Have You Seen the New Art at Emerald City?

Artist Douglas Coupland unveiled his Laurentian pencil crayons-inspired public art at Emerald City Condominiums. (L-R) Brian Andrew and Len Abelman, WZMH Architects; Douglas Coupland; Councillor Shelley Carroll (Ward 33 – Don Valley East); Netanel Ben Or, ELAD Vice President Development and Marketing; Ron Weinstock, Vice President of Development & Construction; Ori Belavin, ELAD Manager, Development & Planning - Photo by Arthur Mola

Over a year and a half ago, we had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of Douglas Coupland’s public art sculptures at ELAD CANADA’s Emerald City, the master-planned condo community in North York at Don Mills and Sheppard. So it is very exciting that the rest of the art sculptures have been completed and officially unveiled to the residents and public!

“As one of the most creative visual artists working in the world today, Emerald City is delighted to feature Douglas Coupland’s work,” says Ori Belavin, Manager, Development and Planning, Emerald City Developments, in a recent release. “We believe this will be one of the most visually compelling public art installations in the GTA and most certainly is another dynamic addition to this community.”

The public art installation is comprised of three different series of sculptures. ‘The Four Seasons’ piece is the largest of the three, and therefore the most noticeable. This is the one of which we got a sneak peek. The “mountain range” of cones stands 48 to 60 feet tall and is inspired by the Laurentian pencil crayons many children used to get from their parents at the beginning of a new school year. “We all know these colours so well from our youth,” says Coupland. “The colours depict a friendly familiar landscape that speak to a universal experience of growing up in Canada.”

The second art piece is called ‘Cylinders,’ and it consists of seven rod forms, standing 24 to 48 feet tall, also inspired by the pencil crayons. The third part of the series is a feature art sign and six municipal art signs around the community.

Photo taken at the beginning of 2014, but it's an angle from which most people won't see the art.

The Emerald City master-plan

Emerald City is a grand master-plan featuring nine condo towers of 2,800 suites, 11 condo townhomes, and four rental replacement buildings featuring 332 apartments. The first three condos are built and the fourth, The Colours of Emerald City, just began construction last month. There is still a great selection of units at The Colours of Emerald City, and the fifth condo tower will likely launch this fall season.

“Emerald City has been a game-changer for this entire neighbourhood,” says Ward 33 Don Valley East Councillor, Shelley Carroll. “With its master-plan of the construction of new rental apartment buildings, market condominiums and major amenities, it has transformed this 1960’s development of suburban towers into a more urban and vital community.”

To learn more about the remaining units at The Colours of Emerald City or to learn more about the community in general, visit the presentation centre at the corner of Don Mills Road and Sheppard Avenue Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm and on weekends from 12 pm to 5 pm. And don’t forget to explore the community and admire Coupland’s latest art pieces in Toronto!