whatever
Senior Member
I love the infill density. The city needs about 100 more of these along its avenues.
Toronto MuseumHouse | 71.01m | 19s | Yorkville Group | P + S / IBI
ProjectEnd
Superstar
Disappointing. Looks like a mid-rise office building from the early 90's.
The art of living, urban drama, and an architectonic canvas were three distinct design visions presented recently at the MuseumHouse presentation centre by interior designers Fenwick Bonnell of Powell & Bonnell, Montreal-based Patty Xenos of Patty Xenos Design, and Alessandro Munge of the firm Munge Leung for the $12.8 million future penthouse atop Yorkville Corporation's exclusive boutique condominium residence.
Urban Toronto brings you the designs, one at a time, over the weekend. Text by Doug Convoy, Photos by Interchange42, Illustrations courtesy of the Yorkville Group and the designers.
The award-winning designers were commissioned by Sol Wassermuhl, the principal of Page + Steele / IBI and architect of MuseumHouse, to create unique atmosphere and floor-plans to suit different tastes for the sweeping, 5,618 square-foot two-storey residence, with 1,152 square-feet of stone terraces and two private elevators.
Each designer imagined a sophisticated, well-travelled client with an appreciation for fine living and art, and each sought to maximize opportunities to display art, highlight views, and merge interior and exterior, but, otherwise, they diverged in their design solutions.
Fenwick Bonnell of Powell & Bonnell shared a scheme encapsulating the ‘art of living,’ as conveyed by carefully hand-drawn renders. Here, the penthouse is conceived as an elegant and timeless backdrop for art, with a muted palette of gesso white and other neutral tones, handcrafted, transitional finishes and furnishings, and maximized wall-space complimenting the residence’s expansiveness.
In this design, the stair is moved behind a two-storey feature wall reserved for key art work. Upstairs, the doors are moved to the ends of the corridor, creating an opportunity for an uninterrupted gallery space. In both the conservatory and master bedroom, oversized terrace doors allow for the intermingling of penthouse and city at the occupants’ discretion.
Next: Plans by Patty Xenos
Urban Toronto brings you the designs, one at a time, over the weekend. Text by Doug Convoy, Photos by Interchange42, Illustrations courtesy of the Yorkville Group and the designers.
The award-winning designers were commissioned by Sol Wassermuhl, the principal of Page + Steele / IBI and architect of MuseumHouse, to create unique atmosphere and floor-plans to suit different tastes for the sweeping, 5,618 square-foot two-storey residence, with 1,152 square-feet of stone terraces and two private elevators.
Each designer imagined a sophisticated, well-travelled client with an appreciation for fine living and art, and each sought to maximize opportunities to display art, highlight views, and merge interior and exterior, but, otherwise, they diverged in their design solutions.
Fenwick Bonnell of Powell & Bonnell shared a scheme encapsulating the ‘art of living,’ as conveyed by carefully hand-drawn renders. Here, the penthouse is conceived as an elegant and timeless backdrop for art, with a muted palette of gesso white and other neutral tones, handcrafted, transitional finishes and furnishings, and maximized wall-space complimenting the residence’s expansiveness.
In this design, the stair is moved behind a two-storey feature wall reserved for key art work. Upstairs, the doors are moved to the ends of the corridor, creating an opportunity for an uninterrupted gallery space. In both the conservatory and master bedroom, oversized terrace doors allow for the intermingling of penthouse and city at the occupants’ discretion.
Next: Plans by Patty Xenos
urbandreamer
recession proof
I gotta say (saw these interior designs in the G&M a week or so ago) they're all duds, very very conservative, much like the building itself. I'd like to see very bold boutique buildings along Bloor etc. (Exhibit is better, but I mean truly interesting architecture in 10-15s buildings.)
Patty Xenos of Patty Xenos Design, inspired by the residence’s sheer size, copious light and the dramatic views, envisaged the penthouse as a sophisticated, family-friendly home that manages to balance grandeur with intimacy. Within the overall open plan, special moments are highlighted, with screening provided for privacy and mystery, as well as for the display of art. All materials are neutral and selected for richness and warmth.
On the main floor, the elevator foyer offers a glimpse toward the light-frame grand staircase and city skyline, creating a sense of anticipation upon entry.
The multi-functional office/den/living room is developed into rooms-within-rooms with movable partitions. A large, backlit, alabaster fireplace, a work of art in itself, serves as a glowing focal point.
In the dining room, semi-privacy is achieved via a tinted, glassed-in wine cellar, which functions as a divider to the less formal family room/dining area and kitchen. The comprehensive kitchen discretely integrates all back-of-house functions for a seamless and unobtrusive entertaining experience for guests and hosts alike.
On the upper level, the master bedroom and bath, integrated or separated with adjustable partitions, take full advantage of the broad southern exposure and generous south-facing terrace. The bedroom contains a two-sided, stone fireplace, which opens out onto terrace, while the bathroom area features a sculptural bathtub placed right at the glazing, beyond which, on the terrace, flows an infinity pool.
Main Floor Plan
Upper Floor Plan
Next: Plans by Alessandro Munge
On the main floor, the elevator foyer offers a glimpse toward the light-frame grand staircase and city skyline, creating a sense of anticipation upon entry.
The multi-functional office/den/living room is developed into rooms-within-rooms with movable partitions. A large, backlit, alabaster fireplace, a work of art in itself, serves as a glowing focal point.
In the dining room, semi-privacy is achieved via a tinted, glassed-in wine cellar, which functions as a divider to the less formal family room/dining area and kitchen. The comprehensive kitchen discretely integrates all back-of-house functions for a seamless and unobtrusive entertaining experience for guests and hosts alike.
On the upper level, the master bedroom and bath, integrated or separated with adjustable partitions, take full advantage of the broad southern exposure and generous south-facing terrace. The bedroom contains a two-sided, stone fireplace, which opens out onto terrace, while the bathroom area features a sculptural bathtub placed right at the glazing, beyond which, on the terrace, flows an infinity pool.
Main Floor Plan
Upper Floor Plan
Next: Plans by Alessandro Munge
Mongo
Senior Member
So every time you take a bath, you give the city a show?
Red October
Senior Member
To low-flying planes and people with jetpacks maybe.
junctionist
Senior Member
Don't forget telescope owners.
Alessandro Munge of Munge Leung conceived the penthouse as a contemporary and architectonic showcase for art, with uninterrupted views north and south and blurred boundaries between interior and exterior. The space is treated with a light colour-palette and finished in classic materials, including travertine, Venetian plaster, and rift oak. The main floor is fitted with a massive, operable window-wall.
The high point of the design is the concrete-formed, cantilevered stair; a central, sculptural element that affords unexpected vistas though the residence and beyond.
The lower level is open-concept in plan, with the exception of the kitchen, which is enclosed. The upper level, by contrast, contains separate rooms for privacy, with balconies as extensions to the outdoors. The master bedroom and bath extends along the full south face of the building, with the pedestal tub as focal point set directly at the glazing.
Main Floor Plan
Upper Floor Plan
All three penthouse designs will be possible to a great extent – up to about eighty percent – as all have been overlaid onto the construction plans for MuseumHouse and accommodated accordingly. Potential buyers have the option of working with any one of these schemes or they may fashion their own using their own designers.
The high point of the design is the concrete-formed, cantilevered stair; a central, sculptural element that affords unexpected vistas though the residence and beyond.
The lower level is open-concept in plan, with the exception of the kitchen, which is enclosed. The upper level, by contrast, contains separate rooms for privacy, with balconies as extensions to the outdoors. The master bedroom and bath extends along the full south face of the building, with the pedestal tub as focal point set directly at the glazing.
Main Floor Plan
Upper Floor Plan
All three penthouse designs will be possible to a great extent – up to about eighty percent – as all have been overlaid onto the construction plans for MuseumHouse and accommodated accordingly. Potential buyers have the option of working with any one of these schemes or they may fashion their own using their own designers.
Red Mars
Senior Member
Nice large penthouse designed to entertain many guests.
Why only 1 washroom/powder room on the main floor?
For this kind of coin I'd expect two as a courtesy for guests who attend some of the larger functions.
As I would not want to say - Oh this one is busy use the one upstairs.
Why only 1 washroom/powder room on the main floor?
For this kind of coin I'd expect two as a courtesy for guests who attend some of the larger functions.
As I would not want to say - Oh this one is busy use the one upstairs.
Mo-tage
Active Member
Museum House with the Yonge Eglinton skyline.
neuhaus
Senior Member
not impressed with all three schemes.
The first design (Powell & Bonnell) looks like your typical home in Forest Hill. Very conservative and a bit clausterphobic. A formal dining room that only accomodates 8 people is rediculous for this kind of PH.
The second design (Patty Xenos) is a mess of design clichés. The unit is very broken up by rooms treated like separate vignettes with little flow or cohesiveness. The private elevator just to go up one floor is a bit excessive.
The third design (Munge Leung) is the best out of the three, but still not very impressive and disappointing coming from such a talented firm. Munge got it right by including large folding window walls for the terraces. This design is the best for entertaining which is targeting the kind of buyer for this PH.
I am sure these designs were done for fun and done quickly with little design fees, and the eventual buyer of the unit will have his/her own designer to design the space to their liking (good or bad).
The first design (Powell & Bonnell) looks like your typical home in Forest Hill. Very conservative and a bit clausterphobic. A formal dining room that only accomodates 8 people is rediculous for this kind of PH.
The second design (Patty Xenos) is a mess of design clichés. The unit is very broken up by rooms treated like separate vignettes with little flow or cohesiveness. The private elevator just to go up one floor is a bit excessive.
The third design (Munge Leung) is the best out of the three, but still not very impressive and disappointing coming from such a talented firm. Munge got it right by including large folding window walls for the terraces. This design is the best for entertaining which is targeting the kind of buyer for this PH.
I am sure these designs were done for fun and done quickly with little design fees, and the eventual buyer of the unit will have his/her own designer to design the space to their liking (good or bad).
skyscan
New Member
Nov 6
steveve
Senior Member
This tower has some awkward areas to it.. looking at that first shot, those lower units are positioned like a corner next to the building beside it... not a very pleasant view if you ask me! SOOOOO much more privacy in the upper levels. 
Hairy Yeti Poo Balls
Banned
What's the status on the McDonald's just a few steps away from this site? Is it still being demolished?