Towered
Superstar
My gods that's insane - looks like something out of Sim City. Anyway yeah, although the plaza hasn't been designed yet, it's proposed location at the corner of 2 busy streets would make for an unpleasant space for pedestrians.
- Thread starter androiduk
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ttk77
Senior Member
Would be great if that happens.
A bit of history keeping here: today's WT DRP meeting is currently running at minimum an hour and a half behind. I wish it were being filmed and available for viewing: what's being said by the presenters and the panelists is very interesting. (I also wish certain members of the panel would speak more directly into the microphones—some of this is difficult to make out at times).
The meeting is absolutely packed with content, and the typical hour-and-a-bit time slots which were allotted for the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan first, and now 1-7 Yonge, have not reflected the amount of time required to evaluate the proposals in enough detail. Even with it going long, there's much being left on the table. These are important plans and proposals, and there's some frustration being expressed by the panelists that the City hasn't made certain final decisions re: roads, parks, etc., and that's making it difficult to deliver more incisive critiques. That said, there are many, varying viewpoints being expressed in the feedback, and I those frantically taking the minutes will have sore hands at the end of the meeting!
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The meeting is absolutely packed with content, and the typical hour-and-a-bit time slots which were allotted for the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan first, and now 1-7 Yonge, have not reflected the amount of time required to evaluate the proposals in enough detail. Even with it going long, there's much being left on the table. These are important plans and proposals, and there's some frustration being expressed by the panelists that the City hasn't made certain final decisions re: roads, parks, etc., and that's making it difficult to deliver more incisive critiques. That said, there are many, varying viewpoints being expressed in the feedback, and I those frantically taking the minutes will have sore hands at the end of the meeting!
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ChesterCopperpot
Senior Member
Any other projects being discussed there today Craig?
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
If I remember correctly, the whole York ramp/Harbour Street redo will have to be tested along with the new Hybrid Gardiner model. One source of uncertainty perhaps?
AoD
AoD
Uptowner
Active Member
Excellent. Thanks very much for those updates. I think we can call deal with the camera shots just fine. Again, it's appreciated. Are there any updated numbers with respect to heights and residential unit numbers?
The new Simcoe off-ramp itself was not dealt with, but everything east of it was re: Harbour Street-post-ramp-removal, with most of the attention being paid to plantings on either side of the street, and a two-way bike path on the south side of the street. This is the QQ Martin Goodman Trail bypass that a lot of cyclists are looking for.
The Aitken Place Park design is being considered now, and the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is up next. It's an incredibly packed day.
Not yet. Tower heights are up a little here, down marginally there, massing shifted this way, that way… there is much still to be resolved.
To that end, the DRP voted to not support the design today, but not because they don't like the direction it's going, only to say that there are still too many details to continue to work out to give it a vote of support yet.
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stjames2queenwest
Senior Member
I really like the North west (tallest) tower. I like the twist and the steps. It is unlike anything else we have yet.
khris
Senior Member
Is the Church St. underpass part of the meeting as wellL?
steveve
Senior Member
Even if this is a work in progress, if this is indicative of the direction they're going, this is simply amazing.
The scale and ambition (and even look of some of the buildings) reminds me of the Hudson Yards project, very futuristic. I too am not a fan of balcony spam, but this is done very artfully and on a grand scale. If they even remotely resemble this in final form, they'll give the Mirvish Towers a run for their money. (these are more impressive imo)
Mind = blown
The scale and ambition (and even look of some of the buildings) reminds me of the Hudson Yards project, very futuristic. I too am not a fan of balcony spam, but this is done very artfully and on a grand scale. If they even remotely resemble this in final form, they'll give the Mirvish Towers a run for their money. (these are more impressive imo)
Mind = blown
Lenser
Senior Member
Funktastic. Not so sure of the massing and sculptural elements of the shorter tower but that massive plaza rocks and the simplicity of the two-tower design is striking.
Mongo
Senior Member
It's growing on me. When I first saw this design earlier today, I thought, "what an incoherent mess!" but I'm coming around on it. These are massive buildings, and what would look too busy on smaller towers might be well suited to beasts like these. I don't want more Auras here, but that's as much a matter of materials and execution as of design.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
any word on the updated floor count?
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
Given how Harbour Street will link up the proposed parks at the York Ramp and LCBO lands (with the visual axis perhaps even through EBF to Sherbourne Park at some point), it is *imperative* that they are considered as one coherent landscape unit. There is potential to expand the public realm and create a truly spectacular space.
CC+A would be perfect for the job, given their experience with the Well - and yes, a big (no, make it huge) classical fountain would be amazing.
AoD
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44 North
Senior Member
Agreed, I find it a bit messy and weak. I was hoping for something a little more pronounced - particularly considering that absolute massiveness of this proposal. I dunno, perhaps something on a scale of engaging prominence like First Canadian, Scotia Plaza, or what I hope The One on Bloor West will become.