Archivist
Senior Member
Those who have been around may remember that once in a while I do a bit construction update, where I try to find all the major projects in the central city at one time and capture them all. It's a kind of snapshot of how we are changing. I've done it usually in October, but this year I was mostly out of town so here they are now, all taken in the past three days. These are photos of everything from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to Filmport and everything in between that I was aware of or came across. Undoubtedly, I've missed a few.
Total of 76 different projects - some with multiple buildings. Lots of stuff just starting. Some handsome additions to the city. Not so bad, after all.
There is a key map, and I have included renderings of almost all projects. The renderings are numbered from the symbol on the map. My definition of "under construction" is quite broad, as a few of these are beginning to be occupied, while in other cases the site is just being cleared.
Enjoy!
Though the Abell building still stands, others are coming down and some of the shops on the street are closed.
Sort of hard to keep track of these Liberty Village buildings, but I'm not sure I see the point in trying anyways.
It looks to me like early site prep for Neptune is happening. I personally think the WaterParkCity towers are quite nice, and good for their location.
West Harbour City One buildings is at street level, and though this area has so much construction that it is confusing, I think the second might be starting as well.
There are some signs of digging at what I believe would be Parade. These CityPlace buildings go up so amazingly quickly. Unlike many detractors, I think the towers themselves (as opposed to their neighbourhood) are fine - "fine" in the sense that they are glassy point towers very much of their era. The neighbourhood might look dated in 20 years, but perhaps in 50 it will be fabulous!
This is a very handsome building, or rather, buildings. I actually didn't realize that the two buildings would be quite separate - they are also quite distinct in character and I quite like them both.
This glass building is perfect in its context - though it's not finished, you'd swear it was always there. Imagine having a unit with the right view, towards both the AGO and OCAD - who, even in Europe, has views of both a Gehry and an Alsop from their windows?
OK, this building is really not at all under construction, but for me the work on the old Pretzel Bell was new and interesting. I am quite anxious for this to go up, I think it will be handsome, and better than it's western cousin.
Thrilled to see the beginnings of the buildings slope in the early fenestration. Will this be handsome? I thought it would be bland, but I might end up liking it.
The BA stump as it is now makes me think of the old one.
So Trump does happen, after all! {Sigh}. The Trump NY was voted one of that city's ugliest buildings, at least this will be fairly well obscured by its neighbours.
I have no problem with this glassy tower in its Victorian context, in fact, I rather like the contrast. I also think it has been cleverly designed to make the alleyway 'o shops more pleasant, and that will be a good thing for the District. I do think, though, that poor old Mill Street always gets the worst of it - in this case the garage which I am not fond of, in any way at all.
Ouch that's pointy!
This site has two buildings that are close to done, and another on the way. There is a kind of shed, as well, with metallic siding, and I could not tell if it was to be permanent or not. Perhaps this is something needed by film-type people. The footings of the main stage are in place as well. I was pleased to see how close the front of one of the buildings was to Commissioners, and the size of the windows is pleasing.
Sad to see another car dealership moving in near the district. However, right across the street is a development application for a six storey with commercial, which strikes me as exactly the kind of development the area needs to bind the Distillery more tightly with the city.
One Cole is just a hole.
This site for Vu is just massive. I look forward to this rising on the east side.
Facadism of an ugly building to begin with. Now, it really has gone too far.
People have moved into this tower, but outside work continues. I think the residences along the park might actually be OK, I had more or less written them off, but I think their impact on the park might be a good one.
Not sure why everyone seems to hate this so. It seems perfectly appropriate to its area, and the ground retail looks promising. I've never been able to must dislike for this building, perhaps its because if I can forgive the sixties their exuberant embellishments, then I can live with a couple of top elements on buildings that are expressive. It doesn't seem the end of the world. Also, the lowrise seem especially appropriate to their alley-like context.
This, on the other hand, strikes me as a real dog. Bow wow.
Easy to hate this building, but I was mildly pleased with its street retail. Perhaps they ought to stop now, before the pippys etc. are glued on. It has a certain rugged appeal as it stands.
Another one that has evidence of people living in it. I dislike this building, but I was pleased to see that the lights along the lower level are so similar to the Minto next door - it provides a kind of continuity, however small, to the street.
I'm pleased they have stayed with the traditional font for this project.
Couldn't find a render for this. Is this the one with the crooked concrete that has inhibited completion?
I actually don't mind the gentle sweep of the north side of this building, as viewed from Bloor, with it's strong horizontal elements. Better from far than near, however.
Total of 76 different projects - some with multiple buildings. Lots of stuff just starting. Some handsome additions to the city. Not so bad, after all.
There is a key map, and I have included renderings of almost all projects. The renderings are numbered from the symbol on the map. My definition of "under construction" is quite broad, as a few of these are beginning to be occupied, while in other cases the site is just being cleared.
Enjoy!
Though the Abell building still stands, others are coming down and some of the shops on the street are closed.
Sort of hard to keep track of these Liberty Village buildings, but I'm not sure I see the point in trying anyways.
It looks to me like early site prep for Neptune is happening. I personally think the WaterParkCity towers are quite nice, and good for their location.
West Harbour City One buildings is at street level, and though this area has so much construction that it is confusing, I think the second might be starting as well.
There are some signs of digging at what I believe would be Parade. These CityPlace buildings go up so amazingly quickly. Unlike many detractors, I think the towers themselves (as opposed to their neighbourhood) are fine - "fine" in the sense that they are glassy point towers very much of their era. The neighbourhood might look dated in 20 years, but perhaps in 50 it will be fabulous!
This is a very handsome building, or rather, buildings. I actually didn't realize that the two buildings would be quite separate - they are also quite distinct in character and I quite like them both.
This glass building is perfect in its context - though it's not finished, you'd swear it was always there. Imagine having a unit with the right view, towards both the AGO and OCAD - who, even in Europe, has views of both a Gehry and an Alsop from their windows?
OK, this building is really not at all under construction, but for me the work on the old Pretzel Bell was new and interesting. I am quite anxious for this to go up, I think it will be handsome, and better than it's western cousin.
Thrilled to see the beginnings of the buildings slope in the early fenestration. Will this be handsome? I thought it would be bland, but I might end up liking it.
The BA stump as it is now makes me think of the old one.
So Trump does happen, after all! {Sigh}. The Trump NY was voted one of that city's ugliest buildings, at least this will be fairly well obscured by its neighbours.
I have no problem with this glassy tower in its Victorian context, in fact, I rather like the contrast. I also think it has been cleverly designed to make the alleyway 'o shops more pleasant, and that will be a good thing for the District. I do think, though, that poor old Mill Street always gets the worst of it - in this case the garage which I am not fond of, in any way at all.
Ouch that's pointy!
This site has two buildings that are close to done, and another on the way. There is a kind of shed, as well, with metallic siding, and I could not tell if it was to be permanent or not. Perhaps this is something needed by film-type people. The footings of the main stage are in place as well. I was pleased to see how close the front of one of the buildings was to Commissioners, and the size of the windows is pleasing.
Sad to see another car dealership moving in near the district. However, right across the street is a development application for a six storey with commercial, which strikes me as exactly the kind of development the area needs to bind the Distillery more tightly with the city.
One Cole is just a hole.
This site for Vu is just massive. I look forward to this rising on the east side.
Facadism of an ugly building to begin with. Now, it really has gone too far.
People have moved into this tower, but outside work continues. I think the residences along the park might actually be OK, I had more or less written them off, but I think their impact on the park might be a good one.
Not sure why everyone seems to hate this so. It seems perfectly appropriate to its area, and the ground retail looks promising. I've never been able to must dislike for this building, perhaps its because if I can forgive the sixties their exuberant embellishments, then I can live with a couple of top elements on buildings that are expressive. It doesn't seem the end of the world. Also, the lowrise seem especially appropriate to their alley-like context.
This, on the other hand, strikes me as a real dog. Bow wow.
Easy to hate this building, but I was mildly pleased with its street retail. Perhaps they ought to stop now, before the pippys etc. are glued on. It has a certain rugged appeal as it stands.
Another one that has evidence of people living in it. I dislike this building, but I was pleased to see that the lights along the lower level are so similar to the Minto next door - it provides a kind of continuity, however small, to the street.
I'm pleased they have stayed with the traditional font for this project.
Couldn't find a render for this. Is this the one with the crooked concrete that has inhibited completion?
I actually don't mind the gentle sweep of the north side of this building, as viewed from Bloor, with it's strong horizontal elements. Better from far than near, however.
