Canadian rapper Drake may have popularized “The 6” as Toronto’s official moniker with the release of his 2016 album, View from the 6, but it originally referred to the six municipalities that made up Metro Toronto before it was amalgamated in 1998. It could also refer to the city’s first area code, 416.
Regardless of what you call it, Toronto is home to several exciting, new projects—and we think you’ll like “the view.”
1. Paradise Theater | 1006 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Originally opened in 1937 in Toronto's Bloorcourt neighborhood, the heritage-designated Paradise building recently reopened following the highly anticipated renovation by Ware Malcomb. The project involved converting the existing theatre into a multi-functional venue including a theater, restaurant and bar. Working along with ERA architects the protected heritage aspect of the exterior facade/reconstruction of the main building facing Bloor Street, great care was taken to limit refinishing and maintain the appearance of the original facade and signage in compliance with heritage requirements. Architectural details included utilizing existing masonry, a curtain wall, aluminum composite panels, metal siding, and steel frames combined with infill glazing units.
2. Ace Hotel | 51 Camden St, Toronto, ON M5V 1V2, Canada
3. Canoe Landing Campus | 45 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3Y2, Canada
4. OMERS | 1 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5J 2P1, Canada
5. Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex | 288 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 1Z5, Canada
Faced with a growing student body and confined urban site, Toronto Metropolitan University engaged global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will to create a new hub of academic excellence and student life. The 28-story, 300,000-square-foot Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex is located in Toronto’s dense downtown core, connecting students to the vibrancy of the city while unifying Toronto Metropolitan’s academic and residential functions. When designing the complex, Perkins&Will referenced its Precautionary List, an extensive database of hazardous and harmful materials, ensuring the project was created with materials known for being safe and having a low environmental impact. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, it is expected to use 32% less energy and consume 35% less potable water than traditional construction.
