The
“parti” for the proposed St. James Cathedral mixed-use development is a
collection of buildings organized at the north end of the St. James
Cathedral creating an outdoor courtyard. The scheme marries the old and
new architecture by creating a dialogue between mass, open space and
materials.
The development consists of two main buildings, an office and a
residential building, both flanking a view corridor aligned with the
apse of the Cathedral. This view corridor reiterates the existing view
corridor from the south towards the St. James Cathedral spire. On the
west side of this view corridor a new four and six storey office
building is proposed which will be integrated with the existing
westerly office structure. This westerly portion of the existing
structure is to be maintained and restored. To the east of this view
corridor, the proposed building mass continues along Adelaide Street
and along the westerly edge of St. James Park. The mass is re-oriented
to address the park edge and to complete the enclosure of the
courtyard. The courtyard yard is framed by an arcade.
The building mass terraces from the existing three-storey office
building at Church Street towards the park, creating a form compatible
to the Cathedral. Sunlight to the apse, view lines to the spire and
appropriate setbacks to the Cathedral have been maintained.
The office and residential buildings are separate. Distinct lobbies
have been provided for both users to maintain security for the
cathedral staff, clergy, parishioners and for the future residents.
The office building accommodates both the programmes for
office space and the cathedral’s administrative functions. Both are
designed to state-of-the-art office technologies, while allowing future
innovations to be implemented. The residential building will contain
amenity and services at the ground level and residential suites on the
balance of the floors.
Both buildings are located on a two level parking garage with access to
the garage from a ramp located on Adelaide Street. Pedestrian access
from the new church offices to the Cathedral will be provided through
the parking garage structure.
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