well)

X3

[Elkhanan1]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

No single developer should be given such a large chunk of land in the core, and such a large chunk of land should no be only residential.

The Fort York neighbourhood has been handed to multiple developers and it's an abject failure. Also, Context and TCHC will be developing their own substantial blocks at Cityplace. Finally, aside from the retail that's already there, plus a planned school and library, Cityplace is mixed-use by default given its location.

Originally Posted by dleung

Elkhanan: "design excellence"... lol, are you for real??

Absolutely. Are you for real?

Originally Posted by HipHopCanada

But will we see an end, if ever to this constant influx of green glass buildings? Or is this just the beginning?

There are two buildings at Cityplace with green glass (Matrix) and they're quite attractive. None of the others have green glass. You may be thinking of WaterParkCity and Malibu, which are not part of Cityplace but, rather, located in the emerging, and thus far unsuccessful, Fort York neighbourhood.

[Ramako]

From wyliepoon at UT:

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


I never thought that the architecture of CityPlace could look so sharp and layered. I've come to expect the towers of CityPlace to appear as one amorphous gray blob, but in these photos each building displays a vibrant and distinct (though related) style. The only things that this scene is missing are leaves on the trees, people frolicking in the park, and perhaps a street car or two.

I'll hand it to Concord; they've learned from their earlier mistakes east of Spadina. If it weren't for the fact that they seem adverse to retail, I'd be downright excited to see what they'll come up with on the new parcels west of the park. I'd really like to see some restaurants and patios adjacent to the park.

[Elkhanan1]

Originally Posted by Ramako

From wyliepoon at UT:
image hosted on flickr

That's design excellence right there. Of course, Parade really will come into its own once the other half is complete and connected by skybridge. Again, kudos to Concord for a remarkably architecturally-sophisticated condo development. BTW, where's the green glass?

Originally Posted by Ramako

I never thought that the architecture of CityPlace could look so sharp and layered. I've come to expect the towers of CityPlace to appear as one amorphous gray blob, but in these photos each building displays a vibrant and distinct (though related) style. The only things that this scene is missing are leaves on the trees, people frolicking in the park, and perhaps a street car or two.

I'll hand it to Concord; they've learned from their earlier mistakes east of Spadina. If it weren't for the fact that they seem adverse to retail, I'd be downright excited to see what they'll come up with on the new parcels west of the park. I'd really like to see some restaurants and patios adjacent to the park.

Generally, I agree with you though I think the consensus re: Concord's alleged mistakes east of Spadina is exaggerated and is as much the fault of the city's planning department as it is the developer's.

[Elkhanan1]

Originally Posted by isaidso

I believe he's referring to the developer of City Place, not the architects.

No, he's referring to 'west coast design' not west coast developer. What you see above is not west coast design.

[Taller, Better]

I think in general many people are not all that well familiarized with what is actually being built down there, and assume it is all the same blue green glass cookie cutter stuff Concord has done in the past. I think people might be surprised if they go south of King one day this summer and check it all out!

[AndrewJM3D]

Originally Posted by Elkhanan1

No, he's referring to 'west coast design' not west coast developer. What you see above is not west coast design.

No I meant the developer.

[Elkhanan1]

Well, if this is what the developer produces, may they remain in Toronto for many years to come.

[Jasonzed]

[Elkhanan1]

Wow! That shot is insane. Every single building there is new, i.e less than ten years-old, aside from Metro Hall and the little brick building behind Icon. Crazy times.

[Taller, Better]

Jason, that is probably the best shot you have made to date! I am flabbergasted!

hope you don't mind but I posted it here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...oronto+density

[isaidso]

That area needs an office tower, major museum/gallery, etc. to break up the monotony.

[Elkhanan1]

RBC Centre and Bell Lightbox don't qualify?

[AndrewJM3D]

Originally Posted by Elkhanan1

RBC Centre and Bell Lightbox don't qualify?

Nope, not even close, if you think they are part of the cityp[lace development then you'd have to give the Fort York nieghbourhood the Ex and Harbourfront.

[sammo]

snapped these from queens quay west.
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Elkhanan1

RBC Centre and Bell Lightbox don't qualify?

Buildings like that would be a great start, but that area to the south west of these 2 are pretty much all condos right now. Perhaps 3 or 4 office buildings (one by Nouvel would be nice), 1-2 galleries, a museum, some high street shopping, some large art installations on the street, etc.

[Elkhanan1]

BTW, that barren square directly in front of Luna is owned by TCHC and TDSB and soon will contain affordable housing, daycare facilities, and a school.