Canadian City Proposals

[TorontoDrew]

It would be funny if we found out the architect was inspired by one.

[TorontoDrew]

from urbantoronto.ca

Renders of the 3rd submission for the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts.

This one is probably my favorite at the moment. It links the two theatres styles the best.

St Lawrence Centre for the Arts redevelopment entry, designed by Hariri Pontarini, LMN Architects, Tawaw Collective, Smoke Architecture, and SLA for CreateTO and TO Live

[TorontoDrew]

I forgot to mention, "The winning design is set to be announced the week of March 13, 2023. A more detailed version of the winner will be brought before the Executive and City Council the following month."
source: urbantoronto.ca

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

It looks like it's giving the finger.

That's the part I don't like. It seems like two disparate designs thoughtlessly slapped together. The main tower is graceful. The "finger" add-on is eye-catchingly out of place.

[TorontoDrew]

I agree it kind of looks like it was slapped on but the spire is one of the things I like. The only way you will see that spire is from a distance and we have enough flat roofs. NYC is king of unnecessary spires and when you drive into that city all the spire give the skyline a unique and impressive look. We have enough flat tops in this city. Also the fact it's just south of Yorkville it's kind of in keeping with buildings being designed to look different and stand out.


Part of it might be elevator overun as well???

[kwoldtimer]

The five designs seem to show very different theatre configurations. What did the design brief call for?

[TorontoDrew]

Was just looking into it a bit more I think UT updated some of the renders, in this one the design makes more sense. I really like it from this vantage point.

source: urbantoronto.ca


I even like the podium and how they are keeping the trend of the large setback over the restored all be it fecaded buildings.











ddress 645 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1Z9
Category Residential (Condo), Commercial (Retail), Institutional (Community Centre)
Status Pre-Construction
Number of Buildings 1
Height 919 ft / 280.00 m
Storeys 76
Number of Units 678

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

The five designs seem to show very different theatre configurations. What did the design brief call for?

I'll try to find the report for you. I'm going to assume that at the very least they wanted added interior venue space, outdoor venue space, retain the original structures first floor, and create a walkway connection to the Meridian Hall a.k.a The Sony Centre, a.k.a, the Hummingbird Centre, a.k.a the O'Keef Centre.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

I'll try to find the report for you. I'm going to assume that at the very least they wanted added interior venue space, outdoor venue space, retain the original structures first floor, and create a walkway connection to the Meridian Hall a.k.a The Sony Centre, a.k.a, the Hummingbird Centre, a.k.a the O'Keef Centre.

Some of the renders seem to show chamber music halls, others have larger box or horseshoe auditoriums. I'm wondering what purposes the various theatre spaces are supposed to fulfill?

[TorontoDrew]

A few more renders of that submission. Sorry they only have large renders. Also I don't know why they needed to squish the CN Tower in both of them.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

Was just looking into it a bit more I think UT updated some of the renders, in this one the design makes more sense. I really like it from this vantage point.

I feel like it would help for it to have a real spire on top of that roof element. The spire-esque roof element on its own seems like a half measure.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Some of the renders seem to show chamber music halls, others have larger box or horseshoe auditoriums. I'm wondering what purposes the various theatre spaces are supposed to fulfill?

Perhaps another forumer can chime in but I always thought that the the current venue was just for mostly small and local productions, also a venue for some Universities and colleges to use to put on productions. They probably need the extra stage space.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

The five designs seem to show very different theatre configurations. What did the design brief call for?

I can't find it sorry, all I found was this.


source: https://stlcnext.org/about-the-competition/
"Five shortlisted design teams were selected as part of the Stage 1: Request for Supplier Qualifications process to move forward to the Stage 2: Request for Proposals process of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Design Competition, based on the merits of their letters of interest, team composition, resumes, and previous work."

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I feel like it would help for it to have a real spire on top of that roof element. The spire-esque roof element on its own seems like a half measure.

That would look good too but I think building an actual structured spire goes above and beyond just building a spire alone.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

It would be funny if we found out the architect was inspired by one.

Indeed. I don't really get the finger unless it's some Tony Stark sky townhouse. Too lazy to look up the architectural drawings.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

Perhaps another forumer can chime in but I always thought that the the current venue was just for mostly small and local productions, also a venue for some Universities and colleges to use to put on productions. They probably need the extra stage space.

I was there a couple times. It felt like an oversized small town Ontario theatre/ converted movie theatre.

[TorontoDrew]

And it looks like one on the outside. I had no idea they were looking into redeveloping the site so really any of the submissions is a bit of a gift to the area.

[WhipperSnapper]

Taxpayer funds used to turn an aging facility into a world class facility sounds great. The follow up is usually soaring ticket prices attracting only the Toronto elite. They will also have some reduced price events around Sunday brunch for the unwashed masses for the appearance of a community building investment

Than again, it can easily cost a family of four $1000 to watch the Leafs win a rather pointless regular season game.

[Martin Mtl]

1990, rue William (Griffintown - Montreal)
Atelier Chaloub Architectes

[hipster duck]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Taxpayer funds used to turn an aging facility into a world class facility sounds great. The follow up is usually soaring ticket prices attracting only the Toronto elite. They will also have some reduced price events around Sunday brunch for the unwashed masses for the appearance of a community building investment

Than again, it can easily cost a family of four $1000 to watch the Leafs win a rather pointless regular season game.

The St. Lawrence Centre usually hosts a grab bag of second tier performances. Comedians you've kind of heard of, ethnic dance performances, impersonators of former famous bands, that sort of thing. There are other venues for these sorts of things around the GTA, like the Meridian Centre (North York) and the Living Arts centre (Mississauga). Even in a city as big as Toronto I don't feel like there's a shortage of venues like this. There's a shortage of small, cheap venues for small, independent artists and emerging local talent, but I don't think this is what they're going for at the StLC.

The budget for this is - I'm quoting from memory, here - around $400 million and I think all levels of government are expected to pitch in about $100 million. I'm not really in the know, but I feel like raising the remaining $300M from donors will be a tough job.