Tag Archives: Zeidler Partnership Architects

Construction of Ryerson’s Student Learning Centre starts climbing into view at Yonge & Gould

Ryerson Student Learning Centre construction

July 25 2013: A man walks past a wall taking shape at the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre construction site at the northeast corner of Yonge & Gould Streets. The circle on the architectural rendering below shows this particular wall’s location along the east side of Yonge.

 

 

An architectural rendering of the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre now under construction at Yonge & Gould Streets

Click on the image to view a full-size version. The rendering, by project architects Zeidler Partnership Architects of Toronto and Snøhetta of Oslo and New York City, is one of several on the Ryerson University website.

 

 

Above grade: Now that construction has climbed into view above street level, people passing by the intersection of Yonge & Gould Streets are getting a glimpse of some key design elements of the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre.

From Gould Street as well as from Yonge Street just south of Gould, passersby can now clearly see construction crews working on the steps that will lead to an elevated entrance plaza on the south side of the university building. Meanwhile, construction forms for the Centre’s west wall along Yonge Street have started to become visible above the Urban Umbrella scaffold protecting the sidewalk on the east side of Yonge.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

RCMI Residences rising higher

RCMI Residences

January 10 2013: Looking up from the University Avenue median at construction progress on the RCMI Residences tower at 426 University Avenue

 

Approaching 30: Won’t be much longer before construction of the RCMI Residences condo tower starts to soar above Zurich — the Zurich Insurance Canadian headquarters at 400 University Avenue, that is.

When I passed by the RCMI Residences building site this afternoon, workers told me that tower construction is now up to the 29th floor, on its way to 44.  (I am certain they were mistaken about the final floor count; the project was approved on October 26 2009 by Toronto City Council on the basis of a September 18 2009 city planning report for a proposed 42-storey mixed-use building.)

 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

RCMI condo tower nearly 1/4 of the way up

RCMI condos

August 25 2012: The RCMI Residences condo building on University Avenue below Dundas Street has climbed above 10 floors on its way to 42

 

RCMI condos

August 25 2012: Simcoe Street view of the west side of the slender tower

 

RCMI Condos

This artistic rendering of the RCMI Residences tower once appeared on the website for its developer, Tribute Communities. It shows how the condo tower will compare to neaighbouring office highrises and hospitals on the west side of University Avenue

 

RCMI on the rise: Now that construction has climbed more than 10 floors, the condo tower being built on the site of the historic Royal Canadian Military Institute is beginning to make a big visual impact on University Avenue.

RCMI Residences will rise 42 storeys at 426 University Avenue, just below Dundas Street, and will tower above the adjacent office buildings to its north and south. The 312-unit building will include new facilities for the military institute on its first six floors, and will incorporate the rebuilt heritage facade of the RCMI’s 100-year-old headquarters, which had to be dismantled in 2012 to make way for condo construction.

 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Shoring & excavation work underway for new Ryerson University student learning centre

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

August 18 2012: Gould Street view of foundation drilling and excavation activity on the site of the new Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

August 18 2012:  The $112 million Student Learning Centre is being built at the northeast corner of Yonge & Gould Streets, just a short distance from the Aura condo tower currently under construction at College Park (center rear). Aura has climbed 33 floors on its way to 78.

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

A rendering of the Centre, which was designed by Toronto’s Zeidler Partnership Architects and Snøhetta of Oslo and New York City. Although the soaring Aura condos — Canada’s tallest residential tower — will dominate the Yonge Street landscape, the Student Learning Centre’s stunning facade will grab plenty of attention, too.

 

Shoring up: Drilling, shoring and excavation work is in full swing at the northeast corner of Yonge & Gould Streets, where the $112 million Ryerson University Student Learning Centre is under construction.

The City approved the project late last year; however, it took until late spring of this year for city staff to issue building permits. Work finally started during the third week of June.

 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Top of Toronto Trump Tower nears completion

Trump Tower Toronto

June 7 2012: Installation of the Trump logo continues on the 65-storey, 908-foot Trump International Hotel + Tower at Bay & Adelaide Streets

 

Waiting for a P:  The 261 hotel rooms in the bottom half of the Trump International Hotel + Tower opened to guests more than five months ago, but work on the exterior of the building’s uppermost levels and spire base still hasn’t finished. But installation of the giant Trump logo, which started over two weeks ago, signals that completion of exterior construction isn’t far off.

 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Ontario Place: Tarnished waterfront jewel needs ‘wow-factor’ attractions to restore its lost lustre

Ontario Place

Looking toward two of the suspended pavilions at Ontario Place  on September 4 2010, the last time I paid a visit to the aging waterfront theme park

 

Park over troubled waters: It struck me as a curious coincidence that stormclouds figure prominently in many of the photos I have taken of Ontario Place. After all, these are very dark and stormy times for the summertime waterfront theme park, most of which will be closed for the next five years while the Ontario government considers options for revitalizing the tired and tacky 41-year-old facility.

At the beginning of this month, the province announced that it has shuttered Ontario Place’s money-losing Cinesphere, water park and amusement rides while former politician/current  radio personality John Tory leads a team charged with investigating options for restoring the lustre to a waterfront jewel that initially drew more than 2.5 million visitors each season, but has since struggled to attract even just one-fifth that many funseekers in recent summers. In fact, the province has been losing more than $20 million annually on subsidies it provides to keep the tired and dowdy-looking park operating. Just the privately-operated Molson Amphitheatre, the Atlantis restaurant, bar and ballroom pavilions, the marina and the parking lots, the only facilities that apparently were profitable, will remain open. More than 48 full-time jobs and 600 summer positions will be lost as a result of the closure.

 

 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

RCMI condo tower foundation filling in fast

Residences at RCMI condo Toronto

November 25 2011: Construction of the Residences at RCMI condo tower continues to quickly approach street level

 

RCMI condo construction

November 17 2011: Looking across the Residences at RCMI condo construction site from a small window in hoarding along University Avenue

 

RCMI condo tower rendering

This rendering of the 42-storey Residences at RCMI on University appeared on hoarding next to the construction site

 

RCMI set to rise again: Only 11 months ago, construction workers were still in the early stages of preparing to excavate the University Avenue site for the 42-storey Residences at RCMI condo tower. As of last week, crews were just several meters below grade as they continued filling in the building’s underground levels. Soon, they’ll be visible working above ground.

A project of Tribute Communities, Residences at RCMI is rising on a narrow site that extends from the west side of University Avenue to Simcoe Street, just below Dundas Street West. The property itself had been home to the Royal Canadian Military Institute for more than 100 years, whose Edwardian-style heritage building that formerly occupied the site is perhaps best remembered by passersby for the two British army cannons (from the Napoleonic wars) outside its main entrance. That building was demolished in late 2010 to make way for condo construction, but part of its historic facade will be rebuilt into the tower’s base. The Institute itself will be returning to the site, occupying the first six floors of the new complex.  (The canons will be coming back, too.)

Most of the building’s 312 units have been sold; however, the project website shows that several 1-bedroom and 1-bedroom + den condos are still available, ranging from a 494-square-foot 1-bedroom priced at $386,660 to a 763-square-foot 1-bedroom + den going for $504,450.

Residences at RCMI was designed by Toronto’s Zeidler Partnership Architects.

Below are some of my photos of the condo tower’s construction progress, along with building illustrations that appear on the project website. The “about us” page of the Royal Canadian Military Institute website has links to illustrations and renderings depicting its new library, bar and dining room. My January 12 2011 post includes photos of the former RCMI building as well as early stages of the new tower’s construction.

 

RCMI condo tower Toronto

From the Tribute Communities website, this illustration depicts a view of Residences at RCMI from the southeast on University Avenue

 

Royal Canadian Military Institute 426 University Avenue Toronto

From the Royal Canadian Military Institute website, this illustration shows how the facade of the former RCMI headquarters will be rebuilt into the condo tower base

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

November 17 2011: RCMI condo foundation progress viewed from the northeast corner of the construction site, looking west toward Simcoe Street

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

November 17 2011: A concrete truck delivers a load on Simcoe Street

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

November 17 2011: Construction activity viewed through a small window at the southwest corner of the hoarding along the University Avenue sidewalk

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

November 17 2011: Construction is closing in on street level

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

October 8 2011: Crews made substantial progress on the building foundation in the five weeks since this photo was taken

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

October 8 2011: Looking west across the condo tower excavation

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

September 3 2011: Excavation viewed from Simcoe Street, looking east

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

September 3 2011: Another Simcoe Street view of the RCMI condo site

 

RCMI condo construction University Avenue Toronto

September 3 2011: Construction crew entrance off Simcoe Street

 

RCMI condo site on University Avenue Toronto

August 12 2011: A view of the RCMI condo site from the east side of University Avenue. The tower will soar above the office buildings that bookend the north and south sides of the construction site.

 

RCMI condo construction on University Avenue Toronto

July 17 2011: Simcoe Street view of the condo tower excavation

 

RCMI condo construction on University Avenue Toronto

July 17 2011: Another site view from Simcoe Street

 

RCMI condo construction on University Avenue Toronto

July 17 2011: The military institute will occupy the first six floors of the building; the private condos will occupy the upper 36

 

RCMI condo construction on University Avenue Toronto

July 17 2011: Looking west to east across the condo tower excavation

 

RCMI condo construction on University Avenue Toronto

February 18 2011: Ten months ago, excavation was just in the early stages

 

 

Public meeting tomorrow for Ryerson University’s Student Learning Centre development plan

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

An illustration of the new Ryerson University Student Learning Centre appears on this sign at the building site at the NE corner of Yonge and Gould Streets

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

Statutory public meeting notice at the development site

 

Ryerson ready to roll:  Construction of the new Ryerson University Student Learning Centre could begin within weeks if the development plan gets approval, as is widely expected, during two key meetings at Toronto City Hall this month. The university’s proposal is being reviewed by Toronto and East York Community Council tomorrow morning and, depending upon what’s decided there, could get the final go-ahead from City Council at its meeting on November 29.

City planners have recommended approval for the municipal zoning bylaw amendments that would be required to permit the project to proceed. In an October 12 2011 staff report, they wrote that the new Student Learning Centre will provide “a unique architectural contribution to Yonge Street, and a gateway to Ryerson University, increasing its presence and visibility on Yonge Street. It will revitalize a section of Yonge Street currently the site of a vacant lot, provide necessary student space to a growing student population, add minimal new shadow to Yonge Street and provide retail space in accordance with Official Plan Policies.”

The university has already applied for shoring and excavation permits, and expects them to be approved in December. Construction could then quickly commence on the 9-storey, 155,464 square foot building, which will rise on the northeast corner of Yonge and Gould Streets (the official municipal address is 341-355 Yonge Street). The university hopes will be completed and ready for occupancy during the winter of 2014. Designed by Toronto’s Zeidler Partnership Architects and Snøhetta of Oslo and New York City, the facility will cost an estimated $112 million. The Ontario government is providing $45 million, while the university is kicking in another $45 million itself. Fundraising will seek to top up the $22 million balance.

 

‘A bold step in city building’

Ryerson unveiled artistic illustrations of the Student Learning Centre to much fanfare in April of this year. At the time, the university said its “stunning new building” will not only “provide Ryerson students with an outstanding environment to study, collaborate and discover,” but also will be “a transformative, bold development and an important step forward in city building.”

Although the university received considerable praise for Zeidler and Snøhetta’s daring and dazzling design, the contemporary architecture drew its share of criticism. As city planners noted in their October 12 report, the design received a mixed reaction from residents and neighbourhood business owners who attended a May 4 2011 community consultation meeting, “with some liking it and others feeling that it did not fit into the context of Yonge Street even if they approved of the overall design. The principal objections were to the size and location of the retail space. Many felt that the amount of retail provided at-grade was not sufficient and that the below-grade retail would not function as desired. Other issues raised were the height and massing of the building, especially as it relates to context and shadow impacts, lack of parking, a discussion on the location of the second TTC exit from Dundas subway station, and encroachments upon the City laneway.”

 

Insufficient retail space?

Planners also received five letters that outlined opposition to the Ryerson proposal, generally on the grounds that “that the design was not compatible with Yonge Street, and that the provision of retail was insufficient. Some felt that the design was interesting and would support it in another area of the City. The Downtown Yonge BIA, in particular, sought a significant redesign of the proposed structure to bring it into conformity with the existing zoning bylaw and supply significantly more retail.” On the other hand, Cadillac-Fairview Corporation, owner of the Toronto Eaton Centre just one block south on Yonge Street, sent planners a letter  “which lauded the design and the development of a vacant parcel of land on Yonge Street.”

For their part, city planners concluded that the proposed retail component for the Student Learning Centre actually does satisfy official city policies. “The primary purpose of this building is to function as a learning, meeting and research space for the student body and an important public building,” they pointed out. “Retail, although the primary function along Yonge Street, is a secondary function of the proposed building.”

 

‘Landmark architecture’

Moreover, “the Official Plan encourages the creation of landmark buildings through the Yonge Dundas Redevelopment project,” the planners noted. “The Ryerson Student Learning Centre qualifies as a landmark architectural building and the changes brought to the area place a new emphasis on Gould Street as the entrance to Ryerson. Although the plan encourages that buildings respect the traditional built form characteristics of Yonge Street, it directs any specific change to the Yonge and Dundas area. The Ryerson Student Learning Centre represents a rational extension of the Yonge and Dundas redevelopment as it is in close proximity to the AMC Theatre complex formally known as Toronto Life Square, separated only by an empty parcel of land which once contained the Empress Hotel.”

But the planners were quick to caution that since the Student Learning Centre has a special status “given the important investment in public infrastructure this building represents,” their recommendation to approve the project should not be viewed as suggesting that the City is opening the door to similar contemporary development along Yonge Street.

 

‘No precedent for further redevelopment’

“The Ryerson Student Learning Centre represents an important institutional investment for Toronto and Ryerson University. It provides a gateway to Ryerson University, a unique architectural experience and much needed reinvestment. By providing retail at grade, the Ryerson Student Learning Centre will also help animate Yonge Street as well as providing space for students. Due to its proximity to Yonge and Dundas Square, its institutional use, the lack of significant shadow impact, the location as a gateway to Ryerson University and the built form context, this unique building should not be considered a precedent for further redevelopment on Yonge Street. City Planning Staff find that the proposed building and the rezoning required for its construction is in the public interest and constitutes good planning.”

The Student Learning Centre project is one of numerous items on tomorrow’s agenda for the Toronto and East York Community Council. The public meeting starts at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 1 at City Hall.

Below are photos of the Student Learning Centre site this morning as well as a rendering, from the Ryerson University website, suggesting how the centre’s retail facade on Yonge Street will look. Renderings of the building interior can be viewed in my April 8 2011 post about the project, while earlier photos of the building site — including the iconic Sam the Record Man store that previously occupied the property — can be viewed in my February 15 2011 post.

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

This rendering depicts the building’s retail facade along Yonge Street. The rendering is by Labtop USA Corp / Zeidler Snøhetta.

 

Ryerson Student Learning Centre site

November 1 2011: Ryerson Student Learning Centre site viewed from Gould Street at O’Keefe Lane, looking northwest across Yonge Street

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre site

November 1 2011: The Ryerson property is close to two other major construction sites. Cranes for the new SickKids Research and Learning Tower on Bay Street are visible at left rear, while cranes for the 75-storey Aura condominium tower at Yonge & Gerrard Streets are visible at right.

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

November 1 2011: Looking north across the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre site from the southwest corner of Yonge and Gould Streets

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

November 1 2011: The Student Learning Centre will have underground and above-grade connections to the existing Ryerson University Library building (right)

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

September 3 2011: Looking north from Gould Street at the strip of retail shops along the west side of Yonge Street, opposite the Student Learning Centre site

 

Elm Street between Yonge & Bay Streets Toronto

March 7 2011: Looking east along Elm Street toward the Student Learning Centre site. The new 9-storey building will dominate this sightline, rising directly in front of the concrete Ryerson University Library building. Like the library, the centre will be 51 meters tall (including mechanical equipment).

 

Checking in on the new 5-star hotel/condo towers: The Trump International Hotel + Tower

Trump International Hotel + Tower Toronto

August 1 2011: The Trump Toronto Tower viewed from Adelaide Street West near the Living Shangri-La Toronto (left), another new skyscraper I will profile in an upcoming installment of “Checking in on the 5-star hotel/condo towers”

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: The north side of Trump Toronto, looking up from Adelaide Street

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: The tower’s west side, viewed from Bay Street

 

 

Putting up the penthouse:  Shouldn’t be too much longer before construction tops off on the Trump International Hotel + Tower Toronto.

From my balcony, I’ve been able to watch the penthouse levels of the 60-storey tower gradually take shape during the past two weeks, climbing into view above the top of the Bay Adelaide Centre. I expect completion of the mechanical floors above them to follow soon. And once its signature “quarter onion”-shaped turret has been built to cap the tower’s northwest corner, and in turn is topped with a spire, the Trump Tower Toronto will become the city’s second-tallest building, after First Canadian Place.

Designed by Toronto’s Zeidler Partnership Architects, the Trump Toronto will rise more than 900 feet on its compact site at the southeast corner of Bay and Adelaide Streets. According to the project website, the building will include 261 luxury hotel rooms on its lower levels in studio, 1- and 2-bedroom configurations, along with five Trump Executive suites. There also will be 118 condominium suites from floors 33 to 60, accessed via a Sky Lobby with concierge on the 31st floor. Condo residents will enjoy “full access” to the hotel’s amenities, including room service, housekeeping, concierge and valet. A five-star restaurant will occupy the 30th floor, while there will be an entire floor of executive meetings rooms in a “high-tech business centre.” A full-service spa with gym, exercise studios and swimming pool will occupy two levels of the building. The ground floor will feature a “sophisticated” lobby bar, while floors 2 through 7 will contain a valet-operated parking garage.

The Trump Hotel Collection website is currently accepting online reservations for Trump Toronto beginning November 1 of this year. Today, the site’s reservation system showed seven suites available for the night of Nov. 1; the lowest available price was $485 (plus tax) for either a superior king or superior double room, each 550 square feet in size. A 1,000-square-foot grand deluxe 1-bedroom suite with panoramic views was available for $885 (plus tax), while a 1,650-square-foot grand deluxe two-bedroom suite with city views and a kitchen was going for $1,785 (plus tax).

Below is a series of Trump Toronto photos I shot during the summer.

 

Toronto Trump Tower

June 6 2011:  The Trump Toronto crane stands prominently on the skyline

 

Scotia Plaza Trump Toronto and Bay Adelaide Centre

June 20 2011: Looking up at Scotia Plaza, the Trump Toronto, and Bay Adelaide Centre (right) from the sidewalk on Adelaide Street West

 

Trump Toronto Tower

June 20 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from the University/ Adelaide intersection

 

Trump Tower Toronto

June 26 2011: Trump Toronto’s ascent to the upper echelons of the Financial District is seen from Broadview Avenue above Riverdale Park

 

Trump Tower Toronto

June 26 2011: Another Broadview Avenue view of the Trump Toronto and other Financial District skyscrapers

 

Trump Tower Toronto

June 26 2011: A Broadview Avenue view of, from left, Commerce Court, CN Tower, TD Centre’s TD Bank Tower, Scotia Plaza, First Canadian Place, Trump Toronto and the Bay Adelaide Centre

Toronto Trump Tower

June 29 2011: My balcony view of Trump Toronto rising on the skyline

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 1 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from Shuter Street to the northeast

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 1 2011: Trump Toronto begins climbing above the 51-storey Bay Adelaide Centre (right), but won’t stand as tall as 72-storey First Canadian Place (rear)

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 1 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from the TD Centre Plaza off King Street

 

Toronto city skyline viewed from the west

July 3 2011: Trump Toronto joins the ranks of the tall bank towers in this city skyline view from the Humber Bay area

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 3 2011: Another view of Trump Toronto making its mark on the skyline

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 8 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from Nathan Phillips Square

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 13 2011: Spotlights on the Trump Toronto construction crane at sunset

 

Trump Tower Toronto

July 20 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from the SW corner of King & Bay Streets

 

Trump Tower Toronto

July 20 2011:  Southwest view of the Trump Toronto from King Street West

 

Trump Tower Toronto

July 20 2011: Southwest view of the tower’s upper floors. At this point, the Trump Toronto has reached 57 storeys

 

Trump Tower Toronto

July 20 2011:  Southwest view of the tower’s middle section

 

Trump Tower Toronto

 July 20 2011: A closer look at forms midway up the tower’s south side

 

Trump Tower Toronto

July 20 2011: The external construction elevator rises up the green glass curtain wall on the building’s south side

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: A closer look at the exterior construction elevator

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: Windows near the tower’s southeast corner

 

Trump Tower Toronto

July 20 2011: The construction entrance to the 54th floor. The exterior elevator climbs a total of 55 floors

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: The tower’s northwest upper floors reach 57 storeys here

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: Upper floors await their curtain wall installation

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: Windows on the tower’s southwest corner

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from the west on Adelaide Street

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: Upper floors on the tower’s west side

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 20 2011: Missing window panes and panels on the tower’s west wall

 

Toronto Trump Tower

July 24 2011: Trump Toronto viewed from Bloor Street near Varsity Stadium

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Bay Adelaide Centre and Trump Toronto viewed from the west

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Trump Toronto and Scotia Plaza viewed from the west

 

Toronto Trump Tower

 August 1 2011: Trump Toronto reflects in the Bay Adelaide Centre)

 

Toronto Trump Tower

 August 1 2011: Windows on the lower levels of the tower’s north wall. A valet-operated parking garage occupies floors 2 through 7.

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Window and cladding details on the lower levels

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: The tower’s northeast corner awaits some missing panels

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: The Adelaide Street entrance to the tower’s porte-cochère

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Adelaide Street view into the porte-cochère, which features a curved public art mural made of glass, stone and ceramics

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: An Adelaide Street view of upper floors on the tower’s north side

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 201: Bay Street view of the Bay Adelaide Centre and the Trump Toronto

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Lower floors on the west side of the tower, viewed from Bay Street

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Looking up from Bay Street at the tower’s west side

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011:  Progress on the penthouse levels viewed from the west

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: Green glass curtain wall on the tower’s west side

 

Toronto Trump Tower

August 1 2011: West view of Trump Toronto and Scotia Plaza

 

 

Ryerson U’s sensational new Student Learning Centre will bring sparkle to the Yonge Street strip

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

This rendering suggests how the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre will appear when viewed looking north on Yonge Street near Gould Street

 

Campus showpiece: I envy the students who will get to study and relax in the marvellous Student Learning Centre that Ryerson University unveiled this week and will begin constructing later this year. I spent six years of my life studying in university libraries and classroom buildings that were bleak, bunker-like structures with few windows allowing natural light inside. They were drab, dreary places to learn, and I often dreaded going inside. Even lounge and food service areas tended to be dim, dull and depressing — taking a break for a coffee or chat with friends just meant moving from one boring, bland building to another equally cheerless space. Ryerson’s Student Learning Centre promises to be the polar opposite.  Designed by Toronto’s Zeidler Partnership Architects and Snøhetta of Oslo and New York City, the building will be breathtaking on the outside, its flashy glass facade adding architectural excitement and sparkle to the busy Yonge Street strip between Dundas and Gerrard Streets. With a dramatic stepped plaza entrance and transparent glass walls bearing dazzling designs, the Student Learning Centre will bring tremendous visual interest to a streetcorner previously made famous by the long-gone Sam the Record Man store’s iconic neon signs. I wouldn’t be surprised if the building’s startling shape and skin slows or even stops traffic on Yonge — stunning contemporary architecture isn’t something Torontonians expect to encounter on a commercial strip characterized by boxy, unattractive buildings plastered with brilliant electronic billboards and enormous advertising posters.

The Student Learning Centre’s interior will be just as sensational. Inside, a cavernous light-filled lobby with an impressive, wide staircase will wow visitors, while upper levels of the eight-storey structure will offer huge bright spaces for study and socializing. “The Student Learning Centre will provide bright, open, technologically rich, barrier-free spaces for individual and collaborative study that will accommodate our students’ different learning styles and our faculties’ different teaching practices,” Ryerson’s Provost and Vice President Academic, Alan Shepard, said in a press release announcing the building design. The Centre will be linked by a bridge to the university’s existing library next door, will have learning and study spaces in a variety of different sizes and designs on its upper floors, and will have retail space both along Yonge and on one floor below street level. Each floor will have a unique personality — “some will be open and interpretive with flexible furniture and terraces, while others will be densely filled with enclosed study rooms for groups of four to eight people. Space will be available for independent, quiet study and contemplation. With full digital support and accessible academic services, the Student Learning Centre will foster learning success and help promote a culture of collaboration and creativity among Ryerson students,” the news release explains.

Besides becoming the architectural showpiece of the university campus, the Centre is bound to have a significant impact on the city, too. Ryerson president Sheldon Levy says the Centre will be ” a transformative, bold development and an important step forward in city building.” And there’s no doubt it will give the university’s campus, much of which is largely hidden from view between Yonge and Church Streets, an unprecedented presence and highly influential profile on the city’s main street. Zeidler Architects senior partner Tarek El-Khatib anticipates that the Student Learning Centre “will contribute to the retail and pedestrian life in the area and set the tone for ongoing revitalization in this historic commercial neighbourhood. A generous and inviting, entry plaza will gently draw both students and the general public up and into this new vertical community setting the standard for future development in the area.”

That’s something I’m personally looking forward to. I don’t particularly enjoy walking along Yonge between Dundas and College Streets; I find the sidewalks too narrow and crowded, while the retail shops and restaurants are geared to a much younger demographic — there’s practically nothing there to catch my interest and make me want to linger. I either hurry past, or avoid the strip altogether by walking up Bay Street or cutting through the Ryerson campus. But the Student Learning Centre at Gould Street, along with the Aura condo and retail complex two blocks north at Gerrard, could well become catalysts for major improvements and enhancements to the area. In a few years’ time, I just might enjoy spending time on Yonge Street once again.

Construction of the Student Learning Centre is scheduled to begin by the end of this year, with completion anticipated for 2014. Full project details are available on the media page of the Ryerson University website. The Toronto Star’s architecture and urban issues specialist, Christopher Hume, discusses the design in his April 6 2011 column, while Globe & Mail writer Omair Quadri describes the project in an April 6 2011 article in that newspaper. Below are several artistic renderings depicting some of the Student Learning Centre’s signature interior and exterior design features.

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

The Student Learning Centre will feature an impressive and dramatic stepped plaza entrance at the corner of Yonge & Gould Streets

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

The Centre’s lobby will be cavernous, but streaming with natural light

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

One of the “flexible” study spaces on an upper level of the Centre

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

One of the Centre’s cheery and bright open study spaces

 

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

This illustration outlines the interior layout of the 8-storey building

 

 

Yonge St. site ready for excavation … but when will Ryerson reveal student learning centre design?

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre

Ryerson University sign at the corner of Yonge and Gould Streets


Site’s all set: It was a year ago this week that Ryerson University announced it had selected the architecture team for the new 10-storey Student Learning Centre (SLC) it plans to build at the corner of Yonge and Gould Streets on the former site of the famous Sam The Record Man store. 

During the past couple of months, I have seen small contracting crews on the SLC site, clearing rubble and doing what appeared to be minor pre-construction site preparation work. This afternoon, the property was empty, virtually clear of debris, vehicles and heavy machinery. The site looks like it’s all set for excavation, so I’m wondering if the university may soon reveal the SLC design, and start digging.

I’m sure the whole process has been held up by events during the last two months on the south side of Gould Street, where the historic Empress Hotel building at 335 Yonge Street burned down in a fire that investigators determined was caused by arson. I’m pissed that 335 Yonge was neglected and allowed to languish, and I’m even more angry that the building had to be demolished because of the irreparable damage it suffered both from the fire and subsequent investigation procedures. Now that the beautiful heritage building is gone forever, I hope the property lands in Ryerson’s hands, so the site can be developed into an impressive Yonge Street gateway to the university’s downtown campus. (I definitely don’t want to see 335 Yonge’s owners get city approval to build a condo tower there.)

It was on February 10 last year that the university said it had picked Zeidler Partnership Architects of Toronto and Snøhetta of Oslo and New York City to be co-architects for the 160,000 square foot learning centre, a high-tech library and learning environment connected to the university’s existing library building. Ryerson is hoping the SLC can also be linked to the Yonge subway line by its own on-site entrance to the Dundas subway station. 

According to the university, “[t]he state-of-the-art Student Learning Centre will provide the latest technology and will be designed to accommodate different learning styles and teaching practices. The SLC will feature bright, open, technologically rich, barrier-free spaces for individual and collaborative study. A variety of learning environments, digital support and academic services will promote student learning success and help foster a culture of collaboration and creativity.”

Below are pics I’ve taken of the SLC site over the last few years, followed by a couple of photos showing how the site looked this afternoon.

 

Sam the Record Man Ryerson Student Learning Centre

September 26 2008: The iconic Sam the Record Man store seen shortly before its demolition. The building to its left once housed a popular A&A record outlet; after it closed, a Future Shop store occupied the spot for several years.


Sam the Record Man Ryerson Student Learning Centre

Another view of the famous Sam the Record Man store before its demolition


 Record Man Ryerson Student Learning Centre

September 26 2008: The future SLC site viewed from south of Gould Street


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

February 15 2009: Demolition of Sam the Record Man store is almost complete


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

A graffiti-covered wall along O’Keefe Lane is all that remains of the Sam’s store


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

May 2 2010: Sam’s is long gone, but demolition hasn’t begun on the A&A site


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

November 23 2010: The former A&A/Future Shop building is finally coming down


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

December 21 2010: A light layer of snow covers the cleared SLC site


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

December 21 2010:  Site viewed from O’Keefe Lane, looking west to Yonge St.


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

December 21 2010: The SLC site, looking southwest from O’Keefe Lane


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

January 5 2011: Site viewed during demolition at the 335 Yonge St. fire scene


Gould Street

January 8 2011: Gould Street during the 335 Yonge fire investigation


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

February 15 2011: The SLC site viewed from the west side of Yonge at Gould St.


Ryerson Student Learning Centre

February 15 2011: Vacant SLC site viewed from the corner of Yonge & Elm Streets