junctionist said:
The walkway leads you to an entrance hall with elevators that can also be used for events. They preserved the archeological foundations of the former military complex outside the hotel beneath the walkway. But they also added lighting and put a massive glass floor above the foundations inside the hotel.

It's very impressive to see the foundations through the glass floor inside, and I was totally surprised when I saw it in person given how poorly received this project has been here. There's nothing like it in the city. Even with St. Lawrence Market North, they declined to invest the money needed to preserve the archeological finds at their original location.
Click to expand...
True, but the massing of the tower is so out of scale with the immediate context of the Automotive Building. If it had been a very slender point tower clad in a compatible material, I don’t think the negative reactions would have been so visceral. Also, the fact that a building developed on city property can get a pass on complying with the Tall Building Guidelines, while every other development in the city gets micromanaged by planning staff, only exacerbates the negativity.
 
junctionist said:
The walkway leads you to an entrance hall with elevators that can also be used for events. They preserved the archeological foundations of the former military complex outside the hotel beneath the walkway. But they also added lighting and put a massive glass floor above the foundations inside the hotel.

It's very impressive to see the foundations through the glass floor inside, and I was totally surprised when I saw it in person given how poorly received this project has been here. There's nothing like it in the city. Even with St. Lawrence Market North, they declined to invest the money needed to preserve the archeological finds at their original location.
Click to expand...
There was certainly talk of preserving the 'archaeology' below the SLM - the problem there was that the site is very small and if they had saved any of the findings 'in situ' they could not have had the garage - and it is/was the garage and the TPA $$ that are making the SLM redevelopment possible.
 
junctionist said:
The walkway leads you to an entrance hall with elevators that can also be used for events. They preserved the archeological foundations of the former military complex outside the hotel beneath the walkway. But they also added lighting and put a massive glass floor above the foundations inside the hotel.

It's very impressive to see the foundations through the glass floor inside, and I was totally surprised when I saw it in person given how poorly received this project has been here. There's nothing like it in the city. Even with St. Lawrence Market North, they declined to invest the money needed to preserve the archeological finds at their original location.
Click to expand...
As lovely as that sounds.... for me, this still doesn't make up for the exterior mess. It's honestly one of the worst projects of the decade.
 
Last edited:
Ottawan said:
Fixed that for you. In many ways, the 2020s have not been kind so far, but at least they are not responsible for this mess.
Click to expand...
I think "Design" Haus was 2020's and 365 Church was 2010's, for what's that worth... >.<
 
Automation Gallery said:
“
Bridge to pay homage to Toronto’s Beanfield Centre
A new pedestrian bridge connecting the Beanfield Centre and Hotel X Toronto has been uniquely designed to retain the heritage facade of the convention centre.

Because Beanfield Centre is a heritage structure it was very important for heritage and for planning that the bridge have an architectural design that was sensitive to the heritage structure itself but also in itself was an architectural piece.”

The bridge is being created to have an impact in the day and evening.

“It’s a ceramic pattern on a laminated glass and there is a tri-coloured, interlayer film that produces a glazing pattern over the glass. We did this intentionally to allow for some site lines that took us from Lake Shore Boulevard to the Enercare Centre,” said Purdy.

“We wanted to create as much natural light coming into that connection as possible.”

Much of the construction of this bridge will happen off site, said Purdy.
More....... https://canada.constructconnect.com...4/bridge-pay-homage-torontos-beanfield-centre
Click to expand...
Bridge has opened.
www.newswire.ca

Exhibition Place Opens New Sky Bridge

/CNW/ - Exhibition Place officially opens the new Sky Bridge today. The first glass-enclosed walkway of its kind in Exhibition Place, the Sky Bridge connects...
www.newswire.ca www.newswire.ca
 
Exhibition_Place_Exhibition_Place_Opens_New_Sky_Bridge.jpg

from the article above
 
Here we go again...

Coming to General government Committee next week: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2021.GL27.18

Summary
Following the completion of a successful Request for Proposal process held in 2007, the City of Toronto and the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place (the "Board"), collectively as landlord, executed a 49-year lease agreement with two options, each to renew for a 25-year term (the "Phase 1 Lease") with Princes Gate Hotel Limited Partnership (the "Phase 1 Tenant") for the development of a new hotel on the Exhibition Place grounds. The first phase of Hotel X opened for operations on March 20, 2018, with the hotel development consisting generally of a 750,000 square foot podium and 29-floor tower that includes 404 rooms, and at least 350 underground parking spots.

Under the Phase 1 Lease, the Phase 1 Tenant had an option to lease certain additional lands to the west of the Phase 1 Lease lands for the development of second hotel tower. The Phase 1 Tenant exercised the option by written notice to the Board dated July 31, 2021. The proposed Phase 2 Hotel is permitted based on the approval of Council of the Phase 1 Hotel lease, which provided the Phase 1 Tenant with an option to develop a second hotel. However, as discussed below, the option under the Phase 1 Lease did not provide for the Performance Venue, now proposed by the Tenant for Phase 2.

This report recommends that City Council approve entering into a new lease (the "Phase 2 Lease") between the City, as the landlord, and Lakeshore Princess West Limited Partnership (the "Phase 2 Tenant") for the development and operation of a hotel and performance venue on the Phase 2 Lands, based on the negotiated terms and conditions included in this report under Appendix A and Confidential Attachments 1 and 2, as approved by the Board, subject to obtaining the necessary City authorization, by adoption of Item EP20.1 at its meeting of October 29, 2021.

The proposed second phase expansion of the Hotel X facility (the "Phase 2 Development") would be located to the west of Stanley Barracks on the south side of Princes' Boulevard, along the Toronto Waterfront at Exhibition Place, as shown in Appendix A - Schedule 1 (the "Phase 2 Lands"), and includes approximately 750,000 square feet of space comprised of:

- A 400-room hotel (360,000 square feet) (the "Phase 2 Hotel");

- Underground parking of approximately 350 spaces (200,000 square feet);

- A 6,600 to 7,000 seat auditorium-style entertainment performance venue (190,000 square feet) (the "Performance Venue").

CreateTO has reviewed the proposed deal and support the staff recommendations for City Council approval. Pending City Council approval of the recommendations in this report, a future Site Plan Application will be subject to review through City Planning and the approval of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division. City and Exhibition Place staff will complete the negotiations of the Phase 2 Lease and will work with the Phase 2 Tenant to develop a community engagement strategy, in consultation with the local Councillor.
 

EP14.8 - Exhibition Place Hotel X Development - Phase 2 Lands​

Consideration Type: ACTIONWard: 10 - Spadina - Fort York

Origin​

(November 28, 2024) Report from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place

Recommendations​

The Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place recommends that the Board:

1. Receive this report for information.

Summary​

Phase 1 Development

Following the completion of a successful Request for Proposal process held in 2007, the City of Toronto and the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place (the "Board"), collectively as landlord, executed a 49-year lease agreement with two options, each to renew for a 25-year term (the "Phase 1 Lease") with Princes Gate Hotel Limited Partnership (the "Phase 1 Tenant") for the development of a new hotel on the Exhibition Place grounds. The first phase of Hotel X opened for operations on March 20, 2018.s. Under the Phase 1 Lease, the Phase 1 Tenant had an option to lease certain additional lands to the west of the Phase 1 Lease lands for the development of second hotel tower. The Phase 1 Tenant exercised the option by written notice to the Board dated July 31, 2020.

The proposed second phase hotel (the “Phase 2 Hotel”) is permitted based on the approval of Council of the Phase 1 Hotel lease, which as noted above provided the Phase 1 Tenant with an option to develop a second hotel. However, as discussed below, the option under the Phase 1 Lease did not provide for the performance venue (the “Performance Venue”), now proposed by the Tenant for Phase 2.

City Council at its meeting of December 15, 16 and 17, 2021, by its adoption of GL27.18 (the “Original Decision”) approved of a new lease between the City, as landlord, the Board, and Lakeshore Princess West Limited Partnership (the "Phase 2 Tenant"), on the terms and conditions set out in the staff report and confidential attachments submitted with that item (the “Phase 2 Lease’).

Since the Original Decision, staff from the City Real Estate Management and Exhibition Place have been working with the Tenant to finalize the Phase 2 Lease; however, due to the market pressures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tenant’s various consultations with City Planning, minor modifications to the development plans, and the need to avoid interfering with the preparations and events for the FIFA World Cup 2026, staff and the Phase 2 tenant have negotiated certain amendments to the Phase 2 Lease. Appendix B to this report outlines the proposed revisions to the terms and conditions approved in the Original Decision. The necessary City authorization will be sought for these amendments.

Financial Impact​

The initial Term under the Original Decision was estimated to begin on August 29, 2022, run for approximately 39 years, 3 months, and end on November 30, 2061.The financials were estimated accordingly. The financial structure approved under the Original Decision provides for both a fixed minimum rent and additional percentage rent payable to the City, as landlord, increasing over the initial term. The rates for the annual minimum rents and annual percentage rent remain unchanged. The term of the lease is shortened due to a fixed end date (co-terminus with the Phase 1 Lease) and a delayed construction commencement date. With the initial Term shortened from approximately 39 years, 3 months to approximately 33 years and 9 months, the result is a lower estimated financial return over the full Term.

Under the requested Phase 2 Lease amendments, the expiry of the Term remains fixed, ending on November 30, 2061 (co-terminous with the Phase 1 Lease term expiry). Under the proposed amended Term, the estimated positive financial return of the Phase 2 Lease from both the Phase 2 Hotel and Performance Venue from rent and ancillary revenue, over its initial Term, will be $136.658 million.

The Phase 2 Hotel is expected to open in August 2032. The positive economic impact detailed below from this project and various capital expenditures of approximately $417.0 million for construction is in addition to the positive financial implications noted above.

In addition, it is estimated the Hotel and Performance Venue will pay approximately $2.456 million annually in property taxes (Municipal share is 50 percent), increasing over the term once the facility becomes operational.

Background Information​

(November 28, 2024) Report and Appendices A1, A2, B and C from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place on Exhibition Place Hotel X Development - Phase 2 Lands
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ep/bgrd/backgroundfile-251249.pdf

SEE: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EP14.8
 
You must log in or register to post here.

Back
Top