Preferred choice for the St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment Competition

  • Brook McIlroy, Trahan Architects, and Hood Design Studio

    Votes: 11 13.9%
  • Diamond Schmitt, Smoke Architecture, and MVVA

    Votes: 12 15.2%
  • Hariri Pontarini, LMN Architects, Tawaw Collective, Smoke Architecture, and SLA

    Votes: 39 49.4%
  • RDHA, Mecanoo, Two Row Architect, and NAK Design Strategies

    Votes: 16 20.3%
  • Zeidler Architecture, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Two Row Architect, and PLANT Architect

    Votes: 1 1.3%

  • Total voters
    79
  • Poll closed .
Brutalism is now historic architecture with heritage value, that's evident in the fact they are keeping this building without an official heritage designation, and the contest was for an extension instead of a clean slate. So clearly the owners do understand that the existing building has architectural value, even if certain individuals refuse to acknowledge it. But then why they choose a design with no relation to the original building is beyond me. Then again it's Toronto so it's floor space maximization above all else.


What Toronto are you looking at? Like 90% of downtown is glass and spandrel. Good thing they chose an all glass design here to break that up.
Glass & spandrel & concrete and grey-beige colour overload piled on broken roads.. That’s what I see all around Toronto. People like what they like in art & unmoved by other things. Hey, I can appreciate the historic relevance of brutalist style & even present day good design. Habitat in Montreal is one of my favorite buildings anywhere. But right now Toronto needs colour & light w golden amber hues and some serious good looking design in their important arts & culture buildings. And what rule says that their needs to be any relation to original building? There are no rules.
 
For what it’s worth, some of the sentiments on this thread - “Brutalism is completely ugly, everybody hates it, nobody will ever mourn the St. Lawrence Centre” - sound exactly like what people were saying about Victorian buildings in the 1960s.
What were your thoughts on the schemes?
 
I don't think even Hariri Pontarini et al think much of the old SLC building. Their renderings cover as much of the retained concrete panels as possible with trees. Fig, I assume.
 
Of course, getting the $$$ will determine if this actually happens!

CreateTO June 20 Agenda. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.RA5.4

RA5.4 - St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment​

Consideration Type: ACTIONWard: 13 - Toronto Centre

Origin​

(June 6, 2023) Report from the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO

Recommendations​

The Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO recommends that the Board of Directors recommend that:

1. City Council adopt the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Design Competition jury's selection of Hariri Pontarini Architects, LMN Architects, Tawaw Architecture Collective, Smoke Architecture and SLA as the winning submission for the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Design Competition.

2. City Council direct the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, to transition the next stages of this program, including design and construction of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management.

3. City Council direct TO Live and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to establish a stage gating process aligned to a Council-approved funding strategy between the TO Live Foundation and the City.

Summary​

At its meeting of May 11, 2022, City Council adopted EX32.10 which endorsed the building program for a new reimagined St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts ("STLC") developed through a consultation process with the performing arts and creative communities. Council also directed CreateTO in consultation with TO Live to:

- Explore options for and complete the schematic design process to reimagine the STLC, informed by current capital funding (i.e., SOGR), the heritage approach and the building program developed through a consultation process;

- Complete an updated Class D cost estimate;

- Explore the opportunity for a renovation budget for the existing building; and

- Provide an update to the project budget and funding strategy (funding strategy to be addressed by TO Live in their report back to their board).

The STLC is managed by TO Live and located at 27 Front Street East, in the heart of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. The purpose of the report is to provide the Board of Directors of CreateTO (the "Board") with the results of the design competition to develop a winning schematic design, report on a renovation option, and seek approval to transition the project to Corporate Real Estate Management, Project Management Office to manage the design and construction of the new STLC pursuant to the Major Capital Project Approval Process. TO Live, as part of their reporting, will present an update on the funding strategy to support the new STLC outlined in this report to the TO Live Board on June 28, 2023.

Executive Committee and Council will consider recommendations from the CreateTO and TO Live Boards on this matter at its meeting on July 11 and July 19-21, 2023, respectively.

The STLC has played a key role in the evolution of the City's cultural fabric. Constructed by the City of Toronto as a Canadian centennial project, the STLC opened its doors in February 1970. For 52 years the building, alongside its counterpart, Meridian Hall, has served performers and hosted performances that have entertained citizens and visitors. Today, following the impacts of the pandemic, a new cultural landscape is emerging that calls for a reimagining of the STLC that builds upon the renewed values and themes heard through the consultation process, and which aligns with the TO Live five-year Strategic Plan - programing priorities; flexible spaces; equity, access and affordability; creative process; and delivery systems that will support the next generation of artists, performers, creatives and the local community.

The proposed rebuild of the STLC will create a cultural ecosystem where renewed cultural spaces, innovative spaces and gathering spaces will anchor the STLC as a cultural and civic hub along the important Front Street cultural corridor. A new STLC will support the following key objectives:

- Build cultural capacity in the City, which will secure longevity of space for the creative community;

- Create new spaces that will serve the functional needs of the cultural and creative sector and the local community based on the following key principles which emerged from consultation process;

- dynamic and highly flexible spaces;
- a building constructed for extreme usability;
- a bold and open building that fits the neighbourhood; and
- a future facing building for a decarbonized world.

- Enable the versatility of spaces to serve performance and presentation, creation and incubation and the local artistic community as well as enable TO Live to showcase the world's most innovative artistic programs through presentation;

- Create a new state-of-the-art cultural hub and community asset for the City that will be equipped with cutting-edge broadcast technology and livestreaming equipment, virtual and augmented reality technology and high-speed connectivity to support the next generation of creatives and generate economic activity in Toronto;

- Support the cultural and retail importance of Front Street East as a "Cultural Corridor and Retail Priority Street" in the City's Downtown Plan;

- Contribute to the enhancement of the public realm with improved connections to Berczy Park, Scott Street and Meridian Hall and a new outdoor plaza on Scott Street; and

- Comply with Version 4 of the Toronto Green Standards, for City Agency, Corporation and Division Owned Facilities to meet the City's TransformTO objectives.

CreateTO, in collaboration with TO Live and Corporate Real Estate Management, pursuant to the City's Major Capital Project Approval Process, and as directed by Council through Item2020.EX12.6 and Item2022.EX32.10, have completed the following tasks as part the Phase One - Concept Design:

- Development of a building program through community consultation (refer to Attachment 2);

- Development of a design concept as established by the STLC Design Competition with the selection of the winning submission by Hariri Pontarini Architects, LMN Architects, Tawaw Architecture Collective, Smoke Architecture and SLA (collectively the "PH Design Team") (refer to Attachment 1); and

- A Class D Cost Estimate

Upon Council's adoption of the recommendation contained in this report and the funding strategy proposed by TO Live, the design and construction of the project will be transitioned to the City's CREM's Project Management Office.

Financial Impact​

TO Live is developing a funding strategy for this project to be presented to their board and City Council. For CreateTO there is no immediate budgetary impact beyond existing approved funding arising out of the recommendations in this report. Resources required to support this project are being allocated from the current staffing complement and are part of CreateTO's 2023 Council approved Operating Budget.

A project cost, of $295.5 million (in today's dollars), based on a Class D cost estimate completed by a third-party cost consultant, established an order of magnitude for this project. A contingency/risk allowance of $125.9 million (inclusive of construction escalation costs) is included to reflect a preliminary design and a project construction start date of December 2026. The total project costs in 2026 dollars would be $421.4 million.

A Class D cost estimate was submitted with the winning design submission by the HP Design Team and reviewed by a third-party cost consultant. The HP Design Team cost estimate included a reasonable level of detail (quantity and unit rates) for review with a total hard cost estimate that is within 3% of the third-party consultant's budget. It is the third-party cost consultant's professional opinion that the hard cost estimates submitted by HP Design Team's is within the anticipated range of costs and represents a feasible, realistic and achievable budget (based on program, materials and systems selection) that can be implemented with appropriate cost control measures during upcoming design stages and through to construction.

Revenue and Funding Strategy
TO Live is preparing an overall funding strategy for the project that will include seeking support from other orders of government and a fundraising campaign (led by TO Live). Stage-gating processes will be implemented to govern the development and approval process for the construction of a new STLC. There is currently funding in TO Live's 10-Year Capital Plan to address SOGR capital improvements and accessibility upgrades for the STLC. Some of this funding could be available to serve as the City's contribution to the overall project cost for the redevelopment, and potentially leveraged to fund the costs associated with completing the next stage of work. TO Live's funding strategy will be detailed to the TO Live's Board in an upcoming report (June 28, 2023) and then to be approved by City Council.

Background Information​

(June 6, 2023) Report and Attachments 1, 2 and 3 from the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO on St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ra/bgrd/backgroundfile-237268.pdf
 
The above item is on the agenda for next week's Executive Ctte meeting w/the recommendations consistent w/the above to advance the project based on the winning HPA design.


From the link above:

1688478267524.png
 
Moving on! Some useful amendments @ Council this week:

EX6.13 - St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment​

Decision Type: ACTIONStatus: AmendedWard: 13 - Toronto Centre
Caution: Motions are shown below. Any motions should not be considered final until the meeting is complete, and the City Clerk has confirmed the decisions for this meeting.

Confidential Attachment - Financial information supplied in confidence to the Board of Directors of TO Live, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to significantly prejudice the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization​

Committee Recommendations​

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the St. Lawrence Centre Design Competition jury's selection of Hariri Pontarini Architects, LMN Architects, Tawaw Architecture Collective, Smoke Architecture and SLA as the winning submission for the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Design Competition.

2. City Council request the Board of Directors of CreateTO to direct the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, to transition the next stages of this building program, including design and construction of the St. Lawrence Centre, within existing approved, and other available funds, to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management.

3. City Council request the Board of Directors of TO Live to direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Executive Director, Financial Planning, to establish a stage gate process and proceed with Contract Documents and Class A Budget Estimates aligned to a fundraising strategy, as set out in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 14, 2023) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, between the TO Live Foundation and the City, which will inform future budget submissions.

4. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 14, 2023) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live remains confidential in its entirety as it contains financial information supplied in confidence to the Board of Directors of TO Live which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to significantly prejudice the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.

Background Information (Committee)​

(June 20, 2023) Decision letter from the Board of Directors, CreateTO on St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-237958.pdf
(June 6, 2023) Report and Attachments 1 to 3 from the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO on St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-237959.pdf

Motions (City Council)​

1a - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Shelley Carroll (Carried)
That:

1. City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 3 so that it now reads:

3. City Council request the Board of Directors of TO Live to direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Executive Director, Financial Planning, to establish a stage gate process, once the 2024 budget is approved and proceed with Contract Documents and Class A Budget Estimates the required contracts to complete design with the appropriate Class Estimates that are aligned to a fundraising strategy, as set outlined in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 14, 2023) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, between the TO Live Foundation and the City, which will inform future budget submissions.
1b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Shelley Carroll (Carried)
That:

1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, to enter into an agreement with Hariri Pontarini Architects, LMN Architects, Tawaw Architecture Collective, Smoke Architecture and SLA to complete the design schematic phase for the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, and to take the necessary steps to procure and enter into contracts for the ancillary goods and services required for the schematic design phase work, all on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, at a total cost not to exceed the existing approved capital budget for St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Studies and Redevelopment Planning of $8.560 million (exclusive of Harmonized Sales Tax).

2. City Council request the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, in consultation with the Executive Director, Financial Planning, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to seek consideration to reallocate the remaining $50 million in approved St. Lawrence Centre State of Good Repair funding towards the next phases of St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment for the Mayor to consider in preparing the 2024 budget, incorporating information provided in the Business Case attached as Attachment 5 to the report (June 14, 2023) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live as part of consideration.
Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

See: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EX6.13
 
This was passed at the Council budget meeting yesterday:

18. City Council request the Board of Directors of TO Live to direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to continue to advance the design refinement of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment project funded through existing approved capital budget, and report back to Executive Committee, during the first or second quarter of 2024, on the refined project cost estimates upon completion of a schematic design with appropriate Class Estimates, and status on the financing strategies, as outlined in the report EX6.13 entitled “St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment”, for City Council consideration prior to the next phase of development.
 
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Town Hall: March 26

TO Live invites you to view the future of the transformed St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (STLC) on March 26!

The design team of Hariri Pontarini Architects and LMN Architects with Smoke Architecture and Tawaw Architecture Collective will present their inspired design concepts for the STLC to become a multi-faceted performing arts destination
. This bold reimagining includes two state-of-the-art performance halls along with creative spaces and studios, rehearsal rooms and informal gathering areas. The team will demonstrate how the building extends an open embrace to the city to create an energized arts corridor and a new pulsing heart in downtown Toronto.

What: St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Town Hall
When: Tuesday, March 26th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front Street East

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.


For those unable to attend in person, we invite you to join us via livestream at www.stlcnext.org. The livestream link will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting on March 26.
 

Many folks are not on Insta, perhaps you could discuss what's at the link above and bring forward a screenshot or two if useful.
 
Many folks are not on Insta, perhaps you could discuss what's at the link above and bring forward a screenshot or two if useful.
Per @DSC post above. Tonight is the night.
Live or streaming at https://stlcnext.org/stlc


Public Town Hall​

Tuesday, March 26, 2024
6 pm – 8 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
Jane Mallet Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
Livestream Link will be open on March 26 at 5:30 pm.


IMG_6120.png
 
This was passed at the Council budget meeting yesterday:

18. City Council request the Board of Directors of TO Live to direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to continue to advance the design refinement of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment project funded through existing approved capital budget, and report back to Executive Committee, during the first or second quarter of 2024, on the refined project cost estimates upon completion of a schematic design with appropriate Class Estimates, and status on the financing strategies, as outlined in the report EX6.13 entitled “St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment”, for City Council consideration prior to the next phase of development.

Having a look at the budget, on the heels of catching up on this thread...........

As per the above, the big money for this project is not yet placeholdered.

There is money set aside to cover detailed planning and development (pre-construction) though the end of next year.

1711478752470.png


First 2 columns are 2024 and 2025.
 

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