Taken Oct 6th

20241006_210220.jpg
 
Have they stopped installing this "art" facade?
I don't see any progress in the past month.

From September 21st:



From October 20th:
I was able to talk to someone from the construction team, apparently the tiles were cut incorrectly so they had to reorder them, the anticipate this to be complete by mid December
 
I wish the architect just opted for traditional cladding/ accents. Dont care for the randomized collage . Not everything has to be 'cool' or contemporary.
Once again, the select cladding here is an art installation. And I suspect it's not supposed to make things tidy or pretty, for what that's worth.
 
Thank you for the comprehensive update!

Unfortunately, this development has resolved itself into a monotonous, drab mega-block, especially when viewed from a distance. The facades, all feel rather prosaic and uninspiring, and blend together to read as a singular wall of grey tones. While I can appreciate some of the textural gestures, and massing moves, the overall scale of the facade modules and material selection (prefab concrete), has resulted in a missed opportunity for me.

Such mega-developments (happening more in TO as we are seeing), shouldn't be left in the hands of a single architect, results speak for themselves. We should instead strongly consider/*demand opening these projects up to competitions / multiple architects (especially younger less established ones), which would create more dynamism in the built-form.

Yes, it is not lost on me that this is a private development and I should STFU regarding such matters, but I am quite aware of how things are currently done in Toronto (a lot of status-quo) and how they CAN be done!
 
A story from CBC on the status of things here.

Not really much we don't know.

Except that Westbank is now suggesting full occupancy residential and retail will be summer '25.

I get the retail hold up for the Markham Street portion...........

I'm a bit confused as to why so many residential units in buildings that appear superficially complete and closed-in are not yet ready for occupancy.

 
Just curious, could there be a double standard when it comes to occupancy, in that condo buyers are forced to occupy their unit in a less-finished state compared to tenants?
 

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