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Daily Headlines: News from the Internet for December 18, 2018

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Construction Heating Up for Vita and Vita Two on the Lake

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Two more towers are gearing up to join the growing skyline of Toronto's Humber Bay Shores community as construction heats up of Mattamy Homes and Biddington Group’s 53-storey Vita on the Lake and its 16-storey sibling to the south, Vita Two. The taller first phase of the Graziani + Corazza Architects-designed community kicked off construction about 13 months ago, with Vita Two following almost exactly one year later.

Vita on the Lake, Vita Two, Mattamy, Biddington, Graziani + Corazza, TorontoCrane for Vita and shoring rig for Vita Two, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

In the just over one year since Vita started construction, shoring and excavation have paved the way for the ongoing forming of the main portion of the site's six underground levels. Portions of the P6, P5, and P4 levels are now in place, and will eventually extend into the Vita Two site to the south.

Vita on the Lake, Vita Two, Mattamy, Biddington, Graziani + Corazza, TorontoParking garage taking shape for Vita on the Lake, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

Vita Two began construction when a 2011-built presentation centre used to market the two phases was torn down earlier this Fall. By mid-November, crews from Deep Foundations Inc. arrived on the presentation centre's former footprint to begin the shoring process for Vita Two.

Vita on the Lake, Vita Two, Mattamy, Biddington, Graziani + Corazza, TorontoShoring at the site of Vita Two, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

Photos of the site indicate that a system consisting of vertical steel piles and horizontal timber lagging is being used for the below grade retaining walls. If the Vita site to the north is any indication, tandem caisson wall and pile and lagging systems can be expected here to hold back the groundwater.

Vita on the Lake, Vita Two, Mattamy, Biddington, Graziani + Corazza, TorontoShoring at the site of Vita Two, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

Once shoring is complete, crews will begin to dig down six storeys and connect the pit with the garage now being formed to the north. The combined underground will serve both buildings with 922 parking spaces, while a new section of Annie Craig Drive—an east-west local street gradually being built between Lake Shore and Marine Parade—will run above the garage between the podiums of the two towers.

Vita on the Lake, Vita Two, Mattamy, Biddington, Graziani + Corazza, TorontoExcavator at the site of Vita Two, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

While only one suite layout remains available in the 53-storey tower, several plans are still available at Vita Two, which offers one to three-bedroom configurations ranging in area between 591 ft² and 2,073 ft², and priced from the mid $600,000s. Residents of Vita Two will have access to a set of indoor amenities designed by GCB interior architecture inc., as well as outdoor spaces with landscape architecture by gh3.

Vita on the Lake, Vita Two, Mattamy, Biddington, Graziani + Corazza, TorontoVita on the Lake and Vita Two on the Humber Bay Shores skyline, image courtesy of Mattamy/Biddington

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.

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Excavation Prepping Site of Brandy Lane Homes' The Davies

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A growing pit marks the future site of a 9-storey SMV Architects-designed condominium development where Avenue Road climbs "the hill" in the heart of Toronto. Brandy Lane HomesThe Davies has been under construction since early 2018 following the clearing of the presentation centre used to market the project. 

The Davies, Brandy Lane Homes, SMV Architects, TorontoExcavation for The Davies, image by Forum contributor Downtown Toronto

Excavation has progressed a fair bit for the three-level, 65-space underground garage, with the pit bottomed out at its final depth in some places. A combination of caisson wall and pile and lagging shoring systems are in use at the site, though photos of the pit reveal that groundwater remains an issue, with dewatering equipment active.

The Davies, Brandy Lane Homes, SMV Architects, TorontoExcavation for The Davies, image by Forum contributor Downtown Toronto

Photos also emphasize just how close The Davies' garage is to 291 Avenue Road, the mid-rise apartment building to the immediate north: the shoring wall along 291 Avenue Road's such wall is engineered to keep it steady and standing while the new building goes in next door. Once excavation wraps up and the crane is installed, forming will begin for the foundations and garage, set to reach grade in mid-2019. The garage will have 57 resident parking spaces, 8 visitor parking spaces, and 42 bicycle parking spaces. Access to Avenue Road will be at the south end of the site.

The Davies, Brandy Lane Homes, SMV Architects, TorontoDewatering equipment at site of The Davies, image by Forum contributor Downtown Toronto

The new luxury boutique condo at the meeting point of the Summerhill and Rathnelly neighbourhoods will add 36 condominium units, ranging in area from 1,100 ft² to approximately 3,000 ft², all multi-bedroom layouts.

The Davies, Brandy Lane Homes, SMV Architects, TorontoThe Davies, image courtesy of Brandy Lane Homes

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.

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Experimental MapTO Site Presents Toronto Data in a Unique Way

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Every once in a while, UrbanToronto comes across a project that we love, which we suspect might grab you too. Recently, we were made aware of MapTO, an experimental website featuring artistic and interactive maps of our hometown. Started roughly 4 years ago by friends Tom Weatherburn and William Davis, MapTO is the pair's passion project. Using data visualization and mapping technology, MapTO is a collection of unique maps and infographics related to the Greater Toronto Area. While browsing the website you’ll note a number of interactive articles that serve as a visual representation of some of Toronto’s most interesting statistics.

MapTO'Every Building in the GTHA', image courtesy of MapTO

Davis and Weatherburn consistently visit Twitter, Reddit and similar blogs for the latest in map design to help them develop the unique design aesthetic for each map. That design language is then applied to open source data published by the City of Toronto to make these statistics more visually engaging and accessible to the general public.

'The Fruit Trees of Toronto', shown below, systematically illustrates the 22,124 trees in Toronto that produce edible fruit.

'The Fruit Trees of Toronto', image courtesy of MapTO

Just in time for the Holidays, MapTO has launched an online store, where print versions of a select variety of their maps are available for purchase. A great gift for any Map Enthusiast, the maps are printed in a variety of sizes ranging in price from $28 to $48. 

One of them, the ‘TTC Rail Transit Map’ draws inspiration from Massimo Vignelli, the designer of the original abstract New York MTA subway maps in 1972. Both this map and ‘Boundaries of Toronto’ use a colour palate based off of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours - a colour matching book published in 1814 that was once used by Charles Darwin as a standard for describing the colours of unfamiliar species.

MapTOA print version of the 'TTC Rail Transit Map', image courtesy of MapTO

Currently 5 maps are sold in the online store on MapTO, however Weatherburn and Davis plan to expand both the scale and scope of the operation in the New Year. 2019 will bring at least two new maps; 'The Building Footprints of the GTHA' and 'The Fruit Trees of Toronto', to the online store. MapTO will soon be reaching out to partner with local retail stores for offline sales.

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CIBC Square's South Tower Grows Taller Near Union Station

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Toronto's next major office tower is well underway just south of Union Station, as construction presses on for the first phase of Ivanhoé Cambridge and Hines’ CIBC Square complex. The WilkinsonEyre-designed, 49-storey office tower has been under construction since the project broke ground in June 2017, across Bay Street from what is now known as the Scotiabank Arena.

CIBC Square, Toronto, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, AdamsonLooking east to CIBC Square earlier today, image by UT Forum contributor sikandar

CIBC Square, Toronto, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, AdamsonClose-up on the concrete core and steel floors, image by UT Forum contributor sikandar

It has been a frenetic year and a half of construction activity, and the tower's impact is now being felt from various points around Downtown. CIBC Square is being constructed with structural steel floors surrounding a reinforced concrete core. Work on the core has been moving along steadily, now roughly halfway towards its final height, as the surrounding steel skeleton begins to take shape on the tower's lower levels.

CIBC Square, Toronto, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, AdamsonA huge grid of rebar awaits concrete before this weekend's pour, image by UT Forum contributor Michael62

While work is proceeding on the first levels of the tower, work has all been progressing on the new GO Bus Terminal which will take up much of the space in the building's podium. Above, the second floor of the terminal was covered with a dense network of rebar and cables so that a super-strong post-tensioned slab could be created. An extended overnight concrete pour began just after midnight on Saturday morning, starting an 18-hour operation.

CIBC Square, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, Adamson, TorontoCIBC Square, image by Forum contributor Gizmo

Above, about 11 hours into the concrete pour on Saturday, and below, what the second floor of the GO Bus Terminal looked like on Sunday, after 20 or so hours of curing.

CIBC Square, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, Adamson, TorontoLevel 2 concrete pour at CIBC Square, image by Forum contributor Michael62

A projected construction timeline for the tower released in the summer shows that forming of the concrete tower core is well on track for its July 2019 topping out, while the tower is expected to reach substantial completion in July 2020. As it stands now, CIBC Square’s south tower core is over 24 storeys in height, and is expected to reach the 30-storey mark in January.

CIBC Square, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, Adamson, TorontoLooking southeast to CIBC Square, image by Forum contributor mburrrrr

To the north of the building, work continues on the park that will bridge over the rail corridor. Above, to the left side of the image, a layer of steel decking is being installed over the trusses. More trusses, meanwhile, continue to be installed: the diagonal truss seen above and below is one of the latest to be put in place. Shorter trusses will extend from it to the concrete wall to the south.

CIBC Square, Toronto, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, AdamsonLooking up through the park trusses to to the concrete core, image by UT Forum contributor Canadian Chocho

An update on the tower's leasing was released by Ivanhoé Cambridge last month. Between anchor tenant, CIBC, and other tenants including Microsoft Canada, BCG, AGF Investments Inc., and more un-announced tenants, the south tower is now 100% leased, just under 18 months after the project’s launch.

CIBC Square, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, WilkinsonEyre, Adamson, TorontoCIBC Square, image courtesy of Ivanhoé Cambridge

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.

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Photo of the Day: Mississauga Sunrise

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Today's Photo of the Day features a dramatic sunrise view from Mississauga. Captured by Forum contributor Jasonzed, this view faces southeast from the Erin Mills Town Centre, showing the topped out Arc at Daniels Erin Mills condominium development.

Photo of the Day, Mississauga, Daniels Erin Mills, ArcSunrise in Mississauga, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

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. 

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Daily Headlines: News from the Internet for December 19, 2018

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Ryerson moving forward with law school despite Ontario government funding rejection; Mayor Tory disappointed at need for Toronto Community Housing agency probe; A modest proposal for reforming Toronto’s Land Transfer Tax; and more news:

Ryerson moving forward with law school despite Ontario government funding rejection (Toronto Star)

Mayor Tory disappointed at need for Toronto Community Housing agency probe (Globe and Mail)

Toronto Community Housing Corp. in a state of ‘crisis,’ says board member (Toronto Star)

A modest proposal for reforming Toronto’s Land Transfer Tax (Spacing Toronto)

Amazon to expand Toronto work force by 600 (Globe and Mail)

Buyers blame developer, town in Georgetown condo cancellation (Toronto Star)

Global news from our sister site, SkyriseCities.com:

OMA-Designed nhow Amsterdam RAI Hotel Nears Structural Completion (Amsterdam)

Excavation begins on Irvine (Calgary)

Manchester Square Inches Forward (Edmonton)

Kits Walk to Bring More Rental Options to Kitsilano (Vancouver)

Cladding Encloses Flowing Curves of Daniels' Arc at Erin Mills

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Construction is moving along on the third phase tower at The Daniels Corporation's high-rise development at Erin Mills Parkway and Eglinton in Mississauga. We last checked in on the 19-storey, Kirkor Architects-designed Arc at Erin Mills back in September, when forming of the tower was just topping out.

Daniels Erin Mills, Mississauga, designed by Kirkor Architects for Daniels CorpLooking north to Arc at Daniels Erin Mills, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

Cladding installation has progressed significantly in the three months since, when the building was partially enclosed with cladding as high as the 14th floor. The bulk of the tower is now sealed off in a window wall system with reflective glazing, dark grey mullions, and dark grey spandrel panels, while portions of the first three levels have begun to receive their curtainwall finishes.

Daniels Erin Mills, Mississauga, designed by Kirkor Architects for Daniels CorpLooking west to Arc at Daniels Erin Mills, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

The sculptural form of the tower is now being highlighted by the installation of balcony finishes, taking the form of a mix of white perforated metal and clear glazing. The metal and glass sections alternate in an undulating pattern, adding a series of flowing curves to the tower exterior that contrast with the dark window wall finishes.

Daniels Erin Mills, Mississauga, designed by Kirkor Architects for Daniels CorpBalcony detail of Arc at Daniels Erin Mills, image by UT Forum contributor Jasonzed

Balcony finishes now stretch as high as the 13th floor, giving a clearer picture of how the project will look once construction wraps up.

Daniels Erin Mills, Mississauga, designed by Kirkor Architects for Daniels CorpLooking south to Arc at Daniels Erin Mills, image by Forum contributor Jasonzed

The departure of Arc from the standard boxy suburban high-rise aesthetic is setting the tone for future phases of the community, which will build on the architectural language being established by Arc. Also designed by Kirkor, these next phases are proposed to bring three additional towers to a site kitty-corner across Eglinton Avenue and Erin Mills Parkway from the first three towers, doubling the size of the community.

Daniels Erin Mills, Kirkor Architects, MississaugaFuture phases of Daniels Erin Mills, image via kirkorarchitects.com

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.

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Excavation Forming Large Pit at Panda Condominiums Site

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Roughly four months since shoring rigs arrived at the site of Panda Condominiums to mark the start of construction, work is well underway for the future 30-storey Lifetime Developments tower on Edward Street, just north of Dundas subway station in Downtown Toronto. Crews from Michael Bros. Excavation are now excavating the five underground levels of the Turner Fleischer Architects-designed mixed-use condo complex.

Panda Condominiums, Lifetime Developments, Turner Fleischer, TorontoExcavation at Panda Condos, facing southeast, image by Edward Skira

When we last checked in on the early stages of excavation at the end of October, the pit was around one level deep at its west end. The latest views of the growing pit show that excavation has progressed over two levels deep in some places, well on its way to a five-storey depth.

Panda Condominiums, Lifetime Developments, Turner Fleischer, TorontoExcavation at Panda Condos, facing north, image by Edward Skira

As excavation progresses, a horizontal drilling rig is installing rows of tiebacks along the below-grade caisson walls. These tiebacks will anchor the caisson walls to the surrounding earth, keeping them stable as construction progresses. The first row of tiebacks has been installed a few feet below grade, as the drilling rig continues to install the second row below.

Panda Condominiums, Lifetime Developments, Turner Fleischer, TorontoExcavation at Panda Condos, facing northwest, image by Edward Skira

Panda's excavation will continue for another few months before a crane is installed. Forming of the underground levels will then take several more months until it rises above grade for the project's three-storey podium, set to contain 1,860 m² of commercial retail space in a below-grade concourse level, 1,100 m² on the ground floor, and 2,750 m² on the second floor. The complex's third floor will house over 2,750 m² of office space.

Panda Condominiums, Lifetime Developments, Turner Fleischer, TorontoPanda Condominiums, image courtesy of Lifetime Developments

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.

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Pair of Mid-Rise Condo Projects Progress in Leslieville

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A few kilometres east of the high-rise projects of Downtown Toronto, a couple of mid-rise developments are reshaping Queen Street East in Leslieville. Both on the south side of Queen either side of its intersection wth Logan Avenue, the two projects will soon to bring almost 200 new homes to the area along with new retail.

Logan Residences, Daniels, 875 Queen East, Harhay, TorontoLogan Residences (L) and 875 Queen East (R), image by Forum contributor skycandy

Just east of Logan, The Daniels Corporation's Logan Residences is topped out, with the six-storey Giovanni A. Tassone Architects-designed development at 899 Queen East almost fully enclosed. The building features a mix of brick and glass finishes, with a lower volume responding to the existing heritage buildings to the west. Work on the boutique building is on track to complete in mid-2019, and will bring 59 condominium units and street-fronting retail once completed.

Logan Residences, Daniels, 875 Queen East, Harhay, TorontoLogan Residences, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Steps to the west across Logan, work is also moving along at Harhay Developments875 Queen East where forming of the 7-storey, OFFICEArchitecture-designed condominium is now wrapping up. 

Logan Residences, Daniels, 875 Queen East, Harhay, Toronto875 Queen East, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Cladding installation has been underway since late September with the appearance of window wall with dark mullions around the windows. Bricklaying has begun starting from street level up, with the masonry set to blend the building in with the neighbouring buildings of the local shopping street.

Logan Residences, Daniels, 875 Queen East, Harhay, Toronto875 Queen East, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Construction of the project is also on track to wrap up in 2019, bringing 122 new condominium units to the neighbourhood. The project also includes a relocated Red Door Family Shelter, which provides temporary housing for low-income families in a bind. The Red Door was located on this site when it was previously home to Woodgreen Church.

Additional information and images can be found in our database files for the projects, 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.

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City, Lifetime Settle on 14-Storey 485 Wellington West

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Just west of the massive construction site of The Well at Spadina and Front in Downtown Toronto, plans are advancing for a new condominium development at 485 Wellington West. Initially proposed at 16 storeys back in 2016, the Wallman Architects-designed project for Lifetime Developments crossed a hurdle in the planning and approvals process recently as a settlement between the developer and the City was approved in principle by Council. This sets the stage formalized approval at an LPAT hearing in January. 

485 Wellington West, Toronto, Lifetime, Wallman485 Wellington West, image via submission to City of Toronto

The latest iteration of the project includes significant revisions to the original proposal's massing and exterior expression, refining the changes introduced in a 2017 resubmission seeking 15 storeys. Now reduced to 14 storeys, the tower massing has been refined and simplified since the initial proposal, replacing a series of rear terraces with a simpler massing of stacked rectilinear volumes. A low-rise podium featuring brick cladding will better respond to the existing context of low-rise Draper Street to the south.

485 Wellington West, Toronto, Lifetime, WallmanDraper Street entrance, 485 Wellington West, image via submission to City of Toronto

A warehouse-inspired window treatment framed in a staggered pattern of rectangular brick sections replaces the initial proposal's zigzagging exterior, while warm wood finishes are planned for the undersides of balconies and terraces.

485 Wellington West, Toronto, Lifetime, Wallman485 Wellington West, image via submission to City of Toronto

The plan now proposes 117 units in a mix of 72 one-bedroom units, 29 two-bedroom units, and 16 three-bedroom units. Parking is proposed in a two-level underground garage with 33 parking spaces, planned in a mix of 8 visitor spaces, 24 resident spaces, and 1 for retail use. 123 bicycle parking spaces would also be provided, with 117 for residents and 6 for the 438.3  retail component.

485 Wellington West, Toronto, Lifetime, WallmanPodium, 485 Wellington West, 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.

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Photo of the Day: Safe Hands at One Bloor East

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Today's Photo of the Day features a view of the new public art installation taking shape at the base of One Bloor East at Toronto's Yonge and Bloor intersection. Designed by artist Ron Arad, the dynamic installation called "Safe Hands" features a pair of twisting metallic arms with colourful connecting joints. This shot by Forum contributor skycandy shows the installation nearly complete.

Photo of the Day, Toronto, One Bloor East, Great Gulf, Hariri PontariniSafe Hands art installation at One Bloor East, image by Forum contributor skycandy

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. 

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Daily Headlines: News from the Internet for December 20, 2018

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Throwback Thursday: Yonge and Kingsdale

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This week's Throwback Thursday—and the final TBT of 2018—presents a view of change on Yonge Street in North York City Centre. Back in February 2006, the view north on Yonge Street from Kingsdale Avenue showed a mix of low-rise uses on the west side of Yonge, though high-density redevelopment loomed on the horizon. 

Throwback Thursday, Toronto, Beacon, Ellie, Duca, North YorkView north on Yonge Street from Kingsdale Avenue, 2006, image by Edward Skira

In the foreground, several of the low-rise properties on the west side of Yonge have been replaced by Sorbara Group's Beacon Condos, a 35-storey tower now wrapping up construction. To the north, a block of cleared land marks the future site of Ellie Condos, a 31-storey condo tower from G Group Development. Another block to the north, the Duca Canterbury Place Retirement Residence and office building replaced the company's previous offices on site with a 17-storey tower, completed in 2012.

Throwback Thursday, Toronto, Beacon, Ellie, Duca, North YorkView north on Yonge Street from Kingsdale Avenue, 2018, image by Jack Landau

A view skyward shows the topped-out and nearly complete Beacon Condos.

Throwback Thursday, Toronto, Beacon, Ellie, Duca, North YorkBeacon Condos, image by Jack Landau

We will return in 2019 with another look at the changing face of Toronto!

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Cranes Installed as Forming Begins at Pinnacle One Yonge Site

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A wave of tall towers will soon reshape the skyline of Toronto's central waterfront, the tallest of which is being planned at the foot of Yonge Street. Pinnacle International's Pinnacle One Yonge will bring a five Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed towers to Yonge and Queens Quay, including a 95-storey, 1,007 foot-tall centrepiece tower set to become one of Canada's tallest.

Pinnacle One Yonge, Toronto, Pinnacle International, Hariri PontariniPinnacle One Yonge site, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

With the community's tallest tower still some time away, the first phase to begin construction is a 65-storey condo tower known as The Prestige. The project has been underway since April 2018, when a portion of the surface parking lot north of Toronto Star Building was fenced off. By June, excavation had begun for the site's six-level underground garage. It bottomed out in September. The project crossed a few significant construction milestones this month, including the installation of a tower crane early in the month, and the start of forming for the underground parking levels.

Pinnacle One Yonge, Toronto, Pinnacle International, Hariri PontariniUnderground levels taking shape at site of The Prestige, image by Forum contributor drum118

Most recently, a second tower crane was installed at grade, just north of the excavated pit. These cranes will work together to form the underground and podium levels of the new building.

Pinnacle One Yonge, Toronto, Pinnacle International, Hariri PontariniTwo cranes installed for The Prestige, image by Forum contributor cc46

The assembly of the second tower crane was captured by Forum contributor cc46, who snapped photos of workers appearing precariously positioned—though we assume safely secured—at the end of the crane's jib arm during the final stages of getting it working. (Closer-up shots can be found in the Forum thread!)

Pinnacle One Yonge, Toronto, Pinnacle International, Hariri PontariniWorkers at the end of the second crane's jib arm, image by Forum contributor cc46

The Prestige will create a residential foothold on the site with the community’s first 497 condominium units. The project also includes 1,148  of retail space, as well as a new 4,772  community centre to serve residents of the local area.

Pinnacle One Yonge, Toronto, Pinnacle International, Hariri PontariniThe Prestige at Pinnacle One Yonge, 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.

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Garrison Point Ascends in Toronto's Ordnance Triangle

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Formed by Strachan Avenue on t west, the Kitchener rail corridor to the north, and the Lakeshore West rail corridor to the south, Toronto's 7.75-acre Ordnance Triangle is being redeveloped with significant residential density. Led by the team of Cityzen Development GroupDiamond CorpFernbrook Homes, and Greybrook Realty Partners, the Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed Garrison Point development is bringing a pair of 29 and 35-storey condominium towers to the area.

Garrison Point, Novus, Ordnance Triangle, Hariri Pontarini, TorontoFacing west to Garrison Point, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

We last checked in on the project's construction early in 2017, when excavation was well underway for the site's shared underground parking component. Forming of the underground levels commenced in the weeks that followed, with the project's first above-grade forming recorded in October 2017. 14 months since breaching the surface, the towers now stand at heights of 28 and 18 storeys.

Garrison Point, Novus, Ordnance Triangle, Hariri Pontarini, TorontoFacing north to Garrison Point, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

Cladding installation is in the process of enclosing the two towers in a window wall system with dark-tinted glazing and opaque spandrel panels framed in dark aluminum mullions. The cladding has been installed up to the towers’ 21st and 8th levels respectively. Installation has also begun for the vertical metal fins that will distinguish the towers’ faceted side volumes from the main tower massings.

Garrison Point, Novus, Ordnance Triangle, Hariri Pontarini, TorontoCladding installation at Garrison Point, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

To the west of the two condominium towers, a 34-storey rental tower—also designed by Hariri Pontarini—is well underway for developer Bentall Kennedy. The project recently crossed a construction milestone with the forming of the ground floor, and the tower is gearing up for its ascent along Strachan Avenue. The Novus at Garrison Point development will also include a future 25-storey tower.

Garrison Point, Novus, Ordnance Triangle, Hariri Pontarini, TorontoNovus at Garrison Point rising above grade, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

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.

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859 The Queensway Plan Updated for Site Plan Approval

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Plans are advancing for a new mid-rise development on the south side of The Queensway between Islington Avenue and Royal York Road in Etobicoke. The proposed 14-storey Teeple Architects-designed condominium development from First Avenue Properties and Latch Developments at 859 The Queensway was first proposed in September 2017, and planning has continued behind the scenes in the 15 months since.

859 The Queensway, Toronto, First Avenue, Latch, Teeple ArchitectsSite of 859 The Queensway, image via Google Maps

The developers chose to appeal their rezoning application to the OMB in January 2018 due to City Council’s failure to render a decision on it within 90 days of the original submission. While an LPAT hearing is scheduled for November 2019, the project is advancing at the City in the meantime with an application for Site Plan Approval, reflecting an updated vision for what would be built if the rezoning application is approved.

859 The Queensway, Toronto, First Avenue, Latch, Teeple ArchitectsPrevious and current iterations of the design, images via submission to City of Toronto

The latest plan increases the previous proposal’s unit count by 10. A total of 238 condominium units are now proposed in a mix of 1 studio, 122 one-bedrooms, 106 two-bedrooms, and 9 three-bedrooms. 1,168 m² of ground floor retail—a slight increase over the previously proposed 1,149 m²—would animate the site's Queensway frontage. The site was previously occupied by a Firestone car repair shop. 

Planning documents show an exterior envelope consisting of a window wall system with vision glass, spandrel glass, and metal panels, framed in bone-white precast panels. A metal and glass balcony railing system would complete the look.

859 The Queensway, Toronto, First Avenue, Latch, Teeple ArchitectsLooking southwest to 859 The Queensway, image via submission to City of Toronto

A two-level underground garage is planned with a mix of 213 resident spaces, 40 visitor spaces, and 40 spaces for the retail component. 179 bicycle spaces are also proposed, with 162 for residents and 17 for visitors. Residents would have access to 460 m² of indoor amenity space and 476 m² of outdoor amenity space.

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.

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Photo of the Day: Garrison Crossing

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Today's Photo of the Day features a view of the new Garrison Crossing bridge, set to link Toronto's Niagara neighbourhood, Liberty Village/Ordnance Triangle, and the Fort York area upon completion in 2019. Captured by Forum contributor Red Mars, this shot captures the bridge's south span over the Lakeshore rail corridor as seen from the Strachan Avenue overpass.

Photo of the Day, Toronto, Garrison Crossing, bridgeGarrison Crossing, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

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. 

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Daily Headlines: News from the Internet for December 21, 2018

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Bricks Setting the Tone at the King Portland Centre

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Construction has moved into the later stages on Allied Properties REIT and RioCan's King Portland Centre complex in the King West area of Toronto. Set to wrap up next year, the Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed development is bringing a 13-storey office building to King Street West, and a 15-storey residential potion called Kingly Condos to Adelaide Street West. Both are closing in on early 2019 completions.

King Portland Centre, Kingly Condos, Allied Properties REIT, RioCan, TorontoBase of King Portland Centre, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

Along King Street, the commercial/office component is closest to completion. Curtainwall cladding now encloses the tower floorplates which notably curve at the corners, while the squared-off podium floors are notable for their brick framing. Some of the brick has gone up through the use of brick-impregnated precast panels, but it's the laying of individual bricks to finish off the two-storey high arches that mark the ground realm here that has caught our eye recently.

King Portland Centre, Kingly Condos, Allied Properties REIT, RioCan, TorontoBrick installation at King Portland Centre, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

While unmistakably modern, King Portland Centre's real brick facing blends the building into the heritage context on King Street West. A pair of retail spaces—potential restaurants—will continue the commercial strip along the King Street sidewalk.

King Portland Centre, Toronto, design by Hariri Pontarini for Allied and RioCanBase of King Portland Centre with bricked arches, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

To the north on Adelaide Street West, Kingly Condos is also progressing. Much of the tower has been enclosed in brick panels framing warehouse-style multi-pane windows. Up top the brick gives way to precast concrete. Photos from early December show cladding installation nearing the top of the building, while ground level arches will soon get the same brick treatment seen on the King Street side of the complex.

King Portland Centre, Kingly Condos, Allied Properties REIT, RioCan, TorontoKingly Condos, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

Construction is slated to wrap up over the coming months, bringing 302,000 ft² of office space, 29,000 ft² of retail space, and 132 residential condominium units to the King West neighbourhood.

King Portland Centre, Kingly Condos, Allied Properties REIT, RioCan, TorontoKing Portland Centre and Kingly Condos, image by Forum contributor Full Metal Junkie

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.

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UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for a free trial of our New Development Insider here.

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