[caltrane74]

tiff. | Bell Lightbox

R3bMRYHSma8


by me

[caltrane74]

Onyx/AB4/5
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga/20100821021.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga/20100821016.jpg

from jasonzed at UT

[caltrane74]

Photos of Bell Lightbox and Canteen from August 20

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4917358087_aa7e4aea5a_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4917358087_aa7e4aea5a_b.jpg)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4917358065_a969a8b81e_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4917358065_a969a8b81e_b.jpg)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4917357939_28fe22aea5_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4917357939_28fe22aea5_b.jpg)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4917357861_38de9943f2_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4917357861_38de9943f2_b.jpg)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4917357811_3b954fc71a_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4917357811_3b954fc71a_b.jpg)

from current at UT

[Delirium]

^ for such a large building, they sure went with tiny signs. why so small?
looks really weird. this is one sign that you want to be big bold and flashy.

the Canteen restaurant logo is larger than TiFF's LOL

[Traynor]

^ for such a large building, they sure went with tiny signs. why so small?
looks really weird. this is one sign that you want to be big bold and flashy.

the Canteen restaurant logo is larger than TiFF's LOL

I agree. Not that we always have to compare or live up to New York, but in this case, I would have preferred a little more glitz.

Now this is what I call an LED ticker:

http://www.fontshop.com/images/features/fontmag/02_news/02_news_times_square.jpg
(Courtesy fontshop.com)

[steveve]

are there going to be many tv's (like the ones at MLS), posted around the outside of the building?.

[WhipperSnapper]

Something will go up on the blank west wall but, I hope we don't see tv's plastered all around the building. I'm hoping for exceptional lighting though.

[caltrane74]

This building is about classic Hollywood class. Therefore the small sign. its ok in my book

[caltrane74]

by jasonzed at UT

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga/08252010019.jpg

[isaidso]

I agree. Not that we always have to compare or live up to New York, but in this case, I would have preferred a little more glitz.

Now this is what I call an LED ticker:

http://www.fontshop.com/images/features/fontmag/02_news/02_news_times_square.jpg
(Courtesy fontshop.com)

I was really disappointed with how conservative the Lightbox was in the renders as well. The scale is right, but the cladding is all wrong. This is show biz, not a head office for an accounting firm. Are they trying to put us to sleep? Show us some glitz/pizzazz please! When foreigners say Canadians are boring, it's because of examples like this. We have the opportunity to build a HQ for one of the world's biggest film festivals and what do we clad it in? Grey tiles! :haha:

I was hoping for something like the Louis Vuitton store cladding in Hong Kong, but your idea is good too:

http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb32/jeanlucpikachu/hk1_10.jpg http://www.100percentkelly.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/dsc08932.JPG
http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb32/jeanlucpikachu/hk1_10.jpg
http://www.100percentkelly.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/dsc08932.JPG

[caltrane74]

from jasonzed at UT

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga/08252010018.jpg

[Traynor]

At least if tiff had screens like the ones on the ABC Times Square studios, they could project live images of stars arriving on the red carpet. That way all the thousands of people on the streets, straining to see celebrities through the crowd, could actually see something.

[caltrane74]

http://static.thestar.topscms.com/app_themes/standard/images/common/thestar_logo.gif

Howell: For TIFF (and Dorothy), no place like home

http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/43/b6/11a825314f43a14b97652b1ce702.jpeg

With the Sept. 12 opening of its pristine Bell Lightbox facility, TIFF finally gets to say, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz: “There's no place like home.”

The Toronto International Film Festival is setting down roots after 35 years of being blown by the winds of fate and progress, and there's no small irony in this. The fest has long prided itself on opening its arms ever wider to welcome the world, offering a haven to filmmakers and cultures that might otherwise be ignored.

Yet TIFF was itself adrift, at the mercy of downtown landlords, some of them more interested in film than others. Unlike its rival Cannes, which is anchored by a waterfront gem proudly called the Palais des Festivals, Toronto has had to keep finding new stairs to roll its red carpet down. One of its most popular venues, the Uptown Theatre, fell to the wrecker's ball in 2003.

No more. Though TIFF will still use additional downtown cinemas during its main September celebration, the arrival of Bell Lightbox — with its five storeys, five theatres and flexible gallery spaces — means the festival now has a place where cinema is always a priority, 365 days of the year.

“It's a statement to the rest of the world: We're here to stay, we're really proud of what we're doing, and we're going to do more of it,” said a beaming Piers Handling, TIFF's CEO and co-director.

The Lightbox has been 10 years in the making but decades in the planning. Handling first envisioned such a building 40 years ago, when he was a film scholar in Ottawa. He and his pal Wayne Clarkson, later to become TIFF's first executive director, would talk with envy about the British Film Institute complex in London.

“Wayne and I were looking at the programs BFI were putting out — the film retrospectives in particular — and it all seemed to be happening in London. They had a building. They had a home. They had publications and an archive,” Handling said in an interview.

“It was sort of the centre of the film universe. And it was, like, ‘Wow, wouldn't it be fantastic to have something like that in Canada?' So, 40 years later, we actually see that happening. So for me, personally, it's a proud moment and a very emotional moment.”

That moment took longer time than anticipated. When plans for the Bell Lightbox were announced in the spring of 2003, when the building was known as Festival Centre, the intention was to have it open in time for the festival of TIFF 2006.

Handling was at that unveiling with Michèle Maheux, TIFF's executive director and COO, who forced back tears as she described the building's slow progress from idea to reality.

The site at King and John Sts., formerly the soapy preserve of Farb's Car Wash, had been generously provided by the family of Canadian filmmaker Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Animal House) who owned the land.

Maheux used two ancient Middle Eastern words to describe how it felt: “Kismet (fate) was the word I was using to describe this; now I'm using baschert, which is much more appropriate — something that was meant to be.”

She would have reason to doubt that in the years to come. The announced 2006 opening was quietly shelved, as the expected $120 million in construction costs ballooned to $196 million. Fundraising proved to be a lot harder than anyone had expected, especially after the 2008 global economic crisis. As recently as this past spring, there were stills doubts as to whether the Lightbox could be opened this year, with 2011 considered a safer bet.

But all concerned persevered. Most of the money has now been raised and much of the building is completed (the adjacent condo development is still under construction), enough for the Lightbox to switch on its lights for this September's party.

TIFF recently announced an ambitious slate of events for its inaugural fall season, including presentations of Fritz Lang's sci-fi Metropolis, Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless and Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather, all with spanking new improved prints. The Lightbox will also be showcasing this year's Palme d'Or winner at Cannes: Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.

There's a lot more to come, Handling said.

“What we can now do now is bring the riches of world cinema to Toronto audiences every single day of the year; open access to our tourists so that people from all over the world can come to it, the same as they would to any major cultural destination like the Tate Modern or the Louvre.

“There are very few buildings like this in North America, let alone the world. For TIFF, it just sends a huge message to the rest of the world: that we're now a major cultural film organization,” Handling adds. “We're going to play at that level all year long, not just the 10 days of the festival. We want to be a catalyst for serious thinking about film, for introducing filmmakers to an audience, to generate discussion, to generate ideas, to be constantly ahead of the new, to be anticipating trends and developments, to be, ultimately, a true home for great, great filmmakers and film talent in this world.”

Cameron Bailey, TIFF's other co-director predicts that the Lightbox will do more than spark a film renaissance. It will also turn the streets around the Lightbox, already alive with restaurants, shops and theatres, into even more of an entertainment Mecca.

“The festival is going to have a total different feel,” he said.

“We don't know what it is yet, but it's going to be more social, and the Bell Lightbox is going to be the hub. We're going to have our hotel right next door. We've got this new Filmmakers' Lounge, and all the press and industry screenings just up the road. We're going to be walking around from one place to another, bumping into each other and talking about movies.”

Toronto filmmaker Ron Mann (Grass), who is also a distributor with his filmswelike company, is looking forward to showing his movies and others at the Lightbox. He jokes that he gets nostalgic for the old days.

“I still miss Ivan Reitman's dad's car wash,” he deadpanned.

“It's hard to find a good car wash downtown. But having it converted to a movie theatre was a good idea. These days, the trend is the other way around. Perhaps Lightbox could acknowledge Mr. Reitman by a celebrity car-washing fund raiser?”

You never know. It's just another crazy idea in the long transformation of the Bell Lightbox from obscure object of desire to audacious reality.

Peter Howell is the Star's movie critic. He has been covering TIFF since 1993.


http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/tiff/tiffnews/article/851952--howell-for-tiff-and-dorothy-no-place-like-home

[steveve]

Uptown/Crystal/Others today by me: (August 26, 2010)
***The Mechanical is taking some time, but the cladding is catching up!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4931026290_307281cbdd_b.jpg

[WhipperSnapper]

The Louis Vuitton cladding is pretty cool. I still can't say the same for the New York example. That's how Dundas Square should look and I'm sure in time eventually will.

Overall, I have few complaints about TIFF. I'm sure the lighting will be superb without the tackiness of in your face LED and screens from the passing boom.

[caltrane74]

Yes, this TIFF Tower is all about class and I love it, me and my girlfriend went to the little Canteen shop for dinner last week and the food was aweomse, although a little pricey. The next day I saw George Stobonopolous there with his friend chillin'..

haha :)

KING WEST MEDIA BOYS WILL BE THROWIN' DOWN HERE FOR REAL!!!

Let the party begin....Advertising Boys, Acting Boys, TV personalities, Web Development and Media boys..

its on..


More Uptown from today

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge, then click again on the image for full size.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee140/laserboy_TO/th_Uptown1_Aug26-10.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee140/laserboy_TO/Uptown1_Aug26-10.jpg) http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee140/laserboy_TO/th_Uptown2_Aug26-10.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee140/laserboy_TO/Uptown2_Aug26-10.jpg)

Crystal Blu in the foreground

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee140/laserboy_TO/th_Uptown3_Aug26-10.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee140/laserboy_TO/Uptown3_Aug26-10.jpg)


from dt toronto geek at UT

Uptown and Crystal Blu (which is no longer on this list)

[caltrane74]

by me from this morning

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3544/sany2543.jpg

[Traynor]

The Louis Vuitton cladding is pretty cool. I still can't say the same for the New York example. That's how Dundas Square should look and I'm sure in time eventually will.

Overall, I have few complaints about TIFF. I'm sure the lighting will be superb without the tackiness of in your face LED and screens from the passing boom.

Really? I find the Louis Vuiton display even more garish and distracting than ABC Times Square. Oh well, to each his own.

I don't know how to link to YouTube properly, but here is an amateur video of the VL facade in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo3U3XSbzYg&p=058EB8B98237CFC5&playnext=1&index=7

[WhipperSnapper]

^oh, I thought the Louis Vuitton was static. Either way, can't be worse than a ticker or a vid screen.

[caltrane74]

by me]

L1U8je444KM

[caltrane74]

by me


http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9806/sany2605.jpg

[caltrane74]

http://dcnonl.com/article/id40355


http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/40355/130.jpg

Deltera continues work on Solaris at Metrogate in Toronto

HOWARD MANDEL/APERTURE IMAGING

Work continues on phases one and two of the Solaris at Metrogate Phase I and II in Toronto. Deltera Inc. is general contractor for the two, 40-storey-tower project. The development will include 868-units, ground floor retail and six-levels of parking above and below grade.

The project was designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc.

Consultants are Sigmund Soudack & Associates Ltd. (structural) and Novatrend Engineering Group Ltd. (mechanical/electrical).

Subcontractors include: Coreydale Contracting Co. (excavation); Rumble Foundations (Ontario) Ltd. (shoring/caissons); C & T Reinforcing Steel Co. (1987) Ltd. (rebar); Edvac Contracting Ltd. (formwork); Global Precast; Roman Metal Fabricating Ltd. (structural); Dufferin Concrete; Gottardo Masonry; Network Mechanical Inc. (plumbing); Bellwood Sheet Metal Ltd. (HVAC); Mayfair Electric Ltd.; Toro Aluminum Ltd. (windows); and ThyssenKrupp Elevator Ltd.

[caltrane74]

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100901001.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100901005.jpg

Photo by Martinsizon
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/Martinsizon/Mississauga%20Condominiums/290820108581.jpg

from jasonzed and Martinsizon

[caltrane74]

I wonder what is the hold up with the balconey glass. I really would like to see how the cladding will look when its completely finished. This tower, (towers) are more amazing than anything.. And Im not sure Mississauga deserves them..

THEY SHOULD'VE BEEN BUILT IN HAMILTON!


hehehe... jokes. No honestly, it should have been built in Toronto on the waterfront. Im so glad were getting ICE otherwise I would be crying right now with jealousy.

[caltrane74]

look at all the parking lots

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4949613798_6e98bf4299_z.jpg

From Mike in TO at UT

[steveve]

i know. the parking lots suck serious balls. good thing there's that 45 bay proposal for that parking lot in front of Success!.. success 2 is actually gonna play a big role on the waterfront skyline..

As to Absolute World, i have no idea why the balcony cladding is so slow... and if these towers were in downtown toronto, it would be interesting to see how they would fit in... I guess they wouldn't really fit in, but they would stand out... like Marina City Towers in Chicago:

http://www.psa-chicagochapter.org/chi18A.jpg

[vanman]

look at all the parking lots

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4949613798_6e98bf4299_z.jpg

From Mike in TO at UT

Pinnacle should not be allowed to touch those remaining lots.

[caltrane74]

haha.... Well that pension fund, financial insitute from Quebec owns the lot north of Pinnacle. They have proposed the tallest tower currently in Canada for the lot. 45 Bay street. whether or not it sees the light of day is yet to be seen.

Funny enough I dont mind Pinnacle.. their designs are simple and straightforward and not totally offensive. Of course others disagree. Once L Tower and the other proposed towers are built this will fade into a background of skyscrapers..

[WhipperSnapper]

Pretty sure Pinnacle owns the lot to the east of Pinnacle Centre. However, their attention in now divided between their Entertainment District tower and their multi-towered project in Missy City Centre.

[Ramako]

Pretty sure Pinnacle owns the lot to the east of Pinnacle Centre.

God help us.

[rapid_business]

i know. the parking lots suck serious balls. good thing there's that 45 bay proposal for that parking lot in front of Success!.. success 2 is actually gonna play a big role on the waterfront skyline..

As to Absolute World, i have no idea why the balcony cladding is so slow... and if these towers were in downtown toronto, it would be interesting to see how they would fit in... I guess they wouldn't really fit in, but they would stand out... like Marina City Towers in Chicago:

http://www.psa-chicagochapter.org/chi18A.jpg

Which are absolutely wicked! I love the mid 60s design. And financed largely by a janitors and elevator repairman's pension fund IIRC.

[steveve]

Funny enough I dont mind Pinnacle.. their designs are simple and straightforward and not totally offensive. Of course others disagree. Once L Tower and the other proposed towers are built this will fade into a background of skyscrapers..

Agreed... Success tower did green glass right!. and the design worked for me too!. could success city be the a mini "concord cityplace"?. it would be awkward having huge developments by one developer on each side of the cn tower.:haha:

[WhipperSnapper]

I agree on the glass as far as green glass window-wall goes. I don't agree with the design of Success. It's bland despite its awkwardness. I'm glad these multi-tower properties are running out. Few of them impress me to the degree of the one off infill happening everywhere.

[caltrane74]

by jasonzed in the main construction thread

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903022.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903027.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903033.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903025.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903023.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903024.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903020.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903004.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903017.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903037.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100903031.jpg

I know what you guys are thinking.. these towers are hot...

but....

ICE
AURA
L Tower
Shangrila
ICE 1 and ICE 2

will blow these bad boys out of the water...WE"RE GOING TO SHOW MISSISSAUGA HOW WE ROLL IN THE TDOT!!


Don't worry we got something for you.

:)

[steveve]

I'm getting sick of these "2 nearly identical tower proposals" that have been going up all over town.

ROCP, MET, Murano, MLS, ICE, U condos, Emerald Park, Solaris, Gibson Square, the list goes on... and on... and on.....
We have so many of these 2 (or more) skyscraper-condo complexes. If you ask me, sometimes seeing 2 of the same thing over and over and over again throughout the city gets bloated. I much prefer single towers on the skyline.. its just more special to me :cool:

I guess its because we have so much space to support them. developers are buying HUGE chunks of land in downtown that they can afford to build so many. i don't think NY/Chi has as many "2 tower complex condos" like us.

[Coldrsx]

Ecpor Tower as per 'newfangled from c2e and ssp'

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4958555300_c8fd2fb257_z.jpg

[Coldrsx]

Epcor courtesy of edmcowboy11 from c2e

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs423.snc4/46649_151377421553475_100000436549239_370999_8024563_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs203.ash2/46649_151377424886808_100000436549239_371000_4000768_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs609.snc4/58974_151377464886804_100000436549239_371001_1166676_n.jpg

[koops65]

Absoluteworld today, by me:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4968859397_e33c1fc141_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11485387@N04/4968859397/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4969468456_f38a61f5d7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11485387@N04/4969468456/)

Solaris today, by me:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4969463818_b1437c6dc5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11485387@N04/4969463818/)

Uptown/Crystal Blu:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4968854309_d3a1a42847_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11485387@N04/4968854309/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4969462162_e18dc02157_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11485387@N04/4969462162/)

[steveve]

WOW! great tour you got there Koops! you covered a TON of projects all over the province! You must have gone on a big roadtrip. Solaris, Absolute World, and Uptown are SOOOOO far apart from eachother! :D . epic

[koops65]

:previous: Driving in from K-W, they seem close to each other to me...

[steveve]

:previous: Driving in from K-W, they seem close to each other to me...

sorry but, where's K-W? :shrug:

[caltrane74]

by me

uEqHPuKRtAM

[koops65]

sorry but, where's K-W? :shrug:

That would be Kitchener/Waterloo, 1 hour west of Toronto...

P.S. How are your geography lessons going? Having trouble in that area? :haha:

[caltrane74]

steveve, you do drugs dont you?

Or you're like just naturally stoned, or something... I remember when I was you age, there was this really popular show from KW (Kitchener-Waterloo). With some German guy pretending to be some kid friendly Captian Kangaroo. Anyways, from the time I was like 8, I knew where Kitchener was....

[Locked In]

Some photos (http://picasaweb.google.com/dev.pics.1/VancouverSummer2010#5514756423135642450) of the Hotel Georgia taken by me today - around 14 stories + mechanical to go:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TIhZv5fNw1I/AAAAAAAADgI/p_whCKA2XC0/s800/IMG_8039.JPG
Full Size (http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TIhZv5fNw1I/AAAAAAAADgI/p_whCKA2XC0/IMG_8039.JPG)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TIhZxC7Qr-I/AAAAAAAADgM/Xi1QS9iuylQ/s800/IMG_8043.JPG
Full Size (http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TIhZxC7Qr-I/AAAAAAAADgM/Xi1QS9iuylQ/IMG_8043.JPG)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TIhZyQhDpiI/AAAAAAAADgQ/GTy48eujGTI/s800/IMG_8045.JPG
Full Size (http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TIhZyQhDpiI/AAAAAAAADgQ/GTy48eujGTI/IMG_8045.JPG)

My photo (http://picasaweb.google.com/dev.pics.1/VancouverSummer2010#5512140145244921698) from last week:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TH8OQe1-X2I/AAAAAAAADfo/xKCidjXif7U/s800/IMG_7954.JPG
Full Size (http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9FW9P3-u1EI/TH8OQe1-X2I/AAAAAAAADfo/xKCidjXif7U/IMG_7954.JPG)

[caltrane74]

THAT CLADDING IS SICKK!

I also love the shape of the building. But honestly, that is some of the best cladding Ive ever seen go on any Tower built recently.

[WhipperSnapper]

Agree on the cladding however, the shape has never done anything for me. I do like slopes 'n angles but I guess not when they are forced onto a box.

[Coldrsx]

Photos from 'ricolance21' and SSP

http://a.imageshack.us/img225/8803/image930.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img685/6656/image933i.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img832/4308/image929.jpg

reflection and a finished ATB top
http://a.imageshack.us/img710/5066/image932.jpg

[caltrane74]

Nice Epcor Update.. cladding again is a winner!!!

Here is an update from the TIFF Tower by interchange42 at UT and comentary by Doug Convoy from inside the Development Team at the Bell Lightbox.


tiff. | Bell Lightbox is finally here and the embargo on publication has been lifted! Over the next week, Urban Toronto will be giving you insider access to this long-awaited, new heart of Toronto's internationally-acclaimed film community. Our exhaustive tour will be taking you into spaces big and small, from top to bottom, inside and out. So, stay tuned.

For now, here's a teaser of recent exterior images and interior pics taken in early August showing Lightbox still under construction. Enjoy.

Text by Doug Convoy Photos by Interchange42

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFLightbox1097KingStpano.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxEntry.jpg


Main atrium looking west toward Master Control.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxAtrium2pano.jpg


Main atrium looking east.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxAtriumBluepano.jpg


Atrium for TIFF offices.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOfficeAtriumpano.jpg


Luma Restaurant and Blackberry Lounge.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxBlackberryConstructpano.jpg


Cinema One.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxCinema1pano.jpg


Way more detail and lots of photos are coming over the next week!

[Coldrsx]

TIFF is quite nice although the massing is too heavy for me.

As for EPCOR, i wish the glazing was more translucent. I do love the balconies on each floor and their clear glass railings.

[caltrane74]

All the diva's at UT are complaining about the massing, but it has to serve many purposes mainly, being a showcase, showroom for the worlds top movie stars, and it has to hold 5 theaters. There was no way to do this without being "Heavy"

I'm sure in time, it will coax into it surroundings better when the other similarly sized developments go up all around it, including 5 Mercer to the South, and Pinnacle behind it.

[Traynor]

All the diva's at UT are complaining about the massing, but it has to serve many purposes mainly, being a showcase, showroom for the worlds top movie stars, and it has to hold 5 theaters. There was no way to do this without being "Heavy"...

Really Cal? Absolutely NO WAY? Are you buying in to what the developers are cramming down your throat?

How about 3 of those theatres being built completely underground? A theatre doesn't need windows after all.

Or perhaps building the podium slightly taller but incorporating major setbacks to better fit in with the street. (Same square footage, but arranged differently.)

There are probably hundreds of ways this could have been made less intrusive and yet be sexier and more "Hollywood".

Like giving the tiff entrance some grandeur, as it deserves. Instead of a looking like a shopping-mall fire exit.

[Coldrsx]

^bingo.
:cheers: :tup: :cheers: :tup:

[caltrane74]

You guys seem to be forgetting that this building also has to accomodate a condo tower on top, barely got enough financing to get off the ground, and has to deal with the parking demands of the owners of the condo units which also partially financed construction.

[Coldrsx]

^well then that makes a mediocre podium acceptable then.

[Traynor]

The more you "excuse" a developer the more (or less) they will get away with. By being critical and vociferous of those critiques, you hold their feet to the fire and demand better from them.

It's the law of entropy in action here. The less they offer, the less we expect, the less we expect, the less they offer and so on. You end up with a whole lot of "indifference and complacency".

That is not good enough.

[Coldrsx]

I should say the podium is not a disaster, but they could have relieved some of its midriff with some design choices.

[Traynor]

These interiors are reminiscent of any number of museum interior designs from the 90's.

And what were they thinking with this?

I want to take a giant hammer and smash it, because the design of this building is a fashion emergency!

http://mysteryshoppingmatters.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/07/05/329759_break_glass.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxAtrium2pano.jpg

[Ramako]

^well then that makes a mediocre podium acceptable then.

Do you really consider that podium medicore though? The massing may not be your cup of tea (though I happen to love massive streetwall forming podiums), but on pure aesthetics it has a lot going for it. It's probably one of the most visually engaging ever built in Toronto. I'm not just talking about the lighting, signage and scrolling ticker, but the various module components and textures, and the way they interact with sunlight.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4917358087_aa7e4aea5a_b.jpg
By: current at UT

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4910815641_6f482b15a6_b.jpg
By: spaced at UT

[Coldrsx]

^I do... again not terrible by any stretch, but not that welcoming and grandiose. I would have loved to see a 2 storey glass wall rather than a large soffit overhang... and would it have killed them to incorporate some color or art on the front of the glazing? It is so grey cloud.

[Coldrsx]

I find it very similar to the Fairmont, not bad and hell i love the materials, but not inviting or well done at the street.

http://buildipedia.com/images/masterformat/Channels/Go_Green/Vancouver_Sets_The_Green_Stage/gallery_2/Fairmont_Pacific_Rim_By_James_Cheng_-_Credit_SAL.jpg

[steveve]

steveve, you do drugs dont you?

Or you're like just naturally stoned, or something... I remember when I was you age, there was this really popular show from KW (Kitchener-Waterloo). With some German guy pretending to be some kid friendly Captian Kangaroo. Anyways, from the time I was like 8, I knew where Kitchener was....

HA!!! :haha:

not as stoned as this guy: :haha:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520

[WhipperSnapper]

I find Tiff in another league compared to Fairmont which is a schizophrenic collage of everything but the kitchen sink. I also think TIFF will be far more engaging at street level once the paper comes off the windows. The massing maybe overbearing at present date however, this is the future for this part of Toronto. I can't say I'm the biggest fan of this future but it will reflect a highrise urban core of a metro of 6 million and growing. It is amusing though that some of the folks over at UT are glowing over M5V yet consider TIFF overbearing.

Hollywood? No thanks. We have enough tackiness in this city. Anyone that think restaurant row will survive our lifetimes is dreaming of soda fountains and twisting to music.

[caltrane74]

I happen to agree with your thinking in regards to the future of the Entertainment District. The Bell Lightbox is now the flat price of admission into this neighbourhood, and I suspect, that whilst development may overtake the restaurants on the otherside of the street, they may be somehow worked into the plans of any future highrise developments. Land values here are rising faster here it seems than anywhere else in Toronto.

[WhipperSnapper]

Not sure how they could be incorporated or even that should be. There are afterall mainly house forms that have been altered numerous times over the years. If I remember correctly, a 40ish storey proposal is already in to replace several lowrises on that block.

The approval of the Bell Lightbox set the tone for all future developments in the nabe. The once strict heights limits are all but obsolete. Even the planning department recognizes buildings disallowed five years are now an appropriate density and scale. This nabe will one day rival Yorkville. It's just too close to the CBD. It already has the highest concentration of the city's luxurious boutique hotels and the five star brands are just around the corner.

[caltrane74]

For our second instalment on TIFF Bell Lightbox, Urban Toronto does a swing of the exterior, starting at street level on King, up to the roof, back down again, and around to John St

Text by Doug Convoy Photos by Interchange42

A view of TIFF Bell Lightbox from across King St W. A broad canopy shelters the main King St entry and defines a generous arcade that wraps around the corner of the building to John Street.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170497.jpg


An LED ticker embedded in the side of the canopy displays shifting patterns of light and colour, which are highly visible even in full sun.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170495.jpg


Heading out to the rooftop terrace of TIFF Bell Lightbox containing the striking ‘Malaparte’ screening area.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170469.jpg


The outdoor amphitheatre makes reference to the roof of the Villa Malaparte on the Island of Capri that is an icon of film and architecture.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170473.jpg


On the left, Matthew Wilson, project architect for KPMB, takes in the view.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170479.jpg


Looking east toward the Financial District from the top of the Malaparte Amphitheatre.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFMalaparte1097pano.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170482.jpg


Heading back down to King St with M5V Condos poking up from behind.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170470.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170494.jpg


The underside of the King St canopy is activated by successive light strips that glow and pulsate in alternating rhythms.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170487.jpg


TIFF Bell Lightbox is designed to be highly animated at street level, with restaurants, galleries, theatres, and other gathering places ensuring lots of activity day and night.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170488.jpg


A sequence of moving images on screens affixed to the building’s support columns beneath the canopy will enliven the sidewalk and draw the eye directly to the box office and two-storey lobby.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170491.jpg


Rounding the corner to John St and the entrance to Festival Tower, glazed in red and still very much under construction, which brings us to the end of this report on TIFF Bell Lightbox. Next up, Urban Toronto takes you inside. So, stay tuned!

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170490.jpg

from interchange42 at UT

- Who would want this disaster building in their city..?

Sooooooooooooo disigusting and gross.

[Traynor]

Cal, it's not horrible, it's just not spectacular, as in 'spectacle' like a movie palace should be. It's architecture we've seen before.

This angle is vaguely reminiscent of One Dundas and the Eaton Centre as viewed from Yonge and Dundas. If you squint and imagine a blending of the two you can see it. And that design is approaching 40 years old. The Eaton Centre has always been criticized for being out of scale and turning it's back on Yonge Street, just as this behemoth seems to do.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4910815641_6f482b15a6_b.jpg

[caltrane74]

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170488.jpg

If this is turning your back on a street, then I'd hate to see what a building does when it goes full frontal nude all up in my face..

:P

As for the Out of Scale, like goodlookin' said. In another couple of years, this will be the small tower on the block. Remember 177 King will be across the street, 8 Mercer In front of this beast, and Pinnacle Tower will be directly behind this thing.

[caltrane74]

EllisDon continues work on 18 York Street office building in Toronto

http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/40518/130.jpg

Glass work continues on a new office building at 18 York Street in Toronto. EllisDon Corp. is construction manager and Pivotal Projects Inc. is project manager for the 26-storey office, which includes three levels of below-grade parking and ground floor retail space.

Great West Life Realty Advisors are the owners and completion is scheduled for the end of 2011. The office was designed by KPMB Architects.

Consultants are: Halcrow Yolles (structural); The Mitchell Partnership (mechanical); Mulvey & Banani International Inc. (electrical); Halsall Associates Ltd. (LEED) and Corban & Goode Landscape Architects.

Subtrades include: Anpro Excavating & Grading Ltd.; Deep Foundations Contractors Inc.; Structform International Ltd. (formwork); Harris Rebar; St. Marys CBM; Camino Modular Systems Inc. (flooring); Modern Niagara Toronto Inc. (mechanical); Guild Electric Ltd.; Maple Terrazzo Marble & Tile Inc. (stone/ceramic/terrazzo); Antamex International Inc. (glass/glazing); and Bothwell-Accurate Co. Ltd. (waterproofing).


http://dcnonl.com/article/id40518

[Coldrsx]

again not bad at all, but aren't places of art and design suppose to be dramatic, evocative, inspiring?

[steveve]

haha!! that terrace is EPIC!. those stairs are really really really really cool too! :D !

But what confuses me is the BIG stairs in the middle.. what are they there for???

[caltrane74]

I'll make the assumption that the big wide stairs are there for setting up stadium (theater) style seating to show movies outdoors on the terrace. And then the narrow stairs are like the aisles in a Movie theater to walk between rows of seating.

Just guessing though.

[bulliver]

They should have hit up tiff's podium with some colour like Edmonton clinic:
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/edmontonclinic/images/north-view2.jpg
http://www.edmontonclinic.ca/architecture.cfm

[caltrane74]

i think the no color thing is the Toronto Design style a la the ROM, AGO, and GARDINER MVSUEM.

[dleung]

Cal, it's not horrible, it's just not spectacular, as in 'spectacle' like a movie palace should be. It's architecture we've seen before.

This angle is vaguely reminiscent of One Dundas and the Eaton Centre as viewed from Yonge and Dundas. If you squint and imagine a blending of the two you can see it. And that design is approaching 40 years old. The Eaton Centre has always been criticized for being out of scale and turning it's back on Yonge Street, just as this behemoth seems to do.


If this is turning your back on a street, then I'd hate to see what a building does when it goes full frontal nude all up in my face..

As for the Out of Scale, like goodlookin' said. In another couple of years, this will be the small tower on the block. Remember 177 King will be across the street, 8 Mercer In front of this beast, and Pinnacle Tower will be directly behind this thing.

The little canteen on the corner and the little arcade covering the entrance is peanuts compared to the size of the podium and the significance of its function. The arcade could easily be twice as tall and deep. There's surprisingly little public space on ground level, given a project like this... for the most part it's pushed completely to the curb:

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170497.jpg

[niwell]

Personally I really, really like TIFF, particularly at ground level. Taken in context, with the row of 19th buildings turned restaurants/lounges across on King (those buildings aren't going anywhere, most are protected IIRC) it's particularly striking. Not overdone or gaudy as such a thing was liable to turn out as either.

Edit: Heritage properties as defined by the city, # on King St W between John and Peter: 287, 289, 291, 291A, 293, 295, 297, 299, 299A, 301, 301, 315, 319, 321, 323, 325, 325A, 327, 333, 355.
That leaves one small and one large gap for future development. Neither of which are directly across from TIFF per se. Most of these are listed, but expect a fight to lose them regardless.

[WhipperSnapper]

I understand the row across the street is protected and that the heritage status holds water however, I definitely see the city giving in to development pressures eventually. It seems half the entertainment district has received heritage status and every new proposal replacing more than a parking lot undergoes a heritage review ... yet towers are still being built at a prolific pace.

I'm really not liking the way the solid coloured glass on the Edmonton Clinic has turned out. There are far better examples on how to do coloured accents in TIFF's own backyard.

The little canteen on the corner and the little arcade covering the entrance is peanuts compared to the size of the podium and the significance of its function. The arcade could easily be twice as tall and deep. There's surprisingly little public space on ground level, given a project like this... for the most part it's pushed completely to the curb:


The canteen is the only thing open so it's a little premature to draw conclusions such as the surprisingly little public space.

[niwell]

Personally I think that row has more staying power than most of the Entertainment District. It's both profitable and visually appealing, likely because of the location on King, and the fact it was originally designed as main street retail space. A lot of the other lowrise stuff is wedged between old warehouses and not really noticeable, even though it is of the same vintage.

[caltrane74]

by me

XIx2PBC7lIQ

47NKzHu_fWU

[steveve]

Random Uptown/Crystal shots from today:

*For some reason, when you're standing at the base of Uptown, it doesn't seem like a 150m+ tower but when you step a few feet back, it looks massive. :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4984602718_27453a8052_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4984007143_700a62005f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4984591654_a3574e0c53_b.jpg

[dleung]

The little canteen on the corner and the little arcade covering the entrance is peanuts compared to the size of the podium and the significance of its function. The arcade could easily be twice as tall and deep. There's surprisingly little public space on ground level, given a project like this... for the most part it's pushed completely to the curb:
http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/TIFFP1170497.jpg

The canteen is the only thing open so it's a little premature to draw conclusions such as the surprisingly little public space.

The wait-and-see card may be valid if the building's still under construction... but one doesn't need to wait for the brown paper to come off the remaining windows to realize that the podium's only setback for public space is that recess for the canteen/entrance... or what Coldrsx calls a "mall fire exit". Heck, most condos in coal harbour have brighter, grander entrances:

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2576/dsc06038q.jpg http://www.6717000.com/2harbourgreen/images/54.jpg

http://www.6717000.com/harbourgreenplace/images/22.jpg

Though I'd agree that Fairmont's street interface is far worse.

[WhipperSnapper]

Are you f'ing kidding me?!? A porte-cochere is brighter and grander? Ooooo, a glass awning!!! Maybe it's the suburbia where you hail from or Vancouver's propensity towards post-modernism. You are the one that stated that they will throw everything at a design and see what sticks to keep it from being minimalistic, boxy, right? Those entrances could easily be confused with Mississauga or North York . (Aside from Harbour Green's ridiculously high price points and the materials usedthat reflect them)

[Dwils01]

My personal opinion but I really never liked the design of TIFF, I think it's a little boring. Buildings like Absolute World and One Bloor get my attention because they have an interesting design.

[caltrane74]

The TIFF Tower is a multi-functioning tower so it has to work for those interest that financed its construction first.

It's the worlds leading showcase for artistic and cutting edge film.. not meant to be a showcase for engineering/building design. However. It has multi-floor interaction with the street with patios on the first and second levels, and the sky terrace for viewing movies.

[caltrane74]

On Sunday, TIFF Bell Lightbox took centre-stage as thousands of film buffs, members of the press, TIFF organizers, politicos, assorted luminaries, and ordinary Torontonians descended on King St W and John St for its long-anticipated and historic grand opening. A huge street party was held as the doors to this internationally-unprecedented cultural facility devoted entirely to film were flung open to the general public for the first time. Never missing a beat, Urban Toronto was there to catch all the action.

Text by Doug Convoy Photos by Interchange42

Ribbon-cutting and press coverage.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170587.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170590.jpg


The crush of media.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170620.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170589.jpg


TIFF CEO and co-director Piers Handling cutting the ribbon. To his left are Michelle Maheux, TIFF Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, and Noah Cowan, Artistic Director of TIFF BEll Lightbox. To Handling's immediate right is Joan Cohl, wife of the late Dusty Cohl, one of the founders of TIFF. To her right is filmmaker Jason Reitman and TIFF founder Bill Marshall. Also visible are Cllrs Kyle Rae and Adam Vaughan. Other notable ribbon-cutting participants include TIFF founder Henk van der Kolk, Susan Michaels of the Reitman Family, and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170600.jpg


Ontario Culture Minister Michael Chan is at the far left next to Cllr Kyle Rae.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170602.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170604.jpg


CP24 reporter George Lagogianes interviews filmmaker Ivan Reitman. Agi Mandel of the Reitman family is visible to his immediate left and Cllr Kyle Rae to his right.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170615.jpg


Piers Handling talks with Jason Reitman.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170616.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170618.jpg


Doors open.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170623.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170767.jpg


Cake-cutting ceremony inside TIFF Bell Lightbox.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170628.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170768.jpg


The gift shop replete with cinema-related non-fiction books and TIFF-branded products.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170645.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170648.jpg


A view toward one of two gallery spaces at TIFF Bell Lightbox, this one featuring the Essential Cinema exhibit.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170643.jpg


‘Essential Cinema’ opens with ‘Hauntings I’ by Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin, which invokes the ghosts of cinema lost with eleven projections of cuttings from supposed-cinematic masterpieces never realized.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170673.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170663.jpg


‘Essential Cinema’ continues with a celebration of realized cinematic masterpieces, with costumes, props, posters, music samples, film stills, and other artefacts from the top 100 films of all time as identified by Toronto filmgoers and TIFF programmers.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170668.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170664.jpg


The Essential Cinema exhibit is on until October 23, 2010 to be replaced in November by The Burton Collection, a compilation of drawings, sculptures, and videos by filmmaker Tim Burton.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170669.jpg


Street Party.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170583.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170776.jpg


LUMA Restaurant on the second floor of TIFF Bell Lightbox, with outdoor terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking King and John.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170584.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170779.jpg


Night falls on TIFF Bell Lightbox.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170866.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170881.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170920.jpg


No longer an aloof architectural object, TIFF Bell Lightbox now is fully animated as the beating heart of one of the world’s pre-eminent film festivals and film communities.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170886.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170891.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170870.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170875.jpg


Luma above, Canteen below.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170902.jpg


The sparkling beacon atop Festival Tower announces the arrival of TIFF Bell Lightbox.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170915.jpg


Tomorrow, Urban Toronto’s red-carpet tour of this unique, hybrid cultural institution-movie house continues inside. So, stay tuned!

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxOpenP1170770.jpg


from interchange42 and Doug Convoy at UT

[caltrane74]

Urban Toronto’s exploration of TIFF Bell Lightbox continues inside the extensive facility, going up, down, and around the different levels, into spaces large and small.

Text by Doug Convoy Photos by Interchange42

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170770.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170425.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170765.jpg


A view across the massive public atrium, which connects the three principal levels of TIFF Bell Lightbox – the ground floor, containing the box office, gift shop, and main exhibition hall; the Promenade level, with three movie theatres; and the learning floor, with two movie theatres and three RBC Learning Studios.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170684.jpg


Master Control for all screens and film installations throughout the complex.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170710.jpg


Stair leading to the balcony of the 550-seat Cinema One, which is 3D-capable and has an orchestra pit for live performances.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170753.jpg


A view inside Cinema One while still under construction. The world-premiere of Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010) inaugurated the 3D projection system at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxCinema1750pano.jpg


Cinema Two with approximately 400 seats. All five movie theatres at TIFF Bell Lightbox are completely sound-neutral resulting from their special box-in-box construction. Theatre seats furnished by Quinette Gallay (http://quinette.fr) provide extra comfort.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170750.jpg


Cinema Two

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170741.jpg


The more intimate and experimental Cinema Four showcasing Atom Egoyan’s installation 8 1/2 Screens (http://www.tiff08.ca/essential/specialcommissions/atom).

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170695.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170702.jpg


8 1/2 Screens is inspired by Fellini’s seminal film 8 ½.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170689.jpg


Cinema Five, currently featuring James Andean and François Xavier Saint-Pierre’s installation E-100 (http://www.tiff08.ca/essential/specialcommissions/james), contains 80 seats on moveable risers for easy reconfiguration.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170707.jpg


Both 8 1/2 Screens and E-100 play continuously until October 3, for free. Both are worth your time.

One of three RBC Learning Studios at TIFF Bell Lightbox showing the Toronto-premiere of Ming Wong’s In Love for the Mood (http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2010/201008260038083) (2009) and Angst Essen/Eat Fear (http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2010/201008260038083) (2008).

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170714.jpg


Important artefacts from TIFF’s history are on view in the Canadian Film Gallery at the Film Reference Library on the fourth floor of TIFF Bell Lightbox.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170465.jpg


Looking across the Canadian Film Gallery at the Film Reference Library. A tribute to Brian Linehan is currently on display in an additional small gallery at the back of the library. This will be followed by a tribute to Toronto-born Mary Pickford at the end of the year.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170462.jpg


A panoramic view of the three-storey public atrium at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxLobby2ndSEpano.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxLobbyNEpano.jpg


The box office with six display stations to welcome and engage visitors.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170408.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170424.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170859.jpg


The Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film of 2004 for Les Invasions barbares, which concludes this instalment on TIFF Bell Lightbox. Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170682.jpg

Part 2 from interchange42 at UT

[caltrane74]

^Yeah. How tacky. I decided they should've just had an all new building, as the 2s podium looks small town puny...

12 September 2010: Buriere:

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9430/dsc00485i.jpg

from urbandreamer at UT / Burano Bay and College

[caltrane74]

1st picture is from Lakeshore and Hurontario
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100912151.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100912031.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100912029.jpg

from Jasonzed at UT

[caltrane74]

Urban Toronto’s extensive coverage of TIFF Bell Lightbox (http://tiff.net/tiffbelllightbox) winds down at the BlackBerry Lounge and LUMA restaurant (http://www.oliverbonacini.com/Luma.aspx) by Oliver & Bonacini on the second floor and O & B Canteen (http://www.oliverbonacini.com/OurCompany/News/O-B-Canteen-Now-Open%21.aspx) at street-level. All designed by KPMB Architects (http://www.kpmb.com/), these high-profile and highly-permeable gathering places add extra buzz and excitement to TIFF’s exceptional, new cinematic facility.

Text by Doug Convoy Photos by Interchange42

The BlackBerry Lounge offers drinks, light dining, and plenty of opportunities to mingle and hobnob.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170734.jpg


One of many BlackBerry charging stations inside the BlackBerry Lounge.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170731.jpg


The wrap-around bar at the BlackBerry Lounge.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170729.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170727.jpg


Both the BlackBerry Lounge and adjoining LUMA restaurant afford excellent, floor-to-ceiling views over King St.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170732.jpg


LUMA delivers upscale dining courtesy of Executive Chef Jason Bangerter.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170720.jpg


The restaurant’s fine-dining experience is complimented in the rich woods, leather, and stone of its interior design.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170721.jpg


O & B partners Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170725.jpg


O & B Canteen at King St W and John St offers casual, all-day dining and take-away.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170936.jpg


O & B Canteen’s see-and-be-seen locale has proven quite popular with Toronto restaurant-goers.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/LightboxP1170933.jpg

And that marks the end of our special feature on the opening of TIFF Bell Lightbox, a truly groundbreaking cultural institution that brings new dimension to this city’s ever-burgeoning arts and culture scene. Please be sure to watch for more Urban Toronto reports on city-changing projects in the weeks ahead.


from interchange42 at UT

The Last in the Bell Lightbox series.

The tower looks to have another month or two to go before it's off the list however.

[vanman]

Overall I like Bell Lightbox but as others have mentioned the podium is way too bulky and awkward, and the main entrance way is overly dull for such a prominent building.

[steveve]

Overall I like Bell Lightbox but as others have mentioned the podium is way too bulky and awkward, and the main entrance way is overly dull for such a prominent building.

yes. its big, HUGE, CHUNKY!... (sounds kinda dirty.. twss). Its oversized. but its suppose to be since its the home of tiff now!.

This podium looks EVEN larger because of the surrounding low-rises. But once the Mercer gets built/other condos. it won't look so menacing.:)

[caltrane74]

Many thanks for the photos.

I had a chance today to walk through the building and if one has not already done so, I highly recommend it: the place is open to all, including some of the cinemas, and its a great place to explore.

I was extremely impressed with the building. It was this great mix of the neo-modern aesthetic meets the multi-plex. At times, and in spots, this building was more exciting than MOMA (a great example of the best of the neo-modern movement). Even the large expanses of glass overlooking older buildings across the street, reminded me of the best of MOMA.

Considering the limited budget, they did an exceptional job. The colours and materials all worked (but yes, the walls could use another coat of paint and you could tell many spots were rushed for the opening).

Architecture aside, this is a huge building to program (and to pay for). With so many labs, gallery space, cinemas, libraries and office space, I am not sure how this place is going to sustain itself (I cannot emphasis enough that the complex is huge) but I am sure they had some business plan in mind and I wish them all the luck. This has the potential to be a landmark and a constantly active cultural institution, which will really leave a impact on the city (and certainly the immediate area).


from UT alkay posting his feelings on the building.

[caltrane74]

The building just got a write up in the Chicago Tribune..

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-100913-toronto-bell-lightbox,0,2478115.column

And another positive write up - also by the Chicago Tribune


http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-mov-0910-talking-pictures-20100910,0,2839832.story

[caltrane74]

Im in the blackberry louge right now....

The views are amazing.... this place is awesome.

[niwell]

I've mentioned my like of the lightbox above, but I'll say it again. I really, really like this building. It's very well proportioned and the podium - while large - is understated enough to be classy. It's just done well.

[caltrane74]

from today...
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100914030.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100914061.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/jasonzedd/Mississauga4/20100914065.jpg

from jasonzed at UT

[caltrane74]

by Mike in TO at UT


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4994224652_52b99d44e3_b.jpg

[Coldrsx]

Epcor last night

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/day%201%20road%20trip/DSC00044.jpg

[caltrane74]

i was just over at southcore financial center. That whole place is sweet. Starting too look really good. Hadnt seen 18 york in a while.

[steveve]

Photos from a few minutes ago:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5004557105_95ee2b91cc_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5005172380_5562968779_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5005176536_36fd0597cf_b.jpg