New Deal for Gehry/Mirvish Project?
A panel of experts and local citizens will endeavor to find a compromise surrounding the proposed Frank Gehry-designed condo/mixed-use project in the heart of the entertainment district, now that city planning department opposition—revolving mainly around height and density, and how to work in the heritage warehouses on site—has stalled the project at the city council level. The proposal would see three towers rise up more than 80 storeys, a bold, distinctive design by Gehry. Over 100k SF of multi-level retail opportunities would be at the base, 40k SF of office space, a new OCAD University facility, and an art gallery.
Councilor Adam Vaughan will chair the panel, aimed at working a compromise to prevent a showdown at the Ontario Municipal Board. The other day we asked for your feedback regarding the debate. One of the responses, from Bank of America Merrill Lynch SVP Carmin Di Fiore: "The debate about building form is ongoing and Gehry is an architectural icon. Isn't the real question: How do three, 80-plus-storey buildings interact with the people that live in them, with the traffic and community around them, and the services that serve them?" In the image is a rendering of the podium.
