This is an interesting move as centralizing in the downtown core seems to me to be a vote for transit oriented commuting (which given the pandemic was an uncertain premise at least in the short-term).

I thought it was just the skyline perspective, but I went past the building at ground level recently and have to double-down on the sterility comments. It may be mitigated once the temperance street is blocked to traffic and the cloud garden plaza area is finished -but these buildings are...

York is a big school already and it is of interest that it just seems to keep on growing. A medical school would be a big win for them.

In truth - hasn't the Mirvish project now essentially just become a hypothetical discussion on building heights?

That King Street plan is great (IMO) - but it is obv. a city decision on the land-use. Does this imply the city is behind it b/c it is on this rendering? Sorry - just not very knowledgeable on this topic - how should we interpret it?

There certainly is an interesting debate here on creating a rule based system that is policed which constrains developers (some of which definitely need to be overseen) with the need for the market to be able to provide buildings (both office or maybe more importantly homes) at a supply and...

Building for the future...

All I can say is watch for a ton of sublease space to come to market in the next 12 months. Longer term - who knows -but a higher percentage of people WFH seems pretty safe. It has been shown to be manageable and, for some, preferable. Some business leaders will see this as way to push...

Anyone have any insights into the lease take-up / sub-lease activity on the office space component of this building? When is it scheduled for occupancy?

not really - Toronto has lots of buildings whose only attribute is tall - this one adds a l0t more interest diversity to this area.

This is very poor. Maybe sometimes you can not reconcile keeping an old building with architectural value and intense densification. We want both all over Toronto - but sometimes we may just need to pick and move on.

I found the Star's headline a bit hyperbolic and not helpful - but perhaps I am not just becoming over sensitive myself to journalistic bias given the times we live in.

I am not aware if this was similar in other cities' armories too and was some kind of trend/template for such buildings in Canada - but the architectural style is very much like Victoria BC's still existing armoury. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Street_Armoury

I can imagine this was an inducement for TMX to move into the space.

There is an article on tech-hubs (dont think it is pay-walled) from the financial times which includes Toronto's eastern shore area (among other global locations). Posting here as seems most relevant: https://www.ft.com/content/4967ba06-4dc0-4345-987b-265470457785

Agreed! they did an amazing job on this. I hope the local NIMBY's don't try to ruin it.

In case it was not clear from the photo - along with the core rising up, there are now visible steel skeleton girders built as well.

were complaining about hoarding now?

The blue coloured spandrel at bottom is unfortunate.

Does anyone else find the Hong Kong Trade and Development counsel / Cathay Pacific office sitting on ground floor in what is becoming a pretty thriving little retail strip out of place? if they pedestrianize this street - I would cross my fingers that there is an upgrade there - though I guess...