The L Tower | Approved | 57 st | 205 m | Downtown

[KGB]

From today's Star........







Theatre is no lame bird
Mar. 22, 2006. 01:00 AM
RICHARD OUZOUNIAN
THEATRE CRITIC

It was supposed to be "one brief shining moment," but it went on for 47 years.

When the Hummingbird Centre closes for 20 months of renovations next year, its CEO, Daniel D. Brambilla, revealed yesterday that the last show to play there will be the one that opened the building: Camelot.

Back on the night of Oct. 1, 1960, it was Richard Burton who played King Arthur in the Broadway-bound musical. On June 25, 2007, Michael York will be starring as the monarch of the Round Table.

"I like the idea of one era ending the same way it began," said the expansive Brambilla. "Think of it as curtain going up, curtain coming down."

And when the new era of the Hummingbird Centre begins, what can the people of Toronto expect to find?

Last November, Brambilla outlined to the Toronto Star his plans for a $75 million, 40,000-square-foot multicultural and tourism facility that would be joined to the 49-storey condominium tower Daniel Libeskind has designed to soar over the existing theatre.

At this point in time, Brambilla still isn't 100 per cent certain he can get all the permits and money he needs in place by the December deadline for the project, but he seems decidedly optimistic and surprisingly calm.

"Look, when I came here three years ago, everybody thought this theatre was finished. The opera and ballet were moving out, people thought the place was a white elephant, Mel Lastman and his boys wanted to tear it down."

Brambilla wipes the past away with his hand. "That's all gone now. I've got a clean canvas to work with. Everything is possible.

"We've turned the story around from almost demolishing a historical building to not only saving it but making it prosper."

The 55-year-old ex-New Yorker was best known as a tough show business lawyer and a member of Garth Drabinsky's Livent team before coming to the Hummingbird in 2002, and he still can play that card when needed.

"I'm treating this like a business. We're a not-for-profit charitable organization, but I don't think of it that way. I want to be aggressive."

And he revealed the depth of that aggression when he announced he would be bringing in the Radio City Rockettes for next year's Christmas show, adding a major new competitive attraction to a holiday landscape previously dominated by the National Ballet's Nutcracker.

"They're coming for 84 performances over seven weeks and the advance sales are huge. Huge! I couldn't be happier. Yes I know it's called The Nutcracker Killer in every other city it's ever been in. Before I announced the idea, I had the ballet in here and said `I'm bringing the Rockettes in, and I want to see if we can work together. I want this theatre to thrive, but not at your expense.'"

Brambilla admits he's got "the hardest job in Toronto, trying to raise $60 million by December." (The other $15 million comes from the developer for the right to build the condo tower.) "But even if the full plan doesn't materialize, we'll be able to run the theatre and run it well."

Brambilla's agenda is to de-emphasize the traditional programming of the past and look closely at Toronto today.

"The whole push out into the multicultural community is where this building is going. It's the wave of the future."

He addresses the fact that "for many years this was where the white establishment went. This was the home of the opera, the ballet. Now we're inviting people of all races, all colours, to bring their shows here to his iconic building ... we're going to build a new, exciting centre for this city together."

Sure, you could call it a crazy idealistic dream, but then, come to think of it, so was Camelot.

[Waterloo_Guy]

I can't wait for this.

[p5archit]

Not to be a pesimist, but what happens if he fails in getting the $75 Million together? Is his plan to make just a scaled down version of the project- ie: just the cultural element-? Or is that what would take up most of the amount raised?

I am excited to hear about his positiveness regarding acquiring the monies, so I guess I will wait and see what will happen over the course of the next few months. Would be great to have this move forward and bring some added life to that corner of the city-

That said, how do you think this project will fair if it gets off the ground and is built? Is it something that will be success from the get-go, will it take time for it to be success, or will it be a project that will require millions in subsidies to keep open and then ultimately close?

p5

[KGB]

"Is his plan to make just a scaled down version of the project- ie: just the cultural element-? Or is that what would take up most of the amount raised? "


The $75 million IS just the cultural element....the big condo tower is a completely separate project, which I'm sure is more than $75 million itself.





KGB

[p5archit]

I see! So the condo developer gives the Hummingbird Centre $15 million for the rights to build a condo, but puts up their own money, obviously through sales towards building the condo, to pay for the design and build the condo! Aha, its all coming clear now.

p5

[neilio]

im really hoping this project becomes reality. I love the design of the tower...not so sure about the "boot" but hey its all good..i guess lol
And i cant see the tower costing any less then $100 Million

[Jackhammer]

Maybe Brambilla should go on his hands and knees to Ken Thompson. He loves to spend on Toronto and probably carries 60 million around in his back pocket.

[DrT]

I see! So the condo developer gives the Hummingbird Centre $15 million for the rights to build a condo, but puts up their own money, obviously through sales towards building the condo, to pay for the design and build the condo! Aha, its all coming clear now.

p5

The $15 million is for the "air rights" since the developer of the condo is apparently not buying the lot that the Hummingbird sits on. If a developer had to buy that lot, it would probably be, I'm guessing about $40 million, so they are coming out pretty well. The condo tower will probably cost well in excess of $100 million in addition to the $75 million for the public part of the facility. I think the condos will sell. The question is can the other $60 million be raised by Brambilla.

[p5archit]

DrT. Thanks for the explanation. I could see the condo units selling without a hitch, but raising the money for another cultural institution is going to be a hard sell- $60 million is huge!! Good luck to him.

Still no one seems to want to venture an opinion with regards to the success of the cultural element of the project.

p5

[spasongs]

Praying for the tower, but I really don't get the Multi Cultural thing at the base. What will it have? Displays showing people from different cultures and colors eating, crossing the street, parenting??! What does it mean? I could really care less for that. I already have access to that throughout the city itself.

I pray it is not done by the same people who did our Olympic Vancouver thing in Turin. That was a joke. And a bad joke at that.

[KGB]

"I really don't get the Multi Cultural thing at the base. What will it have? Displays showing people from different cultures and colors eating, crossing the street, parenting??! "


Well, uh no...I don't think so....at least I would hope not. The city has better creative abilites and talent than that.

People are always claiming that Toronto doesn't market itself enough. One of the major assets is the multiculturalism. The facility will be more of a multi-purpose thing...an arts lab as well as a showcase and information hub, on top of it being just a live perfomance venue. Seeing as it already has a performing arts facility, it will be used to showcase various cultural performances, highlighting the various cultures, as well as marketing all the other cultural events and areas of the city.

The location is perfect...already well-known and can draw many people...especially tourists. Now there can be a sort of "headquarters" to bring some kind of cohesion to the multicultural aspect of the city, which up until now, was more of a word-of-mouth thing. People come here specifically because it has a reputation for it's multiculturalism, yet many people will miss a lot of it, because there isn't really a comprehensive guide to it.

The centre is owned and operated by the city, but it has always been a self-sufficient entity. With the loss of two of it's major tennents, it will have to reinvent itself or die. The city might as well take the oportunity to keep it vital, as well as do a much better job of promoting an important part of what makes the city so great.

The one thing that does bother me, is any possible architectural defacing of what is a great modern building. $75 million seems like a lot of money for only 40,000 sqft, and in a building that really is already in great shape. I really don't know what is supposed to cost that much money. As long as they don't destroy the architectural integrity of the building, I really don't care.

From the renderings, it doesn't seem "too" bad. The condo tower is quite striking, and does seem to keep itself separate from the performance hall.






KGB

[riley]

is there a rendering of this tower somewhere?

[KGB]

Oh yea...sorry.....





http://www.theworldoftoronto.com/images/City_Centre_2.jpg


http://www.theworldoftoronto.com/images/City_Centre_1.jpg






KGB

[neilio]

my question is..what kind of cladding are they going to use to get that bright white appearence?

[rise_against]

uhhhhh...thats not bright white. Its more sky blue and they are going to use glass if I had to guess.

[riley]

that is one dramatically different tower. I don't like it. I'm all for bold design (I love the ROM crystal), but this looks like a ski jump, or a boot from the Jetsons. And what is that circular cutout with orange zigzigs in the foot part of the building? Is this really the design they plan to move forward with?

[neilio]

uhhhhh...thats not bright white. Its more sky blue and they are going to use glass if I had to guess.
skyblue...bright white WHATEVER!!! yes glass..ofcourse, i just dont understand how they are going to get it to look like that...in the rendering it looks like the tower is covered in white, grey and light blue painted metal..not glass that would be reflective looking.

[KGB]

Ah...I've had enough of renderings, and how they sometimes completely mis-represent the finished product...I'm now wary and jaded of renderings.

But, what I see I like. I think it has a very sophisticated avante-guarde appeal. And since I'm an elitist, the fact most people don't like it just reinforces that. LOL


I think it's quite original and non-derivative. And I think the city does well by having some of this. I also love all the more subtle, fitting in, quality stuff that Clewes is doing as well...it makes for a great mix.






KGB

[Travis007]

I especially love how well the base meets with Yonge street. This will be a true landmark tower for Toronto, if we get it off the ground. :)

http://www.theworldoftoronto.com/images/City_Centre_3.jpg

[zerokarma]

It will be interesting to see how they build it if it goes ahead, there really isn't much land there.

[ONEILLT]

I like the building but I just got back from Montreal and I'm always amazed at how well the city has 'blended' the commercial towers downtown with everything else and the towers all have 'character' like Place Ville Marie etc. I saw some billboards downtown with some new condominum projects and everyone is 'different' and the builder is not going to just build another box. In Toronto we have have a box mentality with everything. I do like the new Hummingbird 'look' but take a look at what is around it.

[Taller, Better]

I love Montreal dearly, but have never considered its commercial towers downtown
to be its aesthetic strength.... in fact I would have to say I most vigorously
consider the older architecture there to be superior, while the modern buildings
are mostly uninspiring and dated looking.
Each to his own, and I am sure there will be plenty of people who will disagree with
me on this point.
The cruciform Place Ville Marie was exciting back in the 60's, and it is still
perhaps the best of the bunch, in my humble opinion.

[Homer J. Simpson]

I would actually agree with Taller, Better. Montreal's skyline with maybe the exception of a few buildings looks very dated.

Back on topic:

I do have to say about this proposal that at first I was really skeptical about how it would look but some of the new renderings make it look pretty cool. This proposal can really be something, lets hope it lives up to its potential.

[Taller, Better]

I'm a bit gobsmacked by all of this. I don't know why, but I thought the boot
proposal was just a pie in the sky idea... don't ask me why. I am happy to
see it on track!
It takes me awhile to wrap my head around these unorthodox designs, so I
will let this digest a bit...

[partybits]

Sorry for bringing a dead thread back to life, but does anyone know what the height for this one was approved for?

[G_DOG]

188 metres

[KGB]

Place Ville Marie is a nice building, but for the most part, while Montreal's towers are not total crap, they are definetely not in the league of some of Toronto's first rate modernist towers...and I don't just mean Pei, Mies Revelle and ED Stone either...some of the lesser known and shorter modernist office towers are superb.








"Sorry for bringing a dead thread back to life"


What's to be sorry for....this is my pet project for the city....architecturally, the O'keefe Centre (might as well refer to its origional name, as the Hummingbird thing is basically over now anyway) is a gorgeous piece of 1950's modernist design by our own modernist master, Peter Dickinson. It's also a venue with a storied past that deserves a great cultural future as well....it would be a great loss if it just disappeared...it would be like losing Massey Hall or something.

The Libeskind tower is the icing on the cake....for a town building so many condo towers (and even a few good ones), this would be the defining crown in the Toronto condo experiment.

We've come a long way from Tridel baby!!!






KGB

[KGB]

"KGB, what do you mean it's your pet project? "


Oh...just that it's my big favorite. That used to be Spire when it first came out...I was so disapointed...it's so pedestrian....I can't believe I got all that excited about it at the time.






KGB

[camel_trainer]

What are the chances of the peacock tower ever being built on top?

I can't say I have a lot of faith that this city will embrace something that looks so radical in comparison to what already exists.

I like it, though. I think it would be a great addition.

[Taller, Better]

[QUOTE=camel_trainer

I can't say I have a lot of faith that this city will embrace something that looks so radical in comparison to what already exists.

.[/QUOTE]

Why would you say that? Have there been protestations over the ROM or
the OCAD building, or the Marilyn Munroe building? I think people in TO are ready for new experiences and have a higher expectation than ever for excellence in new architecture. There may be people who don't like the
design, but that is all just freedom of speech.

[camel_trainer]

Why would you say that? Have there been protestations over the ROM or
the OCAD building, or the Marilyn Munroe building? I think people in TO are ready for new experiences and have a higher expectation than ever for excellence in new architecture. There may be people who don't like the
design, but that is all just freedom of speech.

I think perhaps the mighty claws of cynicism have dug into my back, pulling me toward the dark side. Please...........don't let me become a non-believer.

As a wise man once said:

Oh well I guess it would be nice....
If I could touch your boooody.....
I know not everybooooody....
Has got a body like you.....


oops, not that part.

This:

...because I gotta have faith-eh, faith-eh, FAITH-AH.

(insert cheesy 50s-style guitar solo)

[valantino]

^a classic case of backpeddling

Well done, Taller

;)

[Taller, Better]

LOL! You are too young to become bitter and cynical, Camel! Hang in there... help is on the way....

[samsonyuen]

I too am excited about this building! I hope there'll be more news about it starting soon.

[CrazyCanuck]

I'm also a big fan of this project, I sure hope we will hear some news soon about, but hopefully not a resdesign as I love the one we have now.

[metroboi_nay]

Apprently its all about money for this thing to happen, isn't that always the case with everything :( Sigh

[Marcanadian]

That swirl of red at the base looks kind crappy. But other than that really cool :okay:

[Brighter Hell]

skyblue...bright white WHATEVER!!! yes glass..ofcourse, i just dont understand how they are going to get it to look like that...in the rendering it looks like the tower is covered in white, grey and light blue painted metal..not glass that would be reflective looking.
looks like glass with an irregular pattern of metal cladding. doubtful that it will be painted. this is a libeskind after all.

[KGB]

"Apprently its all about money for this thing to happen, isn't that always the case with everything Sigh"


The condo tower is not the problem....it's getting the actual performance space to reinvent itself as a self-supporting venue after losing its two major tennants. The condo tower is actually in a good position because of that, as it secures a large portion of the funding for the new cultural portion.






KGB

[metroboi_nay]

Hmm, I'm sure I heard they needed money but oh well. Either way I hope it goes up :)

[Martinsizon]

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2006/agendas/committees/pof/pof060718/it066.pdf

[ONEILLT]

now that was a mouthfull. Thanks for the info, good to see that they are moving forward

[Martinsizon]

there was an article in the GTA section of the star today the project will go to the city council next week for final approval

[Mauricio Canada]

^^
Toronto Star: Jul 19, 2006

GTA Article Summary

"Hummingbird condos approved; Complex would include arts, banquet facilities Centre suffers after two main tenants leave."

"Under the agreement, which will go to city council for final approval next week, the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts is required to come up with $60 million of the $75 million project by next June. The developer, Castlepoint, will pay $15 million for the use of the land."

[urban 2.0]

... really? I never thought that this would go anywhere. Toronto really won't have any parking lots left. It's great news for infill projects! I still don't like how the building blends with the original facade. I would prefer this building be one of the few that we don't gut and we can leave for future generations.

[DrT]

... really? I never thought that this would go anywhere. Toronto really won't have any parking lots left. It's great news for infill projects! I still don't like how the building blends with the original facade. I would prefer this building be one of the few that we don't gut and we can leave for future generations.

A fifty story Libeskind designed tower is not an infill project! :uh:

[neilio]

A fifty story Libeskind designed tower is not an infill project! :uh:

still..188m is not very tallcompared to everything els that built and going to be built, its design will make it known but it wont stick out very well in a sea of taller towers. I always thought a 230m version of this tower would be the most beautiful thing!

[Bertez]

I'd like to see some new renderings of this building.....

[rise_against]

188m is still very tall in my opinion and i LOVE the design of this building. One of my favs.

[Martinsizon]

Only thing i could find on their website is an old document with the same renderings
http://www.hummingbirdcentre.com/images/AHABrochure_March06.pdf

[outinleftfield]

TheCity Council meeting was tonight. Any word on this... or on the Maple Leaf project, also on tonight's agenda?

[mikep]

Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060727.HUMMING27/TPStory/?query=hummingbird)

Hummingbird Centre reveals revamp plans

JAMES ADAMS

The chief executive officer of Toronto's Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts says the landmark building is well on its way to "rebranding" itself as a multipurpose, multicultural facility after the departure this year of its two long-term tenants, the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.

Yesterday, Dan Brambilla announced that the city-owned centre is donating $10,000 to the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention, tying the donation to both the 16th International AIDS Conference that takes place in Toronto Aug. 13-18, and Hummingbird's presentation of Bombay Dreams, a Bollywood musical, Aug. 16-20.

Hummingbird also plans to "top up" its donation to ASAAP by as much as $90,000, using a portion of revenue from the Bombay Dreams run.

"It's all about reaching out to the community," Mr. Brambilla said in an interview, "and not just through programming."

Meanwhile, city council has approved a business plan to finance the redevelopment of the Hummingbird's physical plant, including the construction of a 41-storey condominium tower designed by Daniel Libeskind. The tower is to be mounted on a nine-storey podium that will include a theatre, exhibition hall, interactive centre and other facilities.

The plan, approved on Tuesday, requires that Hummingbird raise $60-million by next June.

Meanwhile, the project's developer, Castlepoint Realty Partners, has agreed to pay Hummingbird $15-million for the use of the land for the condominium building, which Mr. Brambilla hopes to use as leverage to extract $15-million each from the federal and Ontario governments.

If Hummingbird doesn't raise the $60-million by next spring, the centre will enter into an 89-year lease with Castlepoint, with buy-back options.

Mr. Brambilla hopes he can secure at least $15-million through the sale of naming rights after the Hummingbird name, adopted in 1996 after Hummingbird Communications donated $5-million, expires at the end of the year.

[Martinsizon]

So when do u expect it to go into sales(the Libeskind condo)?

[Martinsizon]

^^ Got my answer 2 months later


http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161208213341&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851

Study predicts 5% this year and next
Slowest gains in recent years
Oct. 19, 2006. 06:01 AM
TONY WONG
BUSINESS REPORTER


Alfredo Romano will take heart in the forecast that resale-home prices are expected to rise 5 per cent next year. The developer plans to open a sales centre to market condominiums at the Hummingbird Centre in 2007.

Analysts have been warning for some time about the possibility of a correction in the condo market, but Romano is betting distinctive properties in the right location will continue to sell.

"In the case of any slowdown, peripheral areas will go first, followed by luxury properties, but the right area helps," he says.

In this case, having a condo designed by star architect Daniel Liebeskind, who is currently doing the crystal addition to the Royal Ontario Museum, may help Romano stand out from the crowd. And a buoyant resale market should help to float all boats.
According to a report released yesterday by ReMax Ontario Atlantic Canada, average home prices in the Toronto area will rise 5 per cent by the end of 2006 and another 5 per cent by the end of 2007.

These are the slowest forecast gains in recent years, but still above inflation. The projections are in line with estimates from other economists, who say a slowing housing market will mean increases of 3.5 to 5 per cent.

"The market has cooled modestly, and we expect that to continue over the next 12 months," said Michael Polzler, executive vice-president of ReMax. "Will the numbers be down? Yes, but not so much that you won't see appreciation. You can expect to see listings to sit a little longer, and people will be able to look a little more intelligently for homes."

According to ReMax, the average price of a resale home in the Toronto area should hit $371,000 by the end of 2007, an increase of nearly $18,000 from 2006.

Another report released yesterday, by the Toronto Real Estate Board, said sales activity for the first half of October was roughly on par with a year earlier. The results would probably have been weaker without a flurry of activity in downtown Toronto, where mid-month condo sales jumped 43 per cent.

Affordability is becoming a major issue as housing becomes more expensive and interest rates rise.


Buyers are considering areas farther from downtown and alternatives to single, detached homes, such as townhomes and condominium apartments, ReMax said.

Polzler said many clients fear the house-price implosion hitting some parts of the United States will eventually spread to Canada. U.S. housing starts, however, defied expectations of a decline in September and jumped an annualized 5.9 per cent, the commerce department said yesterday, giving builders some hope that the market may be bottoming out. The market has been down for eight straight months.

"The increases have been much more massive in the United States, and they're much more highly leveraged, but so far it hasn't been a significant negative for us," Polzler said.

Still, a soaring Canadian dollar, which is cutting into manufacturing jobs in Ontario, coupled with a slowdown in U.S. demand, could eventually hurt the market, he acknowledged.

"We have not seen the full fallout from the housing correction," Bart Melek, an economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns, wrote in a note to clients yesterday. "The housing slump should continue to slow the broader economy."

In Canada, Calgary and Edmonton are expected to have healthy 10 per cent price gains in 2007, but nothing close to the 40-odd per cent for Calgary or the 25 per cent for Edmonton forecast for the end of this year.

Strong consumer confidence in 2006 has meant certain segments of the Toronto-area market have profited, including luxury homes priced more than $1 million.

ReMax is forecasting continuing strong demand for condominiums as the price of entry into single, detached homes becomes too steep for first-time buyers. An influx of purchasers from the 905 area into the downtown core will also help keep conditions tight.

More listings are expected, however, so prices will continue to moderate.

Sales are forecast to drop to 78,000 units in 2007, down from 80,000 in 2006, but still a healthy market.

[DrT]

I am sorry to bring this thread back from the dead without any real news, but the deadline to raise $60 million by the CEO of the Hummingbird, Brambilla, is up (it was December 2006). Anyone heard anything on this, bad or good? There has been absolute silence on this.

[urban 2.0]

I haven't heard ONE thing about the O'Keefe Centre. I think the project is dead.

[yyzer]

I don't think it's dead...I think it just hasn't started yet....I have a contact at the Hummingbird, who told me just before Christmas that, as far as they knew, the condo project was a 'go' with sales to start spring 2007....but this is someone who is not an architecture geek, and whose interest in the real estate side of things is only marginal....

[Waterloo_Guy]

There was a recent article in one of the papers that said the condo was definitely happening. I think it starts sales soon.

[phunky]

i'm still very interested to know how they're going to build this building on top of an existing building...

[DrT]

i'm still very interested to know how they're going to build this building on top of an existing building...

Yeah, phunky, i don't know how that will work because the condo developer purchased the air rights above the existing structure. I don't think they can build the podium part that incorporates the existing building, unless Brambilla agrees to sell them the old Hummingbird with the land as well.

[KGB]

I think the condo tower is more or less just taking up the mostly empty land at the rear and western side of the existing hall...the main (or northern) section of the original hall will remain fairly intact.

Which is good...I remember an old rendering of a previous project there completely wrecking the quite fabulous architecture of the hall. Glad to see someone smack them on the head and abandon that idea...it was really quite stupid.





KGB

[phunky]

but where does the support come from? cuz behind hummingbird is a street.. so that means the building has to be built INTO the hummingbird. which is where the back of the stage would be... i just don't get it! lol.

[willy789]

any information on whether it has been aprooved or when construction is scheduled to begin?

[KGB]

but where does the support come from? cuz behind hummingbird is a street.. so that means the building has to be built INTO the hummingbird. which is where the back of the stage would be... i just don't get it! lol.


Take a closer look at the rendering...the new building is basically sitting on the land west of the old theatre and Yonge St...with a thin strip running along the space at the back of the theatre and Esplanade. I suspect there will be some incorporation into the existing building, but the stage itself does not take up the entire width of the original building, so it isn't going to be affected. Or perhaps the tower will be supported over part of the stage in some way? It is a fairly thin point tower and doesn't appear to have a large floorplate.

After all, they have designed it, and the stage is indeed staying. Would have to look at blueprints to see excactly how they have done it.




KGB

[thryve]

If you go to see something at the Hummingbird Centre, you will find in the pamphlet they give you that there is much information about the AHA! Centre and condo tower. There's alot more to the redevelopment than just the tower portion.

Check out this AWESOME PDF about the redevelopment: http://www.hummingbirdcentre.com/images/AHABrochure.pdf !!!
It's sweet.

[phunky]

If you go to see something at the Hummingbird Centre, you will find in the pamphlet they give you that there is much information about the AHA! Centre and condo tower. There's alot more to the redevelopment than just the tower portion.

Check out this AWESOME PDF about the redevelopment: http://www.hummingbirdcentre.com/images/AHABrochure.pdf !!!
It's sweet.

Wow I didn't realize there was all this extra stuff to it. I mean I knew a bit about the cultural stuff. But the TV dining thing sounds really neat, and the Gaming area. Very awesome :)

[DrT]

As jaded and cynical as I am, I love this project. I have been pretty hard on "artists" in numerous threads here, but this, I like.

The Hummingbird Centre would really complete the "cultural renaisance" of TO and IMO would be a big draw for tourism, a la Guggenheim of Bilbao. Yeah, every city and his brother is building a "starchitect" museum to boost tourism, but this is a different type of "museum" where art and culture are created and appreciated in one place. More interactive than the traditional hanging paintings type place that would appeal to tourists from around the world curious to see how their culture is represented. Great for regular visits by the locals too. The cuisine idea is great. Food attracts everybody. And, as icing on the cake, we get to keep the old Hummingbird facility. It is great to reinforce the multicultural city TO projects to the world.

The province and the feds could be a bit more generous and kick in a little more money, since by the business plan, they would get it all back in less than a year from the added tax revenue. Let's hope this doesn't get stuck in the bowels of government red tape somewhere like the Festival Tower funding, which seemed to take forever to make it through the channels.

[ONEILLT]

Does any one know what's going up beside the Hummingbird Centre, there's a crane there and don't know what's planned. I didn't think it was the new tower.

[InTheBeach]

Does any one know what's going up beside the Hummingbird Centre, there's a crane there and don't know what's planned. I didn't think it was the new tower.


London on the Esplanade.

[Waterloo_Guy]

I hope that thing looks good. London keeps getting forgotten about; I'm not sure I've even seen a good rendering. God, I hope it isn't another big cheap pile of green glass.

[valantino]

^maybe they'll use the overstock from the Met

[KGB]

I hope that thing looks good. London keeps getting forgotten about; I'm not sure I've even seen a good rendering. God, I hope it isn't another big cheap pile of green glass.


I don't think the towers are anything to get excited about, but it's the new streetwall it will create that will be the big boost for that area. With the Humingbird project, the rather patchy little stretch of Esplanade between Yonge and Church will be vastly improved (just have to take car of that parking lot at the end of Church).





KGB

[Robin155]

When is the sales center opening for this project?

[valantino]

spring I think

[Martinsizon]

From this site (http://www.cagbc.org/building_rating_systems/registered_projects.php?project_id=10601&draw_column=2:3:2&order_by=):

Project Description - A 55-storey condominium tower on the site immediately west of the Hummingbird Centre.

Current Phase - Design

Leed Version - LEED Canada

Building Type - High-rise multi-unit residential (>10 storeys)

Registration Date - 2007-02-27

Occupancy Date - 2009-02-28

Percent New - 100%

Percent Rennovation - 0%

[phunky]

Occupancy in early 2009?!? Hmm somehow I don't see that being a reality. But does this mean it's definitely being built now?

[thryve]

It's definitely a go.

[Dino Domingo]

Good find.

[Taller, Better]

This will be beautiful when done. A good location to live, too... close to St Lawrence Market and Old Town. Also only a stroll from Harbourfront.

[phunky]

YAY! This is so exciting. It's such an awesome tower. This is gonna be really cool to watch get built!

[InTheBeach]

There is some hoarding up now on the west side. I'm guessing that this is for the sales office.

[phunky]

There is some hoarding up now on the west side. I'm guessing that this is for the sales office.
Someone pinch me.

[yyzer]

It's official...Hummingbird is launching - name is now the "L" Tower...

from Condo Life (April 2007)

"Libeskind condominium residences at Yonge and Front. A global landmark designed by Daniel Libeskind."

www.theLtower.com

[Steeltown]

Ohh the Lesbian Tower.

[Taller, Better]

Ohh the Lesbian Tower.

LMFAO!!!!! :rofl:

[CrazyCanuck]

LOL, good to hear this one finally getting started.

[Canadian Chocho]

Ohh the Lesbian Tower.

:rofl: ROFL!!! :rofl:

[Filip]

Hahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHA LMFAO!!!!!! OH (hydroxide?) that gave me a GREAT laugh!

[Jaye101]

I feel so lost... Is this a pun on the TV show, "The 'L' Word?"

[phunky]

Yay. This tower is gonna be so amazing. Probably the coolest building being built in Toronto.

[Steeltown]

OH (hydroxide?)

Yep! inorganic that contains a hydroxyl group which is an alchohol....god I can't stop thinking about my biochemistry final exam in 3 weeks.

[valantino]

Is this a pun on the TV show, "The 'L' Word?"


not sure but me getting an 'L' woodie over this tower certainly is

[Filip]

Yep! inorganic that contains a hydroxyl group which is an alchohol....god I can't stop thinking about my biochemistry final exam in 3 weeks.

I know I know.. we've finished organic chemistry in November and whenever i see an OH I think of hydroxide - it's almost second nature now... GRR

[Steeltown]

Eck I hate hate hate HATE organic chemistry, too much memorizing involved, loved the lab part though got to make soap and beer. Why is it called organic chemistry? All we talk about is INorganic compounds.

[Filip]

Eck I hate hate hate HATE organic chemistry, too much memorizing involved, loved the lab part though got to make soap and beer. Why is it called organic chemistry? All we talk about is INorganic compounds.

Because Carbon (the base of all chemistry) is the most abundant organic element on Earth.;)

[officedweller]

Yeah, inorganic chemistry in the tougher metals chemistry.

[Steeltown]

Ah, if I didn't make up a stupid styrofoam organic molecule I would have failed the course. Stayed up all night painting styrofoam balls black, blue and red lol.

But yea the Lesbian Tower looks nice and butchy.

[InTheBeach]

All this OH talk has me thinking about benzene rings.

I'm sure lots of people will get the benz when coming up, after going down in the Lesbian tower.

[LordMandeep]

Great you have reminded me of a dark time not so long ago...

[InTheBeach]

Great you have reminded me of a dark time not so long ago...

A dark time with a lesbian? I don't understand.

[LordMandeep]

well that wouldn't be a dark time!!!!

Organic Chemistry, that was a dark time!!!

[neggbird]

A dark time with a lesbian? I don't understand.
Lordmandeep could be a lesbian, that is the only explanation.

[Taller, Better]

^^^ LOL!! I think that will come as a huge surprise for him! But may explain why he is always chasing girls.....

[ONEILLT]

I noticed today that the boarding is going up around the Hummingbird Centre, looks like things are going to start happening.

[phunky]

Wow! Already! How exciting :D

[ScrapeTheSky]

That is exciting. Toronto is really happening now!

[duff+eglin]

I noticed today that the boarding is going up around the Hummingbird Centre, looks like things are going to start happening.

You mean they are about to go into sales? I haven't been in Canada almost a year and haven't had a lot of time to keep up on this project. I know from posts in this thread about a month ago that something was being done on site. Have any kind of sales/pre-sales started?

[phunky]

Maybe this one is gonna go straight to construction as well? Could it be?

[outinleftfield]

They're doing registration now for presales. There's a teaser ad in the latest Condo News, and a spot to register for presales on the website

[rick1016]

edit

[Taller, Better]

noticed some construction happening on either side of the Hummingbird yesterday:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4290/april2207ltowerms1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[metroboi_nay]

It looks like a sales centre they're building, I highly doubt its the tower being built.

[Taller, Better]

Maybe, I have no idea. There was a crane on the LHS of the building too, but I didn't make it that far to investigate.

[Mike in TO]

Planning notice on site says 204 meters.

[G_DOG]

another 200m plus building,awesome!

[leaf345]

Isn't this tower being built on top of the hummingbird? How are they gonna build it without shutting the theatre down?

[yin_yang]

almost sure it's being built next to it...that's how it is depicted in the renderings i've seen. there may be an overhang or a common wall or something...

[G_DOG]

actually i passed by and the notice said 205 metres.too bad i didnt have my camera with me.

[Jaye101]

Awsome, is it still 50 st?

[G_DOG]

i think 48.but im not 100%.

[phunky]

I really don't get how they're building this. They must be tearing down a section of the Hummingbird Centre on the southwest corner.

[G_DOG]

57 stories and 205 metres

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-2905.pdf

[KGB]

I think the space between the sidewalk and the west side of the theatre is about 70 feet...plenty of room to build. Although Hummingbird is not the type of building that should be attached to anything...it's a great stand-alone building. But the reality is, as a stand alone building, it won't survive...and a gorgeous Libeskind tower is at least a compromise you can live with.






KGB

[CrazyCanuck]

CBD is expanding nicely to the west, this will make an excellent addition.

[Waterloo_Guy]

CBD is expanding nicely to the west, this will make an excellent addition.

Really? You know where this one is going, right?

[phunky]

^^ lol.

[Jaye101]

Yeah, I was kind of thinking the same thing... This is at Yonge and The Esplanade right?

[duff+eglin]

Really? You know where this one is going, right?

I'm pretty sure he meant that since the west side is expanding this addition on the other side will be great as it starts the expansion east...and I think it'll be more Yonge and Front than The Esplanade. Or am i wrong about that second point?

[yin_yang]

I'm pretty sure he meant that since the west side is expanding this addition on the other side will be great as it starts the expansion east...and I think it'll be more Yonge and Front than The Esplanade. Or am i wrong about that second point?

the tower itself will be at esplanade

[Filip]

Toronto is going to be full of new landmarks in a few years...

[samsonyuen]

I can't wait for this. I saw some transit shelter ads recently, it's very exciting.

[Filip]

I think this tower will sell very well.. Well I hope at least!:D Beautiful new landmark, and will assure the revitalization of a beautiful theatre.

[phunky]

This is my fav building. :D I can't wait!
Hmm maybe Ritz-Carlton is my fav. I dunno!

[rick1016]

When does construction begin?

[ericeric]

I really like this building. Did anyone see the article in the Star about the new Winnipeg museum of human rights, but they put a picture of the L Tower there instead? It was hilarious.

[Taller, Better]

I really like this building. Did anyone see the article in the Star about the new Winnipeg museum of human rights, but they put a picture of the L Tower there instead? It was hilarious.

LOL! Too funny!

[valantino]

I wonder how intentional the mistake was considering what a pile the Winnipeg Museum is to be and how much more enlightened we are to the masses

[p5archit]

Interestingly enough there was an ad for it in the Wallpaper issue from this month-or was it last? Regardless, full page ad resembling the hoarding billboards they have up around the site presently.

That said, I also want to know who they wish to clad this tower? I have read somewhere that it is to be an almost transparent treated steel (obviously opaque), but I am assuming transparent refers to the treatment?

p5

[EddieYYZ]

Toronto is going to be full of new landmarks in a few years...

Agreed.

Interesting, they didn't spell "Yonge" correctly in the browser header of the website. :bash:

[Monkey]

Nice design. Great project. :okay:

[officedweller]

Saw an ad for it in the Air Canada in-flight magazine.

[salvius]

New Render:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa108/bmrise/TheLTower.jpg

[Taller, Better]

I'm beginning to wonder now if the L Tower is going to have as tough a ride in this town as the ROM has had. It is probably going to scare people witless.

[willy789]

this tower is actually so amazing
its getting away from the boxyness of the city of Toronto
the city needs to bring in new ideas
and this tower will not only benefit the skyline, but it will bring diversity to the city itself and the ROM is something that should not be rejected it sould be appriciated it will be something people will want to see

[camel_trainer]

I'm beginning to wonder now if the L Tower is going to have as tough a ride in this town as the ROM has had. It is probably going to scare people witless.

I don't think it will. This tower is not in a precious, precious zone of academic enlightenment that, when exposed to the slightest whiff of commercialism, will be snuffed out forever.

[isaidso]

The Lesbians are going to love this one. Not only is it called the 'L Tower', but it looks like a giant power dyke boot.

As much as I love the ROM Crystal, I do have some criticisms here. The tower looks great, but the podium/lower section doesn't work. It is too busy and the contrasting lines and shapes do not pull the whole concept together well. The composition is clumsy and does not compliment the tower or the Hummingbird Centre. You can sense immediately when a design is 'off' or just not right whether it is a building, a pair of jeans, or flyer design. This is off.

I'd rather a taller, fatter tower (of similar proportion and shape), but with no base to speak of.

[phunky]

oooooh this building is soooo amazing. This is one that I'll really be paying attention do during the construction phase.

[yin_yang]

I'd rather a taller, fatter tower (of similar proportion and shape), but with no base to speak of.

we finally get something outrageous and you want to torontoize it? the base is more important than the tower in this case, looks like a modern art museum out of europe!

[CrazyCanuck]

I like the base, can't wait to see this get constructed. Downtown is going to be littered with cranes soon enough.

[Holland]

Wait... now there's balconies all down the side. And it looks awful. :ohno:

Oh well... still an incredible tower!

[kettal]

That L is totally a J

[isaidso]

we finally get something outrageous and you want to torontoize it? the base is more important than the tower in this case, looks like a modern art museum out of europe!

Toronto has been very lucky with unconventional architecture: City Hall, Roy Thompson Hall, The ROM Crystal, etc. We need more of that. I'm glad they're looking for something exciting and beautiful, but this isn't it. For a long time, I've been critical of Toronto's appetite for dull boring design, so I've been eagerly anticipating this building. They've not got it right. I'm not opposed to having a base, but based on that render, a 'Torontoized' base is alot more appealing than this poor effort.

I have no issue with outrageous as long as it is done properly. I'm very much in favour of something flamboyant, this city needs it. What Toronto doesn't need is outrageous for the sake of outrageous. I could sketch a better design in a weekend.

[KGB]

I think this tower is going to garner more international attention and even possibly international investors than any condo tower to date (sorry Trump). It's very Euro-centric (which is why the provincial homies don't get it). Big name...big style...full page teaser adds in the last two issues of Wallpaper*.

I agree with the comment about the balconies...it's been tamed a bit..probably not a great idea. As for the O'Keefe...that's a terrific late 50's sculptural modernist building probably best appreciated without anything crowding it...but at least it's intact and will be used, and if this is how it gets saved, then I guess it's a compromise we will have to live with.

It's a great addition to Toronto's boom...we may be getting a lot of mundane, but at least we are getting a nice amount of diverse styles as well. It's those interesting ones that will be getting Toronto talked about.





KGB

[Jaye101]

The rendering looks a bit misleading, I mean, this building is 50 meters taller that RoCPI, it really doesn't look almost 700 feet in this rendering.

[Tuscani01]

I love it!

[gei]

amazing!

[VikkyD]

So in this new render we've:
-Blown up the building behind this, so that we get a nice rendering with the sky
-chopped down the trees that were supposed to be in-front, (according to the last rendering
-Waived goodbye to the trees on the "green roof"


but, I love it! I'll take one please.

[Dino Domingo]

this tower is actually so amazing
its getting away from the boxyness of the city of Toronto
the city needs to bring in new ideas
and this tower will not only benefit the skyline, but it will bring diversity to the city itself and the ROM is something that should not be rejected it sould be appriciated it will be something people will want to see

I agree with you. Enough boxes!

[algonquin]

The Lesbians are going to love this one. Not only is it called the 'L Tower', but it looks like a giant power dyke boot.


lol.. maybe they should move it's location a few blocks east.

[kettal]

is there something special in the lower portion, or is it suites all the way through?

[Filip]

Yea that screams euro.. awesome!

[phunky]

is there something special in the lower portion, or is it suites all the way through?
This isn't just a condo. It will have a lot more to it than that. It's been posted previously in this thread. I think I posted it actually. There is going to be a bunch of things.

[isaidso]

It's very Euro-centric (which is why the provincial homies don't get it).

KGB

That's an innaccurate assessment of critics of this building. You are right that some who dislike this building are 'provincial homies' that don't get it, but some are Euro-centric and do get it, but don't think it is good enough. You don't have to be conservative and provincial to dislike aspects of this render.

(For the record, I wouldn't consider myself centric to any particular region)

[Holland]

is there something special in the lower portion, or is it suites all the way through?

There's a new entertainment centre in the bottom. Someone posted a bunch of stuff about it a few pages back, I believe.

[Taller, Better]

I vaguely remember some proposal for space for multicultural artists to use..

[Filip]

I vaguely remember some proposal for space for multicultural artists to use..

This will be interesting to see go up in less than a year or so. I can't wait to see it above the Regent street curve on Front. The architectural juxtaposition will be wow.

[current]

Yesterday I walked by the Hummingbird Centre and saw people working on the L Tower sales office located in the northwest corner of the building. A security guard said the sales office would be opening this Saturday.

[phunky]

So the sales office is actually in the Hummingbird Centre?

[Jackhammer]

is there something special in the lower portion, or is it suites all the way through?

The lower level is meant for artisans as a workplace/showcase with a multiculural element as well. However, this was only to happen if the man in charge of Hummingbird could come up with 75 million in donations by December 2006. No word on if he was able to do it. Plan B is to to utilize the space for retail for about 10 years then hopefully make another go at the cultural centre at that time.

[ladyscraper]

yes! that looks so awesome! it's good to take some risks. even if some people don't like it in the beginning they will probably get used to it eventually. plus if they dont then who cares? a lot of people will love it!

[valantino]

^^so ... are you an actual lady or some dude with the name Ladi_____

[phunky]

^^so ... are you an actual lady or some dude with the name Ladi_____
Feeling horny?

[ladyscraper]

^^so ... are you an actual lady or some dude with the name Ladi_____

oh boy... you can always count on internet forums...

[phunky]

edit. wrong thread.

[valantino]

naw ... just jealous of inthebeach

[g2fl]

just in case any of you are wondering, sales for the L-Tower have begun. A friend of mine just purchased a place ... and from what his agent was telling him a lot of units have already been picked up.

[phunky]

Awesome! This tower is amazing and will definitely be built.

[valantino]

sold out

[Tuscani01]

sold out

L-ol... seriously?

[Filip]

Sick...

[valantino]

that's the rumour ;)

[phunky]

Well the units put up for sale might be. That doesn't necessarily mean all units are gone! But if they did put them all out. Then WOW!

[valantino]

^I'd be surprised if the developer didn't keep some in reserve to sell later at a much higher price

[Jaye101]

Why not? I would!

[rise_against]

Does not suprise me at all. This is great news.

[Jackhammer]

Well that tells me design sells in this town. Developers take note.

[phunky]

I think it was obvious when Absolute World in Mississauga sold out immediately at 56 and 50 floors each. Obviously design sells. People like to be esthetically pleased.

[Jackhammer]

A couple of posts from Jensen and Whistlerinmuskoka on SSP:

Jensen:
Hi everyone, new to this site although I have explored it for awhile. Just thought I would give everyone an update on how sales are going for the L-Tower. I am a Real Estate Agent in Toronto and the L-Tower has had its broker's preview sale going on over the weekend. I had a client buy a 1 bedroom + Den on the 49th floor overlooking the lake. Word is from the on-site people that they have already sold 150 units this weekend before the public launch in September. Also sales at Shangri-La seem to be going strong as well with over 200 sold already. Looks like these two will be going ahead in short order and really add new life to the Toronto skyline-can't wait.

Whistlerinmuskoka:
Hello Andrew,

Please give me a call at your earliest convenience on my direct line. There are very few units left. So we really need to act quickly if we are to be able to secure you the best unit still available. I think about 400 out of a total of 470 units have been sold already.

I will follow this email with another containing more details and the sale brochure that includes the floor plans. I look forward to speaking with you.

James Huang, BASc
Real Estate Sales Representative
Axon Capital Realty Advisors Inc., Brokerage

[phunky]

So one person says 150 units were sold before the public launch in Sept. I find it weird that the public launch is that far away.
And the other person says 400 units were sold. Oh another guessing game.

[FTech]

Anyway this is great news! Who will dig the dirt first? Shangri-La or L tower? My guess it's Shangri La.

[Taller, Better]

No point nit picking about how many suites have been sold. It is great news that the high end market is still so strong in Toronto.

[riley]

I actually went to the "VIP Broker sale" this weekend, and its not a rumour. I was there until they closed on Sunday (yesterday), and I asked their main sales guy how many units had sold, and he confirmed it was well over 400 out of 470 units. They are now 85-90% sold out, and he says they likely will never build a sales centre (which will save them a lot of money) and there will likely never be a public rollout. Usually they have a "VIP Broker" sale, with very favorable terms for high-yield brokers and their clients, and then later on there would be a normal broker preview, and then finally there would be the general public introduction. (Learned this all from the brokers I spoke to on the weekend). But the VIP Broker sale went so unbelievably well, they are likely not going to have the other two events at all. The tower was priced at around $525 a sq ft, which is incredibly good for this type of project. Festival Tower in comparison, which officially launched to the public the same day, is priced much higher at around $670 a sq ft, and is in my mind a much less desirable location. The current price of the L Tower is even cheaper than the current rate of the condo I live in today, so I'm sure the price will absolutely climb when it can hit the marketplace. I found out about the sale through a different forum, emailed the broker, and ended up going to the temp sales centre at the hummingbird yesterday, and I bought the last south facing one-bedroom and den available, which somehow got missed because the floorplan wasn't even printed in the marketing materials (it was so early they hadn't finalized everything yet). Pretty crazy situation, but its true. All the brokers there that I talked to (I'm not a broker myself) were buying units for themselves and getting their families to buy units. I've never heard of a building that big selling out before it was even introduced to the market, but I was there, and it's true. VERY happy that I was able to buy one!

[Taller, Better]

Wow... congrats, Riley! We all look forward to the House Warming!! :D
So much for The Donald (Trump) proclaiming the Toronto market to be "soft".

[riley]

Thanks Taller! Yeah, that will definitely be some housewarming! However, I was told the tower will not be finished until probably 2011, so it'll be a loooong wait. But I'll prob take pictures of the development of the construction (which I also did as I was waiting for 18 Yorkville), so i can post those as it happens. Yeah, the market is only 'soft' for bad projects i think!

[FTech]

All I can say is WOW. I hope the demand from the general public stays strong for these developments, because if brokers will buy them to resell them later and no one will buy, well, the market will be soft = no more big pretty towers.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Expect more such towers to follow. This market is hot.

[Dino Domingo]

I think it was obvious when Absolute World in Mississauga sold out immediately at 56 and 50 floors each. Obviously design sells. People like to be esthetically pleased.

Thank you. (Note to box-lovers everwhere...)

[Waterloo_Guy]

Box lovers :lol:

[phunky]

Don't get me wrong. I love box design :) The X condo is one of the nicest towers being built in our city. Especially with the hints of primary colours throughout the exterior. They take boxy and make it sexy.

[Taller, Better]

Box lovers :lol:

Not me. I gave up box years ago! :colgate:

[CrazyCanuck]

Thanks for that tidbit of info Taller, lol. Hopefully this will encourage architects to be more daring because people seem to be responding well.

[Filip]

I'd love to see another Stern in the Yorkville area - the success of 1 St Thomas' fauxness is amazing.

[Taller, Better]

^^ Well, it has been proven that there is a market here for international celeb architects, and designers like Staark. I think Toronto has only just recently got on the map for that group of international architects and we will see more happening. Good to have the variety, but there are also some top notch architects in town doing amazing work!

[outinleftfield]

So, with sales such as they are, do you think that L, along with 4 Seasons & Shangri-La will be starting this year?

[phunky]

I don't think L will be starting this year. Maybe Spring 2008.

[valantino]

^^I'm pretty sure the preliminary report on the re-zoning application was just posted online a month or two ago - probably another year to 18 months for approval and building permits

[Dream Brother]

^^ Well, it has been proven that there is a market here for international celeb architects, and designers like Staark. I think Toronto has only just recently got on the map for that group of international architects and we will see more happening. Good to have the variety, but there are also some top notch architects in town doing amazing work!

What amazing work do you speak of?

[Taller, Better]

^^ Not gonna even bother taking your bait, Dream Brother. Last time I pointed out that 57 of your 60 posts to date had been bitching and complaining about Toronto, and then you went on to bitch and complain about Pride Day being unGodly for another dozen or so. I am psychic, and I can guess that you don't find anything of the built form in Toronto to meet your high standards.... so what is the good in taking my valuable (albeit heathen) time to discuss architecture? :)

[leaf345]

The L tower looks pretty blasphemous to me. Just look at those provocative curves!

[Taller, Better]

and there is a great big hole at the bottom. We all know where that is headed....

[valantino]

and then you went on to bitch and complain about Pride Day being unGodly for another dozen or so.

the irony is most of these zealots are ignoring the new testament God's motto of 'love one another unconditionally' for the old testament God who no matter how much you conformed to his rules, would, in the end, still burn you at the stake for eternity .. ooooooo

[outinleftfield]

Maybe u r right, Valentino, but if so, why does the header of this thread say approved, not proposed? I never heard it was approved either, but i WAS in a coma a few months ago (YES< REALLY!) and may have missed something

[phunky]

and there is a great big hole at the bottom. We all know where that is headed....
what hole?

[Taller, Better]

what hole?

Cast thy eye to the bottom of the boot... you will see a giant circle piercing the structure. "Hole" might have been overstating it a bit, as I am sure it is glassed in! ;)

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/liebskind_hummingbird_to_.jpg

[valantino]

but if so, why does the header of this thread say approved, not proposed?

the header is simply wrong ... and its not the only one!!!!

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-2905.pdf

[Dream Brother]

^^ Not gonna even bother taking your bait, Dream Brother. Last time I pointed out that 57 of your 60 posts to date had been bitching and complaining about Toronto, and then you went on to bitch and complain about Pride Day being unGodly for another dozen or so. I am psychic, and I can guess that you don't find anything of the built form in Toronto to meet your high standards.... so what is the good in taking my valuable (albeit heathen) time to discuss architecture? :)

Why would you even read all of my posts? Do something better with your time.

P.S. I really like 1 St. Thomas. But there is too much ordinary crud going up still. Almost every building looks rushed and like they hardly put much of an effort into them. There are some new ones though that should be nice, such as Telus, Ritz, That Front Street one near the CN Tower, Trump.

[Taller, Better]

Why would you even read all of my posts? Do something better with your time.
.

Trust me. Was a most entertaining five minutes! Just trying to get to know you, Dream Bro! ;)

[phunky]

Cast thy eye to the bottom of the boot... you will see a giant circle piercing the structure. "Hole" might have been overstating it a bit, as I am sure it is glassed in! ;)

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/liebskind_hummingbird_to_.jpg
Oh that... ya, that's part of the entertainment area of the building.

[aberrate]

I like how I think of Italy everytime I look at this building.

[Jaye101]

Tell me which titles are wrong and I'll change them.

[Dream Brother]

Trust me. Was a most entertaining five minutes! Just trying to get to know you, Dream Bro! ;)

Glad I could arouse your senses.

[Taller, Better]

Glad I could arouse your senses.


Uhmmm... well, not in the "biblical sense". I was speaking metaphorically.

[Jaye101]

It's on the cover of this month's Condo Guide looking Sexalicious.

[Waterloo_Guy]

You just expanded my vocabulary.

[phunky]

Is that from that Fergie song?

[Jaye101]

No.

[look@round]

A little question about "how long is gonna be the L Tower"...
The lot where it's gonna be built seems to be quite small. Here's a photo I took today:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5549/img9388zk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I've put on the google map below in red the space you can see on the picture (where there are some fences on the location), and on blue the 2nd picture, where there's already a building, part of the Hummingbird center.

On Google map:
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9566/ltowerrh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2108/img9391ym2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

So you think the building will be the "red + blue" rectangles, or only the "red" one? I would think it's the red + blue, but if so, are they going to destroy a part of the existing building?

[ericeric]

I don't think they'll destroy very much of the Hummingbird Centre, the renders make it look like part of the L Tower is resting on the Centre. Or maybe they'll just chop up part of the west side to fit the L Tower in

[phunky]

The blue and red part will be taken up by the tower. You can see the render somewhere in this thread that shows the entrance at the corner of Yonge/The Esplanade.

Look at page 1 amd 29:
http://www.hummingbirdcentre.com/images/AHABrochure.pdf

[look@round]

OK, thanks phunky, I didn't know these renderings! :)
Interesting document!

[KGB]

Here's a slightly bigger closeup...definetely taking up the entire west side of the site.


http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/2636/pict6675ql6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




KGB

[phunky]

So the base part is all glass now? It used to be aluminum like the Crystal at ROM with some random windows in it. But now it looks like multicolour glass panels.

[Taller, Better]

It looks extremely cool blown up like that. What a wild streetscape! I'm suddenly liking this project a lot more..

[yin_yang]

so so awesome, the podium is ridiculously intriguing.

[401_King]

man, i cant wait for this tower! we need more good buildings like this. when is construction date?

[Ziggy]

Here's a slightly bigger closeup...definetely taking up the entire west side of the site.


Looks like it covers the south side also:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z236/Ziggy5857/Screenshot-AHABrochure2.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z236/Ziggy5857/Screenshot-AHABrochure1.jpg

[isaidso]

It's not worth taking too much stock in a render. They are, by design, intended only as a vehicle to convey an idea and flatter the proposal. Artists often take out offending things such as a cloudy sky, change colours, alter cladding, even take out entire buildings that are adjacent simply to make the project look fantastic.

It should be looked at as a concept rather than anything clad in stone. Renders are general representations of what the eventual building will look like, but the details are often not accurate at all. Buildings often look very different than the depiction in the render, sometimes they look very similar: the ROM Crystal, being a good recent example.

[Filip]

An article on UT says that the Canadian Music Hall of Fame is looking into securing a large chunk of space in the Hummingbird. At a cost of about 30 mil.

[outinleftfield]

it's been so long since I've heard a peep about anything related to the L Tower. Anyone......?

[valantino]

approvals take time ... a lot longer than it took to virtually sell this mofo out ;)

[CollsGuy]

It is sold out?

[metroboi_nay]

It is sold out?

Yes I bought all the units :) Sorry

haha wishes

[Dream Brother]

Ellen Degenerate bought the Penthouse.

[leaf345]

nvm

[Jackhammer]

So the base part is all glass now? It used to be aluminum like the Crystal at ROM with some random windows in it. But now it looks like multicolour glass panels.
I think it was always meant to be glass but was not conveyed very well in the previous renders.

Can't ever trust the renders (SP!RE is a perfect example). Not that I am dissatisfied with the result, but it ended up nothing like the renders except in form.

That said, I think this tower will be brilliant. I am more excited about L Tower than anything else in planning/approved/construction at this time.

[Jackhammer]

Originally posted by Filip:
An article on UT says that the Canadian Music Hall of Fame is looking into securing a large chunk of space in the Hummingbird. At a cost of about 30 mil.

it's been so long since I've heard a peep about anything related to the L Tower. Anyone......?


I was thinking the same thing about the Canadian Music Hall of Fame until Filip posted his message. I didn't even think they were still looking in Toronto for a space.

Anyway, patience needed here. They are probably still sorting out the paperwork from pre-sales. This thing sold out faster than MLS. It will be approved, it will be built, it will be spectacular.

[Taller, Better]

Wow!! Sold out faster than MLS!???! That is incredible! Do you think it is because of the unique shape, or the location?

[isaidso]

It's all those rich lesbians.

[Jackhammer]

Wow!! Sold out faster than MLS!???! That is incredible! Do you think it is because of the unique shape, or the location?
Whoa Nelly, don't quote me on that. But it sure seems to be the case from the information I have have seen. At least in respect of pre-sales. I think 10% of the units have been held back. Regardless, it certainly seems on par with MLS and Cityplace which would be very, very fast.

As for the reason. I think it is an icon designed by an icon and the city is just ready for this sort of thing. I hope L-Tower and Absolute in Mississauga have given notice to builders that unique design can and will sell. What I like about L-Tower is that despite it being a very unique structure, it still screams Toronto with the clean lines and conservative facade.

The only issue with the tower is whether Brambilla secured enough funds to open the base as envisioned or whether the arts portion will be deferred for retail.

[vancouverite/to'er]

^^ Whats the news with L tower I've heard so little about it..