[citylights]

is it just me or does this project feel like a really good building proposed in the completely wrong spot?

the design itself is honestly pretty strong. ambitious, distinct, not just another glass box in the entertainment district. but i can’t wrap my head around the economics of it actually getting built as rendered.

feels like the project only works if they hit pricing that seems extremely aggressive for that exact location/product combo, and in todays market, especially once you factor in what that façade would actually cost to execute properly. and if they don’t hit those numbers, then what happens? either the project sits forever, gets redesigned, or the exterior gets VE’d into something that looks nothing like the marketing.

some of those renderings imply an insanely high level of material quality/detailing. even achieving a convincing version of that with high-end porcelain would be difficult and expensive, and most developers already resist spending on façade systems far simpler than this. natural materials at that scale? in this market? hard to see it.

would love to be wrong because the city needs more ambitious architecture, but this feels like one of those projects where the first version shown publicly and the eventual built form could end up very far apart.

Take a look at their past projects to get a sense of how this one could turn out:

The Winslow | 34.95m | 9s | Devron | Rafael + Bigauskas

Taken from May 13, 2023 - Saturday afternoon

urbantoronto.ca

The Vanguard | ?m | 27s | Devron Developments | Kirkor

East side elevator came off

urbantoronto.ca

They are fairly true to the renders, but the materials look more like the precast they're made from than the brick or lime-stone style façade they're trying to replicate.

As far as the location goes, the architectural style blends in well with some of the older multi-story buildings that line this section of Spadina.

It's also in a good area of the city, surrounded by transit, close to many offices and not far from King west where some other premium projects have been developed (See: King Toronto, Waterworks). But, I don't think any of that matters since no building of this size is selling in this market.

 

[sparrow20]

i actually think the brick is the only material that makes sense here. like the Ace hotel around the corner. hopefully with the construction cost coming down, it doesnt have to get VE'ed.

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

i actually think the brick is the only material that makes sense here. like the Ace hotel around the corner. hopefully with the construction cost coming down, it doesnt have to get VE'ed.

remember that Rush Condos and Ace Hotel had somewhat similar design intent and were built by the same company at the same time and quality of each are night and day. Institutional properties are held to a different standard than condo.