Narrow sites lend themselves to smaller retail spaces, more dynamic streetscapes and more varied architecture -- all elements sorely lacking in the Toronto condo vernacular. The more like this the better!
You say that like there aren't tangible socioeconomic community benefits to university campuses and to fostering study/employment hubs in underdeveloped suburbs.
The provincial deficit is a crisis, but, forgetting about short-term interests and election cycles for a second, it is entirely...
I'm not convinced about the incorporation of small but showy splashes of curtain wall into window wall towers. IMO this tends to emphasize the inferior cladding that otherwise dominates the building instead of elevating the product as a whole. Recent examples include this, the Livmore, Dundas Sq...
I acknowledged yours as a fair example, provided one that supported an alternative hypothesis, and concluded that aA are more committed to design than most firms, ultimately disagreeing with the magnitude of your statement. Not sure it gets much more grey than that, but okay.
There are examples that go the other way too, though. Is it a coincidence that the only half decent condo Menkes has delivered this boom (Harbour Plaza) is aA? Could that be driven at least in part by an uncompromizing commitment to design?
I agree that Alter was a miss, but I think it's too...
I get that it's necessary in this instance given the subway running underneath, but it depresses me seeing new above-grade parking being built in downtown Toronto in 2018.
I'm still not a fan of the design and sheer heft of this building, but so far the podium materials are much nicer than expected. Here's hoping the tower follows suit.
^ Agreed. The south side of Front opposite this development oozes Victorian industrial charm. Sure, there's a lot of underused space down this way, i.e. lots of potential for blank-slate redevelopment, but I don't understand why glass should be the only way to go.
The reality is that glassy...
For me it's a handsome if under-loved building that contributes to a pleasant red-brick fabric along this bit of College. An unfortunate loss that will hopefully be totally justified if this project turns out as cool as it looks.
I just hope phase 2 goes behind its neighbour at 100 College...