Tag Archives: Rudy Wallman

300 Front Street West condo construction passes 45 storeys on way to 49th-floor topping-off

300 Front Street West

September 18 2008: The northwest corner of Front and John Streets used to be a parking lot just steps away from the CBC Canadian Broadcasting Centre at 250 Front Street West (right), the Metro Hall Civic Centre at 55 John Street (right rear), and the Rosemont Residences at 50 John Street (center rear) …

 

 

300 Front Street West

… as seen in this view from the CN Tower on September 22 2008

 

 300 Front Street West

But during 2010 and early 2011 Tridel excavated the site …

 

 

300 Front Street West

… and began building the foundation and underground levels …

 

 

300 Front West

… for its 300 Front Street West condo complex, depicted in this artistic night view rendering by Rudy Wallman of Toronto’s Wallman Architects.

 

 

 

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Tridel previews trimmed Ten York condo tower as redesigned project goes to TEYCC for approval

Tridel Ten York condo tower

Making a strong point: The prow-shaped podium for the proposed Ten York condo tower will add tremendous visual interest and excitement for eastbound drivers emerging onto Harbour Street from the dark Lake Shore Blvd corridor beneath the Gardiner Expressway. This artistic rendering, provided courtesy of Tridel, depicts a view of the podium from its western point.

 

Tridel Ten York condo tower

This illustration, featured in current Tridel marketing promotions, depicts the dramatic impression the 65-storey, flatiron-shaped Ten York condo tower (center) would make on the Toronto skyline. Ten York was designed by Toronto’s Wallman Architects. Click on the image to view the illustration in a larger format.

 

Back in the spotlight: It was one year ago this month (November 22 2011, to be precise) that the announcement of plans to build Ten York, a 75-storey condo tower near the foot of York Street, became the talk of the town — and the focus of news headlines and discussion right across the country. Ten York remained a popular conversation topic for weeks afterward, with people continuing to comment as much on its soaring floor count as its unlikely location — a triangular site tightly wedged between three of downtown’s busiest traffic arteries, the Gardiner Expressway, Lake Shore Boulevard and Harbour Street. Ten York even dominated cocktail chat at holiday parties and get-togethers I attended throughout the holiday season  (asking the question: “Who would want to live so close to the Gardiner and Lake Shore?” always sparked a lively debate).

 

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Pit stop: The Yorkville Condominiums tower site

The Yorkville condo

August 30 2012:  North view across the excavation for The Yorkville Condominiums, a 31-storey tower being built at the NW corner of Davenport Road and McMurrich Street …

 

The Yorkville condo tower site

… seen here November 1 2010 when construction was just approaching the halfway mark on The Florian condo tower next door. This also was more than a year before low-rise buildings and trees were destroyed for pre-construction site preparation.

 

One up, one to go: Excavation work is in full swing for the second of two condo towers that will completely transform the look and feel of the curved north side of Davenport Road between Bay and McMurrich Streets in Yorkville.

As work on The Florian condos draws close to completion, crews are still digging out the adjacent site to the east where The Yorkville Condominiums, a 31-storey tower, will rise during the next two to three years. Several low-rise buildings once occupied the corner property, including the former offices of Moriyama and Teshima Architects.

 

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Cladding & glass on new condo/loft complex brings shades of grey to Front Street West

300 Front Street West Toronto

July 27 2012: A view from the west of construction progress on the Three Hundred Front Street West condo tower being built by Tridel at Front & John Streets

 

300 Front Street West Toronto

July 27 2012: Charcoal grey and silver cladding is being installed on the southwest corner of what ultimately will be a 49-storey condo tower …

 

300 Front Street West Toronto

… with an attached 15-storey loft building …

 

300 Front Street West Toronto

… both of which are seen here from the south side of Front Street last Friday

 

Nearly halfway there: The exterior colour of a condominium tower currently under construction on Front Street West shares two things in common with one of the year’s most popular novels. Not only do shades of grey figure prominently with the building’s cladding and the book’s title, but both have been selling exceptionally well also.

Three Hundred Front Street West, a project of Toronto’s Tridel group of real estate development and management companies, is an L-shaped condo-loft complex being built at the northwest corner of Front and John Streets, just north of the CN Tower. The condo tower will soar 49 storeys above the street, while the loft section of the building will rise just 15 floors.  As of last week, the tower was approaching the halfway mark, while work on the midrise loft wing had reached the 12th level.

 

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Public meeting Tuesday for Ten York condo plan

 

illustrations of proposed Ten York condo tower Toronto

Images from developer Tridel’s website show the 75-storey Ten York condo tower that has been proposed for a former parking lot site wedged between Lake Shore Boulevard, the Gardiner Expressway, Harbour Street & York Street

 

Tight squeeze: A community consultation Tuesday evening will let members of the public tell city planners what they think of Ten York, the proposed 75-storey condo tower that made national headlines when the project was unveiled late last fall.

The public session starts with a 6.30 p.m. open house followed by a meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at the PawsWay Toronto Centre at 245 Queen’s Quay West.

Typical community consultations include a brief presentation during which a representative for a developer (often, the building architect) describes highlights of a highrise condo proposal and shows slides illustrating the shadow impacts the tower is expected to have on its neighbourhood. That’s usually followed by a comment, question and answer period chaired by the city planner in charge of the file. City planners consider community input when making final recommendations on actions Toronto City Council should take with respect to planning applications.

 

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Neighbourhood Watch: Condo construction activity in downtown’s King & Bathurst area (Part 1)

Six50 King West condos Toronto

 July 17 2011: The 9-storey King Street facade of Six50 King West

 

Good fits?: They’re not skyscrapers, but the collection of low- and midrise condo buildings under construction on Adelaide, King and Wellington Streets, between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street, are significantly transforming the vibrant west downtown neighbourhood nonetheless. Rising above, between and behind the old brick warehouse buildings that are characteristic of the area, they’re adding contemporary style, colour and flair — along with expensive “to die for” designer penthouses — to the once-gritty and now hot & trendy district.

I manage to visit what some call the “Central King West” area about once or twice a season. I still enjoy its general look and and atmosphere, and find it’s still a comfortable area to walk around. Although some of the new buildings do appear to loom rather large next to their neighbours, they don’t seem overwhelming or out of scale for the streets. So far, at least, the area hasn’t developed the sterile and impersonal “condo canyon” feel or annoying wind tunnel conditions of Bay Street and other downtown streets that keep sprouting skyscrapers. But since some of the projects are only in early stages of construction (three are still below grade, while one is just beginning to break ground), and just as many more are in the development pipeline, it’s possible my impressions of the neighbourhood could change significantly  in several years’ time. Until then, I’m sure I’ll find it interesting to keep tracking the progress with each changing season. Below are photos I’ve taken recently of several different condo projects. Photos of additional neighbourhood projects will appear in Part 2.

 

Lofts 399 at 399 Adelaide Street West

 

A project of Cresford Developments, Lofts 399 is being built on the south side of Adelaide Street between the two Quad Lofts condos, and will sit back-to-back to the new Victory Condos on King West. My February 20 2011 post has several photos showing earlier construction progress at Lofts 399 and its proximity to the other condos.

 

artistic rendering of Lofts399 condos

From the Lofts 399 project website, an artistic rendering of how the 10-storey, 173-unit building will look when viewed from Adelaide Street.

 

Lofts 399 condo construction

July 17 2011: Looking from west to east across the Lofts 399 site

 

Lofts 399 condos on Adelaide Street West

July 17 2011: The Lofts 399 foundation begins to take shape

 

Lofts 399 condos on Adelaide Street West

July 17 2011: Looking along the south wall of the Lofts 399 site

 

Lofts 399 condos on Adelaide Street West

July 17 2011: A closer view of the bottom underground level. Lofts 399 will have four floors of below-grade parking.

 

Lofts 399 condos on Adelaide Street West

July 17 2011: Looking across the site toward Adelaide Street West

 

 Victory Condominiums on King

 

This project by BLVD Developments is approaching completion on the north side of King Street just west of Spadina Avenue. Designed by Rudy Wallman of Toronto’s Wallman Architects, the L-shaped building is 12 storeys tall and has 175 units. My March 13 2011 post and my January 15 2011 post both include photos of Victory during earlier stages of construction.

 

Victory Condos on King Street West Toronto

From the Lifetime Developments website, an artistic rendering of the Victory Condominiums on King West building designed by Toronto architect Rudy Wallman

 

Victory Condos on King West  Toronto

July 17 2011 : A street-level view of Victory Condos on King West

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011: The south side of Victory Condos, viewed from across King Street

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011:  Balconies, windows and brickwork on the south facade

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011: Victory viewed from the southwest on King Street

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011: Victory Condos offers six penthouse suites. The smallest is an 800-square-foot 2-bedroom unit with 80-square-foot balcony; it was priced at $706,900. The largest is a 2,545-square-foot residence with a 530-square-foot balcony. It carried the eye-popping pricetag of $2,219,900.

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011: Victory rises behind the brick building at 500 King Street West

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011: Victory viewed from the intersection of King & Brant Streets

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011:  Another view of Victory from Brant & King

 

Victory Condos on King West Toronto

July 17 2011: The upper four floors of south-facing balconies

 

 Fashion House Condos on King West

 

One of several Freed Developments projects in the popular Central King West neighbourhood, Fashion House Condos was designed by Toronto’s Core Architects Inc. Its red colour accents and striking design are definitely going to make a bold architectural fashion statement on the street.  As described on the project website: “a stunning 12-storey glass and steel staircase tower, the intricate platform design sets the stage for large terraces and balconies, while the glass showcases the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.” The 334-unit building is 85% sold. Photos of earlier construction progress at Fashion House can be seen in my April 2 2011 post and in my January 24 2011 post.

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

From the Fashion House Condos website, an artistic rendering of how the building will look when viewed from the south side of King Street

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: King Street view of excavation progress at the Fashion House site

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: Looking down on the southeast corner of the construction site

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: Looking northwest across the construction site

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: Excavation progress viewed from Morrison Street to the northeast

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: Overlooking the excavation from the northeast corner of the site

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: Morrison Street view toward the south side of the excavation

 

Fashion House Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: A construction worker takes a rest on a woodpile in the pit

 

Six50 King West Condominiums at King & Bathurst

 

Another successful (80% sold) project by Freed Developments, Six50 King West is a 236-unit two-building complex with frontage on both King Street and Bathurst Street. The Bathurst wing will be the tallest, rising 15 floors, while the King section will have nine storeys. Like Fashion House, Six50 was designed by Core Architects Inc. Photos of earlier stages of construction can be viewed in my March 30 2011 post and in my January 20 2011 post.

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

From the Six50 King West condo project website, an artistic rendering of the two-building complex that will front on both Bathurst (left) and King Streets (right)

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

 July 17 2011: Street-level view of the King side of the two-building complex

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: The glass-fronted upper floors of the King Street building

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: Northeast view of the building during streetcar track replacement work on King Street West

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: Northeasterly view of the upper levels of the King Street wing

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 20 2011:  Bathurst Street view of construction progress on the west wing

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: West sides of the complex viewed from Bathurst Street

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: The west wing will rise 15 storeys above Bathurst Street

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: Adelaide Street view of the north and east sides of Six50 King West

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 17 2011: Balconies on the northeast side of the Six50 King complex

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: Another view of balconies on the east side of the condo complex

 

Six50 King West Condos Toronto

July 20 2011: Balconies and windows at the northeast corner of the building

 

 Thompson Residences on King Street West

 

Freed strikes condo gold — again. Thompson Residences is yet another Freed Developments project on the Central King West strip, just a stone’s throw from its hip Thompson Hotel & condo complex that opened at 550 Wellington Street West in 2010  (and scored a coveted spot on Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Hot List Hotels 2011). According to the project website, Thompson Residences will offer “hotel inspired living” in 314 luxury condos, lofts and penthouses “loaded with the amenities and services of a top-tier hotel” — along with access to the Thompson Hotel on the other side of Stewart Street to the south. As such, it will be the polar opposite to the former motor hotel that once occupied the site at 621 King Street West.

For this project, Freed chose Saucier + Perrotte Architectes of Montreal, whose design for the 12-storey Residences (actually, two separate buildings situated parallel to each other) is described at length in a February 18 2010 Globe and Mail column by John Bentley Mays. But Freed had to battle the City for approval to build as high as it planned. City zoning permitted a maximum height of 20 meters for the site, but the Thompson Residences buildings will stand 36 and 40 meters tall, respectively. The height dispute wound up at the Ontario Municipal Board, which sided with Freed, and now the project is proceeding.  (A short online story in the Toronto Star described the dispute and its outcome, as did a more extensive February 25 2011 Globe and Mail article available to online subscribers.)

Below are several photos showing the Thompson Residences site while the property was occupied by the condo project sales centre after the motel was demolished, and with recent pictures showing some preliminary site preparation and excavation activity.

 

Thompson Residences King Street West Toronto

From the Thompson Residences project website, an artistic rendering of the condominium, designed by Montreal’s Saucier + Perrotte Architectes

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

March 11 2010: The Thompson Residences site on King east of Bathurst Street. The Thompson Hotel complex at 550 Wellington Street stands at rear left.

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

November 23 2010: Sandwich board sign outside the showroom

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

January 14 2011: The Thompson Residences showroom reflects buildings on the north side of King Street in this view, looking east along King

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

January 14 2011: The old motel sign was re-purposed for the condo project

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

June 21 2011:  Looking west along King Street at the Thompson Residences site

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

June 21 2011: Preliminary site preparation work is underway

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

June 21 2011: An excavating machine digging at the west end of site

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

June 21 2011: Marketing signs on hoarding along the east end of the property

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

July 17 2011: Looking across King Street toward the Thompson Residences site

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

July 17 2011: Looking toward the west half of the construction site

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

July 17 2011: Excavation work continuing at the west end of the property

Thompson Residences Toronto

July 17 2011: Two excavation machines at work on the site

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

July 17 2011: The Thompson hotel and condo complex on Stewart Street is visible across the Thompson Residences site

 

Thompson Residences Toronto

July 17 2011: A mound of demolition rubble at the east end of the property

 

 

Contractors digging deep foundation for 49-storey Three Hundred Front Street West condo tower

300 Front Street West condo tower construction

March 29 2011: Excavation machines and equipment inside the deep pit at the Three Hundred Front Street West condo tower construction site

 

Three Hundred Front Street West condo

From the Tridel website, an artistic illustration of a southeast night view of the Three Hundred Front Street West condo building

 

Deep dig: An already huge hole in the ground is getting even bigger at the northwest corner of Front and John Streets, where Toronto developer Tridel is building its latest luxury condominium tower on the site of a former parking lot. Designed by Rudy Wallman of Toronto’s Wallman Architects, the L-shaped Three Hundred Front Street West will actually be two buildings in one. A 49-storey tower offering a variety of 1- and 2-bedroom condo suites plus spacious penthouse residences will rise from the west side of the property, while a connected 15-storey loft building will stand to the north. A grand two-storey lobby entrance will overlook a large landscaped garden gracing the southeast corner of Front & John.

Design-wise, Three Hundred Front Street West will bring a bit of Big Apple appeal to downtown Toronto. “I was inspired by the classic skyscrapers of the modern era to create a structure that is timeless and elegant,” Wallman explains in a video presentation on the Tridel website.  Three Hundred Front Street West, he adds, will be “a unique and elegant addition” to the neighbourhood, complementing the new Ritz-Carlton Toronto hotel and condo tower one block to the east, as well as the new Festival Tower and TIFF Bell Lightbox buildings two blocks north at John and King. Interior designer Alex Chapman of Chapman Design Group says Wallman has conceived a “Manhattan-style” tower that is “totally reminiscent of many of the famous complexes” in New York City. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to Manhattan yet, so I can’t draw any comparisons myself. But I do think that,  with its soaring height and its striking silver and charcoal grey glass exterior, Three Hundred Front Street West will become a landmark commanding attention both in its immediate area and on the city skyline. The neighbourhood is dominated by office and condo towers with similar green glass exteriors, so Three Hundred Front Street West’s unique silver and grey tower accents should provide a refreshing visual break from the rest as well as an attractive addition to the skyline.

Amenities-wise, Three Hundred Front Street West will be a contemporary condo offering the look and feel of an exclusive, upscale boutique hotel. The airy two-storey lobby off Front Street will be “a sophisticated urban arrival space” with a lounge atmosphere, Chapman says, while a 13,500-square-foot recreational center on the 15th floor will feature a “professional-level” exercise area. The rooftop of the loft wing will look like a chic “urban resort” with its infinity pool, sundecks, Roman fountain and barbecue. Interior recreational amenities will include a party room with south views, a private dining room with a catering-size kitchen and its own “cocktail balcony,” a poker room, billiards room and lounge. I’m jealous; with the exception of a ground-level swimming pool, all of the amenity areas in the downtown condo where I live are windowless basement spaces with all the sophistication of a recreation room from a 1970s-era suburban house.

Overall, I think Three Hundred Front Street West will significantly enhance the streetscape in one of the city’s most popular tourist areas, particularly since it will block many sightlines of the Windsor hydroelectric station on Wellington Street. And with plans in the works for John Street to get a major makeover in the next several years, Three Hundred Front Street West’s main entrance park will become a classy southern gateway to the Entertainment District’s main north-south street. The only downside to the development, that I can see, is the block full of ugly power transformers on its north flank. But since Wallman’s design means all of the loft suites face south, their residents will still enjoy good views and won’t get stuck overlooking electrical equipment.

Below are photos I’ve taken of recent construction activity at Three Hundred Front Street West, along with several artistic illustrations provided by Tridel that suggest how the tower, its street-level exterior, and its landscaped park will appear. Additional artistic illustrations of the building exterior, lobby and amenities, as well as floor plans and brief video presentations by Rudy Wallman and Alex Chapman, are available on the Three Hundred Front Street West website.

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

November 28 2010:  Signage on hoarding around the construction site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

November 23 2010: North-facing view of the 300 Front West site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

November 23 2010: A tall shoring machine at work on the condo excavation site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

November 23 2010: Northeast view of the condo construction site. The building with the red window frames is the CBC broadcasting headquarters on the southeast corner of Front & John Streets.

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

November 23 2011: Northeast view across the 300 Front Street West condo site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

January 14 2011: The ramp leading from Front Street into the excavation

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

January 14 2011: Some of the hydroelectrical equipment at the Windsor Station on the north side of the 300 Front Street West site. Thankfully, the condo will block views of the hydro station from most parts of Front and John Streets.

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

February 18 2011: A view of the crane recently installed on the site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011: Excavation machines inside the pit at 300 Front West

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011: Looking toward the northeast corner of the excavation

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011: Excavation machines at the bottom of the deep pit

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011: The supporting wall on the north side of the excavation

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011: Excavation activity at the eastern half of the site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011:  Considerable excavation work remains on the west side of the site

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011: Looking toward Front Street from the site’s NE corner

 

300 Front Street West condo tower

March 29 2011:  Slick white hoarding protects pedestrians on Front Street

 

Three Hundred Front Street West condo park

From the condo website, an illustration of the landscaped SE corner park

 

Three Hundred Front Street West condo lobby

Website illustration of the lobby exterior, viewed from the condo park

 

Three Hundred Front Street West condo

Website illustration of the Three Hundred Front West lobby exterior

 

Three Hundred Front Street West condo lobby

Website illustration of the Three Hundred Front Street West lobby interior

 

Three Hundred Front Street West condo lobby

Another illustration of the Three Hundred Front Street West lobby interior

 

 

Tableau turns the table on its condo competition

Tableau Condos

Tableau condos

Website renderings of Tableau condos, designed by Rudy Wallman


Great gams: With so many condo highrise projects either already on the market or being proposed for the Entertainment District, there’s a lot of competition for buyers.  How do developers and architects make sure their own projects have more appeal to potential purchasers than the others on sale just around the corner or down the block?

Offering trendy building amenities and features might help, but I find every new condo project seems to offer the same stuff: posh pilates and yoga studios, luxurious city-view lounges, rooftop terraces with bars and BBQs, multimedia entertainment rooms, and stunning entrance lobbies conceived by top international interior designers. For me, it gets difficult distinguishing between them all:  Which condo has the sky club? The infinity pool on the rooftop skyline terrace? The party lounge with the DJ recording studio?

 

9-legged base will make condo tower stand out

Maybe the key is a memorable building design — something unique and markedly different from the typical  glass and steel box towers that keep popping up everywhere else. Something that will catch someone’s eye because it’s unusual and unforgettable. That’s what works for me, and it’s what I think will make Tableau condos at Richmond & Peter Streets a huge sales success. With an attention-grabbing design by Rudy Wallman of Toronto’s Wallman Architects, Tableau literally stands out in the Entertainment District and definitely gets a leg up on its nearby competition. Nine legs, actually. Nine long, slender, in-your-face legs that will be noticed by everyone who walks or drives through the neighbourhood.

Tableau is a 36-storey, 410-suite mixed-use condo tower planned for the southeast corner of Richmond and Peter, on the block where Richmond turns a bend as it continues west to Spadina Avenue. In what the Tableau website describes as the building’s “signature” architectural element, the condo residences will sit on a “structural table” built strategically above the four-storey warehouse building presently situated on the site. “The front of this building is being reinterpreted and reconstructed and will accommodate the commercial office space, ground floor lobby and retail. The table structure also creates a large, four-storey colonnaded public plaza on Richmond Street.”

 

Will Tableau look better than the artistic illustrations?

I have absolutely no doubt that the colonnade will command attention from passersby. I used to work just around the corner from the Tableau site, and still can’t even imagine just how a tower on a giant table is going to look and feel in that location. The words “shock and awe” come to mind, but not in a bad way. I’m just hoping the finished product will look better — much, much better — than the artistic renderings. Sometimes when I view the drawings I think the building looks striking, and will be even more impressive and perhaps even breathtaking to see in person. It has nuances of X Condos on Jarvis, and the TD Centre towers, all of which I really like. Other times, the Tableau base reminds me of the $7.99 Lack table advertised on the back cover of the 2011 IKEA catalogue (though Lack has fewer legs, of course). From my experience, most of IKEA’s products look great in the catalogue, but appear tacky and cheap when you inspect them in-store. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that this won’t be the case with Tableau’s table.

(Speaking of X Condos: it will share something in common with Tableau. “Nova,” the sculpture that will be incorporated into the Tableau colonnade,  is the work of Kingston, Ont. artist Shayne Dark, who created the “Double Vision” sculpture standing outside X. I’ve included a pic of it, below.)

Here are some more renderings from the Tableau website, along with photos I’ve taken recently of the Tableau location.

 

Tableau condos

Website rendering of the Tableau colonnade along Richmond Street


Tableau condos

Another depiction of Tableau’s four-storey colonnade


Tableau condos

Artistic impression of Tableau frontage along Peter Street


Tableau condosX Condos

Kingston, Ont. artist Shayne Dark’s sculpture “Nova” will grace the streetscape at Tableau, left. Dark also created the “Double Vision” sculpture at X Condos, right.


Tableau Condos

Tableau condos location seen on Nov. 29 2010


Tableau condos

Tableau condos sign on the warehouse building where the condo tower will eventually rise


Tableau condos

Peter Street view of the warehouse on the Tableau condos site


Tableau condos

Another view of the warehouse site where Tableau will rise


Tableau condos

Peter street facade viewed November 29 2010


Richmond Street West at Peter Street

View of the Richmond Street block which the Tableau tower will dominate


southeast corner of Richmond & Peter Streets

The southeast corner of Richmond & Peter Street where Tableau will rise


Tableau condos

The southeast corner of Richmond & Peter Street


Tableau condos location

Another view of Tableau’s location on the wedge-shaped corner lot


Tableau condos

Original zoning sign (seen here Nov. 29 2010) called for a 29-storey building with condos and a hotel, plus street level restaurants and retail.


Tableau condos

New proposal sign (seen here Feb. 3 2011 on Richmond Street) drops reference to a hotel and calls for a taller tower with condos plus retail and office space.


BLVD Developments ready to declare Victory in condominium building battle on King Street West

Victory condo construction progress on January 14 2011


Building exterior nearly done: Window, brickwork and balcony installations are giving the exterior of Victory Condos on King Street West a more finished look this week.

The L-shaped, 12-storey building is a project of BLVD Developments. It will feature 175 units, including penthouses with large terraces, 2,500 square feet of retail space on its ground level, and another 3.500 of retail shops accessed by a landscaped walkway at the west side of the property.

The building was designed by Rudy Wallman of Toronto’s Wallman Architects.

Below is a series of photos showing construction progress at Victory Condos. There are three shots showing the condo location in 2008 before construction commenced, a picture taken from the CN Tower in November, and several pics from just this past week.

 

Lumiere condo tower awaits finishing touches

Lumiere Condominiums on Bay viewed January 5 2011


Close to completion: I always find it exciting to walk past a building that has been under construction for several years and suddenly discover that construction hoarding and security fencing have been removed. It’s great to finally get an unobstructed view of the ground level, and to physically feel how the new building relates to and impacts upon the streetscape.

My most recent “big reveal” experience was in early November when I saw that hoarding had been dismantled from the streetfront at the Lumiere condo tower on Bay Street below College. All that remained was a security fence keeping pedestrians away from crews installing new sidewalks out front on Bay.

Lumiere is looking mighty good! I think it’s a nice addition to the block, and it feels like it’s always been there (actually, I can’t even remember what was there before. A parking lot perhaps?)

Lumiere needs a few finishing touches, though. Exterior cladding still hasn’t been installed on the west side of the three-level podium, while the canopy roof awaits some final cosmetic work, too. But plastic balcony panel wraps that had been flapping in the wind for months were removed in December, giving the Bay Street side of the building a sleek, clean look.

A Menkes highrise building project, Lumiere was designed by Toronto architect Rudy Wallman.

 

 

Lumiere Condos

Developer’s website rendering of Lumiere condo tower on Bay below College


Lumiere Condos

November 9, 2010 street view of Lumiere Condos


Lumiere Condos

November 9, 2010 street view of Lumiere Condos


Lumiere Condos

January 8, 2011 street view of Lumiere Condos


Lumiere Condos

January 8, 2011 street view of Lumiere Condos


Lumiere Condos

January 2011 view of Lumiere condos rooftop canopy


Lumiere Condos

November 2010 view of Bay Street side of Lumiere Condos


Lumiere condos

November 2010 view of Lumiere Condos rooftop canopy


Lumiere Condos

November 2010 view of Lumiere Condos balconies above Bay Street


Lumiere Condos

Lumiere balconies unwrapped in time for Christmas


Lumiere Condos

Lumiere Condos viewed from Elizabeth Street


Lumiere Condos

Lumiere Condos viewed from Elizabeth Street


Lumiere Condos

North side of Lumiere Condos viewed from Grenville Street