The search is on as Design Competition for St. Lawrence Market's North
Building starts today

TORONTO , Nov. 12 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto has launched an international architectural competition to find the best design for a new, vibrant North Building in the iconic St. Lawrence Market Complex. As part of the official kickoff, Mayor David Miller and Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) today released the Competition Brief - a formal set of submission requirements and site and design criteria for architects vying for the winning design.

"We're looking for the best creative minds in architecture to replace the underused, single-storey North Market building with a new four-storey, multi-purpose facility that will be a model for sustainable design, energy efficiency and design excellence," said Mayor David Miller . "The challenge for architectural teams is to come forward with a forward-thinking design that is also mindful of the character and heritage of the St. Lawrence Market and surrounding neighbourhood."

The new North Building will continue to host the successful Saturday Farmers' Market and Sunday Antique Market. Space for court rooms and administrative offices for Toronto Court Services and a 250-space underground parking garage will also be part of the new building.

The St. Lawrence Market Complex, consisting of St. Lawrence Hall and the South and North market buildings, has served for over 200 years as the City's social centre and premier marketplace, and even as a City Hall. The North Building at 92 Front St. E. no longer meets the needs of market vendors, shoppers and the community, due to its lack of building amenities. The strategy to redevelop the North Building property was approved by Toronto City Council in November 2008 .

"One of Toronto's greatest landmarks and long-standing traditions is about to get better," said Councillor McConnell. "With the South Market consistently ranked as one of the best markets in the world, this design competition for a new North Market building is a major milestone that further enhances the entire St. Lawrence Market Complex as a thriving hub for activity and prosperity. The City of Toronto is inviting all architects to compete with a design that fits the City's vision for this property."

The St. Lawrence Market North Building Design Competition is a two-stage process. In stage one, eligible architects are invited to submit an 'Expression of Interest' and a qualified team of City staff and a Professional Advisor to the Competition will select a short list of architectural teams to advance to the next stage. In stage two, a jury will evaluate the design submissions developed by the short-listed teams, and the competition will end in June 2010 when a winning design is announced.

The new building is expected to be completed and operating in 2014.

Visit http://www.toronto.ca/stlawrence_market/design for the Competition Brief and more information.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America . Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. 2009 marks the 175th anniversary of Toronto's incorporation as a city. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.

Visit our website at www.toronto.ca

For further information: Media contacts: Cindy Bromley, Finance and Administration Communications Manager, [phone], [email protected]; Alex Mozo, Communications and Marketing Consultant, [phone], [email protected]