Toronto is not anywhere close to London, Paris or New York in terms of the architecture. Some people (including myself) call Toronto, “New York Wannabe”. Christopher Hume thinks differently though. He thinks that the city is on the verge of an architectural renaissance that will forever change the way we think about it. I think he is right and here is why:

Frank O’Gehry. A well-known architect. A genius. I didn’t know him before I visited the Guggenheim museum in NY City two years ago. Gehry is the one who is designing the new building of the Art Gallery of Ontario. The 70-foot high, 600-foot long glass and titanium façade opens up the street to the activity within the gallery. The project is to be completed in 2008.

Daniel Libeskind is the man behind the ROM. Described as a “crystal locked in limestone,” Libeskind’s sharp excrescences overlay and extend from the existing site. “When I saw the crystals at the Rom I saw the world in a new way. Everything evolves from crystal. Even humans evolved out of DNA.” – Daniel Libeskind, Studio Daniel Libeskind. The project is to be completed in 2007.

Donald Trump never sits back. He is building the tallest mixed use residential and hotel building in Canada; Trump International Hotel and Tower, Toronto. Trump’s plan will include luxury accommodations, penthouses with 28-foot-high ceilings and grand staircases. The construction is expected to begin in late 2005. That’s Trump and no one should expect less!

See, things are happening. Toronto has so much potential to alter its face. Will Alsop has his point too; “I’d take University Avenue and make it the most extraordinary street in the world. You have the width and breadth to really do something there.” He is absolutely right. As a friend is always mentioning, University Avenue has the potential to become The Champs Elysées.

More coming up regarding Toronto’s Face. Stay tuned …