Posted on
June 6th, 2011
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Comments Off on Chris Hume’s Worstest Buildings #1: Vision of a cocky coif
So for his most-hated pick for his “Toronto’s Worst Buildings” list, the Toronto Star’s Christopher Hume chose the soon-to-be-completed Trump Tower, the be-lidded one’s contribution to our skyline and, apparently, the upcoming record holder for the tallest eyesore, erm, building in Toronto.
According to The Don’s typical hyperbolic pronouncements, the staggeringly priced units (starting at just under $1 mill. and going as high as $20 mill.), are “superior” by virtue of the fixtures (your choice of faucets makes you a better person), and by the sheer height from which you can look / spit down on the common rabble from on high.
Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Videos
Posted on
May 19th, 2011
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Comments Off on Chris Hume’s Bestest Buildings #1: Post-Afterthought Presence
Yawn!
Seriously, Chris? The RBC Dexia building?
Okay, I admit that at first it was kinda neat to see those irregular angles but, Wellington Street still feels pretty much like a back road (hint: all the other buildings are still facing the same way). And if asymmetry is what yanks your crank then I’m sure we could find nicer examples. Basically, if this is your top pick then I need to severely start doubting my ability to predict the five worst. Or five whatever, for that matter.
Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Videos
Posted on
May 18th, 2011
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Comments Off on Chris Hume’s Worstest Buildings #5: “If it were the back of a warehouse…”
Ugh … Humie’s kinda right about this one, his fifth pick for Toronto’s Worst Buildings: the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The fairly new structure (built in 2006), is an unsightly grey box sitting across the street from the relatively ornate and welcoming Osgoode Hall; even the documentary about the building of the Four Seasons Centre (Raising Valhalla, 2007), has more appeal than the structure itself.
While I haven’t actually been inside the thing — I’m told that it’s a bit of an engineering / acoustic marvel with the performance hall being isolated from the outer shell with giant damper supports; a building on stilts within a building — the spectacle inside doesn’t nearly match the drab outside. One day soon I’m planning to take advantage of the $12 standing-room-only admission, but I can assure you it won’t be because I’m drawn in by the architecture.
Did I mention “ugh” already?
Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Videos
Posted on
May 18th, 2011
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Comments Off on Chris Hume’s Bestest Buildings #2: Square, Daddy-o
I’m pretty surprised at how much I agree with The Star’s Chris Hume in his evaluation of Toronto architecture. With yesterday’s exception, of course. Perhaps it’s because we both see modernity as forward-looking rather than the total destruction of all we hold near and dear. Maybe we’re both able to see change as a progression rather than a personal attack.
I still reserve the right to be a crotchety old fart when I arrive at the appropriately ripe age, but for now I gotta give Chris his props for his number two “Best Buildings of Toronto” pick, Maple Leaf Square. I love the giant screen looming over the Air Canada Centre’s western entrances, and I like it even more when the square is filled with gawking event attendees — the thought of all those suburbanites surrounded by mighty, erect Toronto towers and majestic, sexy architecture gives me a special feeling.
Filed under: Dispatches, Patrick Bay, Videos
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