Alphabet mulls timber made buildings for 'city of the future' in Toronto

Larry Page’s ‘city of the future’ on Toronto’s waterfront may end up having one foot rooted firmly in the past.

Sidewalk Labs LLC, the urban innovation unit of Alphabet Inc., is considering constructing buildings in the 4.9-hectare (12-acre) high-tech community entirely with tall-timber technology -- engineered wood products that proponents say are as strong and fire-resistant as those made from steel or concrete.

If the proposal goes through, Quayside, which will include about 3,000 residential units, would be the largest development built primarily with tall timber, Karim Khalifa, director of building innovations at Sidewalk Labs, said on Tuesday. Using technology to help