UrbanToronto today proudly adds its 200th entry to the dataBase, a new section to the site which we premiered along with the overall re-design earlier this year. At the same time we are also adding the 201st entry and the 202nd, and more* in fact. The numbers don't really matter, but it does seem like quite the milestone for something we debuted with less than a dozen entries only 142 days ago on May 12th.

The dataBase, like so many other major — world-changing (ha!) — innovations, was born out of adversity: it had become quite arduous sifting through ever-longer UT Forum threads for those trying to find all of the facts about a new project, or its renderings, which many wanted at their fingertips. We needed a new, fast way to connect our members with that, so bring on the dataBase, and bring on the quick access to all the answers for over 200 projects now.

UrbanToronto's aim is to have a dataBase entry for every major construction project underway or proposed in the GTA, and with 200 in there now it feels funny to say that we still have a long way to go to reach that goal! That we are still playing catch-up is quite the testament to the scale of growth that is occuring around Toronto. We do our best to get the information up for the newest buildings as quickly as possible, and for existing projects we do our best to get every possible rendering for you — every possible high quality rendering, that is. We have our standards!

Fort York Visitor Centre by Patkau Architects

Above, and below, are one rendering from each of two new dataBase entries. Above, a project which we are awaiting with bated breath. The construction tender for the gorgeous new Visitor Centre at Fort York should be awarded any day now, so we have uploaded the images from this intriguing Patkau Architects design, making far more than one would expect from its situation below the Gardiner Expressway, for your perusal. By doing so, can we will this highly anticipated project into existence? We would like to think, "Yes"! Below, meanwhile, is a project that is very quickly coming into existence. If you read our Projects and Construction Forum, you will know that the new Research and Learning Tower for Sick Children's Hospital is reaching higher into the sky every day. This colourful design comes courtesy of Diamond + Schmitt Architects, and we believe that it will go a long way to invigorating this stretch of Bay Street north of Dundas. Both projects include many interesting images worth your time.

Cladding detail for SickKids Research and Learning Tower by Diamond + Schmitt Architects, image by Cicada Design

We are also now paying attention to projects completed in the recent past: not only is the UT dataBase a reference to what's going on construction-wise here, it has become a gallery of the art of the architectural rendering, and we want to keep the best of them alive on the net. It can be difficult locating some of these, so we are always happy to get some help. Do you have a building you would like to see added? Or maybe you have some renderings? Emailing them to craig@urbantoronto.ca will mean that many more people will be able to appreciate them too. Below you will see Quadrangle Architects' celebrated addition to the top of the CIL Building at 130 Bloor Street West. Completed in 2010, the luxury condominium residences above couldn't come in a more interesting package! We have several views of that package awaiting you in this dataBase entry.

155 Cumberland condominiums by KingSett Capital

*More

Once a dataBase entry is added, it is not necessarily cast in stone, so the entries can change, with new renderings and information added when it arrives. At great example of this is something we get to tell you about today: in late July we were able to debut Monde, the new 40-storey project designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie for Great Gulf Homes. The Monde entry included eight images at the time. Today, we have uploaded a massive update to Monde, and we now have 27 images of this spectacular building for your edification.

Fire pit on the pool terrace at Monde condominiums by Great Gulf Homes

Included in these images are more detailed looks at Monde's exterior, and an extensive tour through Monde's superb amenities floor, both indoor and outdoor, on the roof of its podium. You don't want to miss these!

Finally, we have refreshed the first dataBase entry we ever put up; Hive Lofts. We were very happy to have such a gem to start with when we launched the dataBase. Symmetry Developments really gets it: their avant garde, zinc clad, 20-unit condominium on an overlooked stretch of the Queensway in Etobicoke is exactly the type of project we like to champion. Stephen Teeple's bold architecture, which was such a hit on UrbanToronto this past weekend with Monarch and Goldman's Picasso in the Entertainment District, is exactly what we want to see remaking Toronto's avenues, and we are happy to see robust sales here. Take a look at the improved images in the Hive entry below, and consider that there are still a few suites left!

Street realm at Hive Lofts on the Queensway by Symmetry Developments

We will be continue to debut several more entries this week, and every week, but in the meantime the updated Monde and Hive, and today's new dataBase entries, are all accessible below. Click to dive into the images, or choose the forum links to join in the conversation!

Related Companies:  Baker Real Estate Incorporated, BDP Quadrangle, BVGlazing Systems, Cecconi Simone, Diamond Schmitt Architects, EllisDon, Flynn Group of Companies, Great Gulf, HDR, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., Janet Rosenberg & Studio, LiveRoof Ontario Inc, McIntosh Perry, PCL Construction, Peter McCann Architectural Models Inc., Rebar Enterprises Inc, RJC Engineers, TUCKER HIRISE Construction, Vortex Fire Consulting Inc. , Walters Group, Weston Consulting