St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC is surrounded by towers, living in the shadows and it hasn't taken away from it's beauty or popularity one iota.

It depends on the groupings of buildings and their specific architecture; towers may be designed with curves or setbacks to address shadowing concerns. Highly reflective glass is another possible option, though one that produces unnatural effects and may not be bird friendly. Shadowing concerns often seem to stimulate architectural creativity for more distinctive design. I'm not very familiar with St. Patrick's Cathedral, but I imagine that a cathedral whose neighbours didn't take shadowing into consideration and now lacks natural light isn't that spectacular because you need natural light to appreciate many aspects of traditional Gothic design.
 
I can't wait to see this "renderporn". May be the sexiest condo podium in the city.

6850024965_0fc1d3a783_b.jpg
 
Yep, this has to be the best podium in the city in a really long time. The arch looks great. I really love this. What material is that? Copper?

It feels like it echoes the old architecture of the city (i.e. the lower floors had deep inset windows because the walls were thick to support the upper floors a la Old City Hall).

I'm not quite convinced of the tower yet though and I hope to see the Colborne side of the development has retail to match the south side of the street.
 
Unless they've developed a system to preserve the shine of the bronze this will be tarnished beyond recognition within a few years. Which in many cases is desireable, (copper roofs, zinc cladding panels etc), but in this case, with the criss-crossing mullion pattern, the result may be an uneven discolouration that appears decrepit and dirty rather than elegantly aged. I fear this will be an eyesore before too long.
 
I love the podium. I'm not yet convinced by the tower, however. The stacked jumble may be interesting, but it is not beautiful.

Nor is it original -- there are many projects currently going up in Toronto with this general approach.

... aA, in particular, are running with this tripartite arrangement - 11 Charlotte and Market Wharf being other examples of juxtaposing volumes and confusing us with double podiums ( at 11 Charlotte they've exploded the concept of "podium" and parked a second one on the roof ).
 
101 KING ST E
Site Plan Approval 12 130079 STE 28 SA Ward 28
- Tor & E.York Feb 29, 2012 --- --- --- ---
Proposal to construct a 25 sty + mech condo with commercial on grade, 281 residential units and below grade parking. 60-70 COLBORNE STREET & 101 KING ST EAST. Also see Rezoning
 
I realize it's a preliminary design, but the dimension between the top of the arch and the window above is so small that it makes the arch look like it will snap in two. The proportions of this arch are very poor and it appears unresolved.
 
I realize it's a preliminary design, but the dimension between the top of the arch and the window above is so small that it makes the arch look like it will snap in two. The proportions of this arch are very poor and it appears unresolved.

Looking at the podium in its entirety, I'm pretty confident in saying that the arch is not structural. You can see a wall right behind part of the arch, and I'm sure the building will be supported by columns covered up by cladding and glass, with the arch applied in front.
 
Of course the arch is not structural. But the eye still wants to see something with some robustness at the top of an arch, not a 200mm (visual) weak point at the top.
 

Back
Top