[tudararms]

Re: Shangri-La

Thanks for the excellent update. It appears the race is now on. There are so many towers going up in the lower west end, the skyline will expand substantially. I wonder which ones will start to appear first.

 

[Ed007Toronto]

Re: Shangri-La

I am simply amazed at how quickly Ritz has begun excavation.

It helps that the south and west ends of the site already had concrete retaining walls in place from the CBC and Simcoe Place developments in the 80's. That saved them a bunch of time.

 

[TdotTrickyRicky]

I like those yellow umbrellas at H20. We are pretty timid with colour in this city (graffiti artists aside) so every little bit helps.

 

[gbelan]

thanks for the update andrew,when is the simcoe st extension slated to open?

 

[Sir Novelty Fashion]

Thanks Andrew; nothing remotely mini about it.

I agree that Toronto is colour-shy, and that those yellow umbrellas are nice. But doesn't that just make them extra-depressing in winter?

Sadly, it was the losing candidates for waterfront redesign that made the strongest proposals for year-round usage of the area...

 

[AndrewJM3D]

Re: Shangri-La

I wonder which ones will start to appear first.

I'd say RBC will rise the fastest. One elevator shaft is already at ground level. I bet by late spring we have a nice start on a steel frame 10 or more floors by late May. Followed by the Telus Tower followed by Ritz along with B/A. MLS has a way to go, it'll rise about the same time as TIFF.

 

[p5archit]

Yeah, great update-again, nothing MINI about it...Thanks!

I was surprised to see the progress at RBC- that is moving along very rapidly. One thing I noticed was at Maple Leafs Square- where is the public square going to be, when Telus is building its office tower right across the street? I thought that was to be the square?

p5

 

[Mike in TO]

Re: Shangri-La

The Square is going to be an enhancement of the current public space already existing infront of the ACC - although a lot of that space is currently torn up for Telus underground work.

 

[alklay]

Maple Leaf Square refers to the building (much like Canada Square at the southwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton). There is no new space for any 'public square.'

 

[p5archit]

Re: Shangri-La

^^Thanks for that information- I was under the impression that it was going to be where Telus will stand- I guess the renderings showed the space without Telus in the way?

All the same, I think the area should turn out quite well- lots of density and a good mix of uses.

p5

 

[circuitboy84]

It helps that the south and west ends of the site already had concrete retaining walls in place from the CBC and Simcoe Place developments in the 80's. That saved them a bunch of time.

I know they put new concrete retaining walls in place at least along the western portion of the lot due to the fact that ooh la la's used to have an outdoor portion of their cafe there.
That area also used to be a free place for people with motorcycle's to park.

 

[Ed007Toronto]

Re: Shangri-La

Doesn't look like it to me from this picture. The western wall is clearly the retaining wall for the CBC building.

 

[tudararms]

"Maple Leaf Square refers to the building (much like Canada Square at the southwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton). There is no new space for any 'public square.'

I also seem to recall there being plans for a public plaza between ACC and MLS. Anybody else?

 

[Mike in TO]

Re: Shangri-La

^ Those are the plans... there already is a large public square there (between the Galleria, Telus site, Gates 5 and 6 at the ACC and the MLS site at the end of Bremner) - MLSE, Lanterra and CF plan to upgrade and enhance the existing public space and the new Union Station south entrance will eventually front onto this space (no idea on any timelines for that).

 

[p5archit]

re:Mini Update

^^I guess we will have to wait and see how this public space will develop. Somehow, I just don't see it being left until some other time..MLSE will probably want to have everything in place and done by the time this project should be complete- meaning: access to Union Station and public square enhancements.

At least I would hope that this is the approach tha they will be taking.

p5