Toronto Bathurst Quay Revitalization | ?m | 2s | City of Toronto | Kearns Mancini

[rdaner]

I defer to your experience as mine is second hand. I had in mind the City Hall and other public buildings when I wrote that but they may be it. However I still feel that this institute will be a great opportunity to provide a venue to allow like minded folks a chance to rub shoulders! You should offer your services to the Silos to put together a series of images of Northern Irish architecture to be projected on the walls!

BTW I have a question that you might be able to answer. I have heard through family lore that there was an unwritten agreement between the London and the IRA that if the government didn't use historic public buildings for military or police use that they wouldn't be bombed. Is this true?

 

[bowen]

A lot of industrial plants ended up as abandoned ruins because of a company's demise. Interestingly enough, in this case, Canada Malting still exists.

@bowen I assume they had no qualms with restoring the sign? It seems like great exposure for them.

I’ve reached out but have never received a response.

 

[bowen]

I like how they still use a similar font as the silo sign

We’re actually replicating the silo font for the park’s gateway signage and site furniture branding. Mock ups coming soon!

 

[bowen]

A quick and sincere thanks for the recent and much too generous feedback. This has been a passion project for several years, and to know the work is appreciated by the UT community means a tremendous amount.

Sharing a few update photos. Another big concrete pour for the park coming up after the long weekend. And the balance of the signage on the north silo’s east facade will be visible by Thursday.

 

[bowen]

Government of Ireland commits $2-million to Irish cultural centre on Toronto waterfront

Renovation of historic Canada Malting Company silos, already under way and set to open in 2025, is part of country’s plan to boost global footprint

www.theglobeandmail.com

For those that can't access this it just announces that the Irish government has given $2m to the Corleck Centre to the west of the Silos. I can't wait to take courses on Georgian Dublin and Modernist Buildings in Irish Cities after the War. And as descendent of North Irish immigrants at the turn of the last century I hope (and may fundraise) for a small selection on the architecture of Northern Ireland, especially Belfast which has one of the world's largest collection of intact Georgian structures in the world!

Including the Federal GIBC funding announcement this was nearly $7M in new funding for the Corleck, which the Canada Ireland Foundation has been working to secure over the last 2 years. A huge milestone for this project which is sure to become a busy four-season anchor in the heart of the new park opening this Fall.

The City (as building owner) is also a major funder with approximately $5M committed from CREM for base building and accessibility upgrades, and also Section 37 funds.

 

[rdaner]

Taken 27 March.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[bowen]

Right on schedule, on Thursday the last of the scaffolding was removed from the east elevation, thus fully revealing the completed repairs.

 

[reinventingthewheel]

Pinning a couple before shots next to this ^
All from earlier in this thread. (~2017-2020)
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

Burning a hot orange in the morning sun… <3

 

[RipDingers]

Stunning restoration. Honestly, this has surpassed any and all expectations.

 

[bowen]

Stunning restoration. Honestly, this has surpassed any and all expectations.
View attachment 552382

Thank you. Our whole silo team (City of Toronto; Moon-Matz Engineering; Brook Restoration; ERA Architects; Best Painting) is really proud of these results. And we’re just getting started!

New architectural lighting is being installed and commissioned with the adjoining new park, Bathurst Quay Common, opening this Fall. The picture below (credit: Jonathan Gazze) is from an early site test in October 2021. The silo/park lighting designer is Ombrages (as subs to the park LA, PFS Studio), who also co-led the lighting design for Montreal’s Jacques Cartier bridge.

Jacques Cartier Bridge - Ombrages

Jacques-Cartier Bridge Exterior Lighting Award IES Montreal 2017, Award for Design Excellence AZ Awards Toronto 2018, Award of Excellence IESNA Boston 2018 A monumental architectural icon, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge now has a distinct luminous signature in the Montreal landscape. Inaugurated...

ombrages.com

 

[Towered]

It looks brand new, which is kind of odd...

 

[CanadianNational]

It looks absolutely amazing. It's old and new + cryptic and honest all at once.

 

[Doppleganger]

Alright, I'll admit there was a time when I couldn't wait for these silos to be pulled down, but man...they do look spectacular! The curiosity factor alone will be a huge draw for a revitalised Bathurst Quay. I can even see them competing with the CN Tower, Skydome and TD Terrace for best-illuminated downtown structure. That sound you hear is me eating my words!

 

[70Challenger]

It looks so streamline moderne now. It's clear there was an architectural intent to it that was obscured this whole time by industrial motley and decay.