Breathtaking landmark to replace Toronto's abandoned planetarium
A truly stunning architectural statement, years in the making, is coming to the University of Toronto — though it will come at the cost of a nostalgic landmark.
U of T announced in late June that it will be moving forward with a redesigned plan for its 90 Queen's Park Crescent, reintroducing the project with a totally reimagined plan after six years of behind-the-scenes planning.
The impressive new building, designed by the New York-based architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, working in collaboration with local firm Architects Alliance, will rise six storeys from the site of Toronto's shuttered McLaughlin Planetarium, which opened in 1968 and was closed unceremoniously in 1995.
After 30 years of sitting idle, the planetarium's days are numbered, though while this beloved institution would finally bite the dust to make way for change, the University of Toronto's new project would add an impressive new landmark in place of the mothballed attraction.
A jaw-dropping building was first proposed for the site in 2019, and after years of consultations with the City and community, plans have been revised from an eight-storey building to the currently planned six-storey structure — roughly 60 per cent the size of what was initially envisioned six years earlier.
Among the most notable changes, the revisions will preserve a larger portion of Falconer Hall's west wing, addressing heritage concerns raised over the initial proposal.
The faceted edifice will eventually be home to primary tenant, the U of T's School of Cities, alongside spaces for the institution's Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Music. Dovetailing with the latter, the revised plan incorporates what U of T describes as a "world-class" recital hall.
Other elements of the project will cater to students, faculty, and the public. A few highlights include a café and accessible pedestrian connections between Falconer Hall and the nearby Edward Johnson Building, home to the U of T's Faculty of Music.
"This reimagined project at 90 Queen's Park is a carefully considered response to the changing needs of our academic community," said Scott Mabury, U of T's vice-president of operations and real estate partnerships.
"It reflects our commitment to building spaces that not only support world-class research and teaching but also foster meaningful engagement with the city around us.
Early preparatory work for the building is scheduled to begin this month ahead of the new landmark's construction.
University of Toronto
