Torin Wagner

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December, 2021

Torin Wagner's projects

Recent Activity

Supported a comment by Campbell Gardiner on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 9 months ago
Campbell Gardiner
Safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community are essential, as well as promoting and celebrating Toronto's diversity in a thoughtful way. It is increasingly hard to find fun events that are out of the ordinary in Toronto... many nightclubs, venues and spaces have closed in favour of condos and gentrification. The city is getting increasingly sterile for people to live in. Liveability is not just good transportation circulating, affordability etc. I commend some of the comments regarding culture and arts, we need more of this in Toronto and I think East Harbour could excel at being an arty district. I also would like this place to have a European feel in terms of character, putting people over cars, a joie de vivre of sorts. I am quite scared that this will feel like Hudson yards or other developments like Canary Wharf - it always seems that these highly commercial sites always aim to be entertainment or cultural hubs of sorts but it never comes to fruition, it almost always feels banal (having done business in both cities multiple times). Please think more about what makes neighbourhoods exciting and inspiring - think beyond libraries and community centres. More considerate work needs to be done on how to inspire character here, the public realm ideas were fairly interesting, but there still seemed to be an emphasis on big-box retailers and less of an ambitious plan challenging any kind of planning binary around people, recreation, and culture.
Supported a comment by S. Walker on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 9 months ago
S. Walker
Community Arts and Culture are very important. One of the most driving factors of living in Toronto is the amazing culture and art we have in the city. This development needs to consider this an a important feature of the space. Development should also consider access to space for artists and a space of gathering and events for the public. Similar to the front street promenade.
Supported a comment by David V on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 9 months ago
David V
How to make this site arts and culture destination rather than just employment. Should come alive at night, as well as day. Year-round events, festivals, night life, music and multi-season events are key to full-year place to experience.
Supported a comment by mike gohl on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 9 months ago
mike gohl
I agree. No more ugly bland glass towers in East Harbour! I would also like to see lumber, wood, timber and make Canada a known place for this kind of architecture as well as exploring those kinds of materials you suggested!
Supported a comment by Jason Self on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 9 months ago
Jason Self
Ensure the built form respects the vernacular of the immediate area. Don't build generic condos with glass spandral, instead use brick and other 'home' elements. The public realm is key as is a zero carbon footprint
Supported a comment by Cairns Deleway on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 9 months ago
Cairns Deleway
I completely agree with you, Joe. Montreal has the upper hand when it comes to entertainment, culture and fun. Streets in Montreal that are mostly pedestrian scaled accommodate circus arts, performers, all types of flexible arts/culture installations. Toronto has a business flair but not really a culture flair aside from a few small districts. East Harbour is probably our last shot to reclaim this, considering it is one of the last largest undeveloped parcels of land.

If Toronto cannot compete culturally with other major players, it will not be a desirable place to live, visit or work. Being Canada's most visited destination, we have to expand on this but also remember how residents are used to venues being replaced by condos.

I am worried that any entertainment venues will appeal strictly to the working-class, wealthier office folks in a similar fashion to Canary Wharf. I hope this site will engage & attract youth, as well as the wider arts community.