[sparky212]

The Renaissance Phase one 28 stories 93.5m T/O
Phase 2 28 stories 93.5m proposed

[ldoto]

Here's the last pic I have from the Renaissance!!!!!!:cool:


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/2008/DSC07540.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/2008/DSC07527.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/2008/DSC07525.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/News%20Paper%20Photos/LDN20080815ML01RENAISSANCE.jpg

[MolsonExport]

I don't see part II becoming a reality for at least 4 years given current economic climate.

[sparky212]

u never know. u know the old saying if they build it they will come

[GreatTallNorth2]

I pray that they change something about the second tower and not make it an identical twin of the first. Sure, it's not as bad as CityPlace, but 28 stories of concrete ain't that pretty.

[sparky212]

maybe something like panorama in T.O

[koops65]

I've submitted my drawings of the buildings to the Diagram section. Let me know what you think, if they need to be modified in any way.

[QuantumLeap]

Tricar has changed the Renaissance website so its easier to look at floorplans etc, and are advertising open houses. I guess they are hoping to start renting soon!

[QuantumLeap]

I pray that they change something about the second tower and not make it an identical twin of the first. Sure, it's not as bad as CityPlace, but 28 stories of concrete ain't that pretty.

It would be real nice if they set back the tower on York Street after the 5th floor. They motioned at this on the King Tower, but didn't actually really do it. A setback of 15 ft or so is really all that is needed.

[ldoto]

:previous: Here's some new pics from the top of the renaissance from the Tricar Group web site enjoy!!!!
:D
http://www.tricar.com/renaissance/pages/photogallery.php

[ssiguy]

I don't understand the London housing market, I really don't.
What is it with London building all these new massive rental buildings? In a city as cheap as London who would rent an expensive apt when they could buy a condo for less money?

[MolsonExport]

For one thing, strata fees aren't exactly cheap.

[Blitz]

What is it with London building all these new massive rental buildings? In a city as cheap as London who would rent an expensive apt when they could buy a condo for less money?

I did because I'm only temporarily employed in London but still wanted a decent place to live that was close to everything.

The thinking is that these buildings are starting off as rentals until they fill up and then will be changing over to condos.

[JrUrbanDesigner]

I don't understand the London housing market, I really don't.
What is it with London building all these new massive rental buildings? In a city as cheap as London who would rent an expensive apt when they could buy a condo for less money?

For this particular instance, in the downtown, developpers have been given incentives such as exemptions from development charges and a portion of the property taxes are forgiven for (I believe) 10 years - the way this works is that only the owner of the property can receive these incentives, if they were condos tricar wouldnt be able to benefit as they would no longer be the owners.

So like the previous post said they could flip them to become condos when they no longer receive incentives from the city. I think its a pretty good deal if someone has the money to build a tower.

[ssiguy]

Thanks for info, it makes a bit more sense now.
I guess transferring some of the rentals to condos may be in the future for these buildings. Years ago I use to live on a highrise [can't remember the name} but it was about 12 stories between Ridout & Wellington and Commissioners and Southdale. Does Sandringham ring a bell? I'm not sure. Anyway I was very surprised to see it had gone condo.

BTW.......according Stats Can the new EI report states that CMA London 4,500 in the last year and thats just for people over 15 years old. That's pretty damn good!

[ckkelley]

For one thing, strata fees aren't exactly cheap.

I've noticed that strata fees back east are much more than in BC.

Any idea why that is?

[sparky212]

Big news the crane went down today on the Reniassance:cheers:

[sparky212]

Hey can one of the mods. change the title to phase one interior plz

[Whisper09]

Here's a picture update (aerial view)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3604310953_f600cd9642_b.jpg

I have a question, is it just me, or do they fill these "squares" with concrete, then cut them out and put in windows (along bottom floors)

[sparky212]

no they're cast with windows

[Whisper09]

^ what do you mean?

[sparky212]

when they pour a wall for the podium they make half the windows shape out of a wood moulds and when thats solidifies they flip the mould and finnish the window

[Whisper09]

As I was taking pictures of the London Art Museum, it got me to wonder, "Where the heck is The Renaissance?!" As I kept on looking, right out of the corner of my eye, I notice this white object, and then it got me thinking "OH **** THERE IT IS!" Let me tell you, it pretty fun flying over The Renaissance, with only about 50-100 feet to spare. The first picture, I could not get the whole top because we were hauling about 25 mph, and it was a last second take, as it surprised me!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3700937450_8de0b04707_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3700938446_a4ae7c4052_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3700127497_f8d5a349e1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3700127497_f8d5a349e1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/3700127837_7bf5ec35a5_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3700128417_73a48baf40_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3700128755_124cbd685a_b.jpg

Enjoy!

[sparky212]

WOW the Reniassance looks AMAZING interesting angle looking down on it. The people that own those penthouses are so luckey
Great pics as always whisper:tup:

[ldoto]

cool pics!!!!!:cool:

[sparky212]

I was looking at the show rooms the other day I forgot my camera but they are on the 7th floor and I was impressed The sales lady said that they are 50 or 80 percent sold i can't remember and they have sold 18 out of the 20 penthouses with the cheepest at 1,800 a month

[sparky212]

The Reniassance now 70%sold:banana:

[ldoto]

I wonder when they will start the next one!!!!!:shrug:

[sparky212]

matbe sooner than later. It might be built to help with the unemployment level. Cause thats 3 years of work right there. But who knows with our city:rolleyes:

[LondnPlanr]

I will check again today, but I drove up Ridout the other night, and the parking lot behind the Renaissance Phase 1 has been fenced off. Is this the beginning of construction for the second tower? I think so...

[sparky212]

optemists kick ass. It's gotta be the start of the second tower:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[sparky212]

escavator on north east side of parking lot with a patch of asfult ripped up already:banana:

[ldoto]

:previous: sounds like good news!!!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[MolsonExport]

Indeed. worthy of several dancing bananas!

...

:jester:

[sparky212]

all parking equitment has been removed.:cheers:

[SlickFranky]

Hot damn that's a lot of bananas

good to hear tower 2 is starting up so quickly though
trying to beat some of the other DT towers maybe?

[sparky212]

Haven't heard of any new towers for DT. lately. Anyways ya it did start up quickly didn't it. Tower 1 isn't even finnished the PH floors. Went by today, they had half the lot dug up and dump trucks running in and out all day. Also it looked like there was some shoring equiptment on site.:cheers:

[sparky212]

soon we'll have to get a mod to change the title to u/c

[partiall]

Sorry to put a damper on things, but it's likely just the multi-level garage in between the towers that is being constructed.
Didn't the crane get moved to the Hyde Park site anyways?

[MolsonExport]

^hyde park crane has been up for more than one month. foundations are in place, along with underground parking...the structure is currently 'at grade'. Soon, it will loom over my neighborhood.

[sparky212]

Unique blue heron to grace new highrise
Tricar Group wanted something 'special' for its downtown London building at King and Ridout sts.

By NORMAN DE BONO


The half-tonne blue heron sculpture that will adorn Renaissance tower downtown is a link to the nearby Thames River, helping connect the building to the city's natural geography and its traditions and history, says its creator, London artist Ted Goodden.

A blue heron will soon alight on a downtown highrise apartment building -- and the core's landscape may never be the same.

Joe Carapella, owner of Tricar Group and builder of Renaissance tower apartments, unveiled plans yesterday for a $100,000, half-tonne sculpture of a giant blue heron by London artist Ted Goodden, which will be attached to his building.

"When we first envisioned this project we wanted something special," Carapella said at the unveiling of a model of the sculpture. "This site warranted it and I think we have accomplished that."

Called The Great Blue Heron, it will soar at King and Ridout sts., with its head facing northeast, toward King St., attached to the building's side four metres above the sidewalk, "so no one can hang off it," Goodden said.

The five-metre-by-three-metre bird will be made of tubular steel. A circle of stained glass will adorn one wing, patterning the sidewalk beneath it with coloured light on sunny days. The coloured pattern will move as the sun changes direction in the sky. During the summer solstice it will illuminate the sidewalk below, while at winter's peak it will colour Ridout St., Goodden said.

He says the bird is a direct link to the nearby Thames River, helping connect the building to the city's natural geography -- as well as its tradition and history -- he said.

"It is about getting back to when the First Nations people were here, getting back to the things that were here for a long time. The blue heron is a symbol of that and they are still along the river.

"Just imagine it flying from the river and passing through the city and connecting to something enduring, wild and real."

Goodden recalled a blue heron was a "constant companion" when he took a canoe down the Thames River two years ago.

Andrea Halwa, director of the London Arts Council, applauded the sculpture and said she hopes it stirs a debate and discussion on public art.

"People assume public art has to be sculptural. We really welcome this change," she said of how the heron will be suspended above the ground.

The council called for proposals for a work of public art and received 14 submissions from across Canada. Goodden's proposal won over the jury.

Janette MacDonald, manager of MainStreet London, said the sculpture is the kind of attraction the downtown should embrace.

"It adds to the uniqueness of downtown. You see that and you know where you are. You cannot buy that kind of promotion for downtown," she said.

The big bird may be the first of many such works. The city has budgeted $160,000 a year to buy and install public art.

The Creative Cities committee will meet next month and public art will be on the agenda.

"It has been a long time since London has had public art," said Controller Gord Hume, chairperson of the committee.

"It is an expression of a city's heart and soul. It makes a statement as to what kind of a city we want. It is a statement as to what kind of community we are."

The city wants to work with developers, offering them incentives -- such as allowing higher density in a building -- if they offer to add art to their developments, Hume said.

As for Renaissance tower, in only five months Carapella has leased about 200 units. It's 75% full.

"It is the fastest lease I have ever had," Carapella said.

Norman De Bono is a Free Press business reporter. norman.debono@sunmedia.ca


This is gonna look sweet, and it 75% sold:banana: :banana:

[ldoto]

this will be good for the downtown!!!!:cheers: :cheers:

[MolsonExport]

I was pining for some mention of the proposed second tower of the complex.

[sparky212]

went by about twenty minuts ago the pit is about 3 floors down now and covers about where the garage will go.

[sparky212]

Walked by Wed. they were putting up the rettaining walls on the parking lot sides

[sparky212]

75% sold now and they have a new picture for the add in rental news it looks pretty good.

[MolsonExport]

from the London Free Press:

The great Blue Heron has taken flight, and now work on the Renaissance Towers has been grounded -- below ground, in fact.

Construction has begun on the parking garage structure that will sit between the downtown apartment's two towers -- although Tricar, the apartment's builder, is now considering making the centre block commercial or office space, said Adam Carapella, vice-president of Tricar.

"Right now we are working on the underground levels. It could be parking or it could be a retail or office space, we are getting a lot of inquiries for that," he said.

When first designed, the centre building was proposed as a parking garage, but there may be enough undergound parking -- each tower will have about six levels of parking -- that a commercial space remains an option, he added.

Work on the second tower will likely begin in about two years, as Tricar has been overwhelmed with demand, as 230 of the 277 units have been rented. :tup: :tup:

"It is unbelievable and we have only been renting since April -- it has not even been a year," said Carapella. "We have a lot of different demographics, empty nesters and young professionals, a real mix."

The tower rents one bedroom apartments for $950, and $1,600 for a two bedroom, 1,200-square-foot unit. The penthouse apartments cost $3,000 a month -- but they are rented.

"They were some of the first to go," said Carapella.

Recently, an outdoor sculpture, the Blue Heron, was installed on the side of the one tower at Ridout and King streets.

"We think it complements the building perfectly. It is really a point of conversation downtown," he said.

Norman De Bono is a Free Press reporter.



http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/01/20/12538626.html#/news/london/2010/01/20/pf-12535041.html

[sparky212]

I like the Idea f a office structure there but parking would be better

[MolsonExport]

I think that perhaps commercial and offices would work best. That area is the hottest part of downtown. King street West has improved markedly over my five years in London.

[sparky212]

ya I agree. BIG NEWS crane on site right now in peices on the ground and it is big looks like the one they used on the tower:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[ldoto]

Here we go. Up, Up and away We Go again
:tup: :tup: !!!!!!!!!!

[sparky212]

Well went by today and the crane is up.:banana: :banana: :banana:

[sparky212]

well we are now up to 85% occupency:tup: and the forms are moving up and they have almost the whole foundation in place:banana:

[sparky212]

well it looks like they are going with office. All pics me
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4414644863_d77626e08a.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4415417196_cc544ea641.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4414653581_411628d44c.jpg

[sparky212]

well this conferms it. Were getting an office building
from LFP article

"Downtown London has seen new building, including commercial space in Tricar's Renaissance towers and a new office for Lerners, the law firm, and other new apartments"

[worldwide]

i dont know exactly how that confirms anything? anyhow. the Lerners building was 4 years ago and it was three stories.

[QuantumLeap]

Does anyone have any idea what retail tenants are going to be on the mainfloor of the RenCen?

[sparky212]

not a clue:(