Do those slick artist’s renderings of new construction projects ever look like the finished product? A look at how some big dreams turned out after real life, and hydro poles, got in the way.

Trinity Lofts, 2 Eastern Ave.

With the nearby development of an entire community on the site of the Pan Am Games athletes’ village, the area around the Trinity Lofts, at Eastern Ave. and Trinity St., is changing, to be sure.

But it wasn’t quite starting from scratch as a rendering from Giannone Petricone Associates suggested.

Pier 27, 25 Queens Quay E.

You’ve yacht to be kidding me. The renderings for the Waterlink condo complex designed by architectsAlliance include stunning vistas of a yacht-dotted Lake Ontario.

A lush green park is drawn where a parking lot currently stands, and another 35-storey condo is planned for construction.

60 Atlantic Ave.

In the centre of the design stands the 1899 building that originally housed St. David’s Wine Growers Company, officially designated as a heritage property by the city.

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Quadrangle Architects executed the rendered vision for this office and retail building to revamp the former industrial neighbourhood into a modern employment hub.

CityPlace Puente de Luz Bridge

After much anticipation, Francisco Gazitua’s designs for the bridge connecting the CityPlace development to Front St. W. were unveiled to great fanfare.

Those original design drawings did not include the mesh veil that ultimately lined the sides.

2 Gladstone Ave.

The artist behind these renderings for TACT architecture was optimistic about the space devoted to pedestrians, with wide sidewalks allowing space for street trees and large planters.

But artists seldom dream of utility poles.