Space Database Inc YouTube Channel

It’s not a very popular channel yet but they have the right idea!

WebTV Series by EBS Construction Management

One of my favorite contractors just released this video. It’s an amazing concept and exactly what I’m hoping to do for some of my clients except it will focus on their company and the cool new office space they are moving to.

Do you know of any companies like Google, Yahoo! or Microsoft that have amazing offices I can film in Toronto? Would love to hear your recommendations!
E-mail Us Here

Building Space Episode 1 from mdragnea on Vimeo.

Michael Dragnea, B.Arch, MBA, PMP, Leed AP
91 Ossington Ave. Toronto, ON, M6J 2Z2
T: 416-536-8805
F: 416-536-8895
www.ebscm.com

Toronto’s 10 Most Anticipated New Venues

Original Article with Pictures By Susan O’Neill

Here’s a look at 10 new venues scheduled to open in the coming months.

1. The 267-room Ritz-Carlton Toronto—a $300 million, 53-storey hotel and residence on Wellington Street across from Roy Thomson Hall—is set to open in early February. A five-storey podium at the tower’s base houses 20,000 square feet of conference and event facilities, including two ballrooms with 7,500 and 3,000 square feet apiece, each with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. Also on site: a restaurant from Chef Tom Brodi, a 23,000-square-foot urban sanctuary with a yoga and Pilates studio, an indoor pool, and a spa and salon with 16 treatment rooms, including two executive suites.

2. Donald Trump is building his first Canadian project, the Trump International Hotel & Tower, at Bay and Adelaide streets in the city’s financial district. The 60-storey property will include 261 hotel suites, a full-service spa, a conference centre, and a restaurant on the 30th floor. The hotel’s 12,000 square feet of event space will include a grand ballroom and grand salon. A champagne and caviar bar will be in the lobby. The hotel is slated to open in the spring.

3. Next to Maple Leaf Gardens, the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre is set to open in February after an $18 million renovation. The property, which formerly operated as the Days Inn Carlton, has 514 rooms and more than 9,000 square feet of meeting space spread over nine function rooms, the largest of which holds as many as 130. Meeting spaces, including three dedicated boardrooms, are equipped with ergonomic seating, audiovisual equipment, and Wi-Fi. The hotel also has a spa, a coffee shop, and two options for dining: the Carlton Restaurant, which serves bistro-style cuisine, and Thirty Bar & Lounge.

4. The Scotiabank Convention Centre is scheduled to open in Niagara Falls in April. The centre will be about 500 yards from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the Fallsview Tourist District. The 288,000-square-foot building will house an 80,000-square-foot free-span exhibition hall, a 17,000-square-foot ballroom, 26,500 square feet of meeting and breakout space, and a 1,000-seat theatre.

5. Oliver & Bonacini’s flagship restaurant, Canoe—on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower—will reopen at the end of January following a monthlong renovation. Designer Lindsey Anacleto of Anacleto Design is creating a new look for the space, which originally opened 14 years ago. Upgrades will include polished concrete floors and the addition of a soapstone bar, walnut tabletops, metal wall installations, and rustic chandeliers. Canoe has two private dining rooms that hold 60 when combined. The restaurant seats 140 and holds 250 for receptions.

6. Charles Khabouth, C.E.O. of INK Entertainment, is preparing to open an authentic French bistro in the Colonnade, a heritage building on Bloor Street, in May. The traditional brasserie, being designed by Munge Leung, will include a 7,000-square-foot dining room and two 1,000-square-foot patios—one on the second floor and the other at street level, just outside the Cartier windows. The restaurant, which is yet to be named, will hold 400 people total, and a semiprivate dining area will accommodate groups of as many as 26.

7. Chef Tom Brodi will helm the kitchen at Toca, the flagship restaurant set to open in the new Ritz-Carlton in February. The restaurant’s Canadian menu will focus on homegrown, naturally raised, and fresh-caught ingredients. The venue will have a contemporary design with natural materials and a earth-tone colour scheme. The restaurant will have an open-concept kitchen, a walk-through pastry corridor, a glass-encased cheese cave, and a glazed-brick interior. Toca will hold 120, with a private dining area for groups of 12. A chef’s table will seat eight.

8. Elena Morelli and Guido Alberto Saldini, the owners of the Queen West restaurant, Noce, are preparing to open Aria—a 3,300-square-foot restaurant with 30-foot ceilings in the base of the new Telus Tower at 25 York Street (adjacent to Maple Leaf Square). Stephen Pile Architect Inc. is designing the venue, which will offer contemporary Italian cuisine. The dining room and lounge will seat about 109. A terrace will hold 60. Aria is set to open in mid-February.

9. Domenic and Jack Scarangella, the brothers behind Mercatto, are preparing to open their fourth location in the Toronto Eaton Centre in February. The restaurant, called Trattoria Mercatto, is taking over the space formerly occupied by the City Grill. The space, being designed by Munge Leung, will hold about 165. A semiprivate room will hold 24, and a patio will seat about 110 during the warmer months. The menu, created by executive chef is Robert Rossi, will feature regional Italian dishes.

10. Victor Restaurant and Lounge at Hotel Le Germain on Mercer is scheduled to undergo renovations in January. The bar will have a greater prominence, facing the window wall overlooking Mercer Street; a semiprivate dining area—distinguished by a newly installed peacock window—will occupy the bar’s former domain and will hold as many as 40. Chef David Chrystian’s new menu will showcase dishes that correspond to local neighbourhoods with shared plates offering Greek and Indian flavours. The restaurant holds 50 and will continue to be available for buyout.

Googles Offices in Zurich – cool ideas for designers!

More pictures

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for 2010

Have any suggestions?
I have come up with two so far.

Buckyballs – great deal at TeamBuy!

On The Rocks Whiskey Stones

Here are a few more crazy ideas from www.random-good-stuff.com

Do you have any good ideas / thoughts?  Love some suggestions!

Commercial Real Estate Construction Costs

I use Giotan Design for some of the projects I work on. A couple of times a year they update their cost expectations for construction of various “styles” of office space. Here are their latest results.

Basic Office – $24 – $33 per square foot
• Painted, insulated drywall partitions from floor to T-bar.
• Solid core 7’ painted doors and frames with building standard hardware.
• Mechanical, sprinklers and lighting relocation.
• Voice/data rough-in and one power outlet per person.
• Paint throughout the entire office.
• Building standard carpeting (typically 28 oz.) throughout.

Upgraded Office – $34 to 44 per square foot
• Painted, insulated drywall partitions from floor to T-bar with reveals around
doors and frames at ceiling.
• Above ceiling sound baffles in some principal rooms.
• Vinyl wall coverings in some principal areas.
• Drywall ceilings with pot lights and linear diffusers in the reception and boardroom.
• Full height, solid core wood veneer doors with standard hardware.
• Voice/data and one power outlet rough-in as required.
• Custom millwork in kitchen/lunchroom, and storage areas.
• Wood or stone tile flooring in reception area & carpet (typically 30 oz) throughout.

Premium Office – $45 per square foot
• Same as the U pgraded Office with upgraded wall finishes in all major areas.
• Wood doors and frames in some areas using superior wood veneers, heavy duty
lever hardware, and glass partitions in some areas.
• High quality finishes and vinyl wall coverings in reception and boardroom.
• Special lighting and drywall ceilings in reception, all meeting rooms and some
private offices.
• Built-in custom millwork in boardroom, reception, mailrooms, kitchen/lunchroom,
storage areas and as required.
• Wood or stone tile flooring throughout or a combination of wood and tile flooring
and premium quality carpeting (typically 32+ oz) throughout.

For additional info contact Sid or Jason Tan at:
GIO TAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES INC.
365 bloor street east, suite 1003 toronto, ontario M4W 3L4
T 416 926 1937 | www.giotandesign.com

How Does BlackBerry PlayBook Compare With iPad?

And this is why I’m waiting for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Malcolm Gladwell Interview – 4 characteristics of highly successful individuals

Here’s a great interview with Malcolm Gladwell on a four point study in which characteristics highly successful businesses and individuals share.

3d Commercial Real Estate Marketing – 45 Bay St Toronto – Arcestra

There’s a new marketing and technology company in Toronto for commercial real estate developers.  Arcestra is making great headway with the large commercial real estate landlords to help them market new office developments before they break ground.  New 3d rendering technology allows you to walk through your office space before it’s built.  They can even add the views!  Check out an example here.

Siamun executive desk blends tech with beauty

Unlike the hip and cool Mac workstations, this exquisite wooden office desk called thr “Siamun executive desk” appeals with its classic looks and neat design. But just before you dismiss it in favor of a hi-tech workstation, you should know it hides a 22” LCD monitor within, hidden from view until you are ready to use it with the simple push of a remote control button. [Read more]

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