King Toronto

Construction Begins for King Toronto

6/29/2020

An update ... compliment of Urban Toronto:
https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2020/06/construction-begins-starchitect-designed-landmark-king-west

0 Comments

King Toronto

10/8/2018

0 Comments

And it appears to have a name ... according to several realtors and UrbanToronto: King Toronto

0 Comments

It's a go!

9/22/2018

0 Comments

An agreement between the City and Westbank was reached at a recent LPAT pre-hearing ... the details are here.
And, compliments of a Globe and Mail article, here are some current renderings:

0 Comments

ABOUT THE 'UNZIPPED' EXHIBITION
Unzipped, an exhibition exploring the relationship of patron and architect, housed within the 2016 Serpentine Pavilion designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, sponsored by Westbank.
The Unzipped Exhibition, complimentary and open to the public from September 15th, will showcase the work of BIG, collaborations with Westbank, as well as other featured BIG global projects. The exhibition will also host an ongoing events programme including lectures, panels and other featured events related to Westbank’s commitment to building artistry, city-building and community engagement.
For any questions related to the exhibition, group bookings, and media requests, please contact us at hello@unzippedtoronto.com.
We invite you to follow our journal online at www.unzippedtoronto.com for special announcements and events, and follow our visual stories and more on Instagram @westbankcorp.com.
@WESTBANKCORP
#UNZIPPEDTORONTO
#CULTURECOMPANY
Please note: group tours, large group bookings, and photography shoot requests need to be coordinated and approved in advance to ensure an enjoyable guest experience for all. Please contact us at hello@unzippedtoronto.com for further details.

0 Comments

Curious about what is happening here?

7/18/2018

0 Comments

… on the south side of King Street between Brant and Portland?

To understand what is coming, here are links to explain:
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2018/07/serpentine-pavilion-coming-king-st-west-toronto
https://www.blogto.com/arts/2018/07/unzipped-bjarke-ingels-group-toronto/

To see what the finished product looks like, here are some pictures:
http://westbankcorp.com/exhibits/serpentine-pavilion

And if you are interested in the technology, here is a video:

0 Comments

Green Light to Proposal at TEYCC

7/18/2018

0 Comments

At the July 4th session of the Toronto and East York Community Council, City Planning basically gave a green light to this proposal ... with a few caveats:

Shadow impacts from the proposed structure be reduced beyond the north curb of King Street West, past 12:00 PM (noon) on Sept. 21st.
Confirmation that a clear 5.0 metre step-back be provided above the majority of the new base-building height along the King Street West frontage.
Confirmation of an agreement regarding the required easements and/or agreement(s) required on the adjacent property at 485 King Street West.
Replacement of 100 percent of the office space currently existing on-site, with a maximum of 20 percent of the total replacement office space that may be provided off-site.

Details are accessible here.
The TEYCC recommendations will be considered by City Council at its July 23rd session.

0 Comments

Yet more tweaking and ready for re-submission

11/21/2017

0 Comments

There have been significant changes with this development proposal, The most recent (October) documentation is available via the sidebar. Renderings are most impressive.
Reviews have been favourable and, as usual, urbantoronto.ca gave a good write-up in October. Then it followed up with this fascinating look at the bigger picture, specifically at the relationship between this property and the neighbouring public realm.

Copied from the renderings, left, a bird's eye view looking south west and, right, looking south on Brant Street.

0 Comments

A new reveal to local residents on December 13, 2016

12/22/2016

0 Comments

In April, local residents were treated to a bold and exciting vision for the south side of King Street West at the base of Brant Street. Renderings related to that presentation and subsequent application are visible via the sidebar.
As with other large scale projects, this one was then subjected to the City of Toronto Design Review Panel but did not receive rave reviews (read the report here).
In response to those reviews, the team of Allied, Westbank and BIG tweaked their vision, a preview of which they shared with local GDNA and WPNA (Wellington Place Neighbourhood Assocation) members on December 13th. We will post new renderings here when the plans have been made public but until then here are some key aspects from my notes:

there will be 4 peaks instead of 5
material will likely be brick or similar masonry (possibly of a red hue)
the heritage buildings will be be separated from the new structures in such a way as to make them more prominent
commercial (both retail and office) areas will occury the B1 level as well as 3 floors above grade
the courtyard will be reconfigured to lessen the appearance of being so long and narrow

The Design Review Panel is comprised of private sector design professionals – architects, landscape architects, urban designers and engineers – who provide independent, objective advice to city staff aimed at improving matters of design that affect the public realm. Advice is based on professional judgment, understanding of good design principles, conformance with the Official Plan and other related documents (design guidelines, secondary plans etc.), and the design quality of the subject project.

0 Comments

Updates on the proposal for 489-539 King Street West

8/4/2016

0 Comments

In April, UrbanToronto published much of the material presented at the public pre-application meeting:
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2016/04/bjarke-ingels-groups-king-street-vision-detailed-consultation

In May, the City posted supporting documentation related to this development via its Planning Application Information Centre: see sidebar.

In June, UrbanToronto wrote about the reaction of Toronto's Design Review Panel to this proposed development:
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2016/06/design-review-panel-digs-bigs-mountain-king-west. For minutes of that Design Review Panel meeting, take this link.

0 Comments