Toronto The Selby | 165.5m | 50s | Tricon | bKL Architecture

[interchange42]

The fact that the design was intentional doesn't change the fact that it's inelegant. The notch creates visual tension that goes unresolved.

To tell the truth, I think this building is elegant, with clarity of design and beauty in proportion… but it's not the more traditional kind of elegance that you're after.

They're not looking for dainty, nor graceful, nor charming here. They've gone for bold, for daring, for something a little avant garde. That's why a bunch of us talk about and photograph this building so much.

Traditional neo-classical elegance is not the only worthwhile goal of contemporary architecture.

42

 

[stjames2queenwest]

Looks “resolved” to me. Wish there were more projects as bold as this one. I’m really happy this part of the city (sherbourne/Jarvis etc) is getting more varied colour and cladding. It’s refreshing.

 

[Marcanadian]

Sunday:

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

The Selby by Marcus Mitanis, on Flickr

 

[NBGtect]

This is top heavy and stunning. Praise the Lord for something different. It looks amazingly eye-catching from the DVP!

 

[TheKingEast]

I like it. Wish the brick was more of a fire-red but I can live with it.

 

[junctionist]

To tell the truth, I think this building is elegant, with clarity of design and beauty in proportion… but it's not the more traditional kind of elegance that you're after.

They're not looking for dainty, nor graceful, nor charming here. They've gone for bold, for daring, for something a little avant garde. That's why a bunch of us talk about and photograph this building so much.

Traditional neo-classical elegance is not the only worthwhile goal of contemporary architecture.

42

You've created a false dichotomy of contemporary vs. neoclassical. There are dozens of contemporary landmarks from the past 10 years that are modern yet elegant. The Four Seasons in Yorkville comes to mind, as well as the Shangri-La and One Bloor East. I feel that there's little avant garde in this 1970s throwback design. The same awkward ungainliness that plagued many a building of the 1970s affects this building as well.

 

[kweku]

This building should have traded places with YC Condos
Would have matched well with the Heritage building south of it.

 

[Edward Skira]

I'll take 20 of these. But spread them around town. And maybe with different colours of brick. A breath of fresh air in a sea of glass.

 

[Midtown Urbanist]

We are going to be very glad to have this building around in the area, years in the future.

 

[MafaldaBoy]

23 August 2018:


The Selby by Jimmy Wu, on Flickr


The Selby by Jimmy Wu, on Flickr


The Selby by Jimmy Wu, on Flickr


The Selby by Jimmy Wu, on Flickr

 

[kweku]

A couple of buildings that put City Place to shame.
Why are all the best buildings hiding from tourists' view?

 

[AlbertC]

That overhang turns me on.

 

[ChesterCopperpot]

10/10 - fantastic

 

[stjames2queenwest]

 

[PMT]