I was just introduced to a development firm based in Los Angeles called SuperLA. They are focused on sustainably built infill apartments and last year they completed what is the first ever mass-timber multifamily housing project in Southern California. Located at 3520 Marathon Street in Silver Lake and called the "Bungalows on Marathon", the project is 3-storeys (with parking underneath that takes advantage of the slope of the site) and has 9 homes.
Six of the homes are one-bedroom (~660 sf of interior space) and three of the homes are two-bedroom (~1,320 sf of interior space). It's a beautiful project. And because it's LA, all of the building's circulation is outside and tucked toward the back of the site. It's also not a huge site -- my rough Google Map take-offs have it at approximately 12m x 40m. So let's call it the equivalent of two Toronto single-family lots.
Based on suite count, this is similar to the kind of density that you could get in single-family neighborhoods throughout Toronto. However, the built form here on Marathon is decidedly more urban. Despite its horizontality, LA is not as low-density as many might think. For more on SuperLA, here's their website. They've also done a great job with their brand and identity.
Photos via SuperLA
This week (Thursday) was the deadline to submit proposals for Amazon HQ2. About 100 cities across North America are thought to have a bid in.
New York lit up every single landmark in the city with “Amazon orange” in an “embarrassing attempt” to try and win this thing. That’s how bad cities want this.
I already think that Toronto has won an incredible prize with Sidewalk Toronto. Arguably, it may turn out to be more impactful to this city than Amazon HQ2. It’s an opportunity to define the future of, not just this city, but all cities. It’s an opportunity to lead.
At the same time, I continue to believe that there’s no better place for Amazon HQ2 than here in Toronto. Not surprisingly, our bid emphasized the point that I’ve been hammering home on this blog since Amazon first announced the RFP. Toronto’s key competitive advantage: talent.
Below is an excerpt from the submission cover letter. The entire letter emphasizes our ability to grow, attract, and retain top talent.
Thirty-nine percent of the Toronto Region—and 51% of Toronto proper—are born outside of Canada. We welcome more new immigrants each year than New York, LA, and Chicago combined. We speak over 180 languages and dialects. Toronto is heralded as the most multicultural city in the world, and our labour force and economy benefit directly from our diversity and inclusivity. We build doors, not walls. And those doors open to highly-skilled economic immigrants and international students who can easily become permanent residents and citizens.
For the full Toronto region submission, click here.
Okay, enough about Sidewalk Labs and Amazon. Regular scheduled programming will resume on the blog starting tomorrow.
My friend Dan just introduced me to a terrific podcast called, How I Built This. It’s all about “innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built.” As soon as he told me about it I immediately pulled out my phone and hit subscribe.
You will recognize many of the brands and entrepreneurs featured on this podcast. The companies span everything from Whole Foods and the Corcoran Group (real estate) to Kate Spade and Instagram.
I’m not that up on podcasts. I think it’s because I don’t really drive that often and I don’t have much of a commute. Podcasts are great when you’re sitting in traffic, which is something people here in LA obviously do a lot of.
But I’m going to make time to listen to this one. I have so much respect for anyone who has built something from nothing. Building and creating is what moves us forward.
I was just introduced to a development firm based in Los Angeles called SuperLA. They are focused on sustainably built infill apartments and last year they completed what is the first ever mass-timber multifamily housing project in Southern California. Located at 3520 Marathon Street in Silver Lake and called the "Bungalows on Marathon", the project is 3-storeys (with parking underneath that takes advantage of the slope of the site) and has 9 homes.
Six of the homes are one-bedroom (~660 sf of interior space) and three of the homes are two-bedroom (~1,320 sf of interior space). It's a beautiful project. And because it's LA, all of the building's circulation is outside and tucked toward the back of the site. It's also not a huge site -- my rough Google Map take-offs have it at approximately 12m x 40m. So let's call it the equivalent of two Toronto single-family lots.
Based on suite count, this is similar to the kind of density that you could get in single-family neighborhoods throughout Toronto. However, the built form here on Marathon is decidedly more urban. Despite its horizontality, LA is not as low-density as many might think. For more on SuperLA, here's their website. They've also done a great job with their brand and identity.
Photos via SuperLA
This week (Thursday) was the deadline to submit proposals for Amazon HQ2. About 100 cities across North America are thought to have a bid in.
New York lit up every single landmark in the city with “Amazon orange” in an “embarrassing attempt” to try and win this thing. That’s how bad cities want this.
I already think that Toronto has won an incredible prize with Sidewalk Toronto. Arguably, it may turn out to be more impactful to this city than Amazon HQ2. It’s an opportunity to define the future of, not just this city, but all cities. It’s an opportunity to lead.
At the same time, I continue to believe that there’s no better place for Amazon HQ2 than here in Toronto. Not surprisingly, our bid emphasized the point that I’ve been hammering home on this blog since Amazon first announced the RFP. Toronto’s key competitive advantage: talent.
Below is an excerpt from the submission cover letter. The entire letter emphasizes our ability to grow, attract, and retain top talent.
Thirty-nine percent of the Toronto Region—and 51% of Toronto proper—are born outside of Canada. We welcome more new immigrants each year than New York, LA, and Chicago combined. We speak over 180 languages and dialects. Toronto is heralded as the most multicultural city in the world, and our labour force and economy benefit directly from our diversity and inclusivity. We build doors, not walls. And those doors open to highly-skilled economic immigrants and international students who can easily become permanent residents and citizens.
For the full Toronto region submission, click here.
Okay, enough about Sidewalk Labs and Amazon. Regular scheduled programming will resume on the blog starting tomorrow.
My friend Dan just introduced me to a terrific podcast called, How I Built This. It’s all about “innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built.” As soon as he told me about it I immediately pulled out my phone and hit subscribe.
You will recognize many of the brands and entrepreneurs featured on this podcast. The companies span everything from Whole Foods and the Corcoran Group (real estate) to Kate Spade and Instagram.
I’m not that up on podcasts. I think it’s because I don’t really drive that often and I don’t have much of a commute. Podcasts are great when you’re sitting in traffic, which is something people here in LA obviously do a lot of.
But I’m going to make time to listen to this one. I have so much respect for anyone who has built something from nothing. Building and creating is what moves us forward.
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