Category Archives: Toronto Reference Library

Airy and bright entrance cube welcomes visitors to freshly revitalized Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library

January 11 2012: The new entrance to the Toronto Reference Library, at the corner of Yonge Street and Asquith Avenue, opened in December …

 

Toronto Reference Library

… well over a year after construction of the3-storey glass and steel cube structure commenced. The entrance area is seen here on November 11 2010, several weeks after work started as part of a $34-million building revitalization project.

 

Toronto Reference Library

Entrance seen from west side of Yonge Street on January 11 2012 …

 

Toronto Reference Library

… and from Asquith Avenue on January 21 2012

 

Toronto Reference Library

The large rectangular windows on the north and west sides of the cube …

 

Toronto Reference Library

… ensure that the spacious entrance area is airy and bright …

 

Toronto Reference Library

… but some work remains to be completed on the interior

 

Toronto Reference Library

A crescent-shaped window brightens a reading room located at the library’s northwest corner, overlooking Yonge and Collier Streets

 

Toronto Reference Library

As of last week, however, the library’s sidewalk-level facade along Yonge Street was still under construction. Windows running the length of the building will eventually provide a visual connection between the interior and the street.

 

Doors open: They had to wait well over a year, but visitors can now enter the Toronto Reference Library in Yorkville through a bright and airy new entrance at the corner of Yonge Street and Asquith Avenue.

The 3-storey glass and steel entrance cube, designed by Toronto’s Moriyama & Teshima architects, opened for public use in December, though some finishing touches remain to be done on its interior.

As I reported in a January 27 2011 post, the new entrance was created as part of ambitious $34-million, 5-year revitalization project intended to create “a dynamic interface between the library and its community, connecting the library’s interior more directly to the street, and the public to the services inside.”

The spacious, sunny cube certainly achieves that goal, as does a curved row of windows that brightens a reading lounge situated at the northwest corner of the building, overlooking Yonge and Collier Streets.

As of last weekend, which was the last time I passed by the library, construction work still had not been completed on a stretch of new street-level windows along the building’s Yonge Street facade. Once they’re installed and the hoarding along the sidewalk has been removed, passersby should notice an immense improvement to the library’s look as well as the streetscape.

Designed by Raymond Moriyama, the reference library opened on November 2, 1977. The revitalization design is the work of Raymond’s son, Ajon.

Below is a photo from the library website, showing how the entrance looked prior to the commencement of the revitalization project. It’s followed by a Moriyama & Teshima rendering that shows the new cube entry and glass-walled facade next to the Yonge Street sidewalk.

 

Toronto Reference Library

This image from the Toronto Reference Library webpage shows how the building entrance looked before the new entrance cube was added

 

Toronto Reference Library

Architectural illustration by Moriyama & Teshima architects of the Toronto Reference Library building revitalization enhancements

 

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Neighbourhood Watch: Photos of Bloor-Yorkville area condos and construction activity (Part 1)

Crystal Blu condo tower and Uptown Residences Condo tower

April 30 2011: The Crystal Blu condo tower (left) and Uptown Residences Condo tower (right) soar skyward above Balmuto Street

 

High neighbours: As residents gradually move into the new 35-storey Crystal Blu condo tower at 21 Balmuto Street, buyers of luxury condos at The Uptown Residences anxiously await their own move-in dates. Exterior construction activity on the 48-floor Uptown Residences tower at 35 Balmuto has been finished for a few months, but finishing touches are underway and the front entrance is still being built. Information and photos of The Uptown Residences are provided in my March 2 2011 post about the project; below are several more pics I took of it and Crystal Blu last month.

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

April 7 2011: A work crew applies finishing touches halfway up the west side of The Uptown Residences condo tower

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

April 7 2011: A closer view of the workers on their swing stage

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

April 22 2011: The Uptown Residences front entrance at 35 Balmuto Street

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

April 22 2011: The Uptown Residences front entrance features a revolving door

 

Crystal Blu condo tower

April 22 2011: The Crystal Blu Condos front entrance isn’t 100% finished yet

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

April 30 2011: The Manulife Centre across the street reflects in The Uptown’s shiny black and grey granite podium…

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

…while a worker performs finishing touches on the lower southwest corner

 

The Uptown Residences condo tower

April 30 2011: A long look up the north side of The Uptown Residences

 

36 Hazelton luxury condo

April 23 2011: The 36Hazelton luxury condo project location and presentation centre opening this month at 36 Hazelton Avenue

Exclusive enclave: The presentation centre for 36Hazelton is being readied for an opening expected sometime this month. Only 18 residences will be available in the boutique condo development, which will rise seven storeys above the historic St Basil’s Catholic School at 36 Hazelton Avenue. Prices for the posh condominium suites, which will boast spacious outdoor terraces overlooking the quiet tree-lined street, range from $1.6 million to more than $10 million. See my March 26 2011 post for further information about 36Hazelton as well as numerous photos of the project site.

 

36 Hazelton luxury condo

April 23 2011: 36 Hazelton will incorporate the facade of the 83-year-old St Basil’s schoolhouse into the boutique condo building

 

The Florian Residences of Upper Yorkville condo tower

April 23 2011: Exterior brickwork and window installation on the east side of The Florian Residences of Upper Yorkville condo tower on Davenport Road

 

Florian facade fills out: Brickwork and window installation at The Florian Residences of Upper Yorkville continues to climb higher up the 25-storey condo tower. My February 12 2011 post describes The Florian project and includes numerous building photos, while my March 18 2011 post provides further construction pics. Below are several more photos from last month, along with a pic showing The Florian’s location before construction of the condo tower commenced.

 

The Florian  Residences of Upper Yorkville condo tower

April 23 2011: Another view of The Florian’s brick and glass exterior

 

The Florian Residences of Upper Yorkville condo tower

April 23 2011: A view of the western point of The Florian’s long curved podium along  Davenport Road (at the top of Bay Street)

 

The Florian Residences of Upper Yorkville condo tower location

August 14 2008: An Infinity car dealership and a Premier Fitness gym previously occupied the site where The Florian is presently under construction

 

Toronto Reference Library

April 23 2011: Toronto Reference Library new main entrance construction

Corner cube: The dramatic new entrance “cube” for the Toronto Reference Library is gradually taking form on the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Asquith Avenue. That, plus an expansion of the library’s Yonge Street facade, are among the highlights of a five-year, $34 million makeover scheduled for completion next year. Construction photos and an architectural rendering of what the library will look like post-renovation can be viewed in my January 27 2011 post; additional photos and another rendering are provided in my March 24 2011 update post. Below are several recent photos of a construction worker atop the giant steel frame for the cube.

 

Toronto Reference Library

April 23 2011: The steel frame for the library’s glass entrance cube

 

Toronto Reference Library

April 23 2011: A construction worker sits astride one of the steel beams

 

Toronto Reference Library

April 23 2011: The entrance cube will stand about three storeys tall

Toronto Reference Library

April 23 2011: The library’s website explains that the bold glass entrance is intended to encourage “a dynamic interface” between the library and the community, “connecting the interior more directly to the street.”

 

One Bloor condo tower

April 30 2011: A billboard advertising the One Bloor condo tower sales centre

 

Number One: I’m still waiting on tenterhooks, figuratively speaking, for shovels to hit the ground at the One Bloor condo tower site on the southeast corner of Yonge & Bloor. Since my January 10 2011 post, the project developer has opened a new sales centre for the much-anticipated condo skyscraper right next door to the building site, at 33 Bloor Street East. But I haven’t yet seen any preliminary construction activity on the property, which remains a rubble-strewn vacant lot. Below are some pics of it from earlier this week.

 

One Bloor condo tower location at Yonge & Bloor

April 30 2011: Colourful marketing banners adorn security fencing around the One Bloor condo tower location at Yonge & Bloor

 

One Bloor condo tower site

May 1 2011: The One Bloor Condo tower site, looking southwest toward the corner of Yonge and Hayden Streets

 

One Bloor condo tower site

May 1 2011: The One Bloor site viewed from the west entrance to the Xerox building at 33 Bloor Street East

 

One Bloor condo tower site

May 1 2011: Northwest view of the One Bloor condo tower site

 

 

Reference library’s new entrance taking shape

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

The frame for the Toronto Reference Library’s new entrance cube takes shape at the corner of Yonge St. and Asquith Ave. on March 24 2011

 

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

Steel frame installation for the library’s dramatic new glass cube entrance

 

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

Architectural rendering by Toronto’s Moriyama and Teshima shows how the new glass cube entrance and improvements to the building’sYonge Street facade will enhance the library’s look and streetscape presence.

 

Cube construction: External work on the Toronto Reference Library’s $34 million revitalization program has become a lot more noticeable now that the building’s new entrance is taking shape. Most of the renovation work has been hidden by hoarding for months, and progress on the library’s dramatic glass entrance cube at the corner of Yonge Street and Asquith Avenue seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace during the winter. But this week crews have been busy building the steel frame for the cube; today, Asquith was closed to vehicular traffic while a crane hoisted steel beams into place. More details about the renovations can be found in my January 17 post about the library’s renewal and expansion project. Below are photos from February and from this afternoon showing the ongoing renovation work on the Yonge Street side of the library building.

 

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

February 23 2011: No sign of progress yet on construction of the new entrance

Toronto reference library revitalization

February 23 2011: A three-storey glass cube entrance at this corner will be the star attraction of the library’s five-year renewal and expansion project

 

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

February 23 2011: Hoarding blocks views of street-level renovations to the facade, but work on the3rd-floor roof above Yonge Street is more apparent.

 

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

February 23 2011: Renovation activity is taking place along the full length of the narrow third-floor roof on the Reference Library’s Yonge Street facade

 

Toronto Reference Library revitalization

February 23 2011: Yorkville Avenue view of the Toronto Reference Library.

 

Toronto Reference Library entrance construction

March 24 2011: A crane lifts long steel bars being used to construct the frame for the three-storey entrance cube

 

Toronto Reference Library entrance construction

March 24 2011: The new glass entrance and windows along the Yonge Street facade will improve the building’s appearance as well as its relation to the streetscape

 

Toronto Reference Library entrance  construction

March 24 2011: Sections of the entrance cube’s frame are hoisted into place

 

Toronto Reference Library entrance construction

March 24 2011: The steel frames are lowered behind a rendering of the entrance


Will entrance cube, street-level windows and café improve facade for Toronto Reference Library?

Toronto Reference Library

A new three-storey glass entrance cube will welcome library visitors


One for the books: I love books, but I have never liked the 34-year-old Toronto Reference Library on Yonge north of Bloor. In fact, I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve been inside the place, but for me that has been enough. The library’s soaring central atrium always impresses me at first, but within minutes something about the look and feel of the interior makes me uncomfortable and downright depressed. I can’t put a finger on what bothers me, but once I’m inside I can’t wait to get out.

I’m not a big fan of the library’s vast brick fortress-like exterior, either. Although the building looks interesting and cool from some angles, it looms over a full block of Yonge Street with a hulking, brooding presence. I’ve never enjoyed walking past what feels to me like a prison for books; at street level, the facade is unwelcoming — dark and dreary, with nothing inviting to encourage passersby to enter and explore the literary treasures inside. But I’m hoping that will soon change with ambitious renovations currently underway to the entrance and facade — part of a five-year, $34-million “revitalization” program that’s supposed to finish in 2012.

 

Revitalization will connect the library to the street

According to a library website announcement detailing all the renovations and changes, the revitalization aims to create “a dynamic interface between the library and its community, connecting the library’s interior more directly to the street, and the public to the services inside.” The three biggest changes to the building exterior will include construction of a three-storey glass entrance “cube,” a glass wall running the full length of the library’s facade along Yonge, and a street-level library retail store and cafe.

Opening up that dark facade to let light into the library while adding some life and energy to the sidewalk sounds terrific to me; those renovations should address my biggest beefs about the building. Many significant changes are happening inside, too; they’re all outlined at the website link above. Will they improve the atmosphere I find so oppressing? Guess I’ll have to wait and see.

As for the exterior, I was happy to see hoarding erected around the library’s ground level in late 2010, a sign that the facade improvements were finally beginning. However, I have walked past at least three times since it went up, and haven’t yet heard any construction noise. The first time, a friend and I were halfway down the block before we realized we were walking under scaffolding; sadly, it didn’t feel much different than before the facade was boarded up. I have noticed that brickwork on some parts of the facade has been removed, though, so I’m hoping the project is proceeding on schedule. And you can bet I’ll be looking forward to the day the hoarding comes down and the new facade is revealed.

The architect behind the project is Ajon Moriyama of Toronto’s Moriyama and Teshima architects. Since Ajon is the son of Raymond Moriyama, the library’s original architect, it will be interesting to see how he improves on his dad’s design. Below is an architects’ rendering of the entrance cube and street-level glass facade, along with some photos I took recently of the building exterior.

 

Toronto Reference Library

Architectural rendering of Toronto Reference Library facade renovations


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library Yonge Street facade November 11 2010


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library Yonge Street facade November 11 2010


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library Yonge Street facade January 9 2011


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library Yonge Street facade January 9 2011


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library main entrance under renovation January 9 2011


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library Collier Street facade January 24 2011


Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library entrance cube construction January 24 2011