Toronto Sun Life Financial Tower & Harbour Plaza Residences | 236.51m | 67s | Menkes | Sweeny &Co

Hey, what happens behind the fritted balcony glass stays behind the fritted balcony glass.

42
 
The separation between the west tower and the office building is more evident from Queens Quay — but still too close for my preference.
 
I believe there was a zoning by-law amendment to allow these buildings to be closer than the minimum distances. I hope that was factored into the design, though I have my doubts.
 
Getting there…

DSC08490.jpg

DSC08484.jpg

DSC08482.jpg

DSC08477.jpg

DSC08471.jpg

DSC08470.jpg

DSC08469.jpg

DSC08467.jpg

DSC08465.jpg

DSC08464.jpg

DSC08463.jpg

DSC08462.jpg

DSC08476.jpg


42
 

Attachments

  • DSC08462.jpg
    DSC08462.jpg
    569.8 KB · Views: 1,817
  • DSC08463.jpg
    DSC08463.jpg
    375.5 KB · Views: 1,801
  • DSC08464.jpg
    DSC08464.jpg
    306 KB · Views: 1,765
  • DSC08465.jpg
    DSC08465.jpg
    291.9 KB · Views: 3,041
  • DSC08467.jpg
    DSC08467.jpg
    354.2 KB · Views: 1,815
  • DSC08469.jpg
    DSC08469.jpg
    350.1 KB · Views: 1,777
  • DSC08470.jpg
    DSC08470.jpg
    780.2 KB · Views: 1,786
  • DSC08471.jpg
    DSC08471.jpg
    298.6 KB · Views: 1,819
  • DSC08476.jpg
    DSC08476.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 1,815
  • DSC08477.jpg
    DSC08477.jpg
    339.9 KB · Views: 1,800
  • DSC08482.jpg
    DSC08482.jpg
    340 KB · Views: 1,826
  • DSC08484.jpg
    DSC08484.jpg
    487.7 KB · Views: 1,842
  • DSC08490.jpg
    DSC08490.jpg
    325.2 KB · Views: 1,854
They should be pretty tall, slender, and sleek upon completion. I love the pics with the sun out (anything looks depressing on overcast days except red brick).
 
Regarding the Gardiner off-ramps seen in my photos above, City Council has adopted a motion at the current meeting which advances the plans to replace them with a new ramp at Lower Simcoe.

The City has been talking to owners of the rental buildings at 250 through 270 Queens Quay, and the condo corp which owns 228 and 230 Queens Quay (the Riviera), as it needs strips of land at the back of those properties to build the new ramp on. Since the condo corp is owned by hundreds of unit owners, and 80% of them must be in agreement to sell the strip to the City before the corp can agree to the sale, the City is preparing to expropriate as it expects that obtaining approval from that many owners will delay the project.

The City intends to start the ramp replacement construction sometime in 2016. (Woohoo!)

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/gm/bgrd/backgroundfile-85101.pdf

42
 
It would be cool if they can retain a portion of the ramp and turn it into a park draping with ivies and flowering vines over the sides, and ornamental grasses and perennials above. This could make for an interesting strolling experience for residents and visitors. While the area below the ramp could be converted into a sheltered reading area with more lighting.
 
Regarding the Gardiner off-ramps seen in my photos above, City Council has adopted a motion at the current meeting which advances the plans to replace them with a new ramp at Lower Simcoe.

The City has been talking to owners of the rental buildings at 250 through 270 Queens Quay, and the condo corp which owns 228 and 230 Queens Quay (the Riviera), as it needs strips of land at the back of those properties to build the new ramp on. Since the condo corp is owned by hundreds of unit owners, and 80% of them must be in agreement to sell the strip to the City before the corp can agree to the sale, the City is preparing to expropriate as it expects that obtaining approval from that many owners will delay the project.

The City intends to start the ramp replacement construction sometime in 2016. (Woohoo!)

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/gm/bgrd/backgroundfile-85101.pdf

42

Can I double like something? Double like. One like for the move to expropriate instead of wait for what would otherwise be a brutal process with many uninformed people complaining, (I attend the AGM at my condo and it's a shiiizza show) and second for the start being in 2016! I have been looking forward to any dismantling of the Gardiner with great fervor.
 
The more I look at the podium, the more ugly it looks to me, and out of place. When this ramp is eventually removed, its gonna look huge and oversized. The pale panels making up the main part in the dull red marble its just terrible and that bright red against it in that square is gaudy. hope it all comes together in the end. but for the area and sorrounding buildings something appears off to me. but keeping hope for end resault. And regardles, still a 'nice' clean looking addition.
 
^ Right now, it doesn't look terrible out of place to me, but as you have suggested, when/if these tall freeway structures are one day torn down, what we'll be left with are windowless, bunker-esque, oddly-scaled, massive podiums along the Gardiner.

On another note, the Harbour Plaza towers are a pleasant surprise. The fritted cladding takes those balconies to the next level and the pattern of which, surprisingly, works to great effect. The duo will provide some nice contrast to ICE and MLS.
 
Taken yesterday:
IMG_4960.JPG

IMG_4967.JPG

IMG_4996.JPG

IMG_4998.JPG

IMG_4969.JPG

IMG_4989.JPG

IMG_4990.JPG

IMG_4973.jpg

IMG_4958.JPG

IMG_4955.JPG

IMG_4968.JPG
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4996.JPG
    IMG_4996.JPG
    2.1 MB · Views: 4,010
  • IMG_4998.JPG
    IMG_4998.JPG
    1.8 MB · Views: 3,941
  • IMG_4989.JPG
    IMG_4989.JPG
    1.9 MB · Views: 3,897
  • IMG_4973.jpg
    IMG_4973.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 3,830
  • IMG_4969.JPG
    IMG_4969.JPG
    2.5 MB · Views: 3,973
  • IMG_4960.JPG
    IMG_4960.JPG
    2.3 MB · Views: 4,062
  • IMG_4967.JPG
    IMG_4967.JPG
    1.5 MB · Views: 3,948
  • IMG_4990.JPG
    IMG_4990.JPG
    2.1 MB · Views: 3,914
  • IMG_4968.JPG
    IMG_4968.JPG
    2.5 MB · Views: 3,863
  • IMG_4958.JPG
    IMG_4958.JPG
    2.2 MB · Views: 3,919
  • IMG_4955.JPG
    IMG_4955.JPG
    2 MB · Views: 3,802

Back
Top