[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

It appears that work is about to commence, according to a member over on urbantoronto scaffolding has started to go up on site. It appears that they are getting ready to begin demolition of the structures at the location that need to be removed for the new project. As soon as I can get you guys some pictures I'll post them. Also though the original construction date for the Ritz and RBC Tower was supposed to be June, a new billboard was put up at its position saying a July start. What’s one more month for two more towers? I can wait.

[Tony]

:banana: :dancing: :pepper: :awesome::banana:

[DrJoe]

How tall are they supposed to be? And do you have render or anything? Im used to all the proposals being nothing more than hot air so I don't really pay attention.

[caltrane74]

Amazing ...praise the lord.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

214.6 m
or
704 ft

[Jared]

A bit shorter than what was originally proposed, but oh well. At least The Stump will be gone :D

[TOBoy]

As of this morning their was some scaffolding on the north side, but it doesn't look like anything for construction. Mind you, now that the tower is empty, it would make sense that it will begin soon, just nothing major has happened yet.

Also as a subnote, the Ritz and RBC were supposed to begin construction in July from the beginning.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

^^^^ Ya I went by last night and was disapointed by what I saw, mind you they may be putting up a new Rendering of the Tower. I'm sure by next week these will start to show signs of life on site.

[icescraper]

I'm holding off on the celebration until they get higher than their last attempt - Ice

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Good point^^^

[SSLL]

Awesome news. I can't even remember what the design looks like anymore!

[caltrane74]

Heavy Concrete barricades on Temperance around the Bay Adelaide site. These are the kind that will be there for a while. Looks like construction is about to begin. or at least demolition of the stump.

[zerokarma]

Good News!

[bhbhbh]

when are they going to build the second and third tower?

[Sacamano]

^jebus!!

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

The Stump is closed :banana:

[caltrane74]

oh my god we're so close.

[duper]

Shit. This must be a dream.


caltrane. Time to update your sig, man.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Demolition crews were onsite all weekend setting up. :ahhh:

[Tony]

Photos, where are the photos?!

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

I'll try and talk Cassius in to snapping some for me.

[caltrane74]

i updated the sig slightly. - lets not jinx ourselves. We havent been this close since 1988 - Im assuming thats when bay wellington began.

I cant believe its already 18 years. gross. - no office tower downtown. at least a big one since 1988- totally gross.

I remember watching Scotia Plaza go up from my bedroom window when I was a pre teen and teenager. _ I think I was 13 when it finished. It was all concrete - no steel and looked just amazing. even when the cladding hadnt even been applied.

[TOBoy]

Construction workers on site this afternoon. The Tim Hortons across the street has seen a 200% increase in sales.

They are putting up scaffolding along the north side of the National Building. Its creepiung up the side all the way up to the roof in two strips along near the edge of the facade. Its hard to explain. Im not exactly sure if its what they are using to restore the facade or what.

[M II A II R II K]

Well it's about time

[Sacamano]

"Im not exactly sure if its what they are using to restore the facade or what."

At 12 storeys high, The facade most likely will be dismantled piece by piece and tagged to be used later

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

They are putting up scaffolding along the north side of the National Building. Its creepiung up the side all the way up to the roof in two strips along near the edge of the facade. Its hard to explain. Im not exactly sure if its what they are using to restore the facade or what.

Those are what will be used to jack up a platform so workers can start dismantling the building from the top down.



It's hard to believe we're about to get two major office towers underway, with the possibility of two more very soon as well. Not to mention a slew of 50 + storey condo hotel towers.

[asher11]

Anyone know anything about this item in today's Globe:

"New office development in downtown Toronto is taking place for the first time in more than a decade. One project has begun and Brookfield Properties Corp. is expected to make an announcement any day on revised plans for its long-dormant Bay-Adelaide Centre. A third building near the Air Canada Centre also is expected."

Is this old news or what? Here's a link to the complete article in the Business Section (the quote above is near the bottom so I didn't want to include the entire article):

="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060620.ROFFICE20/TPStory/Business"

[caltrane74]

Thats old news....


waiting ...waiting....waiting.

[caltrane74]

Is the wait over. Construction workers and equipment all over Bay Adelaide today. - I didnt investigate. But the place is humming. Am I assuming to much by guessing that construction and demolition will be happening at the same time?

[Sacamano]

"Am I assuming to much by guessing that construction and demolition will be happening at the same time?"

No

you can expect construction once the site has being cleared (for example - the road signs indicate the closed lanes won't reopen till the middle of 2009)

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Demolition needs to occur before any construction can happen onsite. The stump is coming down and I’m not sure how much if any of the underground parking will be left intact. Also one office block needs to be demolished and one heritage office tower needs to be dismantled and removed before they can start to build. I wouldn’t expect a crane on site until late fall early winter at the soonest.

[caltrane74]

Oh boy it will be fun going through the first 2 pages of this thread next year.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Hopefully we can start a thread like this on Trump Tower soon.

The Ritz and RBC 2 more tall boys are only weeks away as well.

[Sirius]

Any updates? Thanks!

Photos, where are the photos?!

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

I'll see if I can do a photo update on Sunday. I need to head up north on Saturday to get my furniture (in the process of moving) but Sunday I'm free to do whatever.

[caltrane74]

we all agree the stump site is finally under demoliton. And that is news.

I assume when constructions starts they will excavate the west side of the lot to expand the underground parking and place the foundations for the new tower. the central site must already have all of the prelim work completed already.

[caltrane74]

Bay Adelaide starts construction next week...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

omg.

[Sacamano]

ummm ... demolition began roughly 3 weeks ago and will continue for several more months

the star article is either completely wrong or is confusing some sort of ceremonial ground breaking with actual excavation

[caltrane74]

ummm ... demolition began roughly 3 weeks ago and will continue for several more months

the star article is either completely wrong or is confusing some sort of ceremonial ground breaking with actual excavation


yeah but the building has already been excavated. Right?

I mean they excavated 18 years ago. But of course they need to excavate the west side of the lot for the new building.

I was thinking this is one time when the demolition of the stump and the actual excavation could take place at the same time. - Because the stump is in the middle of the site and the new building is on the west why cant both happen at the same time? And everything under the stump has already been built. (.ie foundations and parking lot)

Who told you the demolition of the stump would take 3 months? - what ever happened to dynamite? or tnt? or explosives?



Here is the article

Bay-Adelaide project set to get under way
Jul. 15, 2006. 01:00 AM
TONY WONG
BUSINESS REPORTER
www.thestar.com

Developers at the moribund Bay-Adelaide office tower project in Toronto's financial district are finally expected to get a shovel in the ground.

Sources say developer Brookfield Properties Corp. will announce a ground-breaking set for next week.

The lead tenant is thought to be consulting firm KPMG LLP.

KPMG, whose offices are spread in three main areas throughout the city, would likely lease 225,000 to 250,000 square feet, said one source.

First approved by Toronto city council in 1989, the site was slated for a 57-storey office tower. But work halted when the real estate market imploded.

While a parking garage and some infrastructure remains, the project has largely been seen as symbolic of Toronto's economic fortunes. A plan to restart the project in 1999 on a downsized scale failed to materialize after an anchor tenant could not be found. A new 50-storey tower with a public square has been approved by Toronto council.

It was expected that with some infrastructure intact, the Bay-Adelaide project had an advantage going to market. But this year, two other projects have already been announced, including the Menkes Developments Telus tower adjacent to Union Station announced this week, and the Cadillac Fairview tower in the city's entertainment district announced earlier this year.

"This is the most significant development cycle downtown has seen in more than 10 years," said Paul Morse, executive vice-president of Cushman & Wakefield LePage. "What you're seeing is a development cycle in full bloom."

With three projects set for completion by 2009, Toronto expects another 3.1 million square feet of office space, said Raymond Wong, national director of research for CB Richard Ellis.

A spokesperson said KPMG would not comment. A Brookfield spokesperson could not be reached.


So it looks like construction is just a photo op. but Still they have a lead tenant. Amazing and ready to go.

[Sacamano]

the footprint of the new tower is currently occupied by an 11 & a 12 storey office building. Site constraints, expected remediation of hazardous materials, and the carefully dismantling of one of the facade in order to be rebuilt as part of the new tower could make demolition longer than usual

none of the existing foundations will be used for the new tower

[Andy6]

They're really just getting started on dismantling the National Building and the building at Bay and Adelaide so I wouldn't expect anything to get underway for a while.

[caltrane74]

Like I thought its just a photo op. But the fact they have a lead tenant means this baby is getting built. and in theory is already under construction.

[privatejet]

The press release for tomorrows announcement
http://www.canadanewswire.com/en/releases/archive/July2006/18/c7559.html

[Sirius]

Thanks for the updates...

[caltrane74]

For those who dont know how to use links:

Brookfield Properties to Announce Major Development in Toronto's Financial Core
'Stump Busting' and Construction Commencement to Take Place in Financial
District

TORONTO, July 18 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, July 19, 2006, Brookfield
Properties Corporation president and CEO Ric Clark, joined by Toronto Mayor
David Miller and other dignitaries, will make a major real estate development
announcement regarding the site of Toronto's famed 'Stump' located on the
north side of Adelaide Street West between Yonge Street and Bay Street.
The announcement of this new commercial development will see the
landscape of the city's financial district change dramatically, as it is the
first significant development in Toronto's financial core since the BCE Place
was completed in 1992.

<<
WHAT: Toronto Mayor David Miller and Brookfield Properties president
and CEO Ric Clark will raise a sledgehammer to a bull's eye
target marked on the 'Stump'

WHERE: The 'Stump'
Located on the north side of Adelaide Street West, between Yonge
Street and Bay Street
Enter site on Adelaide Street West, at Gate 3

WHO: Ric Clark, President and CEO, Brookfield Properties Corporation
Toronto Mayor David Miller
A representative of the anchor tenant

WHEN: Wednesday, July 19, 2006

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm - Brookfield Properties Corporation
Announcement Ceremony

1:45 pm - 2:10 pm - Speaking remarks by Ric Clark and Mayor
David Miller

2:15 pm - 'Stump busting' photo opportunity

2:20 pm - Media Q&A session

[duper]

So, are they officially going to call it the KPMG tower?

Personally, I like Bay-Adelaide.

[caltrane74]

Maybe the KPMG Tower in the Bay Adelaide Centre. Kinda like how TD Centre does things. ..ie. Ernst and Young Tower.

[duper]

The announcement of this new commercial development will see the
landscape of the city's financial district change dramatically, as it is the
first significant development in Toronto's financial core since the BCE Place
was completed in 1992.

This stuff starts to sound awfully familiar.

Menkes, regarding Telus Tower.

Peter Menkes, president, Commercial/Industrial of Menkes Developments,
said "Menkes is very excited to be developing the first major office tower in
downtown Toronto in over a decade. Demand for high-quality office space in the
Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is growing and our decision to move forward on this
project reflects our belief that downtown Toronto is a dynamic place to do
business for Canadian companies, whether they are operating locally,
nationally or on a global basis."


RBC Dexia


"Cadillac Fairview is excited to be the developer of the most significant
new building in downtown Toronto in the last 15 years," said John Sullivan,
Senior Vice-President of Development for Cadillac Fairview. "We have been in a
tight competition to secure a lead tenant. Our ability to sign a major client
ahead of other substantial planned developments is a testament to the quality
of this new asset and the invaluable dedication of our team."

[Sirius]

http://www.brookfieldproperties.com/etc/bay/Bay_Ad_boards.pdf

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

I like the urban plaza they plan on building.

[vegeta_skyline]

Its good to hear some action is finally taking place.
Though its disappointing that they decided to go ahead with the current design and height.

Just what are the chances that developer might make a revision to the project? (i.e. add a couple of floor)
And would this kind of change be amenable to city hall during the construction phase?

[Sacamano]

"And would this kind of change be amenable to city hall during the construction phase?"

of course - through the committee of adjustments

the maximum allowable height is unlikely to be increased due to shadowing concerns over at NPS

[caltrane74]

I dont think this building would have an impact over at NPS. It would have to be a monster of a building to overshawdow the Sheraton and Thompson building which is right next to the square.

[WZ1]

i hate NPS .. stupid rule..

[Sacamano]

It would have to be a monster of a building to overshawdow the Sheraton and Thompson building which is right next to the square.


Those towers are 'grandfathered' - built before shadowing on the square became a concern. BTW, FCP is as well (wouldn't be approved today over shadowing concerns)



i hate NPS .. stupid rule..

Eventhough the current shape of the square is a joke, I don't see preventing future shadows from over taking our greatest civic facility as stupid



At 1000 feet, Bay Adelaide still would be a pleasing yet very basic design with an awkward base

[OrientExpress]

Who was Nathen Phillip?
Does he deserve to have his name there. I really wanted to see the whole square turned into a nice garden. Nathen Phillips garden doesn't sound to bad either.

[TOBoy]

Mayor of Toronto.

[OrientExpress]

You actually remember Mayor Phillips TOBoy. When was he mayor?

[caltrane74]

He was mayor before we were born. Even before cal was born which means it was a damn long time ago.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Anybody been by the site over the weekend? I know I promised to get some pics but I had to much to do at my new apartment. With anyluck I'll get out this weekend and doa tour. It's been such a long time since I've submitted any pictures.

[caltrane74]

they are knocking down the entrance to the stump parking lot.

buildings have been gutted. ..and a big poster of the new bay adelaide tower is up.

[Sirius]

Thanks always for the updates, appreciate it.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Caltrane, where do you work? Near by the site?

[caltrane74]

I work at King and Sherbourne. But the office is moving to Don Mills :yuck: on Thursday. But I will still be downtown hanging out on the weekends.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Shitty, although Don Mills isn't to far.

[TOBoy]

Orientexpress: Honestly I know very little about him. I was only like 90% sure he was a mayor. I was afraid I had him mixed up with someone else.

Here is some info:

- He served as mayor from 1955 until he retired in 1962 after thirty-six years in municipal politics.
- Phillips was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1926 and was the first Toronto mayor of the Jewish faith
- He is best remembered for being the driving force behind the construction of Toronto's New City Hall and the selection of a striking avant-garde design by Finnish architect Viljo Revell. Nathan Phillips Square which is part of the design and lies in front of the building was named in honour of the mayor.
- In 2005 a proposal to sell the naming rights to Nathan Phillips Square unleashed a storm of opposition from many Torontonians, including Phillips' grandchildren. The proposal was withdrawn.

[Sacamano]

" Nathen Phillips garden doesn't sound to bad either."

this is one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard

do you have any idea of the number of events held in the square

[WZ1]

I live across the street from it pretty much, Queen and Yonge.. area.. i almost stole the poster they had for my own personal pleasure.. but i did snap a couple shots that i will upload soon.

[asher11]

The construction (destruction) crews have been up on the roofs of the 2 buildings for the past week or so dismantling the infrastructure up there and tossing it off the back of the buildings. I hope once all that's gone and the 2 facades that they plan to restore are removed, they'll bring on the wrecking ball to get the job done quicker. I am assuming that they have to remove any toxic materials first.

[icescraper]

The end of the stump era is near. - ice

Hope they integrate the old with the new better in final(?) rendition.

[caltrane74]

Looks like an external elevator is being attached to the stump. Im not sure. But its the same as on the other 2 buildings.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Caltrane, we should be only a few months away from the 4 seasons now as well, and the city passed the height increase that MLS was after. That project could start anytime as well, as far as I can tell phase one is almost 100% sold and phase 2 is nearing sell out as well. So we should have 6 over 600 footers on the go at the same time.

[caltrane74]

Amazing. - 1 over 700 ft. and 1 almost 700fter under construction right now. Thats crazy. I mean in the 1980's this wouldnt even be a big deal.

6 over 600 ft. mindboggling.

We also have 2 over 500ft going up right now..with one almost complete.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Also next year we might be able to ad Shangri-La to the over 700 list.

[bhbhbh]

they have started excavation for the four seasons

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Really? We need to get some pics on this site.

[caltrane74]

Thats impossible they haven't even started sales yet. - hmmm.

Unless its all hotel. no condos.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

He must be thinking of something else. The car dealership onsite still hasn't closed.

[rbt]

they have started excavation for the four seasons
I don't remember the buildings being tendered, let alone getting permits (zoning != construction permits), hiring sub-contractors, or for that matter announcing the start of construction.

Likely what you are seeing is the prep work.

[Sacamano]

they have started excavation for the four seasons

they have started 'excavation' for the four seasons sales pavillon

[caltrane74]

Some nice renderings and techinical layouts of the building.

Looks like official company brochere.

www.brookfieldproperties.com/etc/bay/Bay_Ad_boards.pdf

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Although nothing groundbreaking, this Tower when complete is going to be a classy addition to our expanding skyline.

[caltrane74]

The STUMP IS GONE!!! celebrate. THE BA STUMP IS GONE.

Just rumble there now.


also of note. The Four Seasons Sales Centre looks to be halfway complete.
This photo is by jgreebnerg76 on Urban Toronto.. in Yorkville.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/torontophoto2/IMG_5506_4_1.JPG

[caltrane74]

There will be a Hong Kong stlye lighting element on the top of the Bay Adelaide Centre when complete.

Sure will be a nice addition to the skyline. I will try and find the article.

bye

Acclaimed artist turns his attention to a downtown office development
SARAH MILROY
Globe & Mail

Internationally acclaimed American artist James Turrell, best known for his massive reconfiguration of a volcanic crater in the Arizona desert, has set his sights on downtown Toronto.

Mr. Turrell, who was in town yesterday speaking at the University of Toronto, will create a work of public art for Brookfield Properties' forthcoming Bay Adelaide Centre, a high-end office tower in the city's business district slated for completion in 2009.

While details of the artwork's final form are still to be confirmed, the piece "will be Turrell's largest public commission to date," says Toronto public art consultant Karen Mills. The budget is set at approximately $3-million.

Mr. Turrell's work will involve the installation of shifting coloured light illuminations to transform the outdoor plaza, the lobby, as well as the side supports and top of the building's exterior, transforming the edifice into a slowly shifting beacon in the downtown core.

"I am interested in the secret life of buildings at night," Mr. Turrell said yesterday in an interview, describing the way office towers transform when they glow against the night sky.

Citing such structures as Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building in New York, he said: "In the day time they are quite modestly clothed, but at night they become something completely different."

His work for Toronto will expand on that phenomenon. The project extends a body of his work dealing with artificial illumination, but he is perhaps best known for his "skyrooms," which he has made in Dallas, Brooklyn, Seattle and elsewhere -- architectural interiors with all or a portion of the ceiling removed to admit a framed view of the sky.

These are, however, modest in comparison with his Roden Crater project, a continuing excavation and reconfiguration of a volcanic crater in the Arizona desert, which he is sculpting and interpolating with a series of chambers and passageways linked to the movement of the celestial bodies.

[caltrane74]

new rendering

http://www.brookfieldproperties.com/images/buildings/auxiliary_images/150.jpg


NOTE FOR A FEW ITEMS::::


Look at the neat Park in the Foreground. Also you can see some see through skyscrapers in the backround. Those must be the additional towers planned for the Bay Adelaide Development. But they dear not build to spark a total collaspe of the commericial real estate market in the city of Toronto.

Still its cool.

[Andy6]

That's a pretty imaginative "artist's conception". Are they planning to demolish the entire surrounding neighbourhood as well, including First Canadian Place? I will look out for those trees when I go to work this morning. They weren't there last night.

The demolition of the existing buildings on Bay St. and the "stump" is now almost complete.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Lighting this building up is a great idea, but it will be hidden from many angles.

[caltrane74]

Americans Have "Remember the Alamo" Canadians have "Rembemer the Stump!"



http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9849/nov2606thestumpwf9.jpg

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

The STUMP IS GONE!!! celebrate. THE BA STUMP IS GONE.

Just rumble there now.


also of note. The Four Seasons Sales Centre looks to be halfway complete.
This photo is by jgreebnerg76 on Urban Toronto.. in Yorkville.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/torontophoto2/IMG_5506_4_1.JPG



Funny to think this area used to be like Kensington Market. And ya, we should have a Stump Gone party me thinks.

[caltrane74]

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/843/s3600072ex3.jpg

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Caltrane, when was that taken?

[caltrane74]

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/6597/s3600070me0.jpg


geekaroo at Urban Toronto took these pictures yesterday.

[caltrane74]

Things are gonna get very interesting in the Ontario Section. We have count'em 3 buildings now going up over 600 feet.

RBC
Ritz
and BA

The excitment is building. I will need to start posting photo updates on all construction sites so we can examine every detail of progress here on our board.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Wrong! But in a good way, we now have 4!

Bay-Adelaide
Ritz-Carlton
Maple Leaf Square
RBC Centre

[caltrane74]

duh!! too much going on here.

We can do this when ecoomic growth in Ontario is a big fat "zero" , imagine what we could do with just a 2% growth in Provinical GDP.

haha :P :) :D

[401_King]

I CANT WAIT! buildem buildem buildem. i just want more more more!

[401_King]

Wrong! But in a good way, we now have 4!

Bay-Adelaide
Ritz-Carlton
Maple Leaf Square
RBC Centre


what about Trump?

[401_King]

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/6597/s3600070me0.jpg


geekaroo at Urban Toronto took these pictures yesterday.

is it me or was that quick as hell in terms of constuction? do these guys work during winter?

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

what about Trump?

No no, we have 4 u/c at the moment.

[401_King]

No no, we have 4 u/c at the moment.


MLS is just an isolated lot right now , no equipment or anything. that still counts? when do they break ground?