Rogers Television City | U/C | Downtown Toronto

[Biudo]

http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_marcl/rogerstelevisioncity_rendering.jpg

[Taller, Better]

Is this the old Olympic Spirit building? That tv monitor looks randomly glued onto the top of the building and not very well thought out. Would have been a great chance to make the biggest tv monitor in the country at that location, not just another standard box.

[rise_against]

WTF is that crystal thing? Is that all going to be backlit plastic???

[Taller, Better]

It appears to be a Torch condom. All round not a stellar proposal... looks like it was done on the cheap. Funny, they will merrily spend kabillions per year advertising Rogers or City Tv, but when it comes to building their home base they seem reluctant to making the building itself the biggest permanent advertisement that they have.

[outinleftfield]

That had better be a quick "scribble"....

[ggaleazz]

good start conceptually, now go back and make it A+

[Jaye101]

Sucks ass.

[Sixrings]

that would be kinda COOL... THE WORLDS BIGGEST TV... they can show theyre late great porn on the weekends and everyone can get a seat at dundas square... LOL dundas ORgy... maybe the zanza bar can provide the waitresses

[Filip]

As Jaye said:

This sucks ass.

[Wrk_InProgress]

That had better be a quick "scribble"....

You said it.

It's supposed to be done by Quadrangle Architects, so I'm not overtly concerned as of right now ...

[Marcanadian]

The more I look at it the more I hate it. This area should be renamed to Cheap Square.

[koolio]

That has to be the most fundamentally flawed render I've ever seen.

[Lawcheehung]

that..thing..looks pretty poorly thought out :(

[ladyscraper]

haha what the hell?

[metroboi_nay]

Why are we concerned what it looks like, when it could turn out worse than that, lol
History may repeat.... :(

However, I think it looks odd too, but hopefully that welcome thing is LEDs or sumthin, and not a bland poster that stays the same.

[Me Too]

This is only a conceptual representation of of what it might look like. Hopefully it will get better as the idea is developed.

More here: http://torontoist.com/2008/03/a_first_look_at.php

[Skybean]

Looks like a jumbled mess... fitting for one of Canada's greediest corporations.

[monkeyronin]

I'd rather keep the Olympic Spirit than this.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Look on the bright side, at least Metropolis wont stand out as being particularly cheap and ugly.

[valantino]

Where's Harry and his crystal globe of water when you need him to save the day ... oh yeah, Hamilton.

[thryve]

I actually really like this. You guys are being so hard on it.

The "tacked on" screen for example, is on a strange angle that perhaps hasn't been thoroughly thought out-- or, it just adds to the chaos and jumble effect that animates the square.

[isaidso]

Does anyone have Zaha Hadid on speed dial? We need her to save us from this pile of shit. Sorry thryve, but I can't muster even an ounce of love for it.

This isn't some random multiplex in Mississauga. This square should be one of the most iconic places in our popular culture. It needs to be as fantastic as the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Sydney Opera House, Times Square, or the Grande Arche de la Fraternite in La Defense in Paris. This is no place to be building some grade school Lego project.

This is the flagship of a $10 Billion communications conglomerate. It is mindboggling that people with the whole world at their finger tips and the money to experience and buy the best the world has to offer, possess the sophistication of a mall rat trolling Scarborough Town Centre.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Agreed. This design is shit and it belongs in a suburban mall. This project ought to be world class.

[Taller, Better]

It just looks like it was whipped off in an afternoon with very little thought. I am not sure what the purpose of the "Torch" is now... it will have to be permanent signage instead of changeable.

[bar1967]

I still think that this is a fake or just a poor conceptual image of what could be done. None of it really makes any sense!!

[Taller, Better]

Unless Rogers told the designers they only had a couple hundred bucks to work with.

[Dream Brother]

Agreed. This design is shit and it belongs in a suburban mall. This project ought to be world class.

Only world class cities build world class buildings.

[Taller, Better]

The expression "World Class" makes my flesh crawl. Generally used by people who call
things "Classy".

[isaidso]

The expression has the opposite effect of its intention, because if you have to ask, you're not. It suggests that you're aspiring to something that you haven't achieved yet. I understand the sentiment, but it does have the same effect on me as it does on you.

We should intuitively know if it is good enough and not accept anything we consider substandard.

[GridSky]

It's hard to even tell what it is. Hopefully this is just a very preliminary concept of what's to come.

[KGB]

"sucks ass" is not a phrase I'm generally inclined to use. In this case, I'll make an acception.


It needs to be as fantastic as the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Sydney Opera House, Times Square, or the Grande Arche de la Fraternite in La Defense in Paris.


No...this is a place for crass consumerism...but at its best...not this kind of half-assed crass. Times Square is the odd man out in your list...nothing great about it...but it is first rate crass.



This is the flagship of a $10 Billion communications conglomerate.

No...their "flaship" is over on Jarvis. Oh wait...it's a crapper as well...perhaps this isn't a quickie scribble, but anaccurate rendering after all.




KGB

[bar1967]

Blah Blah Blah......

[Dream Brother]

"sucks ass" is not a phrase I'm generally inclined to use. In this case, I'll make an acception.





No...this is a place for crass consumerism...but at its best...not this kind of half-assed crass. Times Square is the odd man out in your list...nothing great about it...but it is first rate crass.





No...their "flaship" is over on Jarvis. Oh wait...it's a crapper as well...perhaps this isn't a quickie scribble, but anaccurate rendering after all.




KGB

The signage is great in Times Square.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Dream Brother, why do you hang around here? You're the biggest troll in the Toronto forums.

[Mollywood]

I seriously hope this is not the final design because this thing looks as inspiring as Metropolis and that isn't a compliment. I loath Metropolis and all it's third world splendor!

[isaidso]

Metropolis is a disaster, but I love it's brutalistic facade on Victoria Street. There's a knee jerk tendency to vilify it, but it has a very powerful reassuring quality to it. It is a hulking monster, but makes no apologies for it. Too much of architecture is safe or traditional. This building's Victoria Street facade breaks from that and gives the area a feeling of permanence and solidity. In fact, I wish it looked even more industrial than it does. Taking cues from an oil refinery or space ship would have been even better. The Pompidou Centre in Paris comes to mind. As a matter of fact, the Pompidou Centre is exactly the type of building Metropolis should have been.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/158040209_3181355340.jpg?v=0

I suspect that this side of Metropolis was an afterthought for the architect, but it is the only side of this building that works. It's a success by accident.

The other 2 sides of Metropolis are awful.

[Mollywood]

Metropolis is a disaster, but I love it's brutalistic facade on Victoria Street. There's a knee jerk tendency to vilify it, but it has a very powerful reassuring quality to it. It is a hulking monster, but makes no apologies for it. Too much of architecture is safe or traditional. This building's Victoria Street facade breaks from that and gives the area a feeling of permanence and solidity. In fact, I wish it looked even more industrial than it does. Taking cues from an oil refinery or space ship would have been even better. The Pompidou Centre in Paris comes to mind. As a matter of fact, the Pompidou Centre is exactly the type of building Metropolis should have been.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/158040209_3181355340.jpg?v=0

I suspect that this side of Metropolis was an afterthought for the architect, but it is the only side of this building that works. It's a success by accident.

The other 2 sides of Metropolis are awful.

It's nothing at all like Pompidou in Paris. (as far as I remember it) I hate the corrugated aluminum, shantytown look of the building and the colour. Sheesh, that grey is a really ugly colour. Inside, it doesn't get any better. This is absolutely the cheapest looking mall in downtown Toronto. Hell, even second rate Duffrin Mall looks luxurious by comparison. It looks like a shantytown in the slums of Brazil. (They use the same cladding, anyway) At least if it was painted a nice metallic colour, it might have been an improvement. At the very least, they should have kept it to the level of the renderings and put the roof treatments to cover up the units on the roof. (at the very MINIMUM) They couldn't even keep the minimum standards of their own renderings.

That's why I'm concerned about the City building. In this rendering it looks a little too much like Metropolis for my liking. Do we really need more GREY in Dundas Square? Do we really need more aluminium siding and corrugated metal. (that's what it looks like to me) Where is the use of light and neon and some PIZAZZ? Give that square some creativity and colour. City TV should be bringing some animation to that square. A TV station is all about ENTERTAINMENT, bring some of that to Dundas Square, not more CRAPTROPOLIS SHIT! :ohno:

God, I hope Metropolis is not starting a disastrous trend in that neighbourhood. Once we set a new minimum standard, others might follow to save a few bucks and maximize profits. Younge St. could become the new urban, corrugated aluminum, shantytown-looking downtown for the 21st. century. :ohno::ohno:

I'm gonna boycott Metropolis, it's just too dull, cheap and depressing for me when I go in that place and I don't think the Cinema is gonna make it much better, so I'll just avoid the whole damn thing. :puke:

HOW CRAPTACULAR!
Kyle Rae, wake up honey and do your job! :bash: :bash: :bash:

[isaidso]

I hate Metropolis too, and agree, it's nothing like the Pompidou Centre. My reference to Pompidou was to highlight that the Victoria street facade shouldn't be dismissed simply because it is a large, blank, industrial, metal wall, but also to point out what is still possible on this side of the building. My reference was a suggestion as to what this complex should have tried to attain. It was the perfect location for a Toronto version of the iconic French building.

The scale, proportion, and brutalistic quality of the Victoria Street facade is a welcome departure from the subtle modest gentleness of many local buildings. Corrugated aluminum isn't every one's cup of tea, but this side of the building has far greater appeal and potential than the other 2 sides of Metropolis. I do recognize that my view's regarding this aspect of Metropolis may not be popular, but I do think this exterior side of the building works. It just needs alteration. The inside is another matter. I haven't been inside, but imagine it to be quite horrific.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/2307970697_1b132d7f5b_b.jpg

Wow it looks like a Borg ship from this angle.

EDIT: I actually kinda like it!

They should have used better materials and much more sophisticated detailing, but the 'bones' on this side lend itself well to a great streetscape. Good lighting, more exterior work to upgrade, heavy accents of primary colour, and the Victoria street facade of Metropolis can develop into a very good one. What I am attempting is to show the potential and avoid dismissal without a more in depth evaluation of it.

That said, this whole complex is a dud. It could have been and should have been so much more. We're stuck with it, so now the job is to see what can be done to re-invent it. Here's the link to Pompidou again. This picture of Pompidou shows that this kind of brutalism can work: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/158040209_3181355340.jpg?v=0

[metroboi_nay]

Only world class cities build world class buildings.

And only world class people, live in a world class city too right?
Sureee... :lol: I love the slums in London, not that i'm bashing them but world class is for sure overrated.

On a nice note, Toronto opened it's first 5 star hotel a month ago, The Hazelton. By 2011 or so we'll have 4 more (Trump, Ritz, 1 Bloor, and Maple Leaf sq) I don't know what's going on with Shang-La, I hear it's under construction and then I don't.

[algonquin]

Alright, I am officially sick of the marketing PC sell-out multicultural-welcome-in-multiple-languages-with-faces-of-former-Benetton-models bullshit. Fuck off world! I'm vomitting it right back at cha!


Marketing, advertising, and graphic design is an empty, dark, pointless world.

[Electrify]

As someone who does telemarketing for Rogers Home Phone, all I can say is WTF?!?

Really, if Rogers could put their customers ahead for once rather than their gross profits, it could be a fantastic company. Instead, Ted Rogers is slightly less respected than George W Bush.

[urban 2.0]

http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_marcl/rogerstelevisioncity_rendering.jpg

... sorry I haven't been following this thread... so I know I must be repeating what's been said 100's of times....

but my GOD.... that is GASTLY.


Architecture is officially dead in Toronto.

What's wrong with the torch?????

Have architects in Canada used any other shape than a box??

[urban 2.0]

Where's Harry and his crystal globe of water when you need him to save the day ... oh yeah, Hamilton.

lol - too funny.

Maybe we could have the Great Canadian New Year's Eve Box Drop?

[Taller, Better]

It is the existing building... with what appears to be a very low budget new "look". I agree, the torch is a better element than the gift wrapped Christmas-present on a stick.

[kettal]

Was this render made by M. C. Escher?? It's just impossible.

Isn't there a bridge under the torch where the streetcars pass through?

[ggaleazz]

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_marcl/OlympicSpirit_23Oct07.jpg&imgrefurl=http://torontoist.com/2007/10/city_in_the_squ.php&h=624&w=640&sz=97&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=Hc3_AYZr_a6YCM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dolympic%2Bspirit%2Btoronto%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

Photos of the actual building.

Why does it look like they're chopping almost 2 stories off this building, maybe it's the angle of the shot.

I actually think the current building is fine, just add the standard branding to the side. Move the main entrance to the building to the south end near the parking lot. The base of the torch could be the new Speakers Corner and the upper levels could be used for broadcasting (i.e. Breakfast television, etc). The rest of the building would be free to divide up among offices/studios/etc.

[azzo]

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_marcl/OlympicSpirit_23Oct07.jpg&imgrefurl=http://torontoist.com/2007/10/city_in_the_squ.php&h=624&w=640&sz=97&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=Hc3_AYZr_a6YCM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dolympic%2Bspirit%2Btoronto%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

Photos of the actual building.

Why does it look like they're chopping almost 2 stories off this building, maybe it's the angle of the shot.

I actually think the current building is fine, just add the standard branding to the side. Move the main entrance to the building to the south end near the parking lot. The base of the torch could be the new Speakers Corner and the upper levels could be used for broadcasting (i.e. Breakfast television, etc). The rest of the building would be free to divide up among offices/studios/etc.


ITS A RENDER! NOT A PHOTO OF WHAT WILL BE THERE, THEY PROBABLY JUST PUMPED SOMETHING OUT, POSSIBLE DONE BY A STUDENT TO SHOW THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON IT. Im getting tired of some of you assuming that a render is the finished product, like ive worked in the architecture profession for a while now, and i can tell you something like this was done last minute and will absolutely not be the end of development. It is to convey ideas, such as the transformation of that god awful tower thing thats there into something which will act more like a beacon. And if you feel like that building is fine the way it is...... GET THE FUCK OUT OF TORONTO- that goes for all the trolls too(or whatever you guys call them). WE NEED MORE FUCKING CIVIC PRIDE, WE NEED TO BUILDING BEAUTIFUL THINGS WHICH WILL ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO A GREATER IDEA. sorry for all the caps, im tired and stressed lol. But seriously canadians need to start demanding for excellence and stop whining about it and just accepting it as thats how its done. change is a good thing....well sometimes.


azzo

[Taller, Better]

ITS A RENDER! NOT A PHOTO OF WHAT WILL BE THERE, THEY PROBABLY JUST PUMPED SOMETHING OUT, POSSIBLE DONE BY A STUDENT TO SHOW THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON IT. Im getting tired of some of you assuming that a render is the finished product, like ive worked in the architecture profession for a while now, and i can tell you something like this was done last minute and will absolutely not be the end of development. It is to convey ideas, such as the transformation of that god awful tower thing thats there into something which will act more like a beacon. And if you feel like that building is fine the way it is...... GET THE FUCK OUT OF TORONTO- that goes for all the trolls too(or whatever you guys call them). WE NEED MORE FUCKING CIVIC PRIDE, WE NEED TO BUILDING BEAUTIFUL THINGS WHICH WILL ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO A GREATER IDEA. sorry for all the caps, im tired and stressed lol. But seriously canadians need to start demanding for excellence and stop whining about it and just accepting it as thats how its done. change is a good thing....well sometimes.


azzo


Wow... I'll say you are stressed. So uptight you didn't even bother to follow the link he gave before you exploded into a volcano of flying spittle. This time take a deep breath and follow the link:
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgur...icial%26sa%3DN

See? it is a photo.
By the way, you think this proposal is "excellence"?

[Skybean]

Why is it called Rogers Television City?

[filcan]

i like the welcome idea in different languages...its like welcoming people to what hopefully will one day be a great Y/D Square. But that render really sucks. Theyre better off just taking down the Olympic Spirit sign and replacing it with Rogers and CityTV signs instead...or maybe just CityTV, theres already too much Rogers in this city...

[ggaleazz]

ITS A RENDER! NOT A PHOTO OF WHAT WILL BE THERE, THEY PROBABLY JUST PUMPED SOMETHING OUT, POSSIBLE DONE BY A STUDENT TO SHOW THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON IT. Im getting tired of some of you assuming that a render is the finished product, like ive worked in the architecture profession for a while now, and i can tell you something like this was done last minute and will absolutely not be the end of development. It is to convey ideas, such as the transformation of that god awful tower thing thats there into something which will act more like a beacon. And if you feel like that building is fine the way it is...... GET THE FUCK OUT OF TORONTO- that goes for all the trolls too(or whatever you guys call them). WE NEED MORE FUCKING CIVIC PRIDE, WE NEED TO BUILDING BEAUTIFUL THINGS WHICH WILL ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO A GREATER IDEA. sorry for all the caps, im tired and stressed lol. But seriously canadians need to start demanding for excellence and stop whining about it and just accepting it as thats how its done. change is a good thing....well sometimes.


azzo

Hmm, to respond or not. That is the question.

Well to begin, that's quite a return after a 3 month hiatus of posting here. The post sounds like it was written by an 18 yr old.

Anyway, I seriously doubt that some architecture student would have been enlisted to produce a render for release to the public, not in a million years. If you think then render, even as a beginning of thought, is better than the current product than I worry for the firm you work. How long is a while in the architecture industry by the way?


Now that I'm done ranting. I presented an alternative idea to the render. If you can't deal with that I suggest you get off any discussion board or else present your own critique. Sorry had to get one more in.

[metroboi_nay]

So has it begun undergoing reno or what? No word in over a month?
Design changed? Let's hope.. lol..

It's meant to be done by Spring 2009 as they move in there apprently, so my guess if it hasn't started soon, it should by Fall, it looks like it'll be a quick job done by the current render.

[Tuscani01]

So has it begun undergoing reno or what? No word in over a month?
Design changed? Let's hope.. lol..

It's meant to be done by Spring 2009 as they move in there apprently, so my guess if it hasn't started soon, it should by Fall, it looks like it'll be a quick job done by the current render.

It started a few months ago. The ads on the exterior are all now CityTV and Rogers ads, the inside has been gutted, and thats about it for now.

[Tuscani01]

It is the existing building... with what appears to be a very low budget new "look". I agree, the torch is a better element than the gift wrapped Christmas-present on a stick.

I think a big silver bubble on a shortened torch would look great. (similar to the bean in Chicago) You would be able to look up at everything going on from above, no matter which side of the building you are on. Call it 'City' and you have a new landmark on the square, that relates to what is inside the building.

Since Rogers owns City though, maybe it can be a red reflective bubble?

[doogerz]

It's almost as if multiculturalism was a person and 'threw up', this is the unsettling result. I am definitely not impressed with this monstrocity, I wish they could have kept citytv in the old john st building (some sort of rogers-ctv deal) OR build a half-decent building.

[metroboi_nay]

I just hope to see some exterior progress this year, or summer :) It's an eye sore to that square, and I know some are ok with metropolis and some aren't but it works at the moment. O.S doesn't, it's ugly and needs a facelift more than most celebs :P

[OEincorparated]

Looks like Roger television is going for a more serious look. No bull shit advertisement or nothing.

Congrets for not selling out Ted Rogers.

Maybe oneday Rogers will turn into the CNN for Canada.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Looks like Roger television is going for a more serious look. No bull shit advertisement or nothing.

Congrets for not selling out Ted Rogers.

Maybe oneday Rogers will turn into the CNN for Canada.

Selling out? What does that even mean?

And CNN? You're kidding, right?

[OEincorparated]

^^ I guess it means taking no short cut's by having large advertising billboards for Nike or Adidas to help pay the rent.

[Waterloo_Guy]

^^ I guess it means taking no short cut's by having large advertising billboards for Nike or Adidas to help pay the rent.

Why would you call that selling out? And why would you oppose such a thing?

[OEincorparated]

I prefer a more reality type of news, not the bulony they tell you because it what you want to hear.

[OEincorparated]

Also, Roger makes enough money, it doesn't need to sell advertising space on it's property.

[NorthYorker]

Also, Roger makes enough money, it doesn't need to sell advertising space on it's property.

Ya that makes sense :ohno:

[Taller, Better]

I was in the area last night , and the empty Torch building looks so lonely and sad... like a
missing tooth in a smile. The sooner it springs to life, the better. Their cameras will get a birdseye view of the performing stage, but sadly only from behind... the shot will be from the left of this picture:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/winter%202007/Summer%202008/IMGP7352i.jpg

[Tuscani01]

I was in the area last night , and the empty Torch building looks so lonely and sad...


Check out the North east corner... its all cracked and falling apart.

[jamietoronto]

That building is complete crap. We finally get a nice, modern public square, and they are going to ruin it.

Damn Rogers, first "The Rogers Centre," now they ruin Dundas Square. What landmark will be ruined by Rogers next? CN Tower Rogers Tower? Yonge to Rogers Street? Sure, Rogers has done a lot of good for this city, but c'mon. That building looks rediculous.

[OEincorparated]

Hopefully the aluminum is the same as the aluminum the used on the Birds Nest in Beijing.

If that's the case it should be OK right.

[Waterloo_Guy]

That building is complete crap. We finally get a nice, modern public square, and they are going to ruin it.

Damn Rogers, first "The Rogers Centre," now they ruin Dundas Square. What landmark will be ruined by Rogers next? CN Tower Rogers Tower? Yonge to Rogers Street? Sure, Rogers has done a lot of good for this city, but c'mon. That building looks rediculous.

Rogers didn't ruin anything. They're just moving in after the fact. It's Rogers that might actually fix the place up.

[KGB]

Rogers didn't ruin anything. They're just moving in after the fact. It's Rogers that might actually fix the place up.


Well, I just think Rogers likes a good deal...I don't think integrity is their big strong point. They don't exactly have a great track record...Skydome...their own head office...abandoning the great Chum Building...now this...Rogers doesn't have a lot of flair and generally goes for the bottom line...I wouldn't hold my breath for greatness.



KGB

[urban 2.0]

Well, I just think Rogers likes a good deal...I don't think integrity is their big strong point. They don't exactly have a great track record...Skydome...their own head office...abandoning the great Chum Building...now this...Rogers doesn't have a lot of flair and generally goes for the bottom line...I wouldn't hold my breath for greatness.



KGB

... I agree.

Look at OMNI - two channels and it's nothing more than a re-broadcaster of old fox shows.

Even SunTV has more spark vs. Omni.

CityTV realized the value in content - and have profited from it - think of the money they generated from Fashion Television and other inhouse shows.

Do you really think Rogers will keep making shows like Ed the Sock?

[Taller, Better]

I love Ed the Sock. Those girls in the hot tub crack me up.

[algonquin]

if Rogers drops Ed the Sock, CTV will be sure to pick it up

[Filip]

I miss Fromage. I still can't believe Much Music didn't do it this year.:(

[Taller, Better]

I LOVED Fromage. One year they chose one of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE VIDEOS as the Big Fromage of the Year!!!

SHEwFoo_KA0&feature=related

The philistines that run Rogers are cancelling all the Speaker's Corners.

[KGB]

Well, let's face it, City Tv has been a shadow of its former self for quite a while. I remember when it was truly interesting...The New Music...The Shulman File...City Lights....Speakers Corner...and of course, the infamous Baby Blues.

It was at one time, television revolution with a guy named Moses at the helm (the one who drove around in the vintage white Jag XK 150...not the one who went up the mountain).

Now....it isn't.




KGB

[rick1016]

In the words of Moses Znaimer: "It's not the show, it's the flow"

[OEincorparated]

On second thought I'd have to say the majority is right on this project. :wtf: are you doing Rogers?

Leave the Olympic Spirit alone.

[OEincorparated]

Take over the hotel beside it. Those old buildings are more suitable for broadcasting. Look at what Much music has done with theirs, it's and iconic building the city loves and enbraces. Rogers City TV should do the same, pick the hotel not the Olympic spirit.

[Tuscani01]

Take over the hotel beside it. Those old buildings are more suitable for broadcasting. Look at what Much music has done with theirs, it's and iconic building the city loves and enbraces. Rogers City TV should do the same, pick the hotel not the Olympic spirit.

The hotel would have to be for sale in order for that to happen, and its a pretty busy hotel so I dont see that happening any time soon.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Leave the Olympic Spirit alone.

??? Olympic Spirit is a pile of crap, not a heritage building. If they want to renovate it I say go for it. I doubt they could really make it any worse.

[OEincorparated]

^^ The inside might be crap but the outside still looks pretty nice. It should be the headquarters for another bid. Rogers City TV I think would be better served if they had more space. The hotel is a nice heritage style building with lots of floors. It will over look Toronto Life Square and give a nice view of 1 Bloor and Aura when built.

[OEincorparated]

The hotel would have to be for sale in order for that to happen, and its a pretty busy hotel so I dont see that happening any time soon.

I'd disagree that it's busy since I've never seen anyone going in and out the times I've been down there, but that's arguable though. Either way I don't think it's a good spot for a hotel and if sold can be built better elsewhere.

[OEincorparated]

erase

[Tuscani01]

I'd disagree that it's busy since I've never seen anyone going in and out the times I've been down there, but that's arguable though. Either way I don't think it's a good spot for a hotel and if sold can be built better elsewhere.

I walk by it every day to and from work, not to mention most nights. There are always bus loads of people being dropped off or departing from the hotel. Even in the early hours of the morning there are people coming in and out of the place. Its also served by the airport express bus service to Pearson. Its doing fine where it is.

And how is it not a good spot for a hotel? Its in one of the best, if not the best locations in the city for tourists and the business traveller. Its close to everything.

[OEincorparated]

How much can they actually charge for a night's stay? Eventually taxes on the place will have to sky rocket, it's just too good of a location. Personally I'd prefer a place further away from the square but within walking distance.

The hotel is just perfect for a braodcast center. The view looking north for will be great for nightly news. Maybe just rent the top few floors and convert the bottom for office use.

[Mollywood]

I see guys doing some kind of construction work inside but so far, nothing to the outside. I wonder when they will start tearing that building down and renovate the outside? I want to see some serious changes.

[OEincorparated]

Keep on watching it, keep us updated if any changes.

Hope nothing is done to the outside, just add a Rogers CityTV sign should be good enough. It can be coverted baack to Olympic spirit if Rogers moves later on.^__^

[metroboi_nay]

So far nothing done on the outside, anyone know when work is going to be done on the outside if any at all? They said March it'll be done and ready on air a few months ago, so I'm guessin they should start anytime now.

[bigcityboy]

I hope Rogers puts up something on the east side of the building so people driving west on Dundas get some screens/signage. I hate that they treat the eastern part of the square as the ass end. It should have been open in all directions. I hate the Times Square comparison, but signs truly face in all directions there, inviting/pulling you in no matter what angle you approach the (non) Square.

[urban 2.0]

... you are talking about Rogers .. the company that's wasting your cell phone fees trying to get the Bills to move to Toronto.

Their executives clearly aren't too focused on what's good for Toronto.

Watch CityTV be run into the ground .. unless you think OMNI is a good station???

[Tuscani01]

New hoarding has/is gone/going up around the building. Looks like exterior work will begin soon!

[Biudo]

Watch CityTV be run into the ground .. unless you think OMNI is a good station???

OMNI is a great station. Maybe not to you, but to thousands of us FOBs, it's a great station (their multi-lingual news programs kick ass). In fact, OMNI is a better reflection of the cultural diversity of Toronto than CityTV.

[dtour]

the hoarding is going up...

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0436.jpg?t=1219840643

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0437.jpg?t=1219840675

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0438.jpg?t=1219840700

[metroboi_nay]

finally :) now let's hope for the best! lol

[Marcanadian]

What is that building under construction to the east of Olympic Spirit? The new Hakim Optical?

[Tuscani01]

What is that building under construction to the east of Olympic Spirit? The new Hakim Optical?

Yep!

[Ahmed Al Bolandi]

This is American styl : ) very nice

[Mollywood]

Walking by Torch today, (or what was formally called "The Torch") I noticed what I think might be some good news. Those huge metal units (VAC units?) that were located on the roof, are now gone. I hated those very visible units, as I do the ones on Toronto Life Square. It looks like they are gone and a railing is being built on the roof. I assume it's being turned into some kind of roof patio, for filming the city. (Is a restaurant on the roof a possibility?) Anyway, anything that gets rid of those ugly metal boxes, is a HUGE improvement. The huge sign on the west side is also gone, hopefully replaced by a HUGE LED screen. (That would be nice) Anyway, it gave me a bit of hope that something better is yet to come. I can only wish the same for TLS.