Cole J's projects
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Supported a comment by Shana Sadler Albo on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Build people-focused streets, take away North American car mentality it brings congestion and takes away liveability. The distillery district in Toronto is a good example. Also think of design and Architecture as important to citizens, not something that comes last. It's what makes a district feel inviting and inspiring.
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Mix of Uses
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Interested in using the services in the area
Supported a comment by Kay Barley on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Kay Barley
CF - Please, no more repetitive and bland retail, I don't want to see any excessive McDonalds or chain stores. That does not make a district vibrant or create life past 5pm, try to think outside of the box for retail and showcase how a large commercial district doesn't have to feel all that commercial at all. Be a leader here, where Toronto has more local fashion, culture, restaurants and experiences that make us proud and excited to live here. A way to infuse this spirit is to make commercial rents deeply affordable for creative entrepreneurs.
Also a word on the public realm. Please ensure the central square isn't the only focus. A stage and some seating does not feel exciting or world-class to me. Think of vibrant cities around the world like Times Square, shibuya crossing in Tokyo, Covent Garden or Piccadilly Circus in London, these squares have a POP element with cool lighting where people are attracted to coming at nighttime to see neon lights, vibrant screens and glowing public art. Try to make something signature for Toronto, the kind of thing that is original but imposes a signature mark on our overall urban appeal. Perhaps the alleyway retail streets can have these neon lighting in signage, or string lighting to make them feel warm and appealing to walk around at. I would like to feel inspired to come to East Harbour - Simply a few glass towers and a square is just not enough. Be bold here
CF - Please, no more repetitive and bland retail, I don't want to see any excessive McDonalds or chain stores. That does not make a district vibrant or create life past 5pm, try to think outside of the box for retail and showcase how a large commercial district doesn't have to feel all that commercial at all. Be a leader here, where Toronto has more local fashion, culture, restaurants and experiences that make us proud and excited to live here. A way to infuse this spirit is to make commercial rents deeply affordable for creative entrepreneurs.
Also a word on the public realm. Please ensure the central square isn't the only focus. A stage and some seating does not feel exciting or world-class to me. Think of vibrant cities around the world like Times Square, shibuya crossing in Tokyo, Covent Garden or Piccadilly Circus in London, these squares have a POP element with cool lighting where people are attracted to coming at nighttime to see neon lights, vibrant screens and glowing public art. Try to make something signature for Toronto, the kind of thing that is original but imposes a signature mark on our overall urban appeal. Perhaps the alleyway retail streets can have these neon lighting in signage, or string lighting to make them feel warm and appealing to walk around at. I would like to feel inspired to come to East Harbour - Simply a few glass towers and a square is just not enough. Be bold here
Supported a comment by mike gohl on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 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!
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, 7 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
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
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Disagree with this, I actually would like to see more density and taller heights considering we are the fastest growing city in North America.
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
These art hubs aren't just about making a city look cool, but attracting people to live and work in the area where they would feel inspired walking around and would be more inclined to stay after their 9-5.
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
How to make East Harbour a global art hub. Artistic hubs throughout the world like Williamsburg NYC, Monmartre Paris etc. are what consistently enhance the charm and character of a city. I am serious when I say we need a district that focuses on Toronto's creativity being that these folks have been the hardest hit sector during covid.
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Mix of Uses
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Interested in working in this area
Supported a comment by Florence Dandry on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 7 months ago
Florence Dandry
coming from London, Uk and echoing the comments below I would care to see more support for arts. I feel like there aren't enough quirky districts in this city that celebrate and promote the creative community. Everything is too bland and polished. A few art exhibits or murals in a neighbourhood doesn't make a district arty. We need communes and retail spaces carved out for these artists, a place post-pandemic that culturally thrives and is in line with Toronto's nightlife action plan as well as other local cultural initiatives. In my hometown a neighbourhood called Shoreditch and spitalfields does this mix of art/cultural district and business/finance very well. Shoreditch has studio spaces and quirky art spaces but has nearby city of London workers (Our version of financial district) coming to these spaces as well as tourists and locals too. Please tell the project team to also take inspiration from Soho in London. It truly is a fun and dynamic place.
coming from London, Uk and echoing the comments below I would care to see more support for arts. I feel like there aren't enough quirky districts in this city that celebrate and promote the creative community. Everything is too bland and polished. A few art exhibits or murals in a neighbourhood doesn't make a district arty. We need communes and retail spaces carved out for these artists, a place post-pandemic that culturally thrives and is in line with Toronto's nightlife action plan as well as other local cultural initiatives. In my hometown a neighbourhood called Shoreditch and spitalfields does this mix of art/cultural district and business/finance very well. Shoreditch has studio spaces and quirky art spaces but has nearby city of London workers (Our version of financial district) coming to these spaces as well as tourists and locals too. Please tell the project team to also take inspiration from Soho in London. It truly is a fun and dynamic place.
Supported a comment by Ole Calderone on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Ole Calderone
Variety of styles needed & broadest range possible of the types of commercial uses/tenants. Just standard office towers isn't enough. Commercial at this site is more important than residential.
Variety of styles needed & broadest range possible of the types of commercial uses/tenants. Just standard office towers isn't enough. Commercial at this site is more important than residential.
Supported a comment by Cairns Deleway on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Cairns Deleway
Architecture: It would be great to see a core of skyscrapers that look visually contrasting to the bland glass condos and towers we already see downtown. Future-oriented and ambitious design has an ability to attract people to a place alone. Torontonians need a place they can look at and say "This is proudly, uniquely ours." All of the massing of the buildings look so uniform and boxy, please consider different colours, materials, shapes and perhaps a couple signature tall skyscrapers to make something appealing for Toronto's east-end skyline. Please also consider timber and sustainable options too, position Canada as a leading mass-timber design leader as talked about at the Toronto mass timber institute @ UofT. -Lastly, I want to talk about culture. Culture is a 'feeling in the air', that no bureaucratic document can recreate. It would be a major disappointment walking through the streets of East Harbour and not feeling inspired. Cities like Tokyo and Seoul have vibrant neon lighting and signs that echo a kind of uniqueness and boldness. The reality is, people in the cultural industries are leaving Toronto because it is no longer affordable to have a studio space as well as rents. Arts and Culture are the reasons why we visit cities: Paris, London, New York etc. The most touristic and vibrant neighbourhoods have a thriving arts/cultural scene — Not everyone works in a traditional office setting: i.e. People in music, design, art,, they need studios.
Architecture: It would be great to see a core of skyscrapers that look visually contrasting to the bland glass condos and towers we already see downtown. Future-oriented and ambitious design has an ability to attract people to a place alone. Torontonians need a place they can look at and say "This is proudly, uniquely ours." All of the massing of the buildings look so uniform and boxy, please consider different colours, materials, shapes and perhaps a couple signature tall skyscrapers to make something appealing for Toronto's east-end skyline. Please also consider timber and sustainable options too, position Canada as a leading mass-timber design leader as talked about at the Toronto mass timber institute @ UofT. -Lastly, I want to talk about culture. Culture is a 'feeling in the air', that no bureaucratic document can recreate. It would be a major disappointment walking through the streets of East Harbour and not feeling inspired. Cities like Tokyo and Seoul have vibrant neon lighting and signs that echo a kind of uniqueness and boldness. The reality is, people in the cultural industries are leaving Toronto because it is no longer affordable to have a studio space as well as rents. Arts and Culture are the reasons why we visit cities: Paris, London, New York etc. The most touristic and vibrant neighbourhoods have a thriving arts/cultural scene — Not everyone works in a traditional office setting: i.e. People in music, design, art,, they need studios.
Supported a comment by John S on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
John S
Please create more variety in building height and massing - the master plan reads as one massive mass of buildings. Needs more variety to create visual interest in the skyline - perhaps shift densities from some towers to others to create more variability in tower heights.
Please create more variety in building height and massing - the master plan reads as one massive mass of buildings. Needs more variety to create visual interest in the skyline - perhaps shift densities from some towers to others to create more variability in tower heights.
Supported a comment by Oliver Turner on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Oliver Turner
Parks, restaurants, cafes and a grocery store will all attract people to the area and inject life and local energy into the new development. Do not repeat city place, where uninteresting, chain stores and fast food did not create a culture people wanted to stay in (initially they all headed north to Queen/King).
Parks, restaurants, cafes and a grocery store will all attract people to the area and inject life and local energy into the new development. Do not repeat city place, where uninteresting, chain stores and fast food did not create a culture people wanted to stay in (initially they all headed north to Queen/King).
Supported a comment by Cairns Deleway on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Cairns Deleway
Nightlife. Young people in Toronto want more options that don't close so early. A way to keep East Harbour afloat past 5pm is to bring in a wide range of bars, clubs and cultural options that go through the night. Knowing Torontonians, I know noise is going to be a concern, so look at ways venues can reduce noise through insulation or certain design elements. We have to remember we are in a large city, a noise is inevitable. We have lost over a dozen music venues because of the pandemic, it is at a dire situation for us in the music/entertainment industry. The cultural industries are the hardest hit industry and it expected to take the longest to recover. Ensure East Harbour can accommodate a large number of these types of establishments to position Toronto as a competitive place to 'have fun'. Unfortunately, Montreal is the cultural capital of Canada... but East Harbour should seek to challenge this. Retail should be unique, focusing on shops that you wouldn't normally find in other retail districts downtown. Perhaps local designers, or international designers looking to open a staple Canadian location. Please ensure Live music and live performance is engrained in East Harbour's DNA, as well as give opportunities to artists/buskers being pushed out of Toronto.
Nightlife. Young people in Toronto want more options that don't close so early. A way to keep East Harbour afloat past 5pm is to bring in a wide range of bars, clubs and cultural options that go through the night. Knowing Torontonians, I know noise is going to be a concern, so look at ways venues can reduce noise through insulation or certain design elements. We have to remember we are in a large city, a noise is inevitable. We have lost over a dozen music venues because of the pandemic, it is at a dire situation for us in the music/entertainment industry. The cultural industries are the hardest hit industry and it expected to take the longest to recover. Ensure East Harbour can accommodate a large number of these types of establishments to position Toronto as a competitive place to 'have fun'. Unfortunately, Montreal is the cultural capital of Canada... but East Harbour should seek to challenge this. Retail should be unique, focusing on shops that you wouldn't normally find in other retail districts downtown. Perhaps local designers, or international designers looking to open a staple Canadian location. Please ensure Live music and live performance is engrained in East Harbour's DNA, as well as give opportunities to artists/buskers being pushed out of Toronto.
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.
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 Joe Senc on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Joe Senc
I hate to keep beating a dead horse but look to Montreal on how they bring community, business & after 5pm crowds together, we need walkable streets no cars, with cafes, restaurants, retail & entertainment. Some form of access to the river would nice if possible, use Chicago as the example. You have a blank canvas here use it. People in Toronto continually mention on how great & fun Montreal is well here is our chance lets get it right.
I hate to keep beating a dead horse but look to Montreal on how they bring community, business & after 5pm crowds together, we need walkable streets no cars, with cafes, restaurants, retail & entertainment. Some form of access to the river would nice if possible, use Chicago as the example. You have a blank canvas here use it. People in Toronto continually mention on how great & fun Montreal is well here is our chance lets get it right.
Supported a comment by mike gohl on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
mike gohl
Being the size that it is, this is a once in a generation kind of development for Toronto and there is only one shot to make it right. Adequate cultural facilities, entertainment, and year-round amenities and events will contribute to a successful development. Consider East Harbour as part of the 'city of neighbourhoods' identity that Toronto is most proud of. East Harbour should be distinct & should rival popular central business districts across the world and be a central spine for the east-end. Consider hosting an international design competition for buildings (being that once these are built, there is no way to go back and change it so let's aim high, be creative and perhaps a little edgy). the 2150 lakeshore development is inspiring in colour, built form and pedestrian scale.. see design as something of value and something that needs to be strongly considered. I'm trying to fit everything into 250 words here, but world-class cities have an 'it' district where all of the most exciting and groundbreaking industries, nightlife, shopping action happens. In London, you have Oxford street as well as 'shoreditch' which proves how culture can revitalise neighbourhoods and cities..in New York you have Tribeca or soho, in Seoul you have gangnam, in Tokyo you have Shinjuku or shibuya... Toronto will and can benefit from a major cultural district that will bring Toronto off of the national stage to the world stage. I like to dream big, I know.
Being the size that it is, this is a once in a generation kind of development for Toronto and there is only one shot to make it right. Adequate cultural facilities, entertainment, and year-round amenities and events will contribute to a successful development. Consider East Harbour as part of the 'city of neighbourhoods' identity that Toronto is most proud of. East Harbour should be distinct & should rival popular central business districts across the world and be a central spine for the east-end. Consider hosting an international design competition for buildings (being that once these are built, there is no way to go back and change it so let's aim high, be creative and perhaps a little edgy). the 2150 lakeshore development is inspiring in colour, built form and pedestrian scale.. see design as something of value and something that needs to be strongly considered. I'm trying to fit everything into 250 words here, but world-class cities have an 'it' district where all of the most exciting and groundbreaking industries, nightlife, shopping action happens. In London, you have Oxford street as well as 'shoreditch' which proves how culture can revitalise neighbourhoods and cities..in New York you have Tribeca or soho, in Seoul you have gangnam, in Tokyo you have Shinjuku or shibuya... Toronto will and can benefit from a major cultural district that will bring Toronto off of the national stage to the world stage. I like to dream big, I know.
Supported a comment by Azeri Abaad on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Azeri Abaad
Artists need a place to work. People in the fashion industry need to leave Canada in order to find resources, people in Toronto's rapidly growing music sector are making a name for Canada but there is sterile resources, studio space and opportunities for growth. East Harbour needs to be a place for creative talent and creative sector to inspire visitors, interest, create an artsy ethos where people will be inspired to work, live and play at. East Harbour has an opportunity to be the 'Brooklyn' of Toronto - entrepreneurial, edgy, techie and artsy.
Artists need a place to work. People in the fashion industry need to leave Canada in order to find resources, people in Toronto's rapidly growing music sector are making a name for Canada but there is sterile resources, studio space and opportunities for growth. East Harbour needs to be a place for creative talent and creative sector to inspire visitors, interest, create an artsy ethos where people will be inspired to work, live and play at. East Harbour has an opportunity to be the 'Brooklyn' of Toronto - entrepreneurial, edgy, techie and artsy.
Supported a comment by Nikko Whalberge on
Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Nikko Whalberge
Please plan a vibrant district where exciting and interesting experiences happen. I'd be disappointed to see another dead and soul less financial district. Please plan for vibrancy, a word that isn't usually taken seriously in Toronto. It would be nice to create a district that we can be proud of, not just another office district that has no pulse to it. Culture, it is integral to the future of our city.
Please plan a vibrant district where exciting and interesting experiences happen. I'd be disappointed to see another dead and soul less financial district. Please plan for vibrancy, a word that isn't usually taken seriously in Toronto. It would be nice to create a district that we can be proud of, not just another office district that has no pulse to it. Culture, it is integral to the future of our city.
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Beautiful architecture that can be admired and where the bar is set high in built form. No more boxy towers that all look the same, please ensure diversity of material, colours and shapes. Timber is something i’d like to see and low-carbon design but also innovate and seek to bring more curiosity and originality to this part of Toronto. Well-designed spaces improve our mental health, I don’t want to see any more glass (Toronto’s downtown buildings all look the same)
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Built Form & Sustainability
Followed Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Commented on Engage East Harbour
1 year, 9 months ago
Interested in using the services in the area
Cultural and art/music activities