UtakataNoAnnex
Senior Member
Er...silly question time: Assuming this is no longer a functioning power generating station, where is our power coming in place of this? State side?
- Thread starter rdaner
- Start date
innsertnamehere
Superstar
The power generation facilities in Niagara Falls were upgraded in the 1970's with new facilities from what I recall, which is what made this building obsolete and why it's been sitting empty for half a century.
Toronto Power Generating Station - Wikipedia
Basically the water which ran through this was redirected to Adam Beck generating station in Queenston instead, which is funneled through large underground tunnels to the dam from the falls from an outlet near the international control dam, from my understanding.
The function of the station as an intake facility was replaced by these intake stations further upstream:
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.com
The water then travels through tunnels underneath the City of Niagara Falls to the dam further down stream:
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.com
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rdaner
Senior Member
Next up…renovating The Hearn!
mferna
Active Member
Read more details about this project's redevelopment here: https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2023/1...agaras-toronto-power-generation-station.54606
just east of the creek
Senior Member
Pearls is involved in a number of projects running currently from Burlington/Cambridge to the Falls. I would assume, as with their hotel in Burlington, they will brand the new facility through something like the Marriott Autograph Collection of hotels. Upscale, unique in design and property, and very comfortable for those with a flexible travel allowance!
Perchance
New Member
Just wow!The power generation facilities in Niagara Falls were upgraded in the 1970's with new facilities from what I recall, which is what made this building obsolete and why it's been sitting empty for half a century.
Toronto Power Generating Station - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Basically the water which ran through this was redirected to Adam Beck generating station in Queenston instead, which is funneled through large underground tunnels to the dam from the falls from an outlet near the international control dam, from my understanding.
The function of the station as an intake facility was replaced by these intake stations further upstream:
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
The water then travels through tunnels underneath the City of Niagara Falls to the dam further down stream:
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
Doppleganger
Active Member
This is an exciting proposal for the redevelopment of this important heritage structure. Just imagine the dramatic(and a bit terrifying) views guests will enjoy from those rooms! This could also serve as a template for saving and redeveloping other unique, but difficult-to-reimagine, historical and /or architecturally significant sites.
Doppleganger
Active Member
Unfortunately, Hearn's proximity to the Portlands gas-powered generating station currently precludes any residential-type redevelopment akin to London's Battersea Power Station, but it could certainly incorporate retail/commercial elements. I still have hopes that it might be redeveloped along the lines of London's other great post-industrial landmark, the Bankside Power Station, better known as the Tate Modern! Wouldn't it be great if some wealthy, philanthropic-minded individual or corporate entity stepped forward to make this a reality? What a wonderful and lasting gift to the city! Come on ''Rogers', this is your opportunity to affix your name/logo to yet another prominent T.O. locale and show us how much you really care for the arts...wink, wink, nudge, nudge!
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ProjectEnd
Superstar
It's interesting and ambitious, but there ain't a hope in hell they're doing anything like what's been depicted for anywhere near $200M...
Flyaround video:
nstuch
Active Member
there's a treaty in place for Canada and the US to share water that's diverted from going over the falls
Niagara Falls Municipal History - The 1950 Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty - Niagara Falls Canada, Niagara Falls USA
View the complete outline and outcome of the 1950 Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty between Canada and the United States of America
www.niagarafallsinfo.com
junctionist
Senior Member
A hotel here will basically print money if well managed. Here's to hoping they can budget properly and build something great, even if the scope has to be reduced.
urbancog
Active Member
On the Canada side, water is diverted through tunnels to the 2 Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations - upstream of the Queenston Bridge. Water is stored in a reservoir at the top of the cliff so it's available at peak demand times. To power the electric generators, it falls down the cliff, through impellers, back into the Niagara River.
An additional tunnel was constructed in 2014 to increase the water diversion capacity: https://www.hatch.com/Projects/Infrastructure/Niagara-Tunnel
No new imagery or architectural plans to show yet (there have already been a pile of renderings, check out the database file), but a joint press release from the Ontario government and Niagara Parks that this is proceeding…
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Toronto Power Generating Station to be transformed into a world-class visitor experience, boosting Niagara’s local economy
Niagara Falls, ON – The Ontario government is giving the greenlight to Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) to redevelop the Toronto Power Generating Station (TPGS) into a five-star boutique hotel near the brink of Niagara Falls, which will create good-paying, sustainable jobs and boost local economies in the region. Once complete, the new attraction will accommodate the growing number of tourists visiting Niagara and will include amenities such as indoor and outdoor public viewing areas and a free museum and art gallery.
"This transformative investment to restore and reimagine the Toronto Power Generating Station is welcome news for Niagara," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. "The restoration of this historic monument to our region’s legacy of energy innovation is part of our government’s plan to support Niagara as a key tourist destination, not only attracting visitors from coast to coast in North America, but from around the globe."
Funded entirely through a $200 million investment by Society Developments in collaboration with Pearle Hospitality, the redevelopment of the historic hydroelectric power generating station will see the site repurposed – after sitting vacant for 50 years – into Niagara Region’s first and only five-star hotel. The new and multi-faceted visitor attraction will include a theatre and various restaurants, as well as cost-free activities such as a free museum, art gallery and public viewing areas overlooking the Falls.
“Niagara Falls offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for travellers from around the world and our government believes in its potential as an economic driver for the Niagara Region,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “We are proud to support the transformation of the Toronto Power Generating Station into a spectacular hotel that will create a world-class experience for all visitors, helping the region grow as a top-tier international tourist destination.”
The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, will retain ownership of the property. With the Ontario government’s approval and a lease agreement in place, Pearle Hospitality will become NPC’s newest tenant.
“This is great news for the whole Niagara Region. This project will give the Toronto Power Generating Station a new purpose and identity, while creating new jobs, encouraging tourism sector growth and stimulating the local economy,” said Bob Gale, Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission.
QUICK FACTS
- The Niagara Parks Commission received official approval from the province to enter into a lease to redevelop the Toronto Power Generating Station through an Order-in-Council, signed November 7, 2024.
- Designed by E.J. Lennox in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, TPGS operated from 1906 until it was decommissioned in 1974. It received designation as a national historic site of Canada in 1983.
- Pearle Hospitality, an Ontario-based company, is behind some of the province’s top historic-properties-turned-hospitality venues, including Ancaster Mill in the Niagara Escarpment.
- All requirements of the due diligence phase were completed this fall, including public consultation and the development of a strategic conservation plan.
QUOTES
“This project will be transformational for hospitality in Niagara Falls and for the Niagara Region,” said Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls. “It will expand and elevate our offering exponentially and will provide a unique and unparalleled opportunity to experience the natural wonder of the falls. Coupled with our culture of service and hospitality, we know we’re about to witness the next steps in our evolution here in Niagara Falls come to life.”
“The redevelopment of Toronto Power embodies the essence of Niagara Parks’ historic mandate as the environmental and cultural stewards of the Niagara River corridor,” said David Adames, CEO of Niagara Parks Commission. “Through private-sector investment, we will preserve a significant piece of Niagara’s history while growing tourism to the region.”
“Our firm was founded with a vision to create landmark, state-of-the-art developments. As we work to redevelop the Toronto Power site, we’re looking forward to applying the best practices we’ve learned through our history of building, redeveloping and operating distinctive and world-class destination properties across Ontario.” – Society Developments/Pearle Hospitality
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Hawrylyshyn
Active Member
Stay in the Power Generating Station then go visit the Ice Sculpture Museum!