1 Bloor | U/C | 80 st | 275 m | Downtown

[DrT]

New hope that tower will be built.

Yonge-Bloor may get new tower
DANNY GALLAGHER
Special to The Globe and Mail
The forlorn southeast corner of Toronto's busiest downtown intersection is poised for a makeover, with news the developer that had planned to build a 60-storey complex at 1 Bloor St. E. has sold the property.
Close to four years after Nastapoka Holdings proposed an ambitious residential and retail complex for that neglected corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets, the construction cranes will apparently crank up soon.
What has renewed this new hope is that five weeks ago Kolter Property Co. sold 1 Bloor St. E. to Bazis International of Thornhill for an undisclosed price. Nastapoka had been a joint venture consisting of Kolter and Simkesla Group, but Kolter bought out Simkesla three months ago.
The city's assessment value of the property for 2007 is $33.66-million.
"We've wanted to build at the site for a long time but our interests had become diversified in the U.S. and that property had become a non-core asset for us,'' Kolter vice-president Scott Webb said yesterday, speaking on behalf of Kolter president Robert Julien, a Torontonian who is a principal shareholder in the company.
"My assumption and understanding is that is the intent of Bazis to commence the project and develop the property based on the density rights of 60 storeys that they purchased. I believe that they will go ahead."
Calls to the Bazis International offices in Concord, Ont., were not returned.
The proposal approved by city council in 2002 was a landmark skyscraper containing retail space, a cinema, a small amount of offices and condominiums, and was to have involved parts of Yonge and Bloor and nearby Hayden Street, where the Naval Club is located.
Famous Players Theatres was to build a 2,900-seat, 8,554-square-metre multiplex on the fourth and fifth storeys of the podium. The 1,161-square-metre Naval Club would have been rebuilt as part of the development. The 205-metre-high residential tower was to have contained 525 condos and would have been enclosed in glass and metal with an average floor plate of 775 square metres.

[phunky]

Exciting! I wonder how fast this will move along? I think the trick to selling is to create excitement. And this location is awesome for creating excitement if it wants to.

[Taller, Better]

The location is awesome, and I think they know it.... I'm thrilled with this news.

[thryve]

Will the new tower be similar to the old one in setup? (Including cinemas, etc.)? Or is this a whole different ballgame now?

[Tuscani01]

Hopefully a 60 storey building:)

[Taller, Better]

Does anyone have a picture of the old rendering? I confuse in my mind that proposal, with the one on the South West intersection. One of them was a dreadful squat roundish faux-rotating one that looked like it was plucked from Vancouver, circa 7 years ago.

[LordMandeep]

its the same developer as Crytsal Blue i think.

they are quite good, so this project has a bright future.

[ONEILLT]

This is great news and I understand the new developers also purchased as part of the deal, the existing (rights) approvals for a 60 storey buiding. The building was beautiful and would have made a 'impact' to the area. Lets hope the new developers propose something as significant for the area

[DrT]

Rendering of previously approved proposal:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=2812365&postcount=10

[Jaye101]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/163759.jpg

Hot damn, I loved this one.

[Taller, Better]

Rendering of previously approved proposal:

[URL]http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=2812365&postcount=10[/
URL]

I can't get the link to work. Could someone please post it? Thanks! :)

[Jaye101]

lol... 3 minutes too late.

[Taller, Better]

Thanks! Uggh... that is the sucker. Looks like that late 1990's round glass condo built near harborfront.

[DrT]

Here is a less dramatic rendering:
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/9540/1blooreastxs0.jpg

[Filip]

Hehehe eurodance tower:D

Anyway.. this site is PRIME for something monumental, for God's sake, it at the crossroads of the two busiest subway lines! I hope this firm developing it organizes an international competition, as Toronto's answer to Mississauga's Absolut.

[DrT]

The podium is nice.:)


http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2552/1blooreastpodiumis8.jpg

[G_DOG]

considering the nabe its in i dont know if there will be theatres,maybe high end retail(saks?)or hotel(mandarin)lets hope for something taller and modern.

[Waterloo_Guy]

YES! I knew this would happen. Sorry, I think I loved this project more than anyone else here. I love the original design, but I'll be happy with anything over 200m on that location. I really hope they keep the podium like the original renders and put in a theater.

:banana2: :banana2: :banana2: :banana2: :banana2: :banana2:

[neggbird]

I think the design is a bit dated. They should tweak the design a bit, keep the general idea but make it look less 1999.

[Dino Domingo]

It's great, yes. I really hope that they aim for something even taller and that they KEEP the movie theatres.

[CrazyCanuck]

I expect nothing less than a big prominent tower at this location. Go big or go home.

[Grey Towers]

It's absolutely hideous, but I'll take it anyway.

[humanscale]

I would like to see a square in front of whatever they build. This area needs some place for gathering, watching people, street performers, prearranged meeting points, etc. Perhaps an airy 24-hour square can be put inside would do, so long as it is not only a conduit for retail access.

[Waterloo_Guy]

I expect nothing less than a big prominent tower at this location. Go big or go home.

I second that.

[Eastside]

I would like to see a square in front of whatever they build.

I agree. Give them 80 stories of 1 bedrooms and bachelors, give a nice little square to the people at Y&B and get it done. My roommate will miss the Harvey's, but whatever....

[Waterloo_Guy]

I think they should be required to put a Harvey's in the new building.

[Taller, Better]

I think they should be required to put a Harvey's in the new building.

LOL! Nay... take it one step further. Have the existing Harvey's given Hysterical Status so that they have to build the entire project around the insitu Harvey's, thus allowing it to stay open throughout the whole process! All original orange and brown plastic laminate would be protected and it would have to be restored to its original gleaming state!

I remember being told 20 years ago that whoever owns Harvey's (Cara?) simply bought that land and made up this fast food restaurant to sit on it and hold it til the day came when that corner would become developed. Looks like they made a very good move.

[algonquin]

only sixty stories.... this property is one of the few spot in Toronto where the sky should be the limit. I say go as high as 1st Canadian Place.

[Taller, Better]

Don't get us trembling...

I wish CIBC and the Bay Tower weren't so ghastly.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Actually, CIBC is one of my favorites. I'm probably alone on this one.

[Waterloo_Guy]

only sixty stories.... this property is one of the few spot in Toronto where the sky should be the limit. I say go as high as 1st Canadian Place.

They may very well go higher than they are presently approved for. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Taller, Better]

I think they are going to have to start from scratch and come up with something more contemporary. It is the perfect corner for a true ICON. Something daringly sculptural that would blow everyone away. The existing proposal looks like one of these Vancouver buildings, especially the one in the middle:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6165/viewfrombalconykf4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Waterloo_Guy]

I'm forced to agree with you.

[addisonwesley]

Is that the development with the brilliant landscaping all the Vancouver persons are raving about? If it is, it doesn't look so spectacular as they say (in this image at least).

[Taller, Better]

^^ That is the one. And for the record it has been mostly people from Toronto who are trashing CityPlace saying how much superior this development is (including Lisa Rochon) . For the life of me I cannot figure out why everyone feels the landscaping is so superior there. This is the view from my family's balcony. It is street/sidewalk, entrance way, condo.. street, sidewalk, entranceway, condo, streetsidewalkentrancewaycondo, etc, etc................. and the sidewalks are empty. I would be hugely surprised if there is one resident there who does not have a car, and the private underground parking.

[Jaye101]

Everything looks so--generic.

[Taller, Better]

But, as usual, the grass looks greener on the other side.

[Epi]

Don't get us trembling...

I wish CIBC and the Bay Tower weren't so ghastly.

I've always sort of liked these two towers sitting there. When coming south, they are sort of like a gateway to downtown. If you have read Lord of the Rings (or seen the movie) they are like that giant statues of Gondor soldiers guarding the entrance to Gondor on the great river.

Looking north from College, they sort of look like Toronto's version of the twin towers (or I guess now they would be THE twin towers...).

[Waterloo_Guy]

^^ That is the one. And for the record it has been mostly people from Toronto who are trashing CityPlace saying how much superior this development is (including Lisa Rochon) . For the life of me I cannot figure out why everyone feels the landscaping is so superior there. This is the view from my family's balcony. It is street/sidewalk, entrance way, condo.. street, sidewalk, entranceway, condo, streetsidewalkentrancewaycondo, etc, etc................. and the sidewalks are empty. I would be hugely surprised if there is one resident there who does not have a car, and the private underground parking.

It's the Vancouver myth. Their planning is so superior. They demand only the best architecture. Etc.

[samsonyuen]

1 Bloor East is a great address. I hope whoever builds on it will have the foresight for something monumental.

[phunky]

Bazis International (http://www.bazisinternational.com/flash/main.html)


http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/urban%20stuff/1%20bloor%20edit.jpg

Click here to view larger image. (http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/urban%20stuff/1%20bloor.jpg)

[willy789]

wow, this is amazing! i love this new building! i really really really hope that it gets approved and built, just imagine what it would do the to skyline of Canada's biggest city!

[Filip]

I like its office toweriness... Other than that, this should've been Metropolis.. really, it should've.

[willy789]

you must admit, it is a nice tower! and the design and sleakness will make it look different from the squarnes of TO, and this will add some competition to Trump, since the Sapphire has shrunk down in size!

[outinleftfield]

Holy, Sh*t! I love it!! Think it's got a chance in hell?:banana:

[ScrapeTheSky]

I love it! 80 stories would be awesome!

[globetrekker]

:shocked: Shut - up! WOW! I'm in love! This tower rocks! This is exactly the type of skyscraper Toronto and Bloor needs.......It's beautiful! Slick! Modern! This is a perfect signature piece for Bloor. I would love for this building to be constructed and resemble this exact rendering. It's perfect! :banana:

[Skybean]

F*CK. That's amazing.

[globetrekker]

wow, this is amazing! i love this new building! i really really really hope that it gets approved and built, just imagine what it would do the to skyline of Canada's biggest city!

Ditto!

[SpatulaCity]

oh yeah, that's hot! Although... enough with all the ads already.

[Epi]

Looks awesome! I only count around 70 floors in that render... perhaps more is sticking up beyond the top? It really does make that 20-story building next to it look like nothing though doesn't it?

If you look at their website there's another multi-tower project they have for Toronto called 'The Emerald Towers', but I've never seen it anywhere else... anyone know more about it?

It does seem like most of their projects are based in kazakhstan or in places I've never heard of before though.

[Dino Domingo]

OMFG!! :omg:

It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! 80 stories?! I want to go to that Press Conference at the Manulife. Who would have guessed the redesign would exceed the original so profoundly?!

Bazis is definitely on my good side.

[Homer J. Simpson]

I will reserve my one dancing banana salute for when its approved. Then we celebrate.

Some how I have a feeling nimbyism is going to beat this one out.

[Dino Domingo]

oh yeah, that's hot! Although... enough with all the ads already.

No boy... the adds help 'make' this building. That's what makes it even louder!

[TOGUY25]

WOW- THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!

[valantino]

awesome

look at this too
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/mark3333/nycc.jpg

see the Trimark tower in NYCC

[Dino Domingo]

I saw that one too at their website, but it didn't say where it would be. What intersection is it? What street are they facing?

[Jaye101]

Holy shit!

[valantino]

I saw that one too at their website, but it didn't say where it would be. What intersection is it? What street are they facing?

I don't really know expect for the site saying its in Toronto and the building to the far right looking like the Trimark Tower in NYCC

[phunky]

I like its office toweriness... Other than that, this should've been Metropolis.. really, it should've.
As I mentioned to you earlier I feel the same. It should definitely be where Metropolis is now. Yonge/Bloor needs something more sophisticated and grand. Not something so flashy. It's a great tower, I just don't think the right location for it.

[Tuscani01]

As I mentioned to you earlier I feel the same. It should definitely be where Metropolis is now. Yonge/Bloor needs something more sophisticated and grand. Not something so flashy. It's a great tower, I just don't think the right location for it.

Agreed. The height and design are great, But I expected more.

[yyzer]

Actually I think a bit of glitz at Y&B will be just fine...will really change that corner for the better, imo.....

[Middle-Island]

awesome

look at this too
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/mark3333/nycc.jpg

see the Trimark tower in NYCC
Um....that's something going up in Astana -- Kazahkstan??

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=346552

[Taller, Better]

^^ Borat is going to buy the penthouse. :hahano:

Wow, this 1 Bloor building just blew me away when I saw it! 80 stories, and
Fil/Phunky are absolutely right.. it should have been where Metropolis is. What a hot building it will be, and the location is perfect. Might just be a huge demand for it.

[urban 2.0]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

... even I give that 4 bananas.

[Jaye101]

Valantino I hate you. lol.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Am I dreaming? If this were one week later I'd just assume it was a cruel joke. I'm so happy right now.

[Metroland]

Ahhhhhh, I'm amazed, but I can visualise the 80 stories being chopped down to 60 by council. =(

[neilio]

OMG OMG OMG OMG .....i love it!! orgasm...oops, sorry guys hehe

[neilio]

Um....that's something going up in Astana -- Kazahkstan??

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=346552

you mean some random dude put that pic in the Kazahkstan construction forum....cause the official website with where that pic is from...says its going in NYCC in Toronto..:S

Infact, the company that is developing these towers is advertising Cyrstalblu on there website, so either they are building the exact same towers in Toronto and Kazahkstan, or some dude thought they were being built in Kazahkstan just cause they are on a Kazahkstan website...er something like that..

[phunky]

Um....that's something going up in Astana -- Kazahkstan??

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=346552
No That's Toronto Landmark.
THIS is going up in Astana:

http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/urban%20stuff/Emerald%20Towers.jpg

[rakesh]

Bazis International (http://www.bazisinternational.com/flash/main.html)


http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/1Bloor.jpg

http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/1Bloor2.jpg


Awesome!!! I hope this is gonna be taller than 300 metres.

[Taller, Better]

I don't like that Toronto Landmark collection. They look like that cartoonish "Walkie Talkie" building that they keep trying to foist upon London. Really, they are trying a bit too hard to be trendy and "different" One alone might be acceptable (up in North York, that is) but three of them is overkill.

Anyhow, back to 1 Bloor... it is amazing...

[ZZ-II]

great project, this one has the chance to reach 300m

[Mahratta]

of course it has a chance of reaching 300m, if its 80 stories i think it will be taller than trump and possibly a little smaller than the BMO of possibly taller! just imagine if that would happen! :banana:

[Taller, Better]

Well, residential storeys are shorter than office storeys.. the claim is that it will be the tallest mixed use/residential building in Canada. If that is true, then it would have to be taller than Trump, and Trump is very close to the height of FCP.

[neggbird]

The bottom render has the craziest intersection traffic I've ever seen.

[valantino]

Well, residential storeys are shorter than office storeys

CrystalBlu, though, is 400 feet at 34 storeys without double height floors and a hat

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/mark3333/1bloor1.jpg

[DrT]

Wow! I'm speechless! :rock:
Best part is that it sounds like the city councillor is already on board.
Kudos to phunky for scanning the canadian newswire service. Alot of dry stuff to comb through.
My immediate gut reaction was that it is reminiscent of the Aura proposal (RoCPIII). Sleek looking building. Me likes.

[KGB]

I don't think it will be anywhere near 300M. I count 69 habitable floors, plus a roof structure equivilent to about 6 floors. Count the 4 commercial floors as 8, and you have the total height equivilent to 79 residential floors. It depends entirely on the floor-to-floor heights of course, but if this is going to be "regular" priced units, I can't see it being more than 10 feet. Trump has very high floor-to-floor heights, which give it lots of height...but at $1 million and up, you can afford to do that.



the claim is that it will be the tallest mixed use/residential building in Canada. If that is true, then it would have to be taller than Trump, and Trump is very close to the height of FCP.


I think they are classifying Trump as a different kind of building, as it is hotel/condo...all residential so to speak, whereas this building will have a 4 floor podium of commercial use (ie retail/office/entertainment).


My guess is this building as designed (and hopefully approved too) will come in around the 750-800 foot mark.






KGB

[InTheBeach]

As I mentioned to you earlier I feel the same. It should definitely be where Metropolis is now. Yonge/Bloor needs something more sophisticated and grand. Not something so flashy. It's a great tower, I just don't think the right location for it.

I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with the location.

It could be a good area to have the billboard thing happening, because that would be a cheap way to "improve" The Bay across the street. But do we need two locations that look all pimped up? I don't know. It could increase traffic between there and Y&DS.

Being a nimby myself, I see no problem with the height in that location. This a great spot for high density, so we should all support that. I am more concerned with the pedestrian mall (which could still be done right, but would not be low rent like it is today).

[Jaborandi]

The bottom render has the craziest intersection traffic I've ever seen.

Drivers are so last century

[Waterloo_Guy]

Ok, 1 Bloor is Awesome. Simple as that. BUT, what is the deal with those NYCC towers? Why have I not seen this proposal?

I think we need a thread for them!

[Taller, Better]

^^ I'm hoping they are just a nasty prank. A bit over the top for my tastes! :)

[DrT]

Drivers are so last century

:rofl:
I love it. This little "jingle" is now stuck in my brain and I predict will keep coming out sporadically for years. It needs the word "like" in there though, better as "Drivers are like, so last century".
Good one Jaborandi.

[Istrian]

This is the news we have been waiting for altroche Trumbetten,
just that I am afraid that it may finish like a STUMP or Trump,
waitin', waitin' waitin' and after it waitin' than again waitin' ..............
god bless capitalism !

...and thinkin' that 'Wampire Space Bliding' was finished within 11 months
and all this more than 60 years ago... waitin:bash: :banana: :bash:
:nuts:

[Taller, Better]

Rome was, apparently, built in one day! ;)

[dougbennion]

Nice. Now if someone would only nuke the other three corners of the intersection.

Note the announcement says 'a nearly 80 storey tower'. If nearly means closest to, or rounded off, then you could be looking at as many as EIGHTY-FOUR storeys !!!! Well maybe not.

[Taller, Better]

I suspect it is 79 storeys but that is just a wild guess. I love how the ante is being
raised for local projects..

[CrazyCanuck]

Amazing. That whole area is going to be like a desert with all the construction going on. I'm really liking the crown. I'm really eager to see the other side of the project. I can't believe some people are complaining, how high have our standards become?

I.E.- the building next to it is only 76 metres! I'm sure this is cracking 300 metres.

[Taller, Better]

^^ If they had angled that crown I would have blown a fuse... thank god it is horizontal.

[neilio]

I don't like that Toronto Landmark collection. They look like that cartoonish "Walkie Talkie" building that they keep trying to foist upon London. Really, they are trying a bit too hard to be trendy and "different" One alone might be acceptable (up in North York, that is) but three of them is overkill.

Anyhow, back to 1 Bloor... it is amazing...

i would agree that they are trying to be over the top and stand out, but i disagree that its a bad thing. From an artistic point of view one would want as many different styles of architecture in an area as possible, downtown Toronto will soon be like that and no one can argue that it doesnt look better then if every skyscraper in downtown were just black TD boxes or green condos.

This is where dubai has its appeal in that is trys to mimic eveything and everyone, and while many skyscraper junkies are repulsed by it, your average joe looks at it and think "well dang aint that just the coolest thing since sliced bread ma!!". As a vey artistic person, i want to see everything in Toronto, 50% crazy stuff, and 50% Toronto style architecture, so as to keep an identity for Toronto, but also not to shun the new post modern designs that every other city like London or Dubai seem so obssessed with.

if toronto is such a multi-cultural city, has such incredible ethnic diversty and al lthe kool stuff then why not let it also show in our architecture...atleast 50% of it :P. And they may not be the greatest design, but they are unique, and i cant see how anyone would turn them down simply for that fact.

Remember, we are skyscraper junkies, and while manyof us have resorted to architecture critics, who are we to say what the majority of the Toronto population and Toronto tourists will enjoy or not enjoy seeing?

As for 1 Bloor, alli can say is that in my eyes its beautifull, if it cracks 300m i will be insane with happiness and probably run down yonge street butt naked ripping my hair out by the roots in a moment (a very long moment) of sheere insanity/hapiness (i do that sometimes). I for some reason have this doubte that it will hit 300 though, i think we may see between 750 and 900 feet tops, but i guess we need to wait untill the official proposal stats come out.

[Taller, Better]

""well dang aint that just the coolest thing since sliced bread ma!!"

LOL! That was hilarious, Neilio! had me in fits of laughter!!!!!!!
Wouldn't it be amazing if 1 bloor tops 300 meters?

[willy789]

it would be amazing, finally something over 300m and not just FCP is there will be two with the likes of TTT, if it ever gets built!, but who cares until we know 100% what is going to happen...why not dream and fanticize!:banana: :nuts:

[Jaborandi]

:rofl:
I love it. This little "jingle" is now stuck in my brain and I predict will keep coming out sporadically for years. It needs the word "like" in there though, better as "Drivers are like, so last century".
Good one Jaborandi.

DrT - you are quite correct. I stand like totally corrected.

Let's hope 1 Bloor East sells as quickly as like Blu did.

[StevenW]

Awesome tower. :)

[ToRoNto, g-town]

ah what an amazing tower i hope its atleast 250m's+ but i really like the design cant wait 4 it to be approved

[neilio]

""well dang aint that just the coolest thing since sliced bread ma!!"

LOL! That was hilarious, Neilio! had me in fits of laughter!!!!!!!
Wouldn't it be amazing if 1 bloor tops 300 meters?

hehe :)

:banana:

party time if it does :)

[neilio]

ah what an amazing tower i hope its atleast 250m's+ but i really like the design cant wait 4 it to be approved

id gaurentee its ove 250m, thats not even a question in my mind, between 260 and 300 is a more logical prediction.

[ILoveSkyscrapers]

That’s awesome! I’m so jealous. :cry:

[Tuscani01]

That’s awesome! I’m so jealous. :cry:

Its ok... Halifax will get an 80 storey building some day. I know it!

[G_DOG]

when the kotler building at that site was proposed ,the residents that came to the community consultation meeting actually thought that it should be taller for that prime location.and if kyle rae is going to be there at the annoucement this is a go.rae is definately pro height.

:lol: ,neilio better do a diagram for this building or im going to pull his hair out for him

btw,look at my sig i have had it for a while.im soo happy!:)

[Architek]

does everyone consider this a sure development, when these proposal's come out of nowhere like that I usually feel a bit pessimistic, has this company ever built anything this big, is this a viable project have documents been submitted....everyone keeps gooing and awwing but no one has stopped and actually asked about how realistic it really is......

[G_DOG]

No That's Toronto Landmark.
THIS is going up in Astana:

http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/Emerald%20Towers.jpg

both those architects are from toronto^

[LordMandeep]

by god this and ROCP3 will create a mini midtown new york

[valantino]

does everyone consider this a sure development, when these proposal's come out of nowhere like that I usually feel a bit pessimistic, has this company ever built anything this big, is this a viable project have documents been submitted....everyone keeps gooing and awwing but no one has stopped and actually asked about how realistic it really is


220m tower already approved for the site and Bazis is a large international company with some GTA experience

[urban 2.0]

Well, residential storeys are shorter than office storeys.. the claim is that it will be the tallest mixed use/residential building in Canada. If that is true, then it would have to be taller than Trump, and Trump is very close to the height of FCP.

... yes lets get into a building war with Trump!

[urban 2.0]

Nice. Now if someone would only nuke the other three corners of the intersection.

Note the announcement says 'a nearly 80 storey tower'. If nearly means closest to, or rounded off, then you could be looking at as many as EIGHTY-FOUR storeys !!!! Well maybe not.

Yonge and Bloor is one of thoes intersections that you keep moving - you don't linger - unlike Yonge and Dundas, where you what to keep going back and forth to keep taking it all in.

Yonge and Bloor is rather brutalistic. Concrete central - Manulife Centre, the Bay store, etc. plus the strong winds make the area very unfriendly most of the year.

[Taller, Better]

Good observation... Yonge and Bloor is not a square, but a busy thoroughfare. It has much potential as an intersection, however...
Still curious about the other side of the street. I imagine the old Stollery's will survive... it has history and character. A lot of crap behind it can go, though.. including that hideous PoMo Scotiabank monstrosity built in the 80's. Gahhhhh...

[Jaye101]

The wind is really intense though, you don't really realize how windy it is because you always get out of there as fast as you can.

[urban 2.0]

The wind is really intense though, you don't really realize how windy it is because you always get out of there as fast as you can.

... well thats why I think I like this building it really acts like a gateway to Yonge "south" - esp. if they build the podium as is - it's a nice gateway for people driving south - that the street is about to 'change'. Also it marks Yonge St. for those driving east/west along bloor - it is a visual symbol that "yes this is where Yonge Street is" - perfect building for the location.

Plus from the Yonge/Dundas section it too will act as a beacon making you want to walk north to see what this tall building is all about -


as for NIMBY's - city won't listen to them here - and you won't win an OMB fight - because it's on the Yonge Bloor subway node - ultra high density is totally exceptable here. I just wonder where the garage ent. will be located for this building?

[catcher_of_cats]

This project is simply smashing. I do hope that a new subway entrance will be constructed inside this complex.

[yin_yang]

This project is simply smashing. I do hope that a new subway entrance will be constructed inside this complex.

there's a pre-existing entrance in the office building right to the east of it, therefore i think we will see that one renovated.

[elliot]

Here's a quickie look at how 1 Bloor East and RoCP 3 (Aura) might look, plopped into a n/s future render I did a long time ago.

SCROLL>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://www.upside-down.ca/sdphotos/new2010.jpg

[willy789]

lets just pray that this actually happens! :) :banana: this is a nice job, because the old one seemed a little sloppy. and is that the new render of the 4 seasons in the picture?

[globetrekker]

[QUOTE=urban 2.0;12325789]... well thats why I think I like this building it really acts like a gateway to Yonge "south" - esp. if they build the podium as is - it's a nice gateway for people driving south - that the street is about to 'change'. Also it marks Yonge St. for those driving east/west along bloor - it is a visual symbol that "yes this is where Yonge Street is" - perfect building for the location.

Plus from the Yonge/Dundas section it too will act as a beacon making you want to walk north to see what this tall building is all about -
QUOTE]

I agree. Moreover, I think that 1 Bloor has the potential to help usher that area of downtown into a more modernized version of itself (no more concrete. please! or not so much.) 1 Bloor will undoubtedly act as a beacon, if not for the entire area then for the building itself. People are going to want to be a part of this exciting, beautiful, modern and vibrant, building! They will go there, shop and use it's other amenities. I believe that it will attract people to the area, where they will spend more time there than they are now. :)

[globetrekker]

You guys, I'm really excited about this potential skyscraper! The curves of this baby….and height….they’re killer (and I hope that it doesn't get lowered.) Furthermore, I enjoy the ads. A lot. They add to the excitement and thrill of a big city, such as Toronto, and to the Bloor area. They're fun and look great - especially on this building! Anything else on that podium would be dull and mediocre. This is a prime location for ads - styled in the way shown in the rendering. The use of glass is also impressive! I love the quality as well. It looks like high quality European glass. I'm always glad to see this in Toronto. Could it be white aluminum glass? I guess we won't know for awhile. Anyone planning to go to the press conference?

[phunky]

What I don't like about this building is the ads surrounding the base. Not the ads themselves, but how they're wrapped around the block at the bottom. That block looks ugly.

[leaf345]

I don't like it. Maybe if I see another angle though.

[neilio]

when the kotler building at that site was proposed ,the residents that came to the community consultation meeting actually thought that it should be taller for that prime location.and if kyle rae is going to be there at the annoucement this is a go.rae is definately pro height.

:lol: ,neilio better do a diagram for this building or im going to pull his hair out for him

btw,look at my sig i have had it for a while.im soo happy!:)

ill see what i can do :):)

[WinnipegPatriot]

Oh yeah! This building is a winnah!

[globetrekker]

What I don't like about this building is the ads surrounding the base. Not the ads themselves, but how they're wrapped around the block at the bottom. That block looks ugly.

Really? That's one of it's 'charms' which I find alluring and appealing. I like that they're video ads (as opposed to billboards) which wrap around the building. I just think it's a nice way to revitalize/revive the area.

[urban 2.0]

Bazis International (http://www.bazisinternational.com/flash/main.html)


http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/Construction/1Bloor.jpg

http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/Construction/1Bloor2.jpg



I do agree that the base needs improvement - it's boxy. i like the ads, just needs more flair.

[phunky]

Really? That's one of it's 'charms' which I find alluring and appealing. I like that they're video ads (as opposed to billboards) which wrap around the building. I just think it's a nice way to revitalize/revive the area.
It's just that block part that the ads are wrapped around that I don't like. If it were my decision I'd keep everything the same but take out that blocky base that the ads surround.

[Taller, Better]

I'm still patiently waiting for the first huge curved TV screen advertising billboard in Toronto, like the one in Times Square. It is a beauty and was, I believe, made in Montreal. A curvaceous , fluid corner to the podium might have been very stylish.

[thryve]

Maybe this has already been covered earlier in discussion, but what is this? It looks like some form of signage. (At first it looked like a "The Bay" sign lol!)

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/5296/whaaatpq0.jpg

I feel like I'm asking a really stupid question but it really stands out at me...

[Taller, Better]

One added bonus of this building will be that if you stand in a certain spot, it will hide the Bay building!

[valantino]

wonder why the rendering was pulled from bazis's website - hopefully not due to a re-design a la Crystal Blu

[Canuck]

wonder why the rendering was pulled from bazis's website - hopefully not due to a re-design a la Crystal Blu

Maybe they want to prevent any further scooping before their announcement?

[Canadian Chocho]

Woah!! Holy Bananas!! I'm gone for a couple of days then this pops up!! I love Toronto!!

[Taller, Better]

I read in tonight's Post that there "is no render available", except an old one that does not represent what is proposed... hmmmm, what does it all mean? They release one on week one and on week two tell us to wait til early April to see the new rendering. My guess is the new one will account for the mysteriously missing 6-9 storeys .. probably they are being added in. Just a guess tho'.....The thrust of the article of the Post was obsessing about the fact it is a company from Kazakhstan.

[phunky]

well Borat made that place so popular so that doesn't surprise me that the Post was obsessing about it.

As for a new design... very possible! I wouldn't expect major changes though.

[Tuscani01]

According to the Star, the design has not been released yet.

Mar 28, 2007 04:30 AM
Christian Cotroneo
staff reporter

If a proposed condo development at the corner of Yonge and Bloor becomes a reality, it would not only be the country's tallest residential tower but also a bold new symbol of urban living.

Stacked to the sky.

That's precisely why city Councillor Kyle Rae lauds the proposal from a Kazakhstan-based developer to build a tower nearly 80 storeys tall at 1 Bloor St. E. at the intersection's southeast corner.

"It's the intersection of two subway lines," he says. "It's where there's already intensification."

Having so many people living atop a bustling public transit junction speaks of civic efficiency, even if the Toronto Transit Commission has yet to deal with the massive swell of fresh commuters.

And Rae expects little political resistance.

The City of Toronto had already approved a 60-storey building at the site, to be built by Nastapoka Holdings, four years ago.

Earlier this year, the property was sold to Bazis International, which will hold a news conference at the Manulife Centre next Thursday to unveil its plans.

In the meantime, Rae doesn't expect the jump from 60 to 80 floors to be dramatic.

"The previous approval had a lot of retail and a movie theatre ... and they take up a lot of height," he says.

Leaving the theatre out of the plans buys the developer about four extra floors for residential and hotel use.

Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change.

But he, like many, is awaiting further information.

"I don't have a lot of detail yet," says consultant Vickie Griffiths of Vicbar Marketing, which counts Bazis as a client but has been referring media to the company itself. "I'm still waiting to get info from them."

The developer has yet to release renderings of the proposed building, and did not return calls to its local office yesterday. The address is, however, listed on UrbanDB.com, a website that registers city developments. It lists Toronto's Roy Varacalli as the architect.

According to the website, 1 Bloor E. will comprise 79 floors, above and below ground.

The site is near a 34-storey condominium building Bazis is already developing at Balmuto St. If the tower does get built at Yonge and Bloor, the building may earn another distinction – by blotting out a few other towering eyesores, according to Rae.

"I sorely would like to hide the Royal Bank building on the northeast corner," he says. "It's brutal. Hiding that building at the northeast corner by this one on the southeast corner would, I think, be a gracious thing to do.

"I'm in favour of masking the unfortunate."

[phunky]

Kyle Rae is so great :P I love how he thinks the NE corner is brutal as well :P

[Filip]

Royal Bank Building? Is Rae on crack? The Bay? Anyway, I guess the height is pretty uninspiring - if Rae tells us it's 205 m then there's really nothing to get all excited about.

[Taller, Better]

I guess he said that because there is a Royal Bank at the base. Hmmm... I guess we will just have to wait til next Thursday.

[valantino]

Wonder if RBT knows his website is becoming famous

Personally, I find the Royal Bank branch building far worse than the office tower behind it

[rbt]

Wonder if RBT knows his website is becoming famous

Hah.. I didn't even notice that and I updated the 1BE records based on parts of that article (height for example).

Thanks for mentioning that.

[Jaye101]

Condo would be country's tallest
Councillor lauds 80-storey proposal for Yonge, Bloor

Christian Cotroneo
staff reporter

If a proposed condo development at the corner of Yonge and Bloor becomes a reality, it would not only be the country's tallest residential tower but also a bold new symbol of urban living.

Stacked to the sky.

That's precisely why city Councillor Kyle Rae lauds the proposal from a Kazakhstan-based developer to build a tower nearly 80 storeys tall at 1 Bloor St. E. at the intersection's southeast corner.

"It's the intersection of two subway lines," he says. "It's where there's already intensification."

Having so many people living atop a bustling public transit junction speaks of civic efficiency, even if the Toronto Transit Commission has yet to deal with the massive swell of fresh commuters.

And Rae expects little political resistance.

The City of Toronto had already approved a 60-storey building at the site, to be built by Nastapoka Holdings, four years ago.

Earlier this year, the property was sold to Bazis International, which will hold a news conference at the Manulife Centre next Thursday to unveil its plans.

In the meantime, Rae doesn't expect the jump from 60 to 80 floors to be dramatic.

"The previous approval had a lot of retail and a movie theatre ... and they take up a lot of height," he says.

Leaving the theatre out of the plans buys the developer about four extra floors for residential and hotel use.

Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change.

But he, like many, is awaiting further information.

"I don't have a lot of detail yet," says consultant Vickie Griffiths of Vicbar Marketing, which counts Bazis as a client but has been referring media to the company itself. "I'm still waiting to get info from them."

The developer has yet to release renderings of the proposed building, and did not return calls to its local office yesterday. The address is, however, listed on UrbanDB.com, a website that registers city developments. It lists Toronto's Roy Varacalli as the architect.

According to the website, 1 Bloor E. will comprise 79 floors, above and below ground.

The site is near a 34-storey condominium building Bazis is already developing at Balmuto St. If the tower does get built at Yonge and Bloor, the building may earn another distinction – by blotting out a few other towering eyesores, according to Rae.

"I sorely would like to hide the Royal Bank building on the northeast corner," he says. "It's brutal. Hiding that building at the northeast corner by this one on the southeast corner would, I think, be a gracious thing to do.

"I'm in favour of masking the unfortunate."

[Jackhammer]

Jaye, welcome to 9:07am today ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ;)

[Tuscani01]

Condo would be country's tallest
Councillor lauds 80-storey proposal for Yonge, Bloor

Christian Cotroneo
staff reporter

If a proposed condo development at the corner of Yonge and Bloor becomes a reality, it would not only be the country's tallest residential tower but also a bold new symbol of urban living.

Stacked to the sky.

That's precisely why city Councillor Kyle Rae lauds the proposal from a Kazakhstan-based developer to build a tower nearly 80 storeys tall at 1 Bloor St. E. at the intersection's southeast corner.

"It's the intersection of two subway lines," he says. "It's where there's already intensification."

Having so many people living atop a bustling public transit junction speaks of civic efficiency, even if the Toronto Transit Commission has yet to deal with the massive swell of fresh commuters.

And Rae expects little political resistance.

The City of Toronto had already approved a 60-storey building at the site, to be built by Nastapoka Holdings, four years ago.

Earlier this year, the property was sold to Bazis International, which will hold a news conference at the Manulife Centre next Thursday to unveil its plans.

In the meantime, Rae doesn't expect the jump from 60 to 80 floors to be dramatic.

"The previous approval had a lot of retail and a movie theatre ... and they take up a lot of height," he says.

Leaving the theatre out of the plans buys the developer about four extra floors for residential and hotel use.

Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change.

But he, like many, is awaiting further information.

"I don't have a lot of detail yet," says consultant Vickie Griffiths of Vicbar Marketing, which counts Bazis as a client but has been referring media to the company itself. "I'm still waiting to get info from them."

The developer has yet to release renderings of the proposed building, and did not return calls to its local office yesterday. The address is, however, listed on UrbanDB.com, a website that registers city developments. It lists Toronto's Roy Varacalli as the architect.

According to the website, 1 Bloor E. will comprise 79 floors, above and below ground.

The site is near a 34-storey condominium building Bazis is already developing at Balmuto St. If the tower does get built at Yonge and Bloor, the building may earn another distinction – by blotting out a few other towering eyesores, according to Rae.

"I sorely would like to hide the Royal Bank building on the northeast corner," he says. "It's brutal. Hiding that building at the northeast corner by this one on the southeast corner would, I think, be a gracious thing to do.

"I'm in favour of masking the unfortunate."

Thanks tips... (look up a few posts)

[Jaye101]

Woah, that's trippy.

[Taller, Better]

"Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change"

He speaketh in riddles. 80 storeys and only 205 meters tall?

[phunky]

"Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change"

He speaketh in riddles. 80 storeys and only 205 meters tall?
I bet that counts some of the underground floors.

[rbt]

I bet that counts some of the underground floors.

It does. 79 stories for both above and below ground floors. Based on previous approvals, it will be closer to 74 floors above ground.

Also keep in mind the old proposal had a theatre and other very high floors in the podium that will now be residential height.

[CrazyCanuck]

"Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change"

He speaketh in riddles. 80 storeys and only 205 meters tall?

I know, that would probably make it the worlds shortest 80 storey tower. It would barely dominate four seasons, meanwhile the rest of the area.

[Taller, Better]

In any case, I look forward to next Thursday!

[Dino Domingo]

Hey, dontch'all get gloomy just ye, maybe they'll surprise us...

[Epi]

205/80 = 2.56m per floor = 8 feet and 4 inches per floor.

Uh... something doesn't seem right there.

[InTheBeach]

"Rae claims the originally approved height of 205 metres will not change"

He speaketh in riddles. 80 storeys and only 205 meters tall?

A light bulb has just gone off in my head.

Kyle Rae is gay, lives near TB, and likes tall buildings.

TB is gay, lives near Kyle Rae, and likes tall buildings.

Hmmmm.

[phunky]

Is Kyle Rae Taller, Better? hmmmm ;)

[outinleftfield]

I know Kyle, and I've spoken to T,B and they ain't the same guy...:ohno:

[Taller, Better]

A light bulb has just gone off in my head.

Kyle Rae is gay, lives near TB, and likes tall buildings.

TB is gay, lives near Kyle Rae, and likes tall buildings.

Hmmmm.



LOL! Nope. Not the same person. I'm way taller, and a teeny bit less hefty! :lol: I know Kyle pretty well to shoot the sh*t with on the street and he is a good egg. I like him a lot and have always voted for him. I don't agree with his stance about gay bars in the village, however. He is very protective of resident's rights about noise, etc.. to the point that he is almost anti bar. I figure if you live in a gay village you should be able to put up with a bit of noise around you, especially on a Sunday afternoon. But he has been pretty consistently pro-condo development where it makes sense and where it benefits the community. I've always voted for him and probably will continue to.

[G_DOG]

the building and yorkville drawn by the very talented wyliepoon of ut fame you can see uptown and crystal blu as well
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1bloor.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/4s.jpg

[Dream Brother]

What's with the top of this building?

[neilio]

What's with the top of this ********?

i dont know, but i think he did it wrong, there is a clear angle on it in the rendering..he has it going striaght accross :S

Anyway, the way hes done it makes the top look very bad, and the fact that its more of 3D rendering then an actually all out "reali life" looking renderin detracts from the look of the top also, infact, ion the official rendering th top doesnt look half bad.

props to the the dude who made this anyway, its VERY impressive and gives you a sense of how it could effect the area.!:)

[Martinsizon]

i dont know, but i think he did it wrong, there is a clear angle on it in the rendering..he has it going striaght accross :S

Anyway, the way hes done it makes the top look very bad, and the fact that its more of 3D rendering then an actually all out "reali life" looking renderin detracts from the look of the top also, infact, ion the official rendering th top doesnt look half bad.

props to the the dude who made this anyway, its VERY impressive and gives you a sence of the effect the tower could effect the area.!:)

He has a thread dedicated to the 3D models he makes in UT: http://p083.ezboard.com/ftorontoskyscraperforumfrm3.showMessageRange?topicID=1656.topic&start=1&stop=20

[urban 2.0]

the building and yorkville drawn by the very talented wyliepoon of ut fame you can see uptown and crystal blu as well
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1bloor.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/4s.jpg

.. I can't believe that's to scale - if so that tower is Ginormous!!

I have even more respect for this tower now - don't show the NIMBY's that render - it will never get approved!

[Dale]

205/80 = 2.56m per floor = 8 feet and 4 inches per floor.

Uh... something doesn't seem right there.

Are Torontonians shorter than the average North American ? ;)

[KGB]

As is, I don't think the building has 80 actual occupied floors anyway. They are counting the 4 podium floors as "double floors". And the 205 metres I don't think included mechanical or decorative roof elements.





KGB

[Waterloo_Guy]

Are Torontonians shorter than the average North American ? ;)

I think this building is targeted to the Asian market.

[phunky]

I think this building is targeted to the Asian market.
Oh you went there. haha.

[sudburyboy]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/4s.jpg

Really changes the face of that area, kindof attracts people north and will probably eventually breed *** projects in that area,

btw i love the idea of having advertisements at the base, atracts attention instead of just blending into the area like it was covered in camouflage, its nice.

[yin_yang]

with this ***** as the anchor, this area will really begin to grow vertically...imagining this node one day blending in with the financial district is overwhelming...all these yonge st. businesses need to sell to developers already, enough!

[sudburyboy]

it would definately take a long time before that would happen, but hell that would rock

[yyzer]

In the new Condo Guide (Apr 2-16) there is an insert, "Condominium Builders Annual", and on pages 14 & 15 of that, there is an ad for Bazis....pics of Crystal Blue, and of that gigantic project in Moscow that looks like the Royal York on steroids....they also mention 1 Bloor, "Coming Soon"...no rendering, but it does say "Residences, Hotel, Retail"....so it looks like there will be a hotel component...

Can't wait till Thursday....

[CrazyCanuck]

It will be a nice birthday present for me when Thursday roles around. Hopefully it isn't 205 metres, that would be a major disappointment.

[Taller, Better]

It will be a nice birthday present for me when Thursday roles around. Hopefully it isn't 205 metres, that would be a major disappointment.

Hey yeah, your birthday is coming up. Did you shake the flu yet? Hoping you can have a few drinks on your bd!

[CrazyCanuck]

Yep, birthday is Wednesday 04/04. It wasn't the flu I had, something more serious, i've been battling it since mid-January, it's still here kind of but the pills i'm currently on are working, and the pills I was taking are finished so drinking is definitely a go this weekend! Time to party it up.

[rapideye95]

It will be a nice birthday present for me when Thursday roles around. Hopefully it isn't 205 metres, that would be a major disappointment.


I doubt that it will, However, at least it's something...I'm sure we would have generally been psyched if 1 Bloor East would have been going up, am I wrong

Besides...

I like this building much more anyways.

[samsonyuen]

Wow, hopefully this will be realized. The intersection isn't as flashy as it should be. Is the Adidas store confirmed? Two new stores downtown!

[phunky]

Wow, hopefully this will be realized. The intersection isn't as flashy as it should be. Is the Adidas store confirmed? Two new stores downtown!
I would assume that's just the artist's rendering of an example. Not actual stores. Just like the renderings for Metropolis.

[InTheBeach]

I would assume that's just the artist's rendering of an example. Not actual stores. Just like the renderings for Metropolis.

You mean that there will not be a Wal-mart in Metropolis!!

[phunky]

You mean that there will not be a Wal-mart in Metropolis!!
unforunately no :P

[yyzer]

Bazis' New 1 Bloor Destined to Become International Signature for Toronto
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 05, 2007 -- Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the CP picture wire via CCNMatthews.

When Bazis International made the strategic decision to extend its reach from Central Europe into the North American real estate market, it quickly targeted Canada and especially Toronto for its first projects, says Michael Gold, Director of Acquisitions and Finance for Bazis International, the North American arm of the giant international company.

The city has become a truly international destination for entertainment, culture and business, he says.

"We also knew that what we wanted to do was to create a signature project," he adds. "Toronto is more than ready for something so bold, so striking that it would become an instant icon, an internationally recognizable symbol of this city, reflecting its vitality and its growing global importance."

The result of Bazis' intensive research, planning and design was unveiled today: 1 Bloor, a $450-million mixed use project that incorporates 100,000 square feet of high end retail, a 120-room five-star boutique hotel and 500 ultra luxury condominiums in a tower close to 80 stories, the tallest residential/commercial building ever conceived for the city's downtown core.

"Bazis has made a name for itself in Europe and Central Asia for its bold, expansive signature projects," he says. "We intend to do this in Toronto, this magnificent city."

He cites the example of its Circular Plaza project in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana. This sweeping project encompasses 760,000 square feet of commercial office and retail space and has become headquarters for the National Ministry of Transport and Kazmunaigas, which operates vast central European natural gas fields.

In old St. Petersburg on the eastern shores of the Baltic, Bazis is creating a development of 300,000 square feet of residential space plus 50,000 square feet of retail shops in six buildings in the heart of the city centre.

All told it currently has 35 different projects under development around the world.

"I admit we were eager to create something of similar sweep and ambition in Toronto," he adds. "To do that we needed the right site. The southeast corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets perfectly fits those requirements."

As Mr. Gold points out, 1 Bloor is Canada's most recognizable and indeed, most prestigious address, the very heart of the city that is the very heart of the country.

"It is a site, which has already attracted enormous international attention," he says. "Both from national, international and regional retailers and from individuals and corporations looking for a pied-a-terre or home at Toronto's most celebrated address."

The three levels of retail will be in a podium, which will occupy the entire site, from Bloor south to Hayden Street and running east to existing office buildings. Each floor will be 20 feet in height. Bazis expects 1 Bloor to be the same sort of catalyst as the rejuvenation of Times Square in New York, a showplace for top-brand retailers.

On the upper level of the podium will be a signature restaurant and lounge overlooking the Bloor and Yonge intersection. The rooftop will have a beautifully landscaped terrace, available to both hotel guests and condominium residents.

The spectacular tower will rise from the centre of the podium. It was designed by Bazis' celebrated architect Roy Varacalli. The first four floors will be dedicated to a luxury five-star hotel, which will offer 120 rooms plus all the services and amenities expected from a deluxe international chain.

The remainder of the tower will be home to about 500 luxury condominiums, which will range in size from 550-square feet, one-bedroom suites to expansive 10,000-square-foot penthouses.

"I am very pleased to see this project moving forward," said Kyle Rae, City Councillor for Toronto Centre at the unveiling. "The intersection of Yonge and Bloor is an important Canadian crossroads. This new development will give the area a much needed facelift and will add $ 2 million towards the Bloor Street transformation project - a benefit to both the local residential and business communities."

"What I can promise is that every aspect of 1 Bloor will live up to expectations," says Mr. Gold. "This is a project, which will instantly become a recognizable symbol of Toronto and firmly establish its presence on the international stage."

To view a photo of 1 Bloor, please click the following link:

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/bazi.jpg

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/fm/2145

[yyzer]

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/bazi.jpg

[G_DOG]

looks huge i like it better than the other one
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/bazi.jpg

[Tallinn to Toronto 4]

I'm assuming those are glass balconies? I hope not, it'll end up looking like Spire, which looks like a building made out of cards. It looks like it could be blown over. Balconies suck.

The podium also seems WAY extreme. It'll make the rest of Yonge look kinda silly.

Well, maybe I'm just basing that off the really bad streetlevel photoshopping. haha - it looks like the base of the building is in the middle of Yonge street.

[Mike in TO]

~675 feet according to Roy Varacalli at the press conference.

[phunky]

Okay I really like this. I'd rather there were no balconies but whatever. It still looks really good. Very curvy. I wonder what the other side looks like.

[phunky]

~675 feet according to Roy Varacalli at the press conference.
That's it? Boo!

[teryaki]

Does anyone have a picture of what this site looks like presently for comparison?

[Taller, Better]

I'm assuming those are glass balconies? I hope not, it'll end up looking like Spire, which looks like a building made out of cards. It looks like it could be blown over. Balconies suck.

The podium also seems WAY extreme. It'll make the rest of Yonge look kinda silly.

Well, maybe I'm just basing that off the really bad streetlevel photoshopping. haha - it looks like the base of the building is in the middle of Yonge street.

Tallin, I would have fallen over backward in shock if you had said you actually liked something proposed for this city :lol:

Here is a closeup of the podium.. amazing looking:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1751/newoneblooreastpodiumql4.jpg

[Tallinn to Toronto 4]

Tallin, I would have fallen over backward in shock if you had said you actually liked something proposed for this city :lol:

Here is a closeup of the podium.. amazing looking:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1751/newoneblooreastpodiumql4.jpg

I definately wasn't overly impressed with the original render, but this one is a little underwhelming in that it just looks like a big apartment building. no? And come on . . . YOU even cut out the portion of the podium that shows it in the middle of Yonge street. Pretty poorly done. I'm curious as to what kind of materials are being used.

and teryaki, this is from Blogto:

http://www.blogto.com/upload/2007/03/yongebloor468.jpg

http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/03/kazakhstani_developer_to_transform_yonge_and_bloor_very_niiice/

[ONEILLT]

I'm very disappointed with the height but they are still saying that this is the tallest residential building in Canada??? don't know how they can say that.

However, the tower looks amazing, it will change the entire area

[Taller, Better]

Tallin, I can assure you the podium is not in the middle of Yonge St. On that you can rely.
This looks like just a big apartment building to you? I guess you are consistent at any rate.

[Tallinn to Toronto 4]

Tallin, I can assure you the podium is not in the middle of Yonge St. On that you can rely.
This looks like just a big apartment building to you?

They're actually asian (eur-asian).

I'm sure i'll dig it and maybe I'm just looking at the render the wrong way. Things I'm not into:

- the podium look like scaffolding / a contruction site

- I don't like the way it curves outward. I'd much prefer stright boxiness. I think it would work better with the existing buildings.

- why are there cars on the third floor? that's dumb.

[yin_yang]

damn, from the first rendering it looked like it was gonna be an office tower...knew it was too good to be true.

[Taller, Better]

^^ 'twas never planned to be an office tower.
We will all miss this thing of beauty:

http://www.blogto.com/upload/2007/03/yongebloor468.jpg

It will go to the same heaven that Cheapies, the world's Cheapest Clothing
store at Yonge and Dundas went to a decade ago! :cheers:

[outinleftfield]

How can a buildig that's nearly 80 stories tall oly be 675'??? They've already said the 1st 4 floors will be 20' each, so that leaves under 600 ' for 75ish floors!

That's impossible!!:nuts:

[Waterloo_Guy]

Height makes no sense
Balconies suck
Podium is awesome
I'm happy

[phunky]

How can a buildig that's nearly 80 stories tall oly be 675'??? They've already said the 1st 4 floors will be 20' each, so that leaves under 600 ' for 75ish floors!

That's impossible!!:nuts:
I assume they are counting floors below the surface and the podium itself as either 4 or 5 floors.

[Filip]

Wow.... That's dissapointing - I expect at least 700 ft!

The design though - absolutely striking

[valantino]

~675 feet according to Roy Varacalli at the press conference

yeah ... what a load ...

[ScrapeTheSky]

I like the design. Not sure about the podium though. Still, it's better than what we have. I'll take it!

[Marcanadian]

I love the design. I think the podium is far classier than the last proposal. Anyway, yeah, the height is messed up.

[G_DOG]

side by side new vs old
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/bazi.jpg http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1b.jpg

[Martinsizon]

I prefer the older rendering

[kettal]

I originally thought it was an office tower. Not sure why.

[b13]

The older render looks more classy and urban, and world-class, this new one looks dull and the podium is hideous, I also hate the colour of this building, I hope they change their minds and go with the old design!(I liked the curves)

[Mike in TO]

This is not the final design. They are still working on it and according to the architect it will continue to evolve.

It still looks really good. Very curvy. I wonder what the other side looks like.

The other side currently has no curves - the tower is not symetical.

As far as the hieght goes I'm thinking that the double height podium floors (4x20) are being counted as 8 floors... they keep saying nearly 80, so I suspect that there is some number play going on.

Also the approved height would be to the top of the occupied floors and likely doesn't include the decorative rooftop structures. There will be no rezoning, but through site-plan approval or a minor variance process at the committee of adjustment some additional height can be obtained to help make the number of floors actually work.

Bazis has also aquired 3 additional sites on transit lines and will be announcing future plans this year.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Ok, it is just plain impossible for this thing to be 205m. We all know this. And to advertise it as the tallest res/hotel in TO when there are a number under way taller than 205...

[phunky]

Ya something is suspicious about this building.

[phunky]

I like the design. Not sure about the podium though. Still, it's better than what we have. I'll take it!
Don't take this personal as it's no offence to you, but I find this is the typical Toronto way of thinking. The "good enough" way of thinking. We're so desperate to get really tall buildings to compete with other cities that we take whatever we can get.
There is nothing wrong with rejecting things and saying "you know what? no it's not good enough, sorry."

[Waterloo_Guy]

Don't take this personal as it's no offence to you, but I find this is the typical Toronto way of thinking. The "good enough" way of thinking. We're so desperate to get really tall buildings to compete with other cities that we take whatever we can get.
There is nothing wrong with rejecting things and saying "you know what? no it's not good enough, sorry."

You're absolutely right. The funny thing is, there is also another trend on this forum to look at an amazing proposal and all the development going on and act like we are getting nothing worth while. The Toronto forum is a fickle place.

[yin_yang]

I originally thought it was an office tower. Not sure why.

because the old design had it looking like one, and it was also way better...the new one looks like a dubai resi. would be nice downtown, but black suits Y-B better. the podium looks really eurotrash too.

[Jaborandi]

because the old design had it looking like one, and it was also way better...the new one looks like a dubai resi. would be nice downtown, but black suits Y-B better. the podium looks really eurotrash too.

hmmm... yes, 80 floors of black would really make the relentless grey of 2 Bloor East and the murky brown of 2 Bloor West just pop right out and look positively festive. And please, let's not be too critical of Eurotrash either since many of us on this forum are proudly Eurotrash.

[teryaki]

Thanks for the pic Tallinn to Toronto 4. For what my opinion is worth, I think its a nice looking building but the old design is better. This design looks a bit safe in comparison.

[b13]

^ agreed and this is why I was lin love with the old design, it was bold, different, modern, classy and would change Younge-Bloor for the better. This design is just too safe for me, but then again this is Toronto lol

[metroboi_nay]

675ft, bah... better than nothing tho, atleast it'll start more taller buildings in that area, when does construction start? completion date? The way things go in T.O i'm lookin at 5-10 years :S

[Marcanadian]

^^ I heard on CTV that construction starts fall 2008.

[b13]

^and will be completed in 2011, the same time as Shangri-la

[valantino]

much nicer design than the last one however, I prefer the last one for the Y/B intersection

[G_DOG]

^^ I heard on CTV that construction starts fall 2008.

yeah they actually have that clip on the ctv toronto website.

[Istrian]

...somebody said the crown isn't OK...maybe something like this
would satisfy them:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/istrian/1BloorEastModification.jpg...

[Istrian]

If the same developer already has 10 foot ceilings for
one development (Cristal Blue) I don't see the reason
why would another, much more exclusive,luxurious, be different or in any way inferior.
Thus, 10 foot ceiling X 77 stories = 770' + 60' = 831'
= 253.2 m ( 60 = 4 X 20 foot podium ) + mechanical ?!?

So it is still pretty tall for that area ( for the begining ).
But soon or later supertalls are going to be Toronto's
future.

PS:
We might be jet pleasantly surprised with the hight of
this baby; of course not everyone of us...

[samsonyuen]

The new rendering looks nicer. What are the dates for the two?

[kettal]

The new one is something we will look at in 20 years and think "what an ugly wreck". It reminds me of some apartments near Jane & Wilson.

[InTheBeach]

Don't take this personal as it's no offence to you, but I find this is the typical Toronto way of thinking. The "good enough" way of thinking. We're so desperate to get really tall buildings to compete with other cities that we take whatever we can get.
There is nothing wrong with rejecting things and saying "you know what? no it's not good enough, sorry."

I agree 100% with your point. Cut it up vigorously if you don't like it.

Of the two of these, I think I like the new rendering. But I'm not crazy about the podium or the balconies. I do like the shape, and how it seems to change as it rises up (which is similar in concept to Shangri-La -- but I prefer this). The back seems to be peeling away from the core.

The problem with the podium is that it is incongruent with the rest of the building. There is nothing I see that ties them together.

The glass sliver as the core of the building is great IMO. Maybe that would not work as well without the balconies. Hmmm.

[Nouvellecosse]

I'll take the old tower with the new podium, make the podium twice as tall as the current, and add a vertical strip of electronic ad screens 2-3 metres wide starting along the height of the podium.

Even tho the balconies suck, I think the new design is still a slight imporvement (to an already great design). As far as the height, I'm flexible on that. Taller is always better of course, but I'm happy for anything comfortably over 150m for this area.

[humanscale]

The developer economized the expensive west-facing curved exterior of the original render into a much more slight and concave exterior. This is cheaper to produce, but disappointing to me from this render.

[Jackhammer]

If the same developer already has 10 foot ceilings for
one development (Cristal Blue) I don't see the reason
why would another, much more exclusive,luxurious, be different or in any way inferior.
Thus, 10 foot ceiling X 77 stories = 770' + 60' = 831'
= 253.2 m ( 60 = 4 X 20 foot podium ) + mechanical ?!?

So it is still pretty tall for that area ( for the begining ).
But soon or later supertalls are going to be Toronto's
future.

PS:
We might be jet pleasantly surprised with the hight of
this baby; of course not everyone of us...
Yeah ... 10 foot floors is pretty typical, just look at ROC I,II, Palace Pier, any City Place condo ... they all come in around the same.

Another way to look at this is the price. 450 million would be quite high for a 205 m tower. Look at Ritz (300 million), Shagri-La (340 million). I do not think this tower would exceed either of those buildings in quality of construction so the extra cost must come from additional height. Only Trump is priced at more (500 million) for a 1000 foot+ residential structure.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Another way to look at this is the price. 450 million would be quite high for a 205 m tower.

Yes, and considering how much the units would cost it would also make low ceilings unlikely.

[globetrekker]

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/bazi.jpg

Wow. Big. But the other rendering is much better. Modern and a tower that looked as though it would age well. I hope this new rendering is only to give us a basic idea of how this tower will look. I personally hope that they revisit their first rendering and give it serious consideration. The first design is precisely what Bloor & Yonge needs.

[globetrekker]

They're actually asian (eur-asian).

I'm sure i'll dig it and maybe I'm just looking at the render the wrong way. Things I'm not into:

- the podium look like scaffolding / a contruction site


Agreed. The podium is a joke. Why did they have to mess with a good thing (old rendering)? This doesn't fit the area as well as the first rendering which had the potential to go head-to-head with other impressive skyscrapers world-wide. But they had to go and mess with a good thing. Again.

[globetrekker]

side by side new vs old
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/bazi.jpg http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1b.jpg

Easy. The old one.

[globetrekker]

The older render looks more classy and urban, and world-class, this new one looks dull and the podium is hideous, I also hate the colour of this building, I hope they change their minds and go with the old design!(I liked the curves)

Preach brotha!

[Jaye101]

New one looks better... So sleek.

[KGB]

Everything about this leaves a bad taste in my mouth...the patronizing/overly hyped media speech...the way they say "nearly 80 stories" (it looks like 74 floors...why not just say 74 stories)...the way they invent a catagory to claim some kind of "tallest" title...and yet, another un-named, but "5-star" hotel...building height and floor numbers that don't seem to jive...and the off-the-shelf architecture (want architecture...buy at the Libeskind tower).

I wanna like it...but I can't ignore the smell of cheeze....and it can't be helped...it has a Borat factor.

If it were just another "taller" condo tower, it would be great...but it doesn't live up to the hype.


As for the height math...well, they say the first 3 floors of retail is 20 feet. They don't say the 4th floor is also 20 feet, but let's say it is....that's 80 feet from the total of 675 feet. We have 595 feet left to cover the remaining 70 floors of residential. That leaves an average of 8.5 construction floor-floor feet per floor, not accounting for higher "penthouse" floors. Which would translate into less than 8 foot internal floor-to-ceiling heights....not very likely. But how else can they do it? The building will either have pretty low ceilings....less floors than indicated...or will have to be taller than 675 feet.

The roof structure appears to be about 6 floors, so it will probably bring the total height to around 735 feet.





KGB

[Jaborandi]

223 metres

[Joe P]

http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/200290

Here's an article fromt The Star:

Why Kazakh tower makes sense for Bloor-Yonge

Apr 06, 2007 04:30 AM
Christopher Hume
Urban Issues

It would be hard to imagine a more unlikely scenario: A developer from of all places, Kazakhstan, shows up in of all places, Toronto, and decides to build of all things, an 80-storey condo/hotel at, of all locations, the corner of Yonge and Bloor.

No, this is not a new Borat movie, it's just another day in the life of this city.

And before you start with the jokes, two things: The developer, Bazis International, already has permission to start work on the building, and second, it has committed $450 million to the project.

It will also contribute $2 million to rehabilitate Bloor St., straight from Kazakhstan to Toronto's most prestigious shopping district.

Some may be laughing, but Councillor Kyle Rae (Toronto-Centre-Rosedale) isn't one of them. He couldn't be more excited. Speaking at a press conference called yesterday by Bazis, Rae couldn't contain his enthusiasm.

"The southeast corner of Bloor and Yonge," he rightly noted, "is an eyesore and a failure."

But then, so are the other three corners. Given that this is one of the city's most important intersections, that's not good. In fact, one might wonder why it has taken so long for something to happen on the site. Situated at the crossroads of the two major subway lines, close to practically everything, Bloor and Yonge has been ripe for redevelopment for years. It's extraordinary that it has taken so long for something to happen.

And before the NIMBYites start screaming about the height, let's get one thing straight: there is no better location in all Toronto where an 80-storey residential tower makes more sense. Besides, city council approved the construction of an earlier tower, same height though fewer floors, four years ago.

And in case anyone has forgotten, the nearby ManuLife Centre comes in at 51 storeys.

Though Torontonians are loath to admit it, the small town they think they live in has become a big city. That means tall buildings and greater densities. Those ratty two- and three-storey boxes that line so many of our main streets will slowly but surely disappear – as they should.

"We're competing with other cities and countries for investment," Rae noted. "It's time now to start acting like a big city."

As Rae also made clear, "This is where the highest building in the neighbourhood belongs."

For Michael Gold, Bazis's director of acquisitions and finance, Toronto makes sense because property here is so cheap by international standards. The firm has built in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, as well as Moscow and St. Petersburg.

"Toronto is a most desired place to live," he declared yesterday. "Prices of real estate are still undervalued compared to the world cities. We believe real estate prices here have a long way to go."

It's an argument that's been heard before, but not so often by people actually willing to spend money. Donald Trump, for instance, said the same thing three or four years ago about Toronto, and his site at Bay and Adelaide sits empty.

The only problem with the Bazis scheme, which would include three double-height floors of retail at grade, a hotel on top and, above that, condos – is the design. Toronto architect Roy Varacalli has come up with a scheme that would look more at home in Dubai, Shanghai or some other instant-city than in Toronto. Let's be honest, glitz isn't us.

This multi-part tower consists of two "masses" – as Varacalli calls them – one, curved, faces west, the second, straight-edged and square, looks east. The idea is to reflect the differences in the two halves of the city. The west side, according to Varacalli, is playful and loose. The east is more staid.

For better or worse, the building will be an icon simply by virtue of its height and location. Indeed, it will change the neighbourhood dramatically. But this is a tower that speaks the language of empty slickness. It is more rhinestone than diamond.

But as Varacalli pointed out, the building remains a work in progress. Let's hope there's time for improvement. His design for Bazis's other Toronto project, Crystal Blue, is much more convincing.

But the pressure's on; demolition of the site will begin later this year and One Bloor East is scheduled to be completed by 2011.

[ScrapeTheSky]

Looking at the renders side-by-side, I have to say I much prefer the old one. Now I'm disappointed. On its own, the new one isn't that bad (even if the numbers don't mesh), but the old one was so much better. What a shame.

[Taller, Better]

I wonder if people might be getting "battle fatigue" from the intensity of all the projects being announced in Toronto. I'm quite surprised how ho-hum the general reaction has been to this project. It is a big hit in the Canada section over in SSP, but maybe people in Toronto are burning out seeing project after project revealed. Personally I think this will be a gleaming stunner on the corner of Yonge and Bloor, and I like how it is somewhat reserved and gimmick-free. I think it has a somewhat classic simplicity that will stand it well over the years.

Maybe it is just because I have dogs but I am flabbergasted how people would think having balconies is a terrible idea and look hideous.. Condos are for living moreso than just objects of art.

[phunky]

so 732 FT. That sounds slightly more realistic.

[G_DOG]

nielio,where are you ?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1bdiagram.jpg

[Tuscani01]

nielio,where are you ?
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/1bdiagram.jpg

Wow... that picture pisses me off. 80 stories and its still smaller than our tallest.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Everything about this leaves a bad taste in my mouth...the patronizing/overly hyped media speech...the way they say "nearly 80 stories" (it looks like 74 floors...why not just say 74 stories)...the way they invent a catagory to claim some kind of "tallest" title...and yet, another un-named, but "5-star" hotel...building height and floor numbers that don't seem to jive...and the off-the-shelf architecture (want architecture...buy at the Libeskind tower).

I wanna like it...but I can't ignore the smell of cheeze....and it can't be helped...it has a Borat factor.

If it were just another "taller" condo tower, it would be great...but it doesn't live up to the hype.




KGB

That sums it up perfectly.

[Waterloo_Guy]

I wonder if people might be getting "battle fatigue" from the intensity of all the projects being announced in Toronto. I'm quite surprised how ho-hum the general reaction has been to this project. It is a big hit in the Canada section over in SSP, but maybe people in Toronto are burning out seeing project after project revealed.

I'll admit, that is pretty much my reaction lately. We're getting too much of a good thing--who would have thought that this much good news would produce more apathy than ecstasy?!

[yin_yang]

not true, would be thrilled with the old design. this looks worse (from the render, may they please provemme wrong).

[current]

1 Bloor E looks like a building being split into two halves and this reminds me of the concept rendering for the development in Astana Kazahkstan.

1 Bloor E is not as wild but both seem to share the same theme. Is it the same architect?

awesome

look at this too
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/mark3333/nycc.jpg

[metroboi_nay]

^ Yes its the same architect. I hate to sound pessimistic, but I won't be jumping up and down until it's really under construction, just look at Trump, it's not happening... yet and that was announced years ago.

I like the old design more, however the new one has some good points as well. Either way it's another building for the city over 500ft, that's all I care about ;)

[phunky]

1 Bloor E looks like a building being split into two halves and this reminds me of the concept rendering for the development in Astana Kazahkstan.

1 Bloor E is not as wild but both seem to share the same theme. Is it the same architect?
Actually That's a a Toronto development. The one in Kazahkstan is called Emerald Towers.

http://www.khristopher.com/pictures/urban%20stuff/Emerald%20Towers.jpg

They have since taken down the one you posted from their website. Which makes me think