Sidewalk Labs Toronto Headquarters (SVN, 2s, Sidewalk Labs)

[ProjectEnd]

http://svn-ap.com/sidewalk-labs-toronto-waterfront-headquarters/

Detailed proposal:

http://svn-ap.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SvN-Sidewalk-Labs-Headquarters.pdf

 

[alklay]

A good sign that they understand the importance of design. This bodes well.

 

[adHominem]

Via Spacing's Twitter feed:

SvN‏@svn_ap
We were thrilled that Sidewalk Labs Toronto asked us to envision their new headquarters located on the waterfront. See our design concept: http://ow.ly/P6Y630jyDLy

Interesting that they're keeping the extant building. I'm all for adaptive re-use/preserving embodied energy (more so than most, I suspect) but that building is almost aggressive in how banal it is.

Full proposal here (note: PDF, largish) http://svn-ap.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SvN-Sidewalk-Labs-Headquarters.pdf

 

[DonValleyRainbow]

It's a great idea, but I would like to see them shift away from the cagey look. Rusty steel beams and wood finish would do just as well in the simplicity and frugality departments, and offer better sightlines. This is about freeing the waterfront to public use, it shouldn't inspire a jailhouse feel.

 

[someMidTowner]

Goodbye Leafs TV HQ (good riddance)

 

[coldblood]

Based on the budget, the scaffolding structure is optional and is not even costed out. Seems like they're only investing for a short-term stay and then will probably rebuild on this site at the end of their project. Almost like a condo sales centre for large multi-building developments. (ie. Cityplace's sales centre)

 

[innsertnamehere]

Application:
Building Additions/Alterations
Status:
Issuance Pending
Location:
307 LAKE SHORE BLVD E
TORONTO ON M5A 1C1
Ward 28: Toronto Centre-Rosedale
Application#:
18 141077 BLD 00 BA
Accepted Date:
Apr 10, 2018
Project:
Office
Work:
Interior Alterations
Description:
Proposal for interior alterations to existing office building. Tenant - "Sidewalk Toronto"

 

[achender]

Looks like work has begun on this.

 

[maestro]

"I owe my soul to the company store"

 

[jje1000]

Sidewalk Labs is set to transform Toronto. It’s starting with its own office

Sidewalk worked with architecture firm Lebel & Bouliane and interaction design studio Daily Tous Les Jours to create a portion of the office that will be open to the public permanently, once a week, as a showcase for Sidewalk’s estimated billion-dollar gamble: Quayside, a 12-acre smart neighborhood that Sidewalk Labs is developing in partnership with the government nonprofit Waterfront Toronto.

https://www.fastcompany.com/9029442...&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

 

[Admiral Beez]

Sidewalk Labs is set to transform Toronto. It’s starting with its own office
https://www.fastcompany.com/9029442...&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Not so fast.....

I wonder if they'll tear down or sell off this headquarters building now?

 

[TheKingEast]

And just like that, it's over.

 

[jje1000]

Not so fast.....

I wonder if they'll tear down or sell off this headquarters building now?

Eh, they'll probably sell it off and move over to New York, since Cuomo seems intent on giving half the city to Google.

Sure, there were concerns that could have been addressed with adequate civic pushback, but I honestly think that this would have been a good opportunity to experiment with shaking up urban planning norms in Toronto.

 

[DtTO]

I have to say, I disagree with that sentiment. Why should we have to hand over our data to a for-profit corporation that, IMO, has become more and more evil lately? Things like this should always remain in public hands. Nobody should have to be forced to give up their data/privacy to use a public sidewalk. I'm a tech advocate, but this plan was ill fated from the get-go, and I'm really glad it's finally been axed.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I have to say, I disagree with that sentiment. Why should we have to hand over our data to a for-profit corporation that, IMO, has become more and more evil lately? Things like this should always remain in public hands. Nobody should have to be forced to give up their data/privacy to use a public sidewalk. I'm a tech advocate, but this plan was ill fated from the get-go, and I'm really glad it's finally been axed.

I agree. But I'm old school, aged 49 and remember when my cell phone was a leatherette covered analog Nokia and when no one would have wanted corporations or the government monitoring their personal and especially in-home activities. It's amazing to me how much privacy we willingly surrender to these tech firms and their government overseers.

the Waterfront is prime land. Developers do not need an incentive to build there other than good old profit. When the Reichmans et al developed the Portlands in London, they didn't need to monetize our privacy to make it worthwhile. The city should just publish a municipal plan for the area, sell the land to the best developers and get on with it.