Toronto Aura at College Park | 271.87m | 78s | Canderel | Graziani + Corazza

[Automation Gallery]

Gee, every time someone says good things about this complex, you pop up like 'Jack in the Box'

 

[BrianSolo]

Hahaha! Deep End is reliable, if nothing else. His reaction to anything Aura reminds me of John McCain's reaction to anything Obama.

 

[someMidTowner]

Oh hey, they fixed the webcam again.

 

[steveve]

Can't get over how massive this thing is. It's really imposing. And Mirvish + Ghery and One Yonge will be even taller.

It really is, and there's still so much left to go before this tops out. Despite the fact that they are taller, One Yonge and Mirvish should appear even taller with more or less an even floorplate to the top. Aura's use of setbacks offset its height slightly from street level, and the transition to the curved section also throws off the scale of height.

Great pics across the board! Especially the ones from SickKids, what an amazing observation area. We need more of these sky atriums built in the city (Chaz condos will have a weird one midway up the tower)

 

[DarkSideDenizen]

Despite the fact that they are taller, One Yonge and Mirvish should appear even taller with more or less an even floorplate to the top. Aura's use of setbacks offset its height slightly from street level, and the transition to the curved section also throws off the scale of height.

I disagree entirely. I feel the use of numerous setbacks add to a buildings sense of height, giving it scale and a sense of "climbing" into the sky. Many of New York's mid-rises appear much taller than they truly are, for this very reason, especially at street level. Good examples include the Daily News Building and the Paramount Building.

 

[BrianSolo]

Good point DSD!

 

[Bayer]

My friends see Aura as an abomination, but I'm reserving judgement until it is completed. In the meantime I'm more concerned about the random merchandise stacked against the store windows along Gerrard. Combined with the glaring fluorescent lighting, it looks awful.

 

[shorty1965]

My friends see Aura as an abomination, but I'm reserving judgement until it is completed. In the meantime I'm more concerned about the random merchandise stacked against the store windows along Gerrard. Combined with the glaring fluorescent lighting, it looks awful.

+1

 

[kram74]

still empty inside

an elevator passing by one of the stores windows

a view from one of the stores windows

 

[devjohnson]

My friends see Aura as an abomination, but I'm reserving judgement until it is completed. In the meantime I'm more concerned about the random merchandise stacked against the store windows along Gerrard. Combined with the glaring fluorescent lighting, it looks awful.

+1

At least Marshall's made an effort for a front window presence, but BBB....can Canderal mention anything or does BBB have total rights to do whatever they want to the space?

 

[BrianSolo]

Unfortunately, I believe BBB can do what they want in their space. It's pretty disgusting, though, that the would pile all that stuff against the window walls. If everyone writes to them complaining about it, they may do something about it. Start a petition!

 

[Torontovibe]

BBB is a terribly designed store. They have a high visibility space right on Yonge Street, yet they are treating this store like it's a big box warehouse on a Markham highway. I have mentioned it to the manager but I'm sure it went in one ear and out the other. The store continues to be mostly deserted when I go there, so it might not be there for much longer. When you ask employees how the store is doing, they just sigh and don't give you an answer or say something like "it's getting better". That says a lot. lol

 

[DtTO]

BBB stores tend to be a low traffic, high net type of operation almost anywhere you go, so I really doubt they're going anywhere. I agree that Marshall's has done a much better job keeping the windows visible, but they also have a lot less merchandise on display. Everyone who walks by BBB should inform the manager about their store's design error, which should hopefully result in some change.

 

[jpBombales]

Wow, it really doesn't look too appealing in there. Personally not a big fan of BBB. Would have rather seen an Urban Barn, Crate & Barrel or some local art store/gallery.

 

[ssiguy2]

I'm not sure what's worse, the indoor mall or the condition of Yonge Street. The inside of the building may be pedestrian unfriendly but no more so than the street it's on.