With his signature, outlandish, and dramatic forms, people usually either love or hate a Frank Gehry building in their vicinity.
After Gehry’s proposed skyscraper complex was put down by critics, he recently unveiled a reworked design that reduces the number of towers from three to two from the original plan for the development in Toronto’s entertainment district, DeZeen reports.
In addition to reducing the number of towers, he increased the number of floors—the original plan topped out at 86 stories for the tallest building; The revised plan tops out at 92 stories. The new design also allows the existing Princess of Wales Theatre at King Street West to remain, as the original plan would have required it to be demolished.
The mixed-use project, which is done in collaboration with Canadian art tycoon David Mirvish, is named the Mirvish+Gehry Toronto. According to the project's website, the building will "create a new visual identity for the city’s premier arts district. The conceptual designs, which will continue to evolve, consist of two six-story stepped podiums, which relate in scale and articulation to the neighbouring buildings, topped by two iconic residential towers, ranging in size from 82 to 92 storys. Each tower has a complementary but distinctive design, which fits with the history and texture of the surrounding neighbourhood."
The complex will house residential, retail, office, gallery and recreational spaces.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Gehry, who was born in Toronto in 1929 and lived there until he moved to California as a teenager with his family, says that with two towers instead, he thinks the project is “more Toronto.”
“Fred and Ginger grew up and moved to Toronto,” Gehry joked, referencing how having two towers instead makes it similar to the Dancing House building he designed in Prague that also came under scrutiny at the time, with many dismissing it as an eyesore.
“In a way, two towers feel better. It’s not so crowded.”
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Mar 14, 2023
Multifamily housing rent rates remain flat in February 2023
Multifamily housing asking rents remained the same for a second straight month in February 2023, at a national average rate of $1,702, according to the new National Multifamily Report from Yardi Matrix. As the economy continues to adjust in the post-pandemic period, year-over-year growth continued its ongoing decline.
Affordable Housing | Mar 14, 2023
3 affordable housing projects that overcame building obstacles
These three developments faced certain obstacles during their building processes—from surrounding noise suppression to construction methodology.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 13, 2023
Next-gen behavioral health facilities use design innovation as part of the treatment
An exponential increase in mental illness incidences triggers new behavioral health facilities whose design is part of the treatment.
Student Housing | Mar 13, 2023
University of Oklahoma, Missouri S&T add storm-safe spaces in student housing buildings for tornado protection
More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.
Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2023
Austin mixed-use development will provide two million sf of office, retail, and residential space
In Austin, Texas, the seven-building East Riverside Gateway complex will provide a mixed-use community next to the city’s planned Blue Line light rail, which will connect the Austin Bergstrom International Airport with downtown Austin. Planned and designed by Steinberg Hart, the development will include over 2 million sf of office, retail, and residential space, as well as amenities, such as a large park, that are intended to draw tech workers and young families.
Performing Arts Centers | Mar 9, 2023
Two performing arts centers expand New York’s cultural cachet
A performing arts center under construction and the adaptive reuse for another center emphasize flexibility.
Architects | Mar 9, 2023
HLW achieves Just 2.0 label for equity and social justice
Global architecture, design, and planning firm HLW has achieved The International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Just 2.0 Label. The label was developed for organizations to evaluate themselves through a social justice and equity lens.
Architects | Mar 9, 2023
A. Eugene (Gene) Kohn, Co-Founder of Kohn Pedersen Fox, dies at 92
A. Eugene (Gene) Kohn, FAIA RIBA JIA, Co-founder of international architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, died today of cancer. He was 92.
Affordable Housing | Mar 8, 2023
7 affordable housing developments built near historic districts, community ties
While some new multifamily developments strive for modernity, others choose to retain historic aesthetics.
Architects | Mar 8, 2023
Is Zoom zapping your zip? Here are two strategies to help creative teams do their best work
Collaborating virtually requires a person to filter out the periphery of their field of vision and focus on the glow of the screen. Zoom fatigue is a well-documented result of our over-reliance on one method of communication to work. We need time for focus work but working in isolation limits creative outcomes and innovations that come from in-person collaboration, write GBBN's Eric Puryear, AIA, and Mandy Woltjer.
