City
Kazakhstani Developer Unveils Plans for 'International Icon' at Yonge and Bloor: You Like?
Yesterday morning, to a surprisingly large gathering of the local media at Panorama, Bazis International revealed its plans for an 80-storey condo tower at Yonge and Bloor. The name for the project? Quite simply, 1 Bloor.
While I got the distinct feeling the developer isn't as familiar with Yonge and Bloor as say, Zanta, they have sold 80% of Crystal Blu on Balmuto Street and they have hired a Toronto boy, Roy Varacalli, as their architect. Varacalli's previous firm was behind The Absolute Community-but not the 'Marilyn Monroe' Tower itself.
They've certainly got the full backing from Councilor Kyle Rae, who was at the press conference and answered more questions than the developer and the architect themselves. Rae had strong words for the current state of the 'most important intersection in Canada', calling it a 'failure' and said that Torontonians must 'demand fine architecture'.
So, is this 'fine architecture'? Will 1 Bloor be an 'International Icon'? It's too early to say, but I think the current rendering shows a building that is bold, interacts well with the street, and certainly isn't boring. I was most impressed with Varacalli's interpretation of the city in his design. The east and west sides of the building are intentionally different, to reflect the different personalities of the East and West sides of the City.
And what did the developer and Rae have to say about the issues brought up in the comments section of my teaser post? Height issue? There is no issue. The height has already been approved by council and remember-this is Downtown, get used to tall buildings! Additional strain on the Yonge-Bloor subway station below? Won't be a problem. Loss of public space? That's what the 3-storey retail podium with the roof-top garden is for.
What do you think of the design?
Image courtesy of Bazis. The high-res version will give you a much better look. [Bonus points for the first person who spots what's wrong with the image.]
Discussion
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I'd love to see this tower built and Yonge Street south of Bloor transformed into a pedestrian only street like the Distillery District reflecting Toronto's history. Cobblestone streets, Old Toronto street lamps, trees, shrubs, plants, a bike lane and beautiful shops, boutiques, restaurants, galleries and fountains all down Yonge Street to College (or even farther down to Queen).
It would be truly spectacular to have the contrast of this very modern 21 st century tower at Yonge and Bloor and a beautiful, upscale pedestrian street evoking the rich history of Toronto just beside it.
A pedestrian only street on Yonge would be a real magnate for locals, families and international tourists. It's great for business, it's great for the environment, it's great for residents, it's great for tourism. And with so many high end, luxury condos in the neighborhood, a pedestrian-only Yonge Street would be an incredible commercial success. It would be bustling with people day and night.
As for funding this concept, the City should require that the developer put money towards creating a pedestrian-only district on Yonge Street south of Bloor as part of its agreement to allow them to develop the south east corner.
It would be a win-win situation for everyone.
What's wrong with the picture? First off, no huge illegal signs on top of the Stollery's building.
Also, to see the whole building like that, you'd probably have to be standing somewhere in Yorkville, rather than at the northwest corner of the intersection.
Sameer-I can't disagree with you. It does have a certain sex appeal, doesn't it?
Viktor-You should consider a career in urban design if you're not in it already ;) I'd definitely want to take a Sunday stroll down your version of Yonge Street.
Viktor, I think your idea of an Old Town Toronto pedestrian street on Yonge is FANTASTIC!! It would be one of our top tourist attractions and it would bring a great deal of pride and pleasure to Torontonians!
How do we convince our politicians of such an idea? This section of Yonge Street is a lump of coal just waiting to be transformed into a brilliant diamond! Let's do it right this time!
Kyle Rae are you listening?
http://www.bloor-yorkville.com/09bloor.html
Similar to the $3 Million or so Rogers contributed to Jarvis St. when it built at Jarvis+Bloor.
As far as the developer's contribution to the Bloor Street development, $2 million is chickenscratch. They should be required to donate much, much more than that.
if you want to see a good example of a corner revitalized, take look at <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/sookie/sets/72157600042818230/"; "target=_blank">Columbus Circle</a>. the recently built Time Warner building brought life back to the formerly stiffled NYC intersection.
See The Grove at the Farmers Market
in Los Angeles for an example. It has outdoor streets, a trolley, and major public space. It abuts LA's oldest Farmers Market.
http://www.danth.com/pdf/trends_3_25_05.pdf
We don't want to become Skyscraper City with enormous 80 story towers and traffic infested streets everywhere!! We need to make sure that our streets are places where people can live!
Think about how cool it would be with all these new condo towers in the Yonge & Bloor area to have a pedestrian only street on Yonge with high end restaurants, boutiques, trees, plants, cobblestone streets, a bike lane and a streetcar or trolley line that is quick and efficient. In spring/summer/fall we could have a Farmer's Market on the street, street festivals etc.
It would be amazing!!
I'm actually a fan of this stretch of Yonge, it's one of the few stretches in central Toronto that hasn't been turned into a complete yuppie joke, despite being surrounding by all the young professionals needed. It's gritty, dirty, busy and crowded and says if nothing else: CITY. Its one of the few parts of the city that doesn't quite belong to anyone - rich, poor, middle class, gay, straight, white, brown, Asian, black on and on. Turning such a stretch into a sanitized, cobble-stoned, pedestrian zone for tourists would do nothing except finally join the Eaton Centre and Yorkville is bourgeois consumption heaven.
This will sound harsh, but if I were to personify Toronto, I'd say that for most of its life Toronto has been an unsophisticated adolescent with low self esteem and no sense of style, who doesn't work out, eat properly, or dress well and gets out of bed in the morning with disheveled hair and wrinkled, cheap clothes.
Our city has been such a depressing urban wasteland for so long and no one has really cared much until only very recently. Finally some major changes are now taking place. People are starting to care about things like beautiful architecture and good urban planning. The adolescent is starting to grow up and realize its own self worth.
I'm loathe to say it, but Toronto is unfortunately so architecturally backward that most home-bred architects simply are incapable of creating world class designs.
There's an absence of a strong, innovative design culture in this city to keep architects on their toes. That's why so many of our buildings and neighbourhoods range from the bland to the truly ugly.
We have a LONG, LONG way to go before we become a sophisticated, global city. In order to do so, we need to stop accepting mediocrity and start demanding excellence.
Cave Spot
www.cavespot.com
Toronto Real Estate Discussion Board
Centre on University, the inverted coil we call the Sears building on Jarvis, and the pigeon-net-infested U of T student family rez and that building on the NW corner of Yonge & Charles need to be razed STAT. :)
While we're on the topic of that 'hood, it will be interesting to see how Crystal Blu and the Uptown Residences are going to end up, considering the coziness of their real estate, i.e. right on top of each other.
English architect Will Alsop recently hit a nerve when he referred to Toronto as "an incredibly ugly city." But it's TRUE, no matter what we try to tell ourselves. Let's just face the reality: we live in an INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY ugly city and it's not going to change since our politicians keep allowing our remaining open spaces to be built up with buildings that can only be described as cheap, ugly, boring and bland. And these ugly buildings are surrounded by more ugliness in the form of endless concrete. We don't design public parks or gardens in the city - we have parking lots instead. We don't plant trees or shrubs along sidewalks.
Torontonians don't seem to have any concept of the importance of beauty. Perhaps it should be compulsory for architects trained in Toronto to study and work in really great cities with really great architecture and urban design, because our Toronto-bred architects seem to be incapable of building great buildings or designing beautiful public spaces. The directors of the opera house were most proud of the fact that they came in under budget!! Great. They came in under budget and we have an opera house that looks like a convention centre from the outside!
When are we going to make beautiful architecture and urban design a priority for our city??? Let's get some public discussions going on this topic, more articles in the newspapers, more debates in the press. Something has to change if we are to be proud of our city.
The design of this building is another example of a wasted opportunity in Toronto. Thankfully we will get rid of the disgusting buildings that currently stand on our city's most important intersection, but the design of this building is second rate, conventional and really boring!! Once again we are going to settle for mediocrity instead of aiming for greatness! We Torontonians love mediocrity it seems. We aspire to mediocrity, although we often fall short of even mediocrity.
English architect Will Alsop recently hit a nerve when he referred to Toronto as "an incredibly ugly city." But it's TRUE, no matter what we try to tell ourselves. Let's just face the reality: we live in an INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY ugly city and it's not going to change since our politicians keep allowing our remaining open spaces to be built up with buildings that can only be described as cheap, ugly, boring and bland. And these ugly buildings are surrounded by more ugliness in the form of endless concrete. We don't design public parks or gardens in the city - we have parking lots instead. We don't plant trees or shrubs along sidewalks.
Torontonians don't seem to have any concept of the importance of beauty. Perhaps it should be compulsory for architects trained in Toronto to study and work in really great cities with really great architecture and urban design, because our Toronto-bred architects seem to be incapable of building great buildings or designing beautiful public spaces. The directors of the opera house were most proud of the fact that they came in under budget!! Great. They came in under budget and we have an opera house that looks like a convention centre from the outside!
When are we going to make beautiful architecture and urban design a priority for our city??? Let's get some public discussions going on this topic, more articles in the newspapers, more debates in the press. Something has to change if we are to be proud of our city.
And Will Alsop is (unfortunately) correct.
The design of this building is another example of a wasted opportunity in Toronto. Thankfully we will get rid of the disgusting buildings that currently stand on our city's most important intersection, but the design of this building is second rate, conventional and really boring!! Once again we are going to settle for mediocrity instead of aiming for greatness! We Torontonians love mediocrity it seems. We aspire to mediocrity, although we often fall short of even mediocrity.
English architect Will Alsop recently hit a nerve when he referred to Toronto as "an incredibly ugly city." But it's TRUE, no matter what we try to tell ourselves. Let's just face the reality: we live in an INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY ugly city and it's not going to change since our politicians keep allowing our remaining open spaces to be built up with buildings that can only be described as cheap, ugly, boring and bland. And these ugly buildings are surrounded by more ugliness in the form of endless concrete. We don't design public parks or gardens in the city - we have parking lots instead. We don't plant trees or shrubs along sidewalks.
Torontonians don't seem to have any concept of the importance of beauty. Perhaps it should be compulsory for architects trained in Toronto to study and work in really great cities with really great architecture and urban design, because our Toronto-bred architects seem to be incapable of building great buildings or designing beautiful public spaces. The directors of the opera house were most proud of the fact that they came in under budget!! Great. They came in under budget and we have an opera house that looks like a convention centre from the outside!
When are we going to make beautiful architecture and urban design a priority for our city??? Let's get some public discussions going on this topic, more articles in the newspapers, more debates in the press. Something has to change if we are to be proud of our city.
And Will Alsop is (unfortunately) correct.
This intersection deserves a building which is unique, breathtaking and beautiful. It should be a symbol and an icon of our city. It should be a building that is featured in travel books, architectural magazines and articles on Toronto.
It's not too late to fight for this standard of excellence. We simply cannot afford to allow another mediocre building to be built -- especially at this important intersection.
While Varacalli's design would probably be received with great enthusiasm in the cities of Kazakhstan where almost of Bazis's projects are based, it is simply not up to the standard of world class cities!! And Toronto does aspire to be a world-class city!
So let's see some world-class thinking by our politicians, journalists and the architectural community. Let's not settle for another mediocre building. This is a chance for greatness. A city like Paris, London or New York would never allow something this second rate to be built in a landmark location. Neither should we! Let's not settle again!!!
Torontonians don't strive for greatness. Our small town mentality embraces the average and mediocre.
The reaction to this proposed tower from our politicians seems to be one of relief that something -- ANYTHING -- will be built here. It is depressing that our aspirations are so low.
I have returned to live in Toronto after 7 years in New York and 4 years in Paris and am just appalled by how ugly this city is. Yes, there are some new buildings that are great (ie U of T's Pharmacy building, ROM) but the Opera House and the AGO's facelift are both disappointing. Frank Ghery was born in Toronto and grew up in the AGO neighbourhood. He should have designed something mind-blowing. The AGO redesign looks like something he sketched on the back of a scrap piece of paper.
Will Alsop is absolutely right. Toronto is UGLY. We need to accept this reality and make some radical changes if we are to build a great city for the future.
I have to wonder if Torontonians are aware of how beautiful European cities are? Or even other Canadian cities like Vancouver and Montreal or American cities like New York or Boston? We too could have a great city. But we have to educate ourselves and raise our standards.
It's depressing to walk around this city and view street after street of incredibly ugly buildings, ugly streets, neglected gardens and concrete everywhere.
I agree with the others above that we cannot waste any more opportunities. We are running out of prime real estate in the city. This is our city. We should demand excellence.
Our politicians have to be responsible and if they aren't, we need to vote them out of power and elect people who care about making Toronto really impressive city.
The design of this building in Toronto's core is DULL and CONVENTIONAL. Ho hum. Boring. What a wasted opportunity!!
I've lived in Manhattan, London and currently live in Tokyo. These cities aspire to greatness and their architecture and artistic endeavors reflect that.
Toronto is content with mediocrity. Mediocrity is safe. Mediocrity is easy. Mediocrity doesn't require too much effort. Torontonians are not even aware of how far they lag behind other cities.
I hope this isn't the final design for this building. The people of Toronto shouldn't compromise or settle for sub-standard things any longer.
Wake up Toronto and look at what other cities in the world are doing. You are far, far behind and you will never become a world class city with this outlook and with these ill-conceived, half-hearted, small-minded projects.
I agree with the people above who said that this corner deserves a mind-blowing, gorgeous building -- something that tourists will seek out and residents will be proud of.
This is mediocre design. And I am tired of seeing mediocre design EVERYWHERE in this city.
We are aspiring to be a world class city aren't we? Well, if we are, then let's raise our standards and start thinking like a world class city.
There will be no symmetry at this intersection. It will look lopsided. You'll look up and -- wow -- suddenly there will be a really tall building sprouting out of this intersection without any context.
It would be great to get rid of the Stollery's on the south west side and have a well thought-out design with two buildings interplaying at the intersection.
There are two luxury condo buildings currently going up in New York's Upper West Side (100 and Broadway) that are a fantastic example of how very tall buildings can fit into a street with low level buildings and really work.
Since they are right across the street from each other, they provide balance, symmetry and incredible design and are really awesome to behold.
Or look at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle in Manhattan for an idea of a perfectly well thought out design for a luxury shopping center and skyscrapers. It is absolutely stunning.
But hey, I know, most buildings and neighborhoods in Toronto are built without thinking too much about context or the surrounding neighborhood.
Mayor David Miller
Architecture and Urban Design Awards, May 16, 2005
-----
This is what David Miller said in 2005.
In June 2006 City Council directed City Planning to establish the Design Review Panel Pilot Project for a test period in pilot areas in each District of the City.
The purpose of this new initiative is to improve the design quality of the public realm which is an expressed goal of the Official Plan and City Council's Beautiful City Initiative. The Pilot Project is tailored to Toronto and builds on the successes of other Canadian and international cities with Design Review Panels.
SO........WHERE IS THIS DESIGN REVIEW PANEL WITH RESPECT TO 1 BLOOR STREET EAST????
WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE ANOTHER BORING MONSTROSITY BUILT -- ESPECIALLY AT THIS VERY IMPORTANT INTERSECTION!!!!!!!
PLEASE EMAIL KYLE RAE AND DAVID MILLER ABOUT THIS MATTER. NOTHING WILL CHANGE IN THIS CITY IF THE CITIZENS OF TORONTO DON'T DEMAND HIGHER STANDARDS.
Why the hell does this city keep allowing cheap and tacky buildings to be built?? I'm getting really discouraged that Toronto is never going to be a beautiful city with all the mediocre junk being built everywhere. I agree that we simply cannot allow any more third rate buildings to go up. They are destroying our city and our politicians are letting it happen. There needs to be way more public pressure and media attention for higher standards in architecture and urban design in Toronto. Haven't we had enough already?
We are destroying our city and any potential for it to become a beautify city by allowing so many ugly, cheap, crappy buildings to be built everywhere.
We cannot afford to allow another mediocre building to be built. Especially not here!!
This corner demands a building which is extraordinary and breathtaking. We deserve excellence. Let's not settle for anything less again please!
1. I'm not accustomed to the high end life style (yuppy)
2. Even if I could get adjusted I'm not comfortable with the $1,000 + a foot its going to cost by 2011
I am curious as to what Bazis International wants per square foot for these condominiums. I've been trying to guess a range, but this building is very unique. If I look South East, the prices are around $400 - 500 ft, North West $800+... I wonder where this is going to come in at any educated guesses?
About the building, it's a nice, I think it would look pretty good on the corner... but I think any more high rise development above 20 storeys in the immediate would really kill off the street life in the area.
High rises have their place but you need an icon (even something like 100-120 storeys) surrounded by low to medium sized buildings just to give it a proper scale.
That's the problem with Toronto right now... everything's going up at 40-60 storeys and pretty soon you'll have a forest of almost identical buildings dotting the landscape.
The other problem is the streets... how boring can you make this city? You've got old crumbling sidewalks and roads, and wherever you look downtown there's some bland looking storefront, coffee shop, or parking lot. barely anything else. Where are the parks? Where are the tree lined streets? Where is the little bit of nature everyone needs? For every development going up the developer should have to put up about 20-40% of public space either as part of the site or adjacent or within 50-100m of the building site.
This city is amazing when you compare it to many large cities in the world, but the guys running it have no sense of urban planning... you don't need a lot money to build a great city, just good planning, high standards and a bit of backbone when it comes to dealing with stingy developers.
About the building, it's a nice, I think it would look pretty good on the corner... but I think any more high rise development above 20 storeys in the immediate would really kill off the street life in the area.
High rises have their place but you need an icon (even something like 100-120 storeys) surrounded by low to medium sized buildings just to give it a proper scale.
That's the problem with Toronto right now... everything's going up at 40-60 storeys and pretty soon you'll have a forest of almost identical buildings dotting the landscape.
The other problem is the streets... how boring can you make this city? You've got old crumbling sidewalks and roads, and wherever you look downtown there's some bland looking storefront, coffee shop, or parking lot. barely anything else. Where are the parks? Where are the tree lined streets? Where is the little bit of nature everyone needs? For every development going up the developer should have to put up about 20-40% of public space either as part of the site or adjacent or within 50-100m of the building site.
This city is amazing when you compare it to many large cities in the world, but the guys running it have no sense of urban planning... you don't need a lot money to build a great city, just good planning, high standards and a bit of backbone when it comes to dealing with stingy developers.
Also the buildings in the background.
By the way, the design is typical of the simplist and cheapest attempts at being elegant in Dubai. I shwoosh here, and a curve there. Nothing well crafted to be honest.
I have worked in British firm cranking out that sort of stuff for the mid-East and believe me they put very little thought into the design.
Kazakhstan and for that matter pan-turkic developers are in a boom at the moment and model themselves on the tacky slap happy gulf style as they are searching for a rapid economical explosion.
Why can't any local Toronto firms better this design? Sad how Toronto feels it needs foreign architects to lend it credibility, while local architects crank out boring safe designs.
Other than that....it's pretty I guess, just not my taste.