{"id":21339,"date":"2023-08-29T23:45:39","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T06:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/toronto-zoo-revamping-main-entrance-with-new-buildings\/"},"modified":"2023-08-29T23:45:40","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T06:45:40","slug":"toronto-zoo-revamping-main-entrance-with-new-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/toronto-zoo-revamping-main-entrance-with-new-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Zoo Revamping Main Entrance With New Buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As part of its sustainability and community engagement objectives, the Toronto Zoo<\/a>\u00a0is revamping the the main gates area at the public entrance to the zoological park located in Scarborough in the east of the city. The development, to be known as the\u00a0Community Conservation Campus<\/a>\u00a0was included in the zoo’s 2022 Master Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Looking west to the Community Conservation Campus, designed by Zeidler Architecture for the Toronto Zoo<\/span><\/p>\n

The design of the campus by\u00a0Zeidler Architecture<\/a>,\u00a0for which a Site Plan Approval application was submitted to the City in June, includes a single-storey, 9 metre-tall building for guest services, and a two-storey, 13.5 metre-tall community building. The existing entrance gates would largely remain intact, with one wing set for demolition, while the parking and drop-off areas would not undergo any changes.<\/p>\n

Looking west to the Toronto Zoo entrance, image retrieved from Google Street View<\/span><\/p>\n

The community building is planned to have a gross floor area (GFA) of 2,596m\u00b2, serving multiple functions for visitors and educational purposes,\u00a0while the guest services building would have a GFA of 569m\u00b2. The development also includes retail and commercial spaces, with GFAs of 198m\u00b2 and 89m\u00b2, respectively. The guest services building is planned to have a green roof of 132m\u00b2, aligning with the zoo’s sustainability goals.\u00a0The design also incorporates energy-efficient materials and systems, furthering the zoo’s commitment to sustainability.<\/p>\n

Elevations of the Community Conservation Campus, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of the Toronto Zoo’s 2022 Master Plan, the Community Conservation Campus is intended to serve functions beyond that of a visitor’s hub. Developed in collaboration with key partners, including a panel of 55 business, conservation, and community leaders, the centre would house a theatre hall, research facilities, and event spaces. These amenities aim to foster conversations about habitat conservation, sustainable resources, and climate change mitigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

The Community Conservation Campus forms a significant component of the zoo’s long-term strategic plan.\u00a0Facing challenges such as periodic flooding, aging infrastructure, and the need for greater accessibility, the Toronto Zoo sees this development as a springboard for future growth. Future upgrades are also planned to improve accessibility in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.\u00a0The centre is designed to involve the community in shaping a vision for the zoo’s future resilience and direction, while facilitating the Toronto Zoo’s initiatives for further development and adaptation.<\/p>\n

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.<\/p>\n

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UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n