[stevedean]

This must be the longest running construction project in the history of Toronto. Going back to the earliest posts in this thread it was at least 15 years ago when this new building was first proposed. Fifteen years ago, and it is still not complete? Something very wrong with this picture.

Going back about 20 years ago I used to enjoy going to the flea market on Sundays. It was a real treasure trove, and I still have trinkets that I bought there back then. Will they have a flea market on Sunday when this new building opens or a farmers' market on Saturday?

Complaints aside, the final product is attractive, and its design perfectly complements the surrounding buildings especially the St. Lawrence Market.

Add Union Station to that list - under construction since 2009.
Add the Eglinton Crosstown - under construction since 2011.
How about those "Smarttrack" stations that Tory promised in 2014...
This city/province have completely screwed us over in the last 15 years.

 

[DSC]

This must be the longest running construction project in the history of Toronto. Going back to the earliest posts in this thread it was at least 15 years ago when this new building was first proposed. Fifteen years ago, and it is still not complete? Something very wrong with this picture.

Going back about 20 years ago I used to enjoy going to the flea market on Sundays. It was a real treasure trove, and I still have trinkets that I bought there back then. Will they have a flea market on Sunday when this new building opens or a farmers' market on Saturday?

Complaints aside, the final product is attractive, and its design perfectly complements the surrounding buildings especially the St. Lawrence Market.

The Farmers Market (now in the tent at 125 The Esplanade) is supposedly moving back 'in early 2025". The old antique market organiser retired and there is a new 'antique' market most Sundays in the tent (in my opinion more flea than antique) - I assume it too will move as the tent site will be the site of the new St Lawrence District Library.

 

[EBT]

Add Union Station to that list - under construction since 2009.
Add the Eglinton Crosstown - under construction since 2011.
How about those "Smarttrack" stations that Tory promised in 2014...
This city/province have completely screwed us over in the last 15 years.

True those projects have taken longer but they are exponentially more complex than St Lawrence North - a simple five storey structure. It is incomprehensible to me how it could take 15 years to realize the construction of a 5 storey building and it is still not open! In China they can erect 60 storey towers in just over one week!

I suspect a big reason for the incomprehensive delay is the fact that the developer of the project is the City of Toronto and the bureaucrats overseeing the project were not in any rush to put themselves out of a job. It's just human nature.

 

[Rascacielo]

True those projects have taken longer but they are exponentially more complex than St Lawrence North - a simple five storey structure. It is incomprehensible to me how it could take 15 years to realize the construction of a 5 storey building and it is still not open! In China they can erect 60 storey towers in just over one week!

I suspect a big reason for the incomprehensive delay is the fact that the developer of the project is the City of Toronto and the bureaucrats overseeing the project were not in any rush to put themselves out of a job. It's just human nature.

Yes, but if you tell them that they will dismiss your concern by saying China uses slave labour. Yup, because in places that DON’T use slave labour it’s perfectly normal to complete a 5 storey building in 15 years!

 

[DSC]

True those projects have taken longer but they are exponentially more complex than St Lawrence North - a simple five storey structure. It is incomprehensible to me how it could take 15 years to realize the construction of a 5 storey building and it is still not open! In China they can erect 60 storey towers in just over one week!

I suspect a big reason for the incomprehensive delay is the fact that the developer of the project is the City of Toronto and the bureaucrats overseeing the project were not in any rush to put themselves out of a job. It's just human nature.

I think a better explanation is that the City's Real Estate services Division does not actually have staff who are capable of managing fairly major construction projects. Also that Council had to repeatedly add more $$$ to deal with 'stuff' - some perfectly predictable (the need for an archaeological survey/excavation in an area that was clearly 'historic') and some not so much (covid)

 

[unrealestate]

Yes, but if you tell them that they will dismiss your concern by saying China uses slave labour. Yup, because in places that DON’T use slave labour it’s perfectly normal to complete a 5 storey building in 15 years!

I do agree with the sentiment 100% but really the construction started in summer 2019

 

[junctionist]

If you reads reports like this one about Canada's productivity problems, it can be hard to envisage what's being discussed. "Productivity" is usually reported on through a macroeconomic lens. Reporters rarely delve into its implications in our communities.

Look no further than projects like this one, where people have apparently been paid well to do their jobs (based on the costs of the project to date) but were slow to complete their work. It affected our quality of life as a society, as we paid a lot in taxes but didn't get to use the building for a long time. There was probably a push to do high-quality work in an important civic building like this one, but it was still really slow work for a building that doesn't have particularly complex details.

It's easy to assume it's a government worker problem based on common assumptions (that are sometimes true and sometimes not). However, the TD report that I linked to highlights significant productivity issues in the construction industry. Low productivity is problem we have as a country that we have to deal with for our success as a country and our quality of life.

 

[mburrrrr]

Picture from Nov 7, 2024

That temporary tent is probably the best money ever spent at City Hall. Approaching 10 year anniversary next month and still standing.
Hmmm.. umm, any bets they probably rented it by the month?

Entrance on south and west and maybe north side

 

[christiesplits]

I feel like there's something missing from the front of the building. Like a sense of welcoming and draw. The big sheets of glass on the two parts of either side of the entrance almost give me hands of stop, do not proceed. Wish there something there, like detailing or text.

That's the vibe I get, at least before opening day. The glass walls feels a tad too "office park."

 

[DSC]

That's the vibe I get, at least before opening day. The glass walls feels a tad too "office park."

There is talk of a coffee shop in area to west of main doors - not sure if City sorted it out.

 

[everydayhim]

There is talk of a coffee shop in area to west of main doors - not sure if City sorted it out.

they should get Third Wave Coffee on Church to move into this high-traffic space. Would give them the sales they finally deserve