TORONTO — Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron and Canadian architects Quadrangle have been appointed by Kroonenberg Groep and ProWinko to design an 87-storey mixed-use tower at the northwest corner of Bay and Bloor Streets in Toronto.
The appointments were announced June 3.
“This is an iconic block in the neighbourhood and Toronto at large. We have an opportunity to deliver a project that sets a new benchmark for design and strives to give something back to the city,” said Lesley Bamberger, owner of Kroonenberg Groep, in a release.
The condominium levels will feature floor-to-ceiling operable windows, permitting natural ventilation, and external shutters allowing residents to regulate the daylight and heat load into the apartment. A large restaurant, sky lounge and rentable spaces will occupy the top three floors of the building.
Sustainability features include interior glazing as part of the thermal envelope, exterior timber roller shades and an outer layer of transparent, open-jointed glass.
At street level there will be a triple-height lobby from Bloor Street and four dedicated lifts. Residences will range from one bedroom to multi-level penthouses, totalling 332 condominium units spread over 64 floors.
The tower marks Herzog & de Meuron’s first design in Toronto, with Quadrangle serving as project architect and Urban Strategies rounding out the design team.
I really wish it would be a thing of beauty..A statement reflecting artistic achievement, sustainable and with a natural presence…and hopefully not just an antiquated, unimaginative piece with a view… It has to be beautiful to behold and not just a pin in the landscape…fingers crossed that the city department responsible holds the owner/partnership responsible….
How is it proposed to clean behind the outer layer of open-jointed transparent glass?