The rapid Manhattanization of Toronto’s Yonge Street is set to continue with another high-flying proposal that would see a downtown office building razed and replaced by a new skyscraper.
A mid-rise office building dating back almost 70 years is on the chopping block as part of a new proposal that would transform the corner of Yonge and Melinda, adjacent to the south exit of the TTC’s King subway station.
The proposal at 60 Yonge Street would replace the current building with a soaring 65-storey tower featuring a design from award-winning U.K.-based firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
Known as the Norwich Union Building, the current 12-storey edifice at 60 Yonge was constructed in 1958.
Unlike the preserved heritage buildings that line much of Yonge Street around King, the Norwich Union Building lacks ornamentation or any other notable features like those that have earned its neighbours heritage protection.
Developer Lanterra purchased 60 Yonge for $55 million in 2017, though KingSett Capital is the company tied to the documents filed with the City in early April.
The adjacent Hotel Victoria at 56 Yonge is also included in the proposal, though aside from the tower being cantilevered above the existing heritage hotel, no significant alterations are in the cards for the property.
The tower would also prevent any future additions above Hotel Vic, something the hotel had mulled in the early 2010s, as owner QuadReal has sold off its air rights above the building.
The proposed tower would rise to a height of just over 246 metres. If completed today, that would rank as the 7th-tallest building in Toronto, though several much taller buildings already under construction would prevent it from even cracking the top ten by the time shovels hit the ground.
Though it may be eclipsed by other developments in the city, the proposal has the potential to hold a prominent place in skyline views from various high-traffic areas, evidenced in renderings that show off views of the building from Yonge and Front, Yonge and Queen, Toronto Harbour and other points.
The design is described in a planning rationale document as bringing “a prominent vertical presence” to the city centre, “designed to complement the architectural language of neighbouring buildings.”
It sets out to accomplish this with a “shield” effect on its south and west faces, punctuated by a diagonal line clad in semi-transparent fritted glass extending the height of the tower.
The tower’s uppermost floors on levels 64 and 65 would be dedicated to residential amenity spaces as well as mechanical uses.
A double-height ‘residents’ club’ spanning both of the top floors will feature a large circular skylight that will create what planning documents describe as “a well-lit, open atmosphere for residents.”
This amenity component will also offer an outdoor terrace, giving residents of all floors access to the same sweeping views typically reserved for big spenders. Planning documents state residents would be able to enjoy “unobstructed views of Downtown and Lake Ontario” from this amenity terrace.
Language in planning documents is largely nonspecific about tenure and refers to the units as ‘residential’ without mention of condos or rentals — a common strategy as developers gauge market conditions during the zoning approval process. However, one document in the recent submission does refer to the 649 units as ‘condo’ in tenure.
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
