Hariri Pontarini designs Toronto’s newest flatiron building

by sadia_badhon | September 23, 2020 6:04 am

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The transformation of Toronto’s West End continues with the newest addition of Galleria III, the next phase for the Galleria on the Park master-planned community.

The design-forward, mixed-use tower marks the entryway into the 8-ha (20-acre) site with a flatiron design that celebrates and pays homage to the area’s industrial heritage.

As part of the Galleria on the Park master-planned community, a series of inviting public spaces, including a new 3-ha (8-acre) city park, an 8826-m² (95,000-sf) community centre, pedestrian mews, and retail spaces will also be completed for future residents and the wider community.

Galleria III was designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects[2] (HPA), who specifically selected this block as their defining architectural contribution because of its unique shape. HPA—also behind the design of the overall Galleria on the Park masterplan—has created an elevated flatiron building that aspires to become a bold beacon.

Standing at 31 storeys, Galleria III features a deep red brick exterior at the podium, honouring both the industrial heritage of the site as well as the neighbouring homes. Industrial themes create continuity throughout the design with metal panels inspired by intricate patterns of steel radiators featured on the tower’s exterior and vertical metal guardrails on balconies. Signature curves created by the building shape are carried throughout the interior units and balconies, resulting in a soft fluidity. Two storeys of retail at grade level will offer food, beverage, and personal services.

“We wanted to work on this influential tower so we could both build on the existing character of the neighbourhood and look to the future, setting the tone for the continued evolution of the West End,” said David Pontarini, founding partner at Hariri Pontarini Architects. “The result is a sophisticated design, unlike anywhere in the city, which emphasizes the pedestrian experience to define a new chapter for Dupont Street.”

A diagonal pedestrian mews, designed by landscape architect Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc.[3], intersects with two new public roads created by the development, leading directly into the site’s privately owned public space (POP) and the heart of the city’s new 3-ha (8-acre) Wallace Emerson Park.

Interiors and amenities by studio DesignAgency[4] bring their international experience in hospitality to suites at Galleria III. Contemporary furnishings and time-honoured finishes like leather and wood usher in a boutique, elevated experience. The double-height lobby features cozy seating, custom artwork, and recharge stations, while the curved walls and arches echo the sinuous lines of the exterior.

The amenity program takes into account the changing ways people live and work today. The third floor is a mecca for modern wellness, offering residents space to relax, decompress, and reconnect with themselves mindfully. The wellness amenities are welcoming and inclusive, with a fully equipped fitness centre with a yoga room, spin studio, and meditation room, as well as an exterior dog run and pet wash, outdoor yoga spaces, and private pods surrounded by lush trees. Wood ceilings and neutral materials impart a natural, calming, and Zen-like atmosphere. The calm and tranquil experience extends to a co-working space where residents will take advantage of their increased clarity and focus at the semi-private desks, meeting rooms, and a multipurpose studio room which offers tool-sharing to accommodate the many artists and creatives in the neighbourhood.

The 11^th floor is a dedicated social space, complete with a social lounge with hanging orb fireplace, billiards, and a private dining room with chef’s kitchen and wine cellars, and a youth hub expanding on the typical offerings geared to children or toddlers. Outdoors, a barbecue area, games space, and an elevated pool with cabanas overlooks the tree canopy north of Dupont.

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/hariri-pontarini-designs-torontos-newest-flatiron-building/

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