[MetroMan]

So, it took 12 years to install a few planters and a 100 person capacity patch of concrete 'performance space'?

I am less than whelmed..

It's limestone, and they built a ton of underground infrastructure. Silva Cells for the trees to survive into growing very large over a decade and heated paving so that the plaza doesn't need to be salted and is always clear of snow in the winter. The outdoor theatre was completely rebuilt to better connect with Philosopher's Walk and includes a new entrance into the ROM's basement which will open directly into the ROM Theatre from the plaza.

It was pretty substantial work.

 

[CityStay]

It's limestone, and they built a ton of underground infrastructure. Silva Cells for the trees to survive into growing very large over a decade and heated paving so that the plaza doesn't need to be salted and is always clear of snow in the winter. The outdoor theatre was completely rebuilt to better connect with Philosopher's Walk and includes a new entrance into the ROM's basement which will open directly into the ROM Theatre from the plaza.

It was pretty substantial work.

"Outdoor theatre"? lol! Ok..

And the planters were properly installed? Wow! Impressive.

Makes you wonder why this took 12 years and wasn't part of the original design.

Because it's so.. what you would normally expect from the outset?

But a fantastic acheivement by Toronto standards!

And now we wait another decade or so for the rest of it to be completed..

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Someone clearly isn’t familiar with the financial pressures at ROM...

AoD

 

[LUVIT!]

I think it’s just lovely.

 

[Benito]

Today.

 

[Benito]

Three more that didn’t fit in the previous post.

 

[Richard White]

When I saw this from the north side of Bloor St I thought someone mounted the curb and took out a garbage can.

 

[MetroMan]

The seating area looks like concrete. Would have looked a lot nicer if they kept the granite seating - would look more rich and modern than the dull grey concrete. A few nice high-end benches for seating would have been a good addition.

This improvement is underwhelming.

The seating is also limestone. Parts of the plaza paving are limestone and granite while outside the outdoor theatre and closer to the sidewalk, it’s poured cement.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

The seating is also limestone. Parts of the plaza paving are limestone and granite while outside the outdoor theatre and closer to the sidewalk, it’s poured cement.

Not a huge fan of poured cement anywhere on this strip - generic sidewalk, yes, but this ain't the area/project for it.

AoD

 

[MetroMan]

Not a huge fan of poured cement anywhere on this strip - generic sidewalk, yes, but this ain't the area/project for it.

AoD

Neither am I, but to the point you made a few posts up, the ROM has to make due with money they get from donations. I would’ve loved a full limestone or granite plaza if money were no object.

 

[MetroMan]

Heck, I’d be happy if they had extended this project to the full length of the Bloor forecourt. It’s kind of weird when 30% of the plaza is different than the other 70%. Hopefully they get on that soon.

 

[interchange42]

Here's a take on the improvements by one of our former writers… the best of them, in fact:

A Verdant (and Welcoming) New Landscape Revives Toronto's ROM Crystal

Designed by Siamak Hariri, a pair of new public spaces artfully resolve the street-level presence of Daniel Libeskind's ROM Crystal.

www.azuremagazine.com

 

[salsa]

BlogTO getting it wrong again.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1164917692387799042

 

[Benito]

Colorful furniture out today.

 

[vatche]

I think it looks lovely.