Toronto committee will review plans to redevelop massive Unilever site; Once again, the GTA is poised to play kingmaker in an Ontario election; What you can get for $2 million(ish); and more news:

AGO numbers show more people saw Infinity Mirrors in Toronto than anywhere else (Toronto Star)

Toronto committee will review plans to redevelop massive Unilever site (Inside Toronto)

Once again, the GTA is poised to play kingmaker in an Ontario election (CBC News)

Scuderia Ferrari says it’s ‘ready for Montreal’ — with a shot of the CN Tower (Toronto Star)

LORINC: Making sense of the most crazy-ass Ontario election ever (Spacing Toronto)

What you can get for $2 million(ish) (Toronto Life)

Former executives say Doug Ford was a good businessman, but label company went downhill when he turned to politics (National Post)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

Beach Shack Coming Soon to Perth (Perth)

Cladding Underway at The Hat in East Village (Calgary)

City to Float Urban Gondola Proposal Across Council Floor (Edmonton)

Triomphe on the Rise in Burnaby (Vancouver)

The early stages of construction are in full swing at the site of St. Lawrence Condos by Cityzen Development Group and Fernbrook Homes. The paired 26-storey, architectsAlliance-designed condominium towers are coming the corner of Sherbourne and Front in Downtown Toronto. Construction has been underway since November 2017, when shoring rigs arrived at the site, and plenty of progress has been made in the months since.

Facing west over the St. Lawrence Condos site, image by Edward Skira

We last checked in on the project exactly two months ago, when excavation began at the east end of the site as drilling work continued. Since April, excavation has also commenced at the west end of the site, and the installation of tiebacks along the interior of the tandem pile and lagging and caisson retaining walls is now underway below grade. The tiebacks will hold the retailing walls firmly in place.

Aerial view of St. Lawrence Condos, image by Forum contributor Razz

Over at the east side of the site, a concrete work staging platform is being installed over the area that was partially excavated earlier in the year. A steel scaffold is now in place to support forms for the concrete work platform, while columns that will hold it up are being formed deep into the ground. The platform will serve as a staging area for construction machinery and personnel, while work below it will continue to excavate the future underground garage space. This work platform is permanent, and the ground floor of the building will eventually be constructed around it.

Staging area (left) taking shape at St. Lawrence Condos site, image by Edward Skira

Over the next few months, the majority of activity will continue to be the excavation of the three-level underground garage, which will contain 202 parking spaces, divided between 175 resident spaces and 27 visitor spaces. 392 resident bicycle parking spaces and 109 visitor bike spaces will also be provided. Slated for completion in 2021, St. Lawrence Condos will introduce 490 new condominium units to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. 

St. Lawrence Condos, image courtesy of Cityzen/Fernbrook

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Surrounding the Burger King at the southwest corner of Lawrence Avenue East and Midland Avenue in Scarborough are three 70s slab-style rental apartment buildings accompanied by plenty of vacant green space around them. Now, landowners Arsandco are advancing a Quadrangle-designed proposal to intensify development the of property. The plan for 1380 Midland Avenue aims to fill in the blanks in the "tower-in-the-park" urban landscape here by inserting seven new buildings—six towers and a mid-rise—among the existing apartment buildings on the site. According to documentation submitted to the City, the proposal supports the City's efforts of intensification of under-utilized sites that are well-served by municipal infrastructure.

View of the subject site's location, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

The mixed-use proposal will bring new uses to the site, with plans for residential, retail, recreational, and office space included. The development is parcelled into four blocks mixed in and around the three existing 16-storey residential towers. The proposal outlines high-rise towers with heights ranging from 21 to 27 storeys fronting Midland and Lawrence, and an 8-storey mid-rise building. Office and retail space is planned for two of the three buildings on Midland, and both buildings on Lawrence. In addition, the proposal includes privately owned public spaces for communal use and improvements to the public park in the southwest corner of the site. 

View of the street front along Lawrence East, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

In 2016, an initial rezoning application was submitted to the city. Following a community consultation and municipal review, numerous revisions were made including reconfiguration to the built form for reasons of aesthetics, practicality, and integration into the local context. Some key changes were made to building proportions to address massing concerns, such as dropping the podium heights from 8 storeys to 6. Additionally, the resubmitted proposal includes redesigned outdoor space to optimize pedestrian accessibility and enjoyment. Changes also include a reduction in paved area and surface parking, a greater variety of unit sizes and types, and revised plans for the public spaces on the site. 

At-grade view of commercial space, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

1380 Midland Avenue upon completion would 147,048 m² of gross floor area, of which 1,733 m² would be dedicated to retail space, 8,125 m² for office space and over 137,000 m² in residential space comprising 1,644 new condominium dwellings. The breakdown of the proposal’s residential component is as follows: 965 one-bedrooms, 482 two-bedrooms, 97 three-bedrooms, and 27 townhomes. Vehicles of residents and visitors would be accommodated in 1,751 total parking spots, of which there are only 9 surface parking spaces and 1,742 below grade spaces. In addition, there would be over 1,400 bicycle parking spots to meet the needs of site users. All buildings would include their own indoor amenity spaces, in addition to plenty of outdoor amenity space throughout the site, plus landscaped open green space. 

Northwest facing view from Prudential Drive, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

As the proposal becomes more detailed regarding individual buildings, we will return with more information. In the meantime, additional details and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Construction is moving into the late stages at Smart House, a 25-storey "micro-condo" development just west of Queen and University in Downtown Toronto. The architectsAlliance-designed building from Urban Capital and Malibu Investments topped out in September, 2017, and is now looking very much like the design shown in the renderings created to market the building.

Smart House viewed from the west on Queen Street, image by Forum contributor drum118

At the time of our last update in September, the main tower cladding—a reflective window wall framed in dark vertical mullions—had been installed up to the 10th level, with a red and clear balcony treatment reached the 19th floor. In the months since, the rest of the tower has been finished in these materials, while black grills installed at angles now screen in the mechanical penthouse level above.

Aerial view of Smart House from the southeast, image by Forum contributor drum118

Down at street level, the tower's four-storey podium is now being finished in a mix of curtainwall glazing and dark brick panels. Retail spaces mark the first two levels, while 16,000 ft² of Class A office space is found on the third and fourth floors. The podium is topped by an amenity level including an outdoor terrace overlooking Queen Street. A metal sunshade is now evident above the amenity level's outdoor terrace.

Podium at Smart House, image by Forum contributor drum118

Rising 83 metres, the tower will soon take in residents of the 256 micro-condo units, some as small as 276 ft², and all with custom built-in furnishings designed to maximize the functionality of the suites. These include kitchens with integrated dining tables/kitchen islands and fully-retractable countertops, bathrooms with integrated space-saving cabinetry and lighting, and foldaway murphy beds that convert into couches.

Smart House viewed from Queen Street, image by Forum contributor drum118

Want to know more about Smart House? Our database file, linked below, includes plenty of renderings and additional information. Want to talk about the project? You can leave a comment in the field provided on this page, or join in on the conversation in our associated Forum threads.

In celebration of World Environment Day (June 5), we are looking at Toronto's approach to climate action as it pertains to development, part of a plan to reduce 1990-level greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, a target set in Transform TO.  

Meeting the goals come with challenges as Toronto's buildings play the largest role in terms of greenhouse gas emissions in the city (see below). In 2006, the 'Toronto Green Standard' (TGS)—a list of measures to be taken in building design—was initially introduced as a voluntary standard for new development and evolved into what it is today; a requirement to be met by any new development applications. 

Toronto's emissions by sector (2014), Image Courtesy of Transform TO

Toronto Green Standard V3 (2018), Image via City of Toronto

TGS adresses the City of Toronto’s environmental pressures including:

• Better air quality and temperature by reducing the urban heat island effect.
• Reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings, while making buildings more resilient to power disruptions, and encourage the use of renewable energy.
• Reduce storm water runoff and potable water consumption while improving the quality of storm water draining to Lake Ontario.
• Protect and enhance ecological functions, integrate landscapes and habitats on site, and decrease bird collisions and mortalities.
• Reduce household and construction waste.

When the TGS was last discussed earlier this year, the environmental pressures which the TGS aims to address were explained in depth and the TGS (2nd version) was only a two-tier set of performance standards for new development projects. The TGS is revised and updated every four years to better address environmental targets: with TGS Version 2 having been in effect as of 2014, TGS Version 3 replaced it as of May 1, 2018.

Version 1.0

In 2010, the TGS began to tackle the environmental challenges as all new planning applications, including zoning bylaw amendments, site plan approvals, and draft plans of subdivisions were required to meet Tier 1 of the Toronto Green Standard, while the achievement of the more strict Tier 2 was voluntary. 

Version 2.0

In 2014, a more precise version of the TGS was introduced as energy efficiency requirements for buildings in Tier 1 were raised 15% over the Ontario Building Code (2012), and 25% over in Tier 2. 

Tier 1 comprised a set of mandatory measures that vary for ‘Low-Rise Residential’ developments (including row and townhouses, up to 4-storeys), and ‘Mid to High-Rise Residential and Non-Residential developments (apartment buildings 4-storeys and higher, as well as all Industrial, Commercial and Institutional developments). 

Toronto Green Standard Tier 1 Requirements, Image via City of Toronto

Tier 2 is the higher, voluntary standard implemented through a third party review. If requirements are met, refunds to development charges made to the City may be given. This financial incentive is awarded to third party certified projects that reduce pressure on city services and infrastructure through resource efficiencies. 

Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 Voluntary Requirements, Image via City of Toronto

Version 3.0

As of May 1, 2018, Version 3 of the TGS is in effect for all new planning applications. Each version of the TGS and its revisions comprises the ‘stepped performance pathway to zero emissions’, bringing the city closer to targets. Version 3 and its new Zero Emissions Buildings Framework contains Tiers of performance 1 through 4 developed to take the building industry practices of today to a near zero emissions level of performance by 2030.

Zero Emissions Buildings Framework, Image via City of Toronto

Like version 2, the TGS version 3 applies to Low-Rise Residential developments, Mid to High-Rise Residential as well as Non-Residential developments. In addition, version 3 also applies to City Agencies, Corporations, and Divisions. 

In terms of changes, the most significant change in the TGS Version 3 is the restructuring of the Energy and GHG Emissions category, introducing a four-tiered framework to provide a clear path to achieve near zero GHG emissions buildings by 2030.

Tier 1 consists of required absolute performance targets for energy efficiency similar to the former Voluntary Tier 2 standard of TGS Version 2. 

The second tier of TGS version 3 is voluntary and contains advanced level of performance targets accompanied by the development charges refund incentive (discussed below) as applicable. To be considered Tier 2, buildings must follow core performance measures: 

1. Urban Heat Island Reduction: At-Grade
2. Energy Systems
3. Commissioning & Reporting
4. Stormwater Retention & Reuse
5. Water efficiency
6. Light Pollution
7. Construction Waste Management

Tiers 3 and 4, two new levels have been introduced, with absolute performance targets for energy for each tier. Absolute performance targets include: Energy Use Intensity (TEUI), Thermal Demand Intensity (TEDI - heating demand) and Greenhouse Gas Intensity (GHGI). Tier 3 or 4 projects follow the low carbon pathway option which includes higher energy performance targets, higher stormwater management and potable water reduction requirements, and higher construction waste diversion.

The four tiers of increasing performance were developed to reflect the need to update building performance targets every four years to reach the zero emissions target. It is a target that voluntary Tier 4 level requirements in the 2018 TGS will eventually become the required Tier 1 by TGS 2030. This reflects the ultimate goal of the TGS framework which is to achieve a future for Toronto where new developments are constructed to a ‘near-zero emissions level of performance'.

A Pathway to Zero Emission Buildings, Image via City of Toronto

Development Charge Refund Program

The TGS contains a Development Charge Refund program which offers incentives and refunds to projects that demonstrate higher levels of sustainable design beyond Tier 1. All Tier 2 performance measures must be verified post-construction by a registered third party evaluator. 

There are currently 10 projects (some which have UrbanToronto Database files) that have been certified as meeting all the requirements of the TGS Development Charge Refund program. Each building will receive a brushed steel plaque that is displayed in the building lobby or in another prominent location.

All of these projects achieve at least Tier 2 level and contain various sustainable design strategies as well as energy efficient measures. 

• 1 Old Mill Drive
• 105 George Street 

  Post House Condominiums 105 George Street, Image Courtesy of Alterra Group of Companies

• 120 Harrison Garden Boulevard
• 120 Twenty Fourth Street
• 132 Berkeley Street
• 170 Sumach Street
• 305 Roehampton Avenue
• 35 Saranac Boulevard
• 570 Bay Street

  Motion On Bay Street, Image Courtesy of IBI Group

• 775 King Street West

The TGS has been, and will continue to be critical to the City's emission reduction targets as there have already been 1,500 plus developments which were required to meet Tier 1 standards. The hope is for Toronto to continue its progress while setting an example that other North American cities can follow, with the TGS continuing to be improved to create 'more comfortable, well insulated buildings and homes that use less energy and cost less to operate', both for its residents and the City. As a result, Torontonians will enjoy an increasingly cleaner, more cost effective, environmentally friendly, and energy efficient city in the future and the City-led action plan can be met. 

Today's Photo of the Day features a view of Ïce Condominiums, a pair of architectsAlliance-designed condominium towers in Toronto's South Core area, with heights of 67 and 57 storeys. Captured from between 18 York Street and 120 Bremner, this view shows the towers reflected in the curtainwall east facade of 120 Bremner, joined by the recently topped-out Ten York Street, and the crane for 16 York.

Ïce Condominiums, image by Craig White

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to our Instagram or UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

Bombardier has inside track for TTC’s next streetcar order; Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Could Leave Canada's Housing Sector on Shakier Foundation; Unilever redevelopment plans offer hope for transit infrastructure; and more news:

Bombardier has inside track for TTC’s next streetcar order (Toronto Star)

Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Could Leave Canada's Housing Sector on Shakier Foundation (paywall) (Wall Street Journal)

TTC’s conversion to Presto delayed until end of 2019 (Toronto Star)

Unilever redevelopment plans offer hope for transit infrastructure (Inside Toronto)

Brampton collecting data to launch programs preventing house fires (Toronto Star)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

Montreal Metro on Track for Real Estate Expansion (Montreal)

Milano Nearing Completion in Burnaby (Vancouver)

Verve Nearing Completion in East Village (Calgary)

MacLaren Keeps Pace as Tower Begins its Ascent (Edmonton)

Around the corner from King and Bathurst in Toronto's King West Village, construction is progressing on Fieldgate Urban's 90 Niagara, a 5-storey, Giannone Petricone Associates-designed condominium and townhome development. The project has been underway since 2015, when a former single-storey City of Toronto corporate services facility—briefly converted into a condo presentation centre—was demolished. By October 2015, site clearing activity was just wrapping up to make way for the start of construction.

Facing east on Niagara Street at the 90 Niagara site, October 2015, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

After some delays, shoring and excavation for the project followed at the start of 2017. Fast forward to June 2018: the new development has since been structurally completed, and is now awaiting the start of cladding installation. Upon completion, the building will introduce 45 two-storey condominium and townhome units to Niagara Street.

Facing east on Niagara Street to 90 Niagara, June 2018, image by Craig White

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!

Construction is now officially underway at the site of Plaza's Mississauga Square. Last month, construction crews began to mobilize on the site of the 33-storey Turner Fleischer Architects-designed condominium and townhome development. In the weeks since our last update, the first shoring rig has arrived to start work on the earth retention system that will support a safe excavation of the tower's underground garage.

Aerial view facing north across the Mississauga Square site, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

The aerial view above shows us that the site has been re-graded, creating a flat work surface for the drilling rig now operating at the north end of the site. Over the course of the next few months, shoring rigs will drill several boreholes around the site's perimeter, the first step in creating below-grade retaining walls for the upcoming excavation.

Once shoring is complete, the site will be excavated down to a depth of three storeys, followed by the start of forming for the foundations and underground garage.

Upon completion, the project will bring 392 one to three-bedroom units—sized from 457 ft² to 2,090 ft², and priced between $315,000 and $900,000—to Hurontario Street, a couple blocks north of Eglinton. This and other projects on Mississauga's main north-south corridor will benefit from Metrolinx's upcoming Hurontario LRT project.

Mississauga Square, image courtesy of Plaza

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Since topping out at 44 storeys over Toronto's waterfront in late 2017, the installation of exterior finishes is gradually realizing the final look of Monde Condominiums. Designed by Israeli-Canadian-American architect Moshe Safdie with local architects Quadrangle, the new Great Gulf condominium tower's ongoing cladding has made plenty of progress since we last updated the project's construction back at the start of April.

Monde viewed from the northeast, image by Forum contributor Razz

In the time since, practically all of the tower's main exterior envelope—consisting of blue curtainwall glazing accented by white aluminum caps along the slab edges—has been installed. With the tower now almost completely enclosed, cladding installation has shifted to finishing the tower's balconies, which alternately hug the building on inside corners or project out from it on outside corners.

Balconies on Monde, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Balcony guard installation has been ongoing for several weeks now, and recent photos show the visual impact of the glass panels, which feature a mix of simulated acid-etch solid frit and clear glazing with a minimal frit pattern. The balcony guard installation is accompanied by completion of the white capping over the slab edges, integrating them into the tower's design. In an unconventional approach to maximizing the clean appearance of the building's exterior, condo units' exhaust vents have been incorporated into the underside of the balconies' concrete slabs. 

Monde viewed from the southwest, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Above, the balcony treatment now seen on only a few floors, with grow over the coming weeks across the whole tower. Meanwhile, down at street level, finishing touches are being installed on the building's ground floor spaces, including the retail colonnade that fronts Sherbourne Common. 

Monde's frontage along Sherbourne Common, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Upon completion, Monde will bring 552 new homes to the East Bayfront community, a neighbourhood set to grow exponentially in population over the coming years as various new active and planned residential and commercial developments come to fruition.

Monde, image courtesy of Great Gulf

Additional information and renderings of Monde can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Visit the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

A new podcast from the ULI (Urban Land Institute) Toronto offers insight into the minds of movers and shakers in the city building industries. Hosted by Jeremy Warson, Director of Development Planning at Infrastructure Ontario, the new Electric Cities podcast brings on big industry names in each episode to discuss a different aspect of land development and planning across the Greater Toronto Region.

Toronto skyline, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

Nine episodes of the podcast are already available on Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud, covering a range of topics including the local condominium and office markets, landscape architecture, community outreach, and urban planning.

The latest episode is titled ”Architecture in Toronto - Trends and Challenges,“ featuring Richard Witt, Executive Principal at Quadrangle. This episode discusses the design of the various new buildings adding to the city skyline, as well as touching on some of the issues architecture firms face in trying to balance the interests of their clients, the city, and the public. Of note in the episode, host Jeremy Warson mentions that he is a regular visitor to UrbanToronto as a way to stay up to date on new development in Toronto!

Speakers featured in the 9 episodes of ULI Toronto's Electric Cities Podcast, images courtesy of ULI Toronto

The Electric Cities Podcast will be releasing new episodes throughout the year, and you can subscribe by visiting the podcast's site.

Let us know what you think in the comments section provided below.

Tippett Road, an unassuming cul-de-sac tucked away in the corner of the Allen Road and Highway 401 interchange, has seen a significant influx in developments over the past few years. Formerly light industrial and parking lots, the transformation of the area is possible owing to the Tippett Road Regeneration plan created by the City of Toronto. Malibu Investment’s Express Condominiums located at 4-6 Tippett Road is one of the latest projects in the local planning pipeline. The RAW-designed mixed-use proposal seeks to revitalize the parcel of underutilized land surrounding the Wilson Subway Station in North York. 

Map of the area showing all current and past developments, image by Julian Mirabelli

The development proposal is comprised of two buildings flanking a new east-west private road, the introduction of a portion of a new public street at the north end of the site, and a new public park in the northwest corner of the site. The private roadway will divide the site into two development blocks to be developed in phases, for which Malibu has filed separate Site Plan Approval applications (SPA).

After having submitted plans for rezoning and an Official Plan Amendment in 2016, the proposal was appealed to Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) for a lack of a decision by City Council within the required time. In October 2017, the parties involved settled on the rezoning plan, and in March of this year, the OMB ratified the resolution. The settlement includes provisions that ensure the incorporation of 25 affordable housing units on site. In addition, the agreement outlines plans to bring a Privately-Owned Publicly accessible Space (POPS) to the site, and a clause ensuring a wide mix of commercial uses. In accordance with section 37 of the Planning Act, the developers have made financial commitments of over two million dollars to help support improvements to local ward 10 and to help fund public art initiatives. Now, the proposal is awaiting approval of its SPA application.

Southwest facing aerial view of phase 1, image by Malibu investments

The first phase is a 16-storey, 265-unit residential tower on the southern parcel of the site at 4 Tippett. Phase 2 would introduce a mixed-use building with 13 and 16-storey volumes rising from a shared podium. Primarlily residential, it would have commercial uses at-grade on the north side of the new private road at 6 Tippet.

Northwest facing streetscape of phase 2, image by Malibu Investments

Express Condominiums would total 45,300 m² in gross floor area, of which 1,319 m² would be non-residential space. Plans detail 651 residential dwellings, 21 studios, 414 one-bedrooms, 177 two-bedrooms, and 39 three-bedroom units. The buildings would be served by a 560-space underground garage consisting of 483 spaces for residents and 77 shared spaces for residential visitors and non-residential uses. 490 bicycle parking spaces are also proposed, including 442 long-term spaces and 48 short-term spaces. In addition to the public park element included on the site and the POPS, there will be numerous parcels of landscaped open green space scattered throughout the development to contribute to the site’s outdoor aesthetics. 

Today’s Photo of the Day features a sunset view of the Toronto skyline, captured from a high-rise in the Distillery District. Submitted by Forum contributor Razz, this view faces northwest, centred on the rising Massey Tower Condos on Yonge north of Queen.

Sunset view of the Toronto skyline, image by Forum contributor Razz

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to our Instagram or UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

Doug Ford's next challenge is to make sense of his many nonsensical promises; Will Toronto Get More New Streetcars?; Team hunts for clues to history of ship found during CityPlace construction; and more news:

Shawn Micallef: Maybe Toronto isn’t so uptight after all (Toronto Star)

Will Toronto Get More New Streetcars? (Steve Munro)

Doug Ford's next challenge is to make sense of his many nonsensical promises: Robyn Urback (CBC News)

Team hunts for clues to history of ship found during CityPlace construction (Toronto Star)

Community meeting planned for Bloor-Dufferin mega development (Inside Toronto)

Liberals fall short of official party status; Wynne resigns as Liberal leader (Globe and Mail)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

Midtown 8 Tops Off in Miami (Miami)

Rapid Change at East Hastings and Gore (Vancouver)

Brookfield Takes its Place (Calgary)

Four Years of Change on the Downtown Skyline (Edmonton)

Construction of Canderel Residential's YC Condos has been under way just north of Yonge and College in Downtown Toronto since late 2014, when a ground breaking ceremony kicked off work on the 62-storey condominium tower. Nw, three and a half years later, the Graziani + Corazza Architects-designed tower has reached its 198-metre-high roof.

Looking south to YC Condos, image by Forum contributor ProjectEnd

The latest photos of the tower show that the tower's two upper mechanical and amenity levels have been formed, marking the structural peak of the new building. Ongoing removal of concrete formwork is revealing the extra-thick slabs of these top floors, engineered to support the additional load of machinery and the indoor pool.

Upper levels at YC Condos, image by Forum contributor BobT

Cladding—window wall with a medium-gray mullion—now seals off all but the uppermost residential and mechanical levels. The buildng's exterior expression is provided by alternating bands of projecting balconies clad in either dark-tinted or fritted glass guards. In the coming months, contrasting dark and light cladding will tie the mechanical/amenity levels in with the alternating sections on the residential floors below.

Looking west to YC Condos, image by Forum contributor steveve

Residents of the 639-unit development will all share access to the upper amenity spaces at the top of the tower, dubbed Lounge 64 and Club 66—references to the floor numbers in a building where some numbers were skipped on the way up. Appointed by interior designers Burdifilek, the lower space will include a lounge and bar, while the upper space will offer a 60-foot long indoor infinity pool with views looking towards the core and the lake.

Looking south to YC Condos, image by Forum contributor Benito

Roughly a year after construction began, forming is well underway on 571 Prince Edward, a luxury rental apartment development in Etobicoke. Located at the southeast corner of Dundas Street West and Prince Edward Drive, the project from Dunpar Developments will eventually rise eight storeys and bring 115 residential suites to the Lambton neighbourhood.

Looking southeast to 571 Prince Edward, image by Craig White

The project traces its lineage back to a previously planned condominium development from another developer, which was picked up by Dunpar with zoning already in place. With the massing and underlying architecture retained from earlier plan, the updated plan includes a redesigned exterior by architect Richard Wengle, with Graziani + Corazza Architects serving as the architects of record.

Shoring and excavation of the project's two-level underground parking garage wrapped up late in 2017, and by the start of this year, forming had begun for the P2 parking level. In the months since, the rest of the below grade structure has been completed, and forming work has since moved above grade for the residential levels.

Looking north on Prince Edward Drive to 571 Prince Edward, image by Craig White

Crews are now forming the building's third floor, with progress furthest along against the site's Dundas West frontage. Here, walls and support columns have begun to take shape, as floor forming continues for the rest of the third level.

Looking east on Dundas to 571 Prince Edward, image by Craig White

The development's 115 suites are being built in a mix of 76 one-bedroom units and 39 two-bedroom units. Dunpar expects to top out by the fall and bricks to be cladding the building before the end year. Marketing of the luxury mental suites will likely begin in early 2019.

571 Prince Edward, image courtesy of Dunpar

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Rezoning is being sought to permit an 11-storey rental apartment building on he southwest corner of Glenlake and Pacific avenues, in the neighbourhood north of High Park in Toronto's West End. The plan from developer Lormel Homes calls for the building to replace a surface parking lot and a underutilized green space to the north of an existing 30-storey rental tower which shares the address at 299 Glenlake Avenue.

299 Glenlake Ave., image via submission to City of Toronto

Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, the proposal consists of a four-storey base volume supporting a seven-storey tower above. Renderings and elevation diagrams show a design that uses diagonal walls between balconies to emphasize depth and shelter. The building's two volumes are clad in a contrast of white and grey precast concrete above, red and dark grey brick below. Glazing is proposed with clear and fritted glass, and white and grey spandrel glass panels.

North elevation, 299 Glenlake Ave., image via submission to City of Toronto

A total of 120 rental units are proposed in a mix of 52 one-bedroom layouts with average sizes of 56 m², 56 two-bedroom layouts with average sizes of 80 m², and 12 three-bedroom layouts with average sizes of 86 m².

East elevation, 299 Glenlake Ave., image via submission to City of Toronto

Residents of both this building and the existing one will have access to a proposed 706 m² outdoor amenity space located between them, with landscaping designed by Baker Turner Inc. A 240 m² indoor amenity space on the new building's ground floor connects with the outdoor amenity.

West elevation, 299 Glenlake Ave., image via submission to City of Toronto

The new building is proposed to be served by the existing two-level underground garage, to be shared with the residents of the existing tower. 52-long term bicycle parking would also be located in the garage, while 56 would be on the ground floor. 12 short-term bike ring spaces are proposed on the exterior.

South elevation, 299 Glenlake Ave., image via submission to City of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

When Humber River Hospital (HRH) opened its doors near Keele and the 401 in 2015, the massive facility became North America’s first fully digital hospital. Designed by HDR Architects and built by PCL, the 14-storey, 1.8 million square foot hospital was thoughtfully designed to meet the evolving needs of healthcare, while also taking energy efficiency into account to reduce operating costs and the site's carbon footprint in an effort to achieve LEED® Gold status.

Humber River Hospital, image courtesy of PCL

In recognition of PCL's work on the project's sustainability—which involved a 43.5-month design-build phase—The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has awarded PCL and its partners with the 2018 Excellence in Green Building: New Construction Institutional Award, which honours new construction projects that serve as examples of sustainable building.

Responding to the award, a prepared statement by HRH president & CEO Barb Collins reads “On behalf of our partners, we are grateful to the CaGBC for celebrating the outcomes of our vision for Humber River Hospital which was designed and built on three core principles: Lean, Green, and Digital. This award is a testament to the tremendous collaborative efforts of our hospital, compliance team, Plenary Group, and design-build partners led by PCL who delivered our vision for North America’s first fully digital hospital."

PCL was recognized for the building's impressive Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target of 348 ekWh/m²—which is 47% lower than the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Canada target for hospitals—as well as features like the first-in-Canada use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and sustainable offsite construction techniques.

"As Canada's leading general contractor, PCL is committed to the pursuit of value and innovation to build our clients’ vision," states Bruce Sonnenberg, PCL Toronto vice president and district manager. "We congratulate all partners involved in bringing Humber River Hospital’s lean, green, and digital vision to life. The result of our combined efforts is a smart hospital that balances energy efficiency and intelligent building technology to support healthcare professionals in providing exemplary patient care, in an environment that promotes wellness.”

The award presentation took place this past Wednesday, June 6th at CaGBC’s national conference held in the Beanfield Centre at Exhibition Place, Toronto. Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council, declared referring to he HRH award, “I am very pleased to congratulate this year’s CaGBC Leadership and Green Building Excellence Award winners. This year we decided to raise the bar by adding additional recognition awards for exceptional projects and the results are clear: Canada is home to many of the world’s leading green buildings and innovators.”

Let us know what you think in the comments section provided below.

Today's Photo of the Day features a view of Tridel's Ten York Street topped out on Toronto's South Core skyline. Submitted by Forum contributor drum118, this shot shows the 65-storey, Wallman Architects-designed tower as it appears in skyline views from Bathurst Quay.

Ten York topped out on the South Core skyline, image by Forum contributor drum118

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