I’ll reserve judgment until the final product, but the aluminum facade with portholes looks nuts.
I would have been elated with something like this.
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I wouldn’t say that in particular, the outward appearance of the design is still basically the same (as far as we know), but parts of the structure have changed and the overall dimensions have changed.
But like I said, it’s very much possible that the 2 sets of portholes have been removed from the design and its just the single porthole every other floor. If there are no indication of them in lets say the next 2 floors to be built then they are gone.
I’m not sure I would say that the design was VE’ed though.
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Thanks. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that this won’t look too ridiculous.
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I found a ‘book shelf’ that perfectly illustrates how they suspend those floor plates without any interior structural columns. I know this it is not technically correct - but you get the idea. This architectural design is very clever; and pretty too… 
The SPINE serves a both structural support and the mechanical core with elevator/stairs.
The floor plates aren’t suspended/cantilevered though, the core component isn’t what’s holding up the floors, the load bearing shear walls to the west and east are and the columns to the north and south. A number of building dont require interior columns anymore because spans have been able to get bigger, but that doesnt mean the floors are suspended or cantilevered because they dont have interior columns, not to mention that the building is so small in floor dimensions that it wouldnt need interior columns.
The core isn’t really doing any supporting, its just helping the building with lateral movement.
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Yes. The main point being the floorplates being so small. I think wind will be a bigger factor than bearing loads.
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It’s interesting that the floor plates have been made smaller and more perimeter columns have been added, compared to the initial design. Is it likely that the added columns are to withstand the increased shear stresses in relation to the narrower east/west shear walls, rather than to support the (smaller) floor span itself?
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I dont think the initial version ever really truly showed the correct structure, the plans were probably just for looks as were the renders, while a span is certainly possible without the columns even when it was bigger, it probably always had the 2 columns on each side. But adding the columns makes for a thinner floor/less structural buildup.
The floors used to be rectangular in plan with the W/E sides being wider than the N/S sides but I do believe that the floors are essentially a square now, so there’d be no less/more lateral stress on one side more than the other side because of the core. The columns “may” be assisting with the W/E lateral stresses some but they seem to be more to hold up the floors.
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I literally have no idea what this tower is doing, it’s just rising with all kinds of surprises. Also the safety cocoon is now being installed if you don’t follow me on IG.
Also, it’s safe to assume now that there will only be the single set of portholes the height of the building and that the 2 smaller ones have been removed from the design. As I said before, any renders, plans or models/information of the initial iteration should be disregarded from this point on, even the zoning documents since they too are of the old iteration. The only thing that can be used is the single jogged elevation from the parking amendement document.
I’d say its about 1/3rdish of its height now. I visited Edge yesterday trying to see if I could see this one yet and I couldnt even see the crane so maybe in a few more floors it will become visible from Edge, but it will be visible.
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I have a feeling this is going to be just nasty.
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Adding to the visibility problem, the ESB tower portion is set back from 5th ave while the new building is closer to the street wall.
I am still loving this project.
The two features I like the most: that ‘mechanical core’ idea - that I think also offers some structural support and that expansive floor through column free interior.
Say what you will about the aesthetic merits of the architectural design; the condos in this building will sell well.
Excerpt -
The building also features a unique vertical core, which will hold all of the mechanics of the building (elevators, egress stairs, etc.). This will allow the apartments to have customizable open-floor plans, with expansive, column-free, unobstructed views to the north and south.
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As I’ve mentioned in several comments now, anything regarding the initial iteration should be ignored and disregarded, it’s clear that that the floor plates are not column free, literally, as they are quite visible. On another point, there is still nothing unique about the vertical core, cores in almost every single skyscraper hold the mechanical functions of the building, that is nothing new or unique about that aspect and certainly not how its employed in this building.
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The blurb on the website reads “features a UNIQUE verticle core”. I fell for the marketing pitch… 
I see now: looking at the photos. That building is morphing into a variety of different floor plans, and facade details. It does somehow keep my interest; but I agree - who knows what the final product will be on this project.
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This is a pretty hot area. It will probably sell out.
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Is it me, or is that a hint of the gray façade covering being visible?
I did not see any façade being installed.
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