Plans for a Will Alsop and Quadrangle Architects-designed condo surfaced on Sunday in the Toronto Star, and despite a low-res rendering, the avant garde project was able to cause quite a commotion. We've done a bit more digging and we can now bring you more information and the higher-res renderings that you expect from UrbanToronto.

Working title "Alaska": rendering of the Will Alsop and Quadrangle Architects-designed North Toronto condo

The project, with the smart working title Alaska, (we wouldn't mind if this name makes it through the marketing meetings!) is located at 2779 and 2781 Yonge Street, at its southeast corner with Strathgowan Avenue. It boasts a modern design evocative of a glacier that could boldy alter the chemistry of northern Yonge St. The building is separated into two distinct components. The ground-hugging portion is a seven-storey podium that will be wrapped in a woven steel filigree screen, while the top section is an overhanging woven steel and fritted glass-clad structure that is reminiscent of Alsop's famous OCAD U table-top design.

Working title "Alaska": rendering of the Will Alsop and Quadrangle Architects-designed North Toronto condo

The client is Bianca Pollak, a former architect who wants to bring something out of the ordinary to this mostly low-rise stretch of Yonge Street, part way between Eglinton and Lawrence avenues. While the exterior of the building will accomplish that goal, the interior of the building is going to be unique as well. According to Alsop the interiors will be as flexible as possible, featuring moveable walls with the ability to open entire appartments to the outdoors. The plans also call for a full floor of underground public parking to make parking easier for those patronizing businesses in the area.

Looking to the northeast at 2779 and 2781 Yonge Street, image from Google Streetview



The design would be a stand out amongst the low-rise apartments in the area. It would be a sensible and stylish change to the status quo, adding a unique splash of modern architecture to a street that is seeing far more dramatic changes both to the north and the south. Alaska has been in development for several months and is expected to be submitted to the City's planning department in the next few weeks. Community consultations will follow.

Looking to the southeast at 2779 and 2781 Yonge Street, image from Google Streetview

We know that any building design attracts its share of detractors amongst those from the surrounding neighbourhood who recoil from any potential change, but when something so avant garde is announced, we know that more people will be worried about upsetting the local architectural applecart. We hope that this plan will find its share of local champions as too as we are certain it will from the wider UrbanToronto audience. Community consultations are often the exclusive turf of those who oppose; we will keep on top of this proposal in hopes that those who appreciate forward-thinking design will also make their voices heard.

To see more renderings of Alaska, check out our dataBase listing below. Want to get in on the discussion? Sure you do! Leave a comment below, or choose the Forum thread link associated with the dataBase entry.