A major announcement was made yesterday concerning the highly-anticipated development ‘The Well’ being developed by RioCan, Allied Properties, Diamond Corp and Tridel. A new mixed-use community on the former Globe and Mail site at Front and Spadina, The Well will add residential, commercial, retail, and recreational space to a previously low-rise office/industrial area, and serve as a progressive example of resilient urban development o the west side of Toronto’s downtown. 

Arial rendering of The Well mixed-use community, image via RioCan, Allied, and Diamond Corp.

As if the project weren't already expansive enough, Allied Properties and RioCan—two of the companies heading up The Well’s development—announced its partnership with Enwave Energy Corporation to extend the Deep Lake Water Cooling and hot water distribution networks to the site. The partnership will mean the installation of new thermal energy storage tanks underneath ‘The Well’, to provide low carbon cooling and heating services to the site and nearby properties.

Enwave westward energy network expansion at The Well, image via RioCan

Enwave is a privately-owned corporation and one of North America’s largest district energy systems, committed to providing sustainable energy services in cities across the continent. With over 1 million square feet of office space, 500,000 square feet of retail, and some 1,800 residential units over seven mixed-use towers, the westward Enwave extension will enable a significant expansion of the network. Set for phased completion over the next several years, projected demographic statistics for 2022 expect an increase in population in the area of nearly 70,000 from at least 40,000 new dwelling units. The Well poses to address at least some of these numbers, and Enwave will in turn benefit the area's future residents, bringing more sustainable energy solutions. 

Renderings of residential buildings A, B, and C along Wellington, image via RioCan, Allied, and Diamond Corp

Aligning especially well with Toronto’s efforts for urban resilience and its commitment to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions (partially dictated by Toronto Green Standard for new development projects), Enwave seems an obvious partner to provide energy solutions to the site and the surrounding area at large. The process includes installing a thermal energy storage facility below The Well’s six underground levels which otherwise consist of parking, loading, below grade retail and other back-of-house uses.

Two 6-million-litre tanks will store temperature-controlled water fed by Enwave’s current Deep Lake Water Cooling system and its recently developed high-efficiency hot water network, able to service over 20 million square feet of commercial, retail and residential space at The Well and beyond. This will be the first low-carbon, resilient cooling and heating energy system in Toronto’s downtown west, and is set to provide long-term benefits both to the area and the City of Toronto, in its objective to reduce emissions and set exemplar standards for energy usage in cities around the world. 

Carlyle Coutinho, Enwave Canada’s President and Chief Operations Officer, said in a prepared statement "The development is a reflection of our joint commitment to build resilient, urban communities incorporating intelligent energy solutions and utilizing future-focused technologies." 

Ariel view of The Well site at Front and Spadina, image via RioCan

Michael Emory, Allied Properties’ President and CEO noted the importance of this partnership as a continuation of Toronto’s bar-setting approach to environmentally conscious community-building. The Well is to serve as a prime example of forward thinking urban development, focused as it is on "resilience and the need to decarbonize municipal energy supplies." While The Well will act as an anchor site for Enwave’s energy service system, the benefits of the thermal energy tanks will be realized beyond the site in the greater King West community which will have access to the low-carbon cooling and heating sources. Enwave's current heating and cooling network operates through central Downtown Toronto. With the expansion to The Well, its energy network could extend further north to service more of the city’s downtown west and northwest areas. 

Winter daytime cooling system at The Well, image via RioCan

How Enwave's Deep Lake Water Cooling system differentiates itself from other forms of energy distribution and usage is by effectively decentralizing the supply of energy away from reliance on the central electricity grid. A network of underground pipes that connect to Enwave’s existing system will extend throughout The Well site and its surrounding area, able to distribute and store thermal energy during off-peak times of energy usage. Energy will recycle or ‘loop’ heated or cooled water throughout buildings depending on their typical hours of highest use. Residential buildings, for instance, will be on a ‘Residential Loop’, serviced according to their hours of energy usage, typically between 6 PM and 8 AM. In turn, 'looped' energy will be conserved within the underground storage tanks and deployed as necessary, reducing strain on the energy grid and avoiding expensive peak power costs. 

Summer daytime cooling system at The Well, image via RioCan

The first development phase of The Well has consisted in the demolition of The Well’s site, completed in late 2017, with shoring and excavation of the site's underground levels now taking place and continuing for several months. While the development is a approximately five to seven years away from completion, we'll be following its progress and keeping you up to date with any new details as they come up.

Excavating The Well site, looking West from Spadina Avenue, image courtesy of forum contributor AHK

For the time being, you can find plenty of renderings and more information about the project in our database file for The Well, linked below. You can leave your own comments about it in the space provided on this page, or join the conversation in our associated forum thread, where you'll find contributor photos, news and development updates, renderings, reports and more. 

This edition of our Growth to Watch For series moves east from our last instalment exploring North Etobicoke and Weston, heading further into the former municipalities of York and North York. Zig-zagging our way eastward, we explore the area of the city north of Eglinton Avenue but south of the 401, stretching from Black Creek Drive in the west nearly to Bayview Avenue in the east. Working our way through several diverse neighbourhoods and avenues, we highlight all projects currently under construction or nearly complete, all proposals moving through the planning process, and all developments in the early stages of design.

Map of the Yorkdale - York Mills Boundary, image retrieved from Apple Maps

Last time, we ended off at the West Park Healthcare Centre along the Humber River near the intersection of Jane Street and Weston Road. Heading north on Jane, then turning east on Trethewey Drive, we come to an 8-storey infill apartment proposed at 15 Martha Eaton Way. The building, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for First Gulf, would bring 155 new residential rental suites where now there is underused lawn in front of existing 'Tower in the Park' style apartment buildings, while creating an urban street wall for Trethewey Drive. The zoning bylaw amendment application was just made to the City in December, 2017.

Infill proposed on 15 Martha Eaton Way, seen across Trethewey Drive, image courtesy of First Gulf

Continuing east on Trethewey and then north on Keele Street, we come to our next project at 2175 Keele, where The Daniels Corporation is redeveloping the former site of the Humber River Hospital with a massive 731-unit townhouse and condominium development. Designed by Graziani + Corazza, the site is comprised of roughly 16 buildings ranging in height between 3 and 6 storeys, and encompassing a variety of unit types and sizes. The first two development blocks were submitted for Site Plan Approval last year, and encompass the northern chunk of the site with 244 units spread over eight buildings. The heights and unit counts vary from the approved rezoning application, so it is possible that the next phases of the project will be slightly modified from the 731-unit development initially proposed. Future phases will include the eight southern buildings along with new park space at the east end of the site.

Rendering of 2175 Keele, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

A block to the north on the opposite side of the street, Bombay Court Ltd. is seeking Site Plan Approval for a proposed rental building at 2110 Keele. Designed by AREA, the 9-storey building contains 67 residential units, and would be constructed immediately north an existing 9-storey rental building at 2100 Keele. The project is currently making its way through the planning process.

Rendering of 2110 Keele, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

Heading north on Keele to Lawrence Avenue, iKore Developments is proposing further densification of a tower-in-the-park site with 7 on the Park on the southwest corner of the intersection. The 21-storey 216-unit building is designed by Richmond Architects and would slot in between the two existing towers, filling some of the unused green space on the site. The building was approved for rezoning in 2014 at 19 storeys and 178 units, and was more recently submitted for Site Plan Approval last year with the revised numbers, so it is unclear at the moment how the City will respond to the proposed increase in zoning limits. Stay tuned for updates as the project works its way through the planning process.

Rendering of 7 on the Park, image courtesy of iKore Developments.

Heading east on Lawrence and turning north on Caledonia Road, we come to an area of commercial and industrial buildings along Caledonia, where a proposal to build a 3-storey commercial building has been submitted for Site Plan Approval at 176 Bentworth Avenue. The project includes roughly 400 square metres of retail space and 147 square metres of warehouse space on the first and second floors, with roughly 200 square metres of office space on the third floor. Despite the flurry of residential development across the city, small-scale commercial developments in less booming areas is still happening.

South elevation of 176 Bentworth, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto.

Continuing north on Caledonia, we turn east on Bridgeland Avenue, running parallel to the south side of the 401, and come to the intersection with Dufferin Street, where the Gupta Group is looking to redevelop the property at 3450 Dufferin, currently home to a Holiday Inn Hotel. Designed by the IBI Group, the proposal includes three towers of 37, 33, and 29 storeys atop 6 and 15-storey podiums, connected by 3-storey link buildings. The development includes a total of 1,044 residential units and 255 hotel suites, a decrease from the 372 hotel rooms currently on site. The proposal headed to the OMB last year, with mediation scheduled in December, but no news has surfaced yet as what resulted from the meeting. Hopefully a resolution will be reached within the coming year.

Rendering of 3450 Dufferin Street, image courtesy of Gupta Homes

On the other side of Dufferin Street lies Oxford Properties' Yorkdale Mall, where work on the most recent expansion wrapped up last year. As it turns out, however, Oxford has much bigger long-term plans for the property. A rezoning and Official Plan Amendment application was submitted last year for a massive mixed-use redevelopment of the Yorkdale Mall property by MMC Architecture, with residential and commercial buildings replacing the remaining surface parking lots surrounding the mall. Three options were submitted for a new master plan, each featuring some combination of residential, commercial, and retail uses, with buildings ranging in height from 4 to 30 storeys; residential unit counts ranging from 738 to 1,496 units; office GFA ranging between 57,000 and 197,000 square metres; new retail GFA hovering around 90,000 square metres; and provisions for a hotel of roughly 208 to 240 suites. The property would be subdivided into blocks with new streets separating the different buildings, while all surface parking would be replaced with underground parking levels that would significantly increase the available parking on the site. New Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) and a new public park are included in each option. The master plan options were only submitted a few months ago, so it is presumed that Oxford will be working closely with the City as the planning evolves throughout 2018.

Conceptual rendering of the Dufferin Street frontage for the Yorkdale Mall redevelopment, image courtesy of Oxford Properties.

Heading south on Dufferin Street and turning east on Ranee Avenue, we arrive at the north end of the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood, where TCHC is now beginning the largest revitalization project in its history. Together with development partners Context Development and Metropia, all 1,208 rent-geared-to-income units in Lawrence Heights will be replaced with new subsidized housing, while 4,902 new market-priced residential units will be added in the form of high-rises, mid-rises, and townhouses. The revitalization will also allow rezoning for commercial units to be integrated within the residential area, creating a more vibrant neighbourhood. The project is expected to take 20 years for completion, with Phase One projected to finish in 2021.

Concept rendering of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization, image courtesy of TCHC.

The first steps in Phase One of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization are currently underway. Flanking Allen Road along Ranee Avenue, Context Development and Metropia are constructing a pair of condo buildings designed by KPMB Architects and Page + Steele / IBI Architects dubbed Yorkdale Condominiums. The first of the two buildings, representing Phase 1A of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization, is located on the west side of the Allen, and will rise 14 storeys with 315 condos and 77 rental replacement units. Construction is well underway, with the building now topped off and the exterior cladding being applied. Work is projected to be complete later in 2018.

View of Yorkdale Condominiums under construction, image by Edward Skira.

The second phase of Yorkdale Condominiums is located on the east side of the Allen and represents Phase 1B of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization. The building mirrors its sister on the other side of the highway, but will rise one floor higher at 15 storeys, containing 308 condo units and 77 rental replacement units. The site for the second building has been cleared, with shoring and excavation now underway.

Rendering of phase one (left) and phase two (right) of Yorkdale Condominiums, image courtesy of Context/Metropia

To the southeast of Yorkdale Condominiums, Phases 1D, 1E, and 1F of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization have been submitted to the City for Site Plan Approval, encompassing the northeast corner of the neighbourhood. Collectively, these phases will replace all of the existing townhouse blocks north of Varna Drive with 28 new three-storey townhouse blocks comprised of 200 residential units, 44 of which will be TCHC replacement units. A new street grid will be established, along with a new public park at the centre of the townhouse blocks. The design of the townhouses is being undertaken by TACT Architecture.

Site plan of Phase One of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization, image obtained via submission to the City of Toronto.

Rendering of the Phase One townhouses, image courtesy of Context and Metropia.

Heading back west along Ranee Avenue and turning south on Dufferin Street, we come to 3140 Dufferin, where a proposal by RioCan would see a pair of 22 and 28-storey mixed-use towers replace the single-storey shopping centre and parking lot currently on the site. Designed by Quadrangle, the development would add 578 residential units, new roads, and new public space to the site. Initially proposed in November 2015, the application was refused by City Council in June 2016 as the City considers it inconsistent with the new Dufferin Street Secondary Plan. That plan is now being appealed at the OMB, with the most recent mediation held in December, while at the same time a redesign is in the works for this proposal.

Rendering of 3140 Dufferin Street Condos, image courtesy of RioCan

Immediately across Apex Road to the south is 3130 Dufferin, currently home to a Ford dealership, where the owners received approval from the OMB in 2016 for construction of a 17-storey mixed-use building and a 7-storey mid-rise fronting onto Dufferin Street. Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, the redevelopment would add a maximum of 334 residential units to the site. After being approved for rezoning, a Site Plan Approval application has not yet been submitted, and no new images of the project post-OMB settlement have surface. It is unknown if this development will progress at any point this year.

Across the street from 3130 Dufferin, construction on the final phase of Treviso Condos is now just wrapping up. The large mixed-use project developed by Lanterra Developments and Dov Capital Corporation is designed by the IBI Group and consists of three buildings measuring in at 15, 20, and 24 storeys tall occupying the northeast corner of Dufferin and Lawrence Avenue. The 20 and 24-storey buildings have been completed, and work is nearly complete on the final 15-storey building, with work projected to finish in Spring 2018.

View of Treviso Condos from November 2017, image by Edward Skira.

On the southwest corner of Dufferin and Lawrence, the Columbus Centre at 901 Lawrence Avenue West is proposed to be redeveloped by Villa Charities Inc, which would see a new high school and private community facility constructed in a shared 4-storey building that would replace the existing structure. Designed by CS&P Architects, the new building would house the Dante Alighieri Academy, the Columbus Centre, the Carrier Art Gallery, an existing day care facility, and other services. Plans were stalled last year when the project was appealed to the OMB following inaction from the City, but the development is still in the works, with public consultations and behind-the-scenes design work continuing. Stay tuned for updates over the coming year.

Rendering of 901 Lawrence Avenue West, image courtesy of Villa Charities.

Continuing south on Dufferin, an 8-storey mixed-use building is proposed at 3019 Dufferin Street at the northeast corner of Claver Avenue. Designed by Architecture Unfolded, the 105-unit condo would feature retail space at grade, and would replace an existing 2-storey commercial building. The project was submitted for rezoning in late 2016 and has since been slowly working its way through the planning process.

Rendering of 3019 Dufferin Street, image courtesy of Architecture Unfolded

Further south, we turn east on Castlefield, and follow it, then Roselawn and Elm Ridge all the way to Bathurst Street, where we turn north and come to 2525 Bathurst at the southeast corner of Castlefield Avenue, where a proposal for a 13-storey rental apartment building was approved for rezoning last year. Designed by the IBI Group, the development would add 162 residential units to the site, which includes 32 replacement suites for the existing rental units in the 4-storey building currently on the property. As this development continues its way through the planning process, expect a Site Plan Approval submission in the near future.

Looking east towards 2525 Bathurst Street, image by the IBI Group

Heading north on Bathurst, we come to 2795 Bathurst Street at the northeast corner of Glencairn Avenue, where a proposal for a 9-storey mid-rise residential building is currently fighting through the planning process. Designed by the IBI Group, the building would add 150 new residential units to the site with ground-level retail, replacing the existing low-rise commercial properties. First proposed in 2015, the development has undergone several iterations, and is currently being contested at the OMB, hoping to finally gain the necessary approvals to proceed.

Rendering of 2795 Bathurst, image obtained via submission to the City of Toronto.

Continuing north on Bathurst and taking a detour west along Lawrence Avenue, we arrive at a townhouse proposal at 579 Lawrence Avenue West dubbed Oasis Townhomes. Headed by Bazis and designed by Suriano Design Consultants, the proposal would see the construction of 12 four-storey townhouse units on a site currently occupied by single detached dwellings. The development was initially submitted in 2016, but was withdrawn and resubmitted last year featuring a different architect and design. Stay tuned as this one works its way through the planning process.

North elevation of Oasis Townhomes, image courtesy of Bazis.

Heading back east to Bathurst and once again turning north, Pinedale Properties Ltd is proposing a tower-in-the-park infill development at 3636 Bathurst Street. Designed by Kirkor Architects, the project would see two new residential wings of 9 and 10 storeys constructed at the north and south ends of the existing 19-storey apartment building. The two wings would add a total of 297 new rental units to the site, while also providing new indoor and outdoor amenities along with grade-level retail. The proposal was resubmitted last year for both rezoning and Site Plan Approval, so look for the design to further progress over the coming year.

Rendering of 3636 Bathurst Street, image courtesy of Pinedale Properties.

Turning east onto Dunblaine Avenue over to Avenue Road, we head south to 1912-1914 Avenue Road, where plans are underway to construct a 4-storey commercial building on the northwest corner of Brooke Avenue. Designed by Icon Architects, the development would also include grade-level retail. First submitted in 2014, the project was resubmitted for Site Plan Approval in 2016, and has undergone minor design tweaks since then. A decision from the City should be forthcoming this year.

Rendering of 1912-1914 Avenue Road, image courtesy of Icon Architects.

Continuing south, construction is well underway on the Brookdale on Avenue Road, a 7-storey luxury condominium by Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes, and Fortress Real Developments. Designed by RAW Design with Rafael + Bigauskas Architects as the architects-of-record, the mid-rise building will feature 100 residential units with grade-level retail. The concrete structure has now reached the third floor, so look for the building to top off in the coming months.

View of the Brookdale on Avenue Road under construction, image by Edward Skira.

A few blocks south, Avenue & Park is looking to join the spate of mid-rises along this stretch of Avenue Road, with construction soon to get underway on the 7-storey condo building, located on the former Beer Store site at the southwest corner of Bedford Park Avenue. Headed by Stafford Homes and Greybrook Realty Partners, the building is designed by the IBI Group and will house 36 new condo units. Demolition of the Beer Store will come first, then expect shoring and excavation work to follow.

Rendering of Avenue & Park, image courtesy of Stafford Homes/Greybrook Realty Partners

One block south, a development at 1560 Avenue Road on the southwest corner of Douglas Avenue will see a 3-storey mixed-use building constructed on a vacant lot. Designed by Drew Laszlo Architect, the development will have ground-level retail with office uses on the second floor and a residential unit on the third level. The project has received Site Plan Approval and is now under construction.

East elevation of 1560 Avenue Road, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Further south and just a bit east on Lawrence Avenue, Graywood Developments is planning a 12-storey condo building at 250 Lawrence Avenue West. The mid-rise building is designed by Quadrangle and would contain 241 new residential units. The rezoning application for the project is currently being opposed by the City at the OMB, with a hearing scheduled for May 2018.

Rendering of 250 Lawrence Avenue West, image courtesy of Graywood Developments

Continuing south on Avenue Road, we come to a proposal at 1202 Avenue Road to construct a 3-storey, 7-unit block of townhouses at the northwest corner of Hillhurst Boulevard. The project is designed by Peter Higgins Architect and would replace a pair of semi-detached homes currently existing on the site. The development is currently working its way through the planning process.

Elevation of 1202 Avenue Road, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

Turning east onto Briar Hill Avenue and continuing all the way to Yonge Street, we then turn north and arrive at 2779 Yonge. The former site of the Alaska Condos proposal, it has now been re-birthed as The Winslow. Initially turning heads with an edgy design from Will Alsop at aLL Design, the development was subsequently appealed to the OMB and approved in 2016 following a complete redesign. The site was then sold to Devron Developments, and having received necessary approvals, the 10-storey 60-unit mid-rise condo building is now being marketed. Drawings of the new proposal not yet available, and renderings in our database file for the project sill reflect the earlier design. Further updates should materialize in the coming months.

Two blocks north of The Winslow, Muir Park Development is planning a 7-storey rental building at 2851 Yonge Street. The building is designed by Core Architects and would contain 41 residential units. Initially proposed at 8 storeys, City staff recommended approval of the rezoning application at a reduced height of 7 storeys; however, when the development went before Community Council last year, local Councillor Jaye Robinson added a condition that the rear setback must meet the City's Mid-Rise Design Guidelines. The developers have appealed this decision to the OMB, and a hearing is now set for March 2018.

Rendering of 2851 Yonge Street, image courtesy of Muir Park Development

Continuing north to the intersection of Yonge and Lawrence, First Capital Realty's renewal project at 3080 Yonge St is set to finish in the coming months. Designed by Kasian Architecture, First Capital has been undertaking a renovation and recladding of the existing 6-storey commercial building over the past couple years, and construction is nearly complete with the final touches being applied to the exterior. The renovations feature 62,000 square feet of new retail space, along with a refreshed exterior and more visible subway entrance.

View of the TTC entrance at 3080 Yonge, image by Edward Skira.

Heading slightly east on Lawrence, (and a short walk from the subway station), 49-51 Lawrence Avenue East has hit a major roadblock at the OMB. Submitted in 2015, the Gairloch Developments project consists of a 4-storey stacked townhouse development designed by architectsAlliance that would include 22 residential units. The project was appealed to the OMB with a hearing early last year, and the OMB ruled against the developer, citing that the property was within a stable Neighbourhood designation and that this amount of density did not fit within that context. It is unclear whether the project is now completely dead, on hold, or is heading for a redesign.

Updated rendering of 49-51 Lawrence Ave East, image courtesy of Gairloch Developments

Returning to Yonge and heading north again, we come to the corner of Yonge and Wilson where the Gupta Group has plans to develop a surface parking lot on the northwest corner of the intersection into a mixed-use commercial development. Designed by the IBI Group, the building would rise 7 storeys and would feature a 250-room hotel, roughly 20,000 square feet of retail space, and an office condo that will measure roughly 250,000 square feet in size. Dubbed Yonge Park Plaza, the office space is now being marketed, so expect construction to get underway once a tenant is secured.

Rendering of Yonge Plaza Park, image courtesy of Gupta Group/Easton's Group

Just north of Wilson and York Mills Avenues, GreenCity Development Group is proposing to build a 14-storey condo tower at 4155 Yonge on the southeast corner of William Carson Crescent. Designed by Quadrangle, the building would contain 64 condo units and would be surrounded by green space from the adjacent ravines. The development was submitted for rezoning last year, so stay tuned for updates as it works its way through the planning process.

Rendering of 4155 Yonge, image courtesy of GreenCity Development.

Heading back south to Wilson Avenue and turning west, we come to the final building on our list at 228 Wilson Avenue, where Verdiroc is proposing to construct a 17-storey apartment tower. Located on a vacant plot of land just east of where Wilson passes underneath the 401, the building is designed by CGL Architects and would contain 131 new rental units. The site was initially slated for an approved condo development from Kartelle Corporation, however, the project was never realized and the property was subsequently sold to Verdiroc, who submitted their new proposal for Site Plan Approval late last year. Check back for updates as this development moves through the planning process.

Rendering of 228 Wilson Avenue, image courtesy of Verdiroc.

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That concludes our tour of all developments happening in this area of the city. Check back next week for the next instalment of our Growth to Watch For series, where we head north of the 401 to check out all the development activity in the Downsview and York University neighbourhoods! If you would like to learn more about a specific project, click on the project dataBase files, linked below. Want to share your thoughts on this list? Drop a comment in the space below, or feel free to join in the ongoing conversation in our associated Forum threads.

Chicago-based Goettsch Partners is in a celebratory mood, as their new hospitality complex on Hainan Island in Sanya, China officially completes. Developed by Poly Real Estate Group, the 46-storey, 711-key Rosewood Sanya hotel and serviced apartment tower is the most conspicuous building in the new complex, which also includes the 28,000-square-metre Sanya Forum convention centre and a visitors' centre splayed among a series of connecting retail buildings.

Rosewood Sanya, image by Shen Zhonghai via Goettsch Partners

The luxury resort hotel offers 246 rooms across the sprawling lower component, which features private terraces and ocean views. A sky lobby and amenities area straddle levels 13 and 14 with landscaped terraces, an infinity-edge sky pool, a three-meal restaurant, and an executive club.

Rosewood Sanya, image by Shen Zhonghai via Goettsch Partners

The 230-metre tower is host to 465 serviced apartments, with the crown occupied by a multilevel amenities space for the exclusive use of residents. A "lighthouse beacon" brings the tower to a vertical climax.

Rosewood Sanya, image by Shen Zhonghai via Goettsch Partners

The five-storey forum acts as the link between the hotel and a new public square at Haitang Plaza. "The 'lighthouse' metaphor of the tower distinguishes the hotel from other island resorts, and the forum's sculpted form transcends the typical conference centre," said Elias Vavaroutsos, AIA, principal and senior project designer at GP.
"These architectural symbols relate to the island context and heighten local awareness of the surrounding environment, geography and landscape."

Rosewood Sanya, image by Shen Zhonghai via Goettsch Partners

Aerial imagery showcases how the buildings interact with one another and their surroundings. The forum is located immediately north of Haitang Plaza and serves as the gateway to the development. And north of the forum, the hotel tower is flush with Wuzhizhou Island, an iconic symbol of Haitang Bay.

Sanya Forum, image by Chen Ji via Goettsch Partners

Sanya Forum, image by Chen Ji via Goettsch Partners

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Cidex Group is adding another peak to the growing East Village skyline with The Hat, which after moving past its two-storey plinth, is now forming its tower floors. The NORR Architects-designed building is in the early stages of its ascension, with 28 levels eventually to be achieved.

The Hat rendering, image via Cidex Group

The first residential rental project in East Village will offer 221 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units at the corner of 5th Street and 7th Avenue SE. A total of 32 three-bedroom units will be afforded, and a childcare centre on the main floor will be available for young families.

The Hat under construction, image by Forum contributor Surrealplaces

New photos from the snow-covered site show the podium formed and construction moving forward on the fourth floor of the tower. According to renderings, the roof of the podium will become an amenities deck for residents.

The Hat under construction, image by Forum contributor Surrealplaces

While The Hat continues construction, Cidex Group is also planning some big things where Macleod Trail SE crosses the Elbow River. An irregularly shaped lot hugging the water could soon host three towers ranging in height from 44 to 56 floors. 

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

An injection of federal cash will help restore the beloved Roxy Theatre back to its Westmount roots. Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre), on behalf of the Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, announced $330,270 in funding on Friday to support the architectural design and engineering phase for the construction of a new Roxy Theatre.

Roxy Theatre, image via Glenbow Archives ND-3-7963

The rebuilt venue will rise on 124th Street from the same location its historic ancestor fell, after a devastating fire ripped through the 200-seat theatre in January 2015. Owner and operator the Theatre Network Society relocated to a smaller 140-seat spot on Gateway Boulevard shortly after the building was demolished.

"The Roxy Theatre has been an integral part of Edmonton's arts scene, and home to a host of live theatrical performances," said Boissonnault. "The destruction of the original historic building has been a tremendous loss for our community. I am delighted that the Theatre Network Society is now one step closer to realizing its dream of a new and improved Roxy Theatre."

The Roxy Theatre shortly before its untimely demise, image retrieved from Google Street View

The original theatre was built in 1938 and designed in the Moderne style by local architect William G. Blakey. The Theatre Network Society had been operating out of the space since 1990. 

The investment from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund is being complemented by a $208,000 contribution from the City of Edmonton through its Community Facility Partner Capital Grant Program. The new Roxy Theatre is scheduled to make its debut by 2020.

It's an exciting time for structural engineering in Toronto. Earlier today, we talked about the hybrid exoskeleton structural system that will be used at The One, and now we look at another project pushing the limits of structural engineering; Amexon Development Corporation's Residences of 488 University Avenue. Designed by Core Architects (who are also working with Foster + Partners on the aforementioned The One) along with Sigmund Soudack & Associates engineers, the project is adding 37 new residential floors above an existing 18-storey, 1968-built office building.

Residences of 488 University viewed from the southeast, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

The project got underway in 2015 with the removal of the office building's original mid-Century exterior details, clearing the way for the installation of an exterior bracing system designed to independently carry the load of the new levels around the office tower and to foundations below grade. This bracing system has been sealed off by new curtainwall glazing, and capped with a tabletop transfer slab from which the new residential levels have begun to rise.

Residences of 488 University viewed from the southeast, image by Forum contributor Towered

Above, the base of the steel structure supporting the transfer slab marks the former roofline of the office tower prior to the start of work. While the existing office tower and structural support system were both constructed in steel, the large transfer slab and the new levels above are being formed with reinforced concrete. A closer look below reveals that crews are now forming the 20th and 21st floors, the first two above the transfer slab. With these levels much more slender than the office floorplate below, the residential tower's north and south stepbacks have become apparent.

Residential levels rising at 488 University, image by Forum contributor Towered

The forming of the residential levels marks an important milestone for the project, which had to wait through much of 2017 for the crucial and complicated tabletop structural work. Residential levels will soon rise at a much faster rate, as the forming and repeating typical layouts will put workers into a rhythm. Changes to the floorplates will be relatively minimal as the tower rises, meaning we should see 488 University reach its final 207-metre height before the end of 2018.

Residences of 488 University, image courtesy of Amexon

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

Two adjacent projects proposed for Toronto's Entertainment District have been consolidated. A Scott Shields Architects-proposed plan for 8 through 20 Widmer Street has been acquired by Plaza, and will be incorporated into their Theatre District Residence project planned to the immediate north a 30 Widmer. The proposed 56-storey tower at 8-20 Widmer faced resistance from the City, but negotiations before appearing at an OMB settlement hearing paved the way for approval of a smaller tower, and Plaza's subsequent interest in the site. 

West-facing aerial view of Theatre District Residence, image courtesy of Plaza

Plans for Theatre District Residences now call for 49 and 48-storey Quadrangle-designed towers, rising from 10-storey podiums and reaching heights of 157 metres (512 feet). At the southwest corner of Widmer and Adelaide a 48-storey hotel and condominium tower is coming—the 353-room hotel will be housed on the lower 28 floors—while a 49-storey condo-only tower rising behind Victorian homes to the south. The 131 suites in the north tower won't be sold until later in the process, but suites in the south tower are already selling. 

Facing northwest at Theatre District Residence from Widmer, image courtesy of Plaza

In the image below which places the towers within their local context, the height of both towers has been exaggerated to make them stand out. Theatre District Residence will, in fact, rise to the same 'tabletop' height of its neighbouring Entertainment District towers—157 metres or 515 feet.

Southwest-facing aerial view of Theatre District Residence, image courtesy of Plaza

An onsite presentation centre for the project faces Adelaide Street. Plaza has set up a website accepting registrations for the project.

Theatre District Residence presentation centre, image by Craig White

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 using the field provided at the bottom of this page.

The first phase of Daniels Waterfront - City of the Arts—an office condominium known by its Queens Quay address of 130 QQE—is now structurally complete and soon to add 280,000 ft² of new office, institutional, and educational space to Toronto's waterfront. With the RAW and Rafael + Bigauskas Architects-designed project set to open this summer, new details continue to emerge about the various unique spaces and companies that will populate the development.

130 QQE at Daniels Waterfront, image by Forum contributor Koops65

Among the major tenants, Artscape Daniels Launchpad is gearing up to occupy their 30,000 ft² design entrepreneurship hub space on the fifth floor of the building. In the construction photo above, dark curtainwall cladding demarcates the space, contrasting against the surrounding brick and glass sections. Below, an updated rendering shows that Artscape signage will be installed, enhancing the space's visibility from street level.

130 QQE with Artscape signage, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca/

A series of interior renderings show off the facility's Quadrangle-designed aesthetic while offering a look at the features meant to provide entrepreneurs with affordable access to technology, tools, and services needed to better build their businesses.

Inside Artscape Daniels Launchpad, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca/

The Launchpad will offer a range of programs and activities including workshops, and events designed to support creative entrepreneurs. Various services and resources will be made available to users of the facility, including membership-based services that connect small businesses with industry opportunities. 

Inside Artscape Daniels Launchpad, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca/

Among the professional tools and services that will be available at Launchpad, fully equipped, multi-disciplinary production studios will offer tools for multimedia and recording artists.

Studio at Artscape Daniels Launchpad, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca

An open, naturally-lit space for events and lectures will offer south-facing views of Sugar Beach and the waterfront.

Event/lecture space at Artscape Daniels Launchpad, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca

A rendering of a common space shows a bright palette of colours with angular lighting and finishes that respond to the shape of the space's south wall. This common space will connect with an outdoor terrace, and overlook 'The Yard', a retail-lined pedestrian walkway to run between 130 QQE and the now-rising residential phases to the north.

Common space at Artscape Daniels Launchpad, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca

Artscape Daniels Launchpad is named in recognition of The Daniels Corporation and the John and Myrna Daniels Foundation, which contributed $5.75 million in funding for the project. Additional funding was provided by the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage ($3.5 million), the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science ($3 million), TD Bank, and various philanthropic donors and investors. Over $21 million of Launchpad's total $27.3 million cost has been provided through funding and donations.

Textile studio at Artscape Daniels Launchpad, image via artscapedanielslaunchpad.ca

Additional information and renderings 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 space provided at the bottom of this page.

Bjarke Ingels Group and Carlo Ratti Associati have announced that their 280-metre-tall skyscraper proposed for Singapore has now broken ground. Poised to become one of the tallest buildings in the city, 88 Market Street will erupt 51 storeys above the central business district with 93,000 square metres of office space, serviced residences, and a robust retail program.

88 Market Street in the Singapore skyline, image via BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group & VMW

The tower takes over the site of a former parking complex built in the 1980s. A joint venture partnership between CapitaLand Limited, CapitaLand Commercial Trust and Mitsubishi Estate selected BIG and CRA following an international design competition.

88 Market Street, image via BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group & VMW

"Buildings can no longer be designed with a singular purpose or customer profile in mind – the definition of work is rapidly evolving and will continue to take on new forms," said Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO, CapitaLand Limited. "With our deep expertise in developing and managing offices, malls, serviced residences and integrated developments, CapitaLand is in a unique position to lead the charge in creating future-ready, work-live-play developments that will galvanize the community."

88 Market Street, image via BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group & VMW

Grade A office space will be located across the top 29 floors of the tower, with the 299-unit Citadines serviced residence to occupy the first eight floors, along with amenities including a swimming pool, gymnasium and residents' lounge. Architecturally, the building's facade is ripped open to reveal an interior overflowing with greenery, sky hammocks, and treetop cocoons. The building's orthogonal lines and steel and glass cladding contrast with the tropical vegetation embedded within the development.

The Green Oasis, image via BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group & VMW

"BIG's design seeks to continue Singapore's pioneering vertical urbanism with the 280-metre-tall diverse community of places to work, live and play inside as well as outside," said Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner at BIG. "At multiple elevations, the facade peels open to reveal urban oases for its users and the surrounding city – animating the elegant smoothness of modern architecture with the ubiquitous tropical nature." 

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

A corridor of mid-rise density is growing along Toronto's Sheppard Avenue East, in the blocks east of Bayview Avenue. A handful of projects are under construction along this stretch of Sheppard in North York, including Lotus Condos by Chestnut Hill Developments and Fortress Real Developments, set to be the next project to complete in the area. We last checked in on the construction of the 12-storey Kirkor Architects Planners-designed condominium development back in September, and much progress has been made in the months since.

Lotus Condos viewed from the west on Sheppard Avenue, image by Craig White

At the time of our last update in the Fall, Lotus' 9th floor was being formed, and lower volume of the L-shaped structure's northern arm was in the process of topping out above Sheppard Avenue. Since then, the final three residential levels and subsequent mechanical level have taken shape above, marking the completion of structural forming.

Lotus Condos viewed from the east on Sheppard Avenue, image by Craig White

The latest photos from the site reveal that cladding installation is well underway. A combination of precast concrete with dark inlaid brick and stone veneers can be seen framing the structure's volumes. The main tower cladding is also now taking shape, consisting of an aluminum window wall system with contrasting dark and light sections. A system with clear glazing and grey spandrel panels is being installed on the projecting volume at the building’s northwest corner, while the main elevations are being finished with a darker window wall system.

Cladding installation underway for Lotus Condos, image by Craig White

Lotus Condos' 244 residential units are now entirely sold out, and the project applied for Condominium Approval—the final stage of the planning and approvals process—in September 2017. Following completion of the project later this year, Lotus will introduce new retail to the area around Bayview Station. Residents of the development will have access to a selection of indoor and outdoor amenities, including a landscaped rooftop terrace, a fitness room and outdoor yoga garden, a boardroom, and a private dining room.

Lotus Condos, image courtesy of Chestnut Hill/Fortress RDI

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

Vancouver's Oakridge neighbourhood is experiencing a wave of rezoning and development applications. One of these is an application to redevelop the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) of Greater Vancouver and the Louis Brier Home and Hospital (LBH) Campus located at 950 West 41st Avenue. The City of Vancouver and the applicant team held an open house on February 7th and solicited feedback from attendees. The online feedback form is also available on the City of Vancouver website. With master planning by Acton Ostry Architects, the multi-phase redevelopment is promising to revitalize the JCC, bring secured market rental housing, and replace the senior assisted living facility with an expanded and improved building.

Design concept, image via Acton Ostry Architects

The first phase of the project will be the construction of the new Jewish Community Centre building, which will replace an existing surface parking lot. Once complete, the nine-storey building will house recreation space, including an aquatic centre, gyms, multi-purpose rooms, an Early Childhood Education centre, auditorium and theatre space, a non-profit office space, and ground-level commercial space. In phase two, the existing JCC building will be torn down and construction of an underground parking garage with 693 vehicle parking spaces and 250 bicycle parking spaces will commence.  

Elevations, image via Acton Ostry Architects

Phase three of the project will be the construction of a 13-storey replacement Louis Brier Home and Hospital Seniors Care Facility, with 266 senior assisted living, complex care, and memory care beds. The last two phases of the project will be the JCC phase two building, which will house a theatre and office spaces, and a 24-storey market rental building offering a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.  

Project phasing, image via Acton Ostry Architects

Designed by PWL Partnership, significant attention will be paid to landscaping, on the ground, as well as on multiple rooftop terraces. The LBH open space will offer both publicly accessible space and private, fenced off space dedicated to the residents of LBH. The LBH tower will also have three rooftop terraces. The rental tower will offer two terraces, at level five and level 24. Level five will include a playground, a barbecue area and a garden, while the terrace on level 24 will include seating and an ambient fire pit. The JCC will have two terraces; level eight will provide significant covered space for year-round use while level nine will include flexible spaces for both structured play and passive use.

Landscape plan, image via City of Vancouver

We will keep you updated as more details on this project emerge. In the meantime, you can review project facts and renderings by visiting our Database file, 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.

It was mid-November when we last checked in on the construction of Ryerson University's Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex in Downtown Toronto. At the time of our last update, forming of the podium was wrapping up at the 27-storey, Perkins + Will-designed educational building, marking the start of work on the student residence tower above.

Daphne Cockwell Complex viewed from the north on Church Street, image by Edward Skira

Roughly three months have passed, and the rising tower floors have begun to make their presence know in views from surrounding streets. In views from the north and south, the tower's ample stepbacks and slender floorplate help to minimize the impact on the medium-density scale on this stretch of Church Street. The north-to-south width of these floorplates is evident in views captured from the east and west. This portion of the development will rise a total of 18 floors above the podium, with 11,376 m² (122,450 ft²) of residential space across 100 student housing suites, with beds for 332 students.

Tower floors rising at the Daphne Cockwell Complex, image by Edward Skira

As the tower enters into skyline views, progress continues on the podium below. Split into two volumes, the podium levels are now largely enclosed from the elements with a mix of curtainwall glazing and punched windows. The areas with punched windows still have to be finished with white exterior panelling, while the windowless accent sections of the podium will be finished with vibrant orange panels.

Podium of the Daphne Cockwell Complex, image by Edward Skira

The podium levels will expand the campus with new space for Ryerson's Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Midwifery Education, the School of Nutrition, the School of Occupational and Public Health, and the Communications, Government & Community Engagement department. Space for Ryerson's University Advancement, Food Services, and a Fabrication Zone will also be housed within the podium levels. The combined institutional and student residence components add up to 30,900 m², or 332,604 square feet.

Podium of the Daphne Cockwell Complex, image by Edward Skira

Additional information and renderings 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.

Just shy of three months since shoring activity began at the site of Cityzen Development Group and Fernbrook Homes' St. Lawrence Condos at 158 Front, excavators have made the first cuts at the northwest corner of Toronto's Sherbourne and Front intersection. The project will introduce a pair of 26-storey, architectsAlliance-designed condominium towers to the neighbourhood, replacing a temporary surface parking lot that was built following the 2011-2012 demolition of a former Greyhound Bus facility.

Facing west across the St. Lawrence Condos site, image by Caleb Cho

The asphalt surface of the former parking lot has been removed from the east end of the site closest to Sherbourne Street, and excavators have progressed a few feet down for this portion of the site. Excavation will continue to a depth of four storeys before forming can begin for the foundations and the 202-space underground parking component.

Facing northwest across the St. Lawrence Condos site, image by Caleb Cho

Over at the western half of the site, a single shoring rig from Anchor Shoring—Anchor was recently acquired by GFL—is finishing up piling for the site's below-grade earth retention system. This shoring system's below-grade retaining walls will allow the excavation phase to progress safely.

Facing east across the St. Lawrence Condos site, image by Caleb Cho

The combined excavation and shoring phases are anticipated to continue through May, to be followed by below-grade forming activity from May to August. Above-grade forming for the conjoined podium structure and two tower volumes above is expected to continue to April 2021.

Facing north across the St. Lawrence Condos site, image by Caleb Cho

We will provide updates as construction progresses. In the meantime, 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.

As Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta continues making a name for itself around the globe with its modern Scandinavian design, the practice has unveiled a sustainable concept above their home country's Arctic Circle. The world's first "energy positive" hotel, Svart targets a reduction of annual energy consumption by approximately 85 percent compared to a modern hotel, and produces its own energy to boot.

Svart, image by Plompmozes via Snøhetta

Devised in collaboration with Arctic Adventure of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska, the Snøhetta-designed hotel would lie at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that traverses Meløy municipality in northern Norway. The building would reach the standards established by Powerhouse, a partnership between Snøhetta, Entra, Skanska, the ZERO Emission Resource Organization and Asplan Viak. The 'Powerhouse' label is applied to so-called "plus house" projects, which refer to energy-producing buildings, measured across 60 years, that "generate more renewable energy than the total amount of energy that would be required to sustain daily operations and to build, produce materials and demolish the building."

Svart, image by Plompmozes via Snøhetta

The name "Svart" translates to "black" in Norwegian, recalling the deep blue ice and natural surroundings of Svartisen. Because of the area's rich natural beauty, the design team was challenged with creating a building that left a minimal environmental footprint, with the goal of developing a sustainable tourist destination.

The ringed hotel seemingly floats above the Norwegian fjord, image by Plompmozes via Snøhetta

They have conceived a circular body extending from the shoreline near the base of Almlifjellet mountain and into the pristine waters of Holandsfjorden fjord. The circular form of the structure — inspired by the "fiskehjell," a wooden structure for drying fish — affords guests with a panoramic view of the fjord. The "rorbue," a traditional seasonal house used by fishermen, informs the geometry of the hotel's supporting structure, a network of weather-resistant wooden poles erupting out of the water. 

Wooden pillars support the building's circular structure, image by Plompmozes via Snøhetta

Hotel rooms, restaurants and terraces are positioned to harness the sun's energy throughout the day and seasons. The building's roof, clad in solar panels, assists in the reduction of the carbon footprint. The hotel will also utilize geothermal wells connected to heat pumps, thereby further reducing the building's energy consumption.

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

A glass extrusion rising out of a 1940s heritage facade in Mount Pleasant might be the adaptive reuse project of the year. An old Art Deco industrial factory at the corner of East 5th Avenue and Ontario Street that manufactured radios and radars for the Allied war effort serves as the base for a four-storey contemporary cube designed by Christopher Bozyk Architects.

The Lightworks Building, image via PC Urban Properties Corp

Developer PC Urban Properties is sprucing up the 1942-built original structure, which was designed by Australian-born architect H.H. Simmonds, who was also responsible for the Vogue and Stanley Theatres. Collectively, the six-storey, 54,000-square-foot Lightworks Building will be anchored by manufacturer and retailer Saje Natural Wellness. 

Construction in early February, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

The finished project will include 7,200 square feet of ground-level commercial space and office floor plates boasting 11,700 square feet of space. A rooftop deck and second floor patio will be used as a comfortable office and gathering zone, complete with views of the city skyline and mountains. Two levels of parking and loading will be accessible via the rear laneway. 

Construction in early February, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

Nearly half of the topped-out new structure has been covered in curtain wall glazing, as rehabilitation of the historic building continues below.

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

Beljan Development has been firing on all cylinders lately as multiple adaptive reuse projects have surfaced in recent weeks. From a sensitive transformation of Whyte Avenue's historic Dominion Hotel to a mixed-use redevelopment of the former downtown YMCA on 102 Avenue NW to intensification of an unremarkable single-storey structure, Beljan's proposals are about realizing the potential of forgotten and underperforming properties across the city. Another recent project in the works — dubbed Box Haus— may not be as grandiose as the above endeavours, but it deftly proves that neighbourhood revitalization can come in all shapes and sizes.

Box Haus, image via Beljan Development

Beljan's next move brings them to the former Alberta Dental Association building at 8230 105 Street, just north of Whyte Avenue, where a handsome Modernist structure would be retrofitted for the 21st century, without losing its decades-old charm. The characteristic white brickwork and clean fenestration of the mid-century design would be preserved, with some modern embellishments like wood panelling and exterior signage to be added, according to renderings of the reworked building.

Box Haus, image via Beljan Development

"The alterations to the building will offer modern design and add functionality to both the main and lower levels," reads a leasing brochure by Omada Commercial. "This will create a welcoming space for retailers, restauranteurs, professionals and their clients."

The site already benefits from 15 onsite surface parking stalls, which would be maintained. Approximately 3,000 square feet are available for leasing on both the main and second floors, which the brochure states should be available by the summer or fall of 2018.

The existing building, image retrieved from Google Street View

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

This instalment of our Growth to Watch For series picks up where we left off in our last instalment, meandering north through North York with an overview of all of the activity happening above the 401 and west of Yonge to the 400. Despite the 60 km² area's distance from many of the centres of activity throughout Toronto, there is still quite a bit of development happening in the western half of North York, with growth along the Sheppard corridor, the redevelopment of Downsview Park, the recent opening of the subway extension, and the expansion of major institutional campuses. This instalment will take you on a 35.5 km path covering all developments currently under construction, and many the proposals across various stages of the planning and approvals process.

Map outlining the area covered, image via Google Earth.

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Picking up where we left off on Wilson where it passes under the 401, we continue west a few blocks. A 2016 plan from Collecdev for 470 Wilson Avenue, near the Allen, calls for an imposing groundscraper designed by gh3. The plan seeks rezoning for a 13-storey condominium building, a 12-storey rental building, and a series of 4-storey stacked townhouses with a combined total of 623 new residential units. The project has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), and City Planning staff have recommended that Council send staff to oppose it. A prehearing is being held later this month.

Rendering of 470 Wilson, image courtesy of Collecdev

A block to the west, a pocket of density surrounding Wilson Subway station continues to grow following the completion of Gramercy Park by Malibu Investments' and Station Condos on the Subway by Brandy Lane, Shiplake, and Wise. The next project to add more life to the area will be Malibu's second phase of Gramercy Park, dubbed Southside Residences. The project's 15 and 17-storey Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects-designed towers will add roughly 500 suites to the neighbourhood once complete in 2019.

Southside Residences as seen in January, image by Forum contributor PMT

Opposite on the west side of the road, another 2016 application from Malibu sought rezoning and an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) for a trio of towers with heights up to 16 storeys at 4-6 Tippett Road. Now being marketed as Express Condominiums on the Subway, the 651-unit project by RAW Design is due for an OMB hearing in March to determine the next steps for the project.

Rendering of Express Condos, image courtesy of Malibu Investments.

Just to the north, construction is underway at the Tippett Road and Wilson Avenue site of Metropia's Rocket Condos, a 13-storey 242-unit condo building designed by gh3. Crews are now in the process of excavating the building's underground garage and work here will continue throughout the year.

Excavation for Rocket Condos, image by Edward Skira

Rocket Condos would be followed by a second phase 8-storey 154-unit residential building erected to the south of Station Condos at 36R Tippett. Also designed by gh3, developers Metropia, Shiplake, and Wise are bringing this building which would contain 100 affordable housing units, half of which will be rentals and the other half of which will be for purchase. Renderings from 2017 show a machined aesthetic with undulating balconies.

Phase 2 of Rocket, image via submission to City of Toronto

Collecdev and gh3 are working together on another project on this block, this one at 30 Tippett Road. The 2017 proposal for OPA and rezoning, seeking 13 and 14-storey residential buildings and a park dedication, is currently working its way through the planning process, with community consultations expected to take place in the coming months.

30 Tippett Road, image via submission to City of Toronto

Several hundred metres west, past Allen Road and just east of Dufferin Street, an early 2017 application for one-and-three-storey commercial buildings at 725 Wilson Avenue has evolved since its initial submission. Resubmitted for Site Plan Approval (SPA) in the final days of the year, the current plan calls for an SMV Architects-designed office and retail building with a total gross floor area of 7,706 square metres.

725 Wilson Avenue, image via submission to City of Toronto

Continuing west on Wilson to Dufferin Street and turning south, we arrive at the site at 3621 Dufferin Street. Here, Dymon Storage has proposed a uniquely mixed-use 9-storey, TACT Architecture-designed building containing 141 residential condo units wrapping around a storage locker facility. Submitted for SPA in December, 2017, a recent City notice reveals that the project's Preliminary Report will be made available prior to an upcoming February 21st meeting of North York Community Council.

Facing north at 3621 Dufferin Street, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Backtracking to Wilson Avenue and continuing west, a 2016 proposal from Time Development Group seeking OPA and rezoning for a 9-storey mixed-use building between Keele and Jane streets at 1326 Wilson Avenue was resubmitted for SPA in August, 2017. The AJ Tregebov Architect-designed project is now planned to rise ten storeys, and contain 95 residential units, 1,543 m² of retail space, and medical offices on the 1st and 2nd floors.

South and east elevations of 1326-1328 Wilson, image courtesy of Time Development Group.

Moving further west, we arrive at Jane Street and divert north to 160-200 Chalkfarm Drive, where Verdiroc and WZMH Architects submitted a proposal for infill development at a suburban Tower-in-the-Park site. The late 2016 plan called for a 36-storey residential tower with almost 600 new rental units. The project has since been appealed to the OMB, though no scheduled hearings have yet to be made public.

Rendering of 160-200 Chalkfarm, image courtesy of Verdiroc.

Backtracking over 2 kilometres east and turning north on Keele Street, we pass the 2017-completed The 2800 Condos and continue northbound, arriving just south of Downsview Park. Here, Stafford Developments is preparing to break ground on their 155-unit Luxury Townhome Collection at Downsview Park project after seeing successful sales in 2017. The Turner Fleischer Architects-designed project's 3 and 4-storey townhouses are expected to begin construction this spring.

Rendering of the Downsview Park Townhomes, image courtesy of Stafford Homes.

Continuing north along the west edge of Downsview Park, an OMB-approved plan for 3100 Keele Street is now being marketed as The Keeley. Taken through rezoning by the Decade Group, the property was purchased in 2017 and is now being headed by TAS and Fiera Properties. While we only have a rendering for the SMV Architects-design which was proposed for the rezoning, we expect to have renderings of the new Teeple Architects design for TAS shortly. If it fits the recent zoning amendments to a T, it will introduce 325 condominium units to the neighbourhood, as well as new at-grade retail space.

Rendering of 3100 Keele, image courtesy of Decade Group.

Moving north on Keele, we arrive at Sheppard before starting a short diversion to the west. At the corner of Sheppard and Seeley Drive, a 2016 proposal for 1629 Sheppard Avenue West seeking rezoning for 4 pairs of semi-detached houses was resubmitted for SPA in October 2017. 

1629 Sheppard Avenue West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Reversing course, we head east along Sheppard, passing the recently opened Downsview Park Station, bringing subway and GO service to the area. A short distance east of the station, a 1929-built De Havilland aircraft plant on the former Downsview military base is being repurposed to serve as the new home of the Downsview Park Aerospace Campus of Centennial College. Construction of the MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA) and Stantec Architecture-designed facility is well underway, with the campus set to open this fall.

Rendering of the Centennial College Downsview Park Aerospace Campus, image courtesy of Centennial College.

Continuing east and crossing Allen Road, we arrive at the site of Urban Capital and ALIT Developments' dormant Futura Condos project, directly east of Sheppard West Station's north entrance. The 199-unit, Wallman Architects-designed condominium development was approved by the OMB at 14 storeys in 2015, with the site put up for sale later that year. We do not know if the site has been purchased, or when there may be any news here.

Rendering of Futura Condos, image courtesy of Urban Capital and ALIT.

Just to the south, a district plan is in the works by Build Toronto for the Allen District, a 54-acre plot of land stretching south from Sheppard West Station that the City wants to develop into a mixed-use neighbourhood. After an extensive consultation process that continued into 2017, a draft plan of subdivision zoning by-law, and environmental assessment consultation process are expected for 2018. Included in the Allen District coverage area, the lands immediately east of Sheppard West Station would support mid-rise office uses at 1035 Sheppard West.

Conceptual massing of the Allen District, image courtesy of Build Toronto.

Continuing eastbound on Sheppard, we arrive at the corner of Faywood Boulevard, where a two-building proposal dating back to 2005 at 847-873 Sheppard West changed hands in 2017. Evolved from a 2016 plan, a September 2017 resubmission from Crown Communities for OPA, Zoning Bylaw Amendment (ZBA), and SPA calls for 172 stacked, and back-to-back townhouses arranged in 7 blocks, designed by SRN Architects.

847-873 Sheppard West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Further east on Sheppard, Greenfield Quality Builders' proposed Sheppard and Gorman Park Condos—named for the intersection it would occupy—was proposed in 2016, and appealed to the OMB in 2017, with no hearings currently scheduled. The 9-storey building designed by superkül would add 85 condominium units to the neighbourhood.

Gorman Park Condominiums, image via superkul.ca

A bit further east on Sheppard, a pair of 9-storey Kirkor Architects-designed proposals at 813 Sheppard West and 740-748 Sheppard West are near mirror images of one another. The former was resubmitted to the City in October 2017, while its sibling project to the east has already been approved. Both sites were recently listed for sale by CBRE, meaning we could learn more following a potential sale of the sites.

Looking northeast to 740 Sheppard Avenue West, image courtesy of Royal Lane Sheppard Group

Just across the street, Torbel's Diva Condos is now topped out at 9 storeys at 741 Sheppard Avenue West. The structurally-complete KFA Architects-designed building will wrap up construction later this year, bringing over 100 new condominium units to the neighbourhood.

Diva Condos, November 2017, image by Forum contributor salsa

Moving east, an OMB-approved mid-rise condominium plan for 719 Sheppard West has remained dormant for a few years, but updated renderings were found on the website of Icon Architects in early 2017. While this was initially interpreted as a sign that the project might be revived, the site has since once again fallen inactive, and it's anyone's guess as to whether this one will reappear in 2018.

Rendering of 719 Sheppard West, image courtesy of Icon Architects.

Right across the street from the 719 Sheppard site, Quadcam Developments' plan for Westmount Boutique Residences at 700 Sheppard West was resubmitted to the City for OPA and ZBA in August, 2017. With the proposal's history dating all the way back to 2011, the 10-storey, KFA Architects-designed condominium development with ground floor retail is now one step closer to approval. The latest plan has been reduced in scale, from 134 units down to 128.

Westmount Boutique Residences, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

The wall of proposed mid-rise density continues to the east, where a 2016 proposal at 665-671 Sheppard West evolved in 2017. The SRN Architects-designed project by Crown Communities, now known as Clanton Park Towns, is proposed to rise 5 storeys from Sheppard at Yeomans Road, containing 51 townhome units. An official website for the project is now taking registrations.

Clanton Park Towns, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

A block and a half to the east, we arrive at Bathurst and duck south from Sheppard to a vacant site at 4362 Bathurst that has been awaiting redevelopment for years now. Rezoning for an 8-storey mixed-use residential and retail development was approved for back in 2012 and a single-family detached house occupying the site was demolished in 2015. A "for lease" sign was added to the vacant site in 2016, though no activity was recorded in 2017.

Vacant site at 4362 Bathurst Street, image retrieved from Google Street View

Turning around, and heading north past Sheppard, an expansion of the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre is underway at 4588 Bathurst following a Fall 2017 ground breaking ceremony. The 9,930 m² (106,000 ft²) IBI Group-designed expansion—to be known as The Sheff Family Building—will contain a daycare, fitness centre, art gallery, studio, chapel, theatre, offices, and more. The $72-million project will remain under construction through 2018.

Rendering of the Sherman Campus, image retrieved via submission to the City of Toronto

Back on Sheppard and continuing east, a late 2016 proposal seeking significant density at 325 Bogert Avenue was issued a refusal report from the City in 2017. The plan from Greatwise to add six residential towers ranging in height from 21 to 37 storeys to the site of an existing three-to-six-storey rental apartment complex was appealed to the OMB following the refusal, and is due for a prehearing on February 22nd.

325 Bogert, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

A 2012-approved plan for a 6-storey, 42-unit development at 258-262 Sheppard Avenue West resurfaced in 2017 following a sale to Park Hiatt Developments. Now known as The Addington, the project was resubmitted last year as an eight-storey, 163-unit Kirkor Architects-designed condominium development. The Addington has since been appealed to the OMB, with a prehearing scheduled for May 28th.

The Addington, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Steps to the east, another mid-rise proposal at 245 Sheppard Avenue West from developer PineLake Group and WZMH Architects was refused by the City in 2016. The plan for an 11-storey condominium building and a block of seven three-storey townhomes was appealed to the OMB last year, and a hearing is planned to take place between August 20th and 31st.

Rendering of 245 Sheppard West, image courtesy of the PineLake Group.

Turning north on Senlac Road, we pass through the York Cemetery, where a one-storey addition containing a visitation room, an exterior patio area, new storage space and corridor connections to the existing facility was proposed in late 2017. Designed by Hatch Architects, 101 Senlac is currently under review by planning staff.

Continuing north up to Finch, we hang a left and continue westbound for a few blocks before reaching a mid-rise proposal at 221-231 Finch West. Dating back to 2013, the Icon Architects-designed plan has evolved quite a bit over the years, and was most recently proposed at four storeys with 91 residential units. An OMB hearing scheduled for April 2016 was cancelled, and the City issued Notice Of Approval Conditions (NOAC) the following month. No new activity has been recorded in 2017, though we'll be sure to our eyes peeled for movement.

Rendering of 221-231 Finch West, image courtesy of Icon Architects.

Across the street to the north, a long-dormant infill townhome proposal at 228 Finch Avenue West resurfaced this month with a resubmission to the City. The latest plan from architects Line & Page seeks rezoning for a four-storey, 40-unit townhome development. The resubmitted plans are now under review by City staff.

228 Finch Avenue West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

A few doors to the west, a late 2016 rezoning application for 240 Finch Avenue West remained dormant in 2017. The plan from design/build firm Urbanscape calls for 6 connected three-storey freehold townhouses with heights of 11 metres.

240 Finch Avenue West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Continuing west towards Bathurst Street, a 2016 proposal for 286 Finch West was resubmitted for rezoning last year, seeking a three-storey stacked townhouse building with 25 units, to share the site with an existing four-storey rental apartment building. An OMB appeal has since been filed for the Kirkor Architects-designed project, though no hearings have been scheduled as of yet.

A half-kilometre to the west, North York General Hospital's (NYGH) former Branson campus will soon be transformed into a seniors care centre by Advent Health Care. The first phase of development at the 555 Finch West site will be a 5-storey building containing long-term care, supportive housing, and assisted living units for seniors. While the project's necessary OPA and rezoning were granted in 2009, the City only issued NOAC last year shortly before the hospital's Urgent Care Centre closure. NYGH's lease of the site will be terminated next year.

Moving west another half-kilometre brings us to the site of 591 Finch West, between Bathurst and Dufferin. A 12-storey 78-unit residential proposal by Keith Loffler McAlpine Architects was approved for the site by City Council back in 2014, though almost four years later, the site remains vacant and no new information has emerged.

Almost three kilometres to the west, and just a block from the new Finch West subway station, construction is progressing at Haven Developments and Union Capital's 8-storey, 180,000 ft² University Heights Professional and Medical Centre. The ACK Architects-designed office condominium development rose above grade last year, and is now ascending above the Finch and Tangiers Road intersection. Construction here is expected to wrap up later in 2018.

University Heights Professional and Medical Centre, image by Edward Skira

Continuing west past Keele Street, we reach Sentinel Road and turn north. Passing a Tower-in-the-Park style rental housing community with a dormant 2006 intensification plan at 470 Sentinel Road, we arrive at York University, now home to its very own subway station on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension.

At the north end of Sentinel Road, we turn east at The Pond Road, passing the 2017-completed the twin buildings of The Quad Student Residence and turning north, arrive at the site of the new York University Student Centre with architecture by Cannon Design. Marked by a dramatic cantilevered volume, the structurally-complete four-storey building is on track to open this year. Once complete, it will introduce new study space, meeting rooms, club and student offices, administrative spaces, lounge areas, recreational uses, and more restaurant/retail space to York University.

York University Student Centre, December 2017, image by Forum contributor PMT

At a similar stage of construction progress, the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building at York University's Schulich School of Business is adding 67,000-square-foot (6,225-square-metre) of space to the school. Designed by Baird Sampson Neuert Architects, construction is scheduled to wrap up this year.

York University Schulich Research and Graduate Building, December 2017, image by Forum contributor PMT

Passing by the newly-opened York University Station and threading our way through the campus past its second subway stop at the north end—Pioneer Village Station—we turn onto Steeles Avenue, heading east. Passing Dufferin Street and the West Don River, we arrive at 1755 Steeles Avenue West, a site owned by pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, formerly the University of Toronto's Connaught Laboratories site. Here, Sanofi Pasteur is expanding the site with a 3-storey, 15,000 m² manufacturing building on the southern portion of the site. The project was approved by Council in 2017, and is underway.

Sanofi Pasteur expansion, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

Following east on Steeles again, we arrive at Bathurst where we turn south for just over a block. A 2016 proposal from Pinedale Properties for their Tower-in-the-Park residential community at 6040 Bathurst Street would add a 19-storey rental tower and a 29-storey condo tower amongst existing buildings. Designed by the IBI Group, the plan was appealed to the OMB last year, and a prehearing was originally scheduled for February 23, 2018. The OMB file has since been updated to "adjourned" and no further hearings have been scheduled, meaning a settlement may have been negotiated behind the scenes. If so, we will hear more soon.

Rendering of 6040 Bathurst, image courtesy of Pinedale Properties.

Returning north along Bathurst to Steeles, we resume our eastward trek, arriving at a 1970s-built 15-storey rental apartment building at 755 Steeles Avenue West. A plan dating back to 2014 seeks infill development here, with a 10-storey residential building, 2-storey townhouses, 4-storey, stacked, back-to-back townhouses, and a single-storey retail building. A refined proposal for the Rafael + Bigauskas Architects-designed project—known as Marcher Towers—was resubmitted for ZBA in June, 2017, and is now under review by City staff.

Additions planned for 755 Steeles Avenue West, image by Rafael + Bigauskas Architects

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We end our journey through the western half of North York approaching Yonge Street. Next up, our Growth to Watch For series heads south through North York Centre and turns eastward along the Sheppard corridor through Willowdale, summarizing all the development happening in the eastern half of North York. In the meantime for more information, make sure to check out the database files and Forum threads linked below for each of the projects mentioned. You can tell us what you think of all the developments happening in the city by joining the discussions in the associated Forum threads, or by leaving a comment in the space provided on this page!

Sales have commenced for a new luxury condominium project in New York City's upper-class Noho neighbourhood. Broad Street Development is spearheading the 12-storey, 61-unit tower at the corner of Bleecker and Mulberry Streets, boasting a modern design by Rawlings Architects.

40 Bleecker, image via Broad Street Development

"40 Bleecker honors the traditions of its surroundings while offering a truly exceptional lifestyle rarely seen in new development in New York City, let alone downtown," said Raymond Chalmé, CEO and Principal of Broad Street Development. "The roster of design talent that has been assembled to create 40 Bleecker is likely never to be recreated, and it makes these homes truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity."

40 Bleecker, image via Broad Street Development

Interior designer Ryan Korban, who's cemented a solid reputation for his involvement in flagship luxury apparel stores and private celebrity homes, is embarking on his first-ever large-scale residential development with 40 Bleecker.

"When designing 40 Bleecker, I knew my work needed to speak to a new generation of downtown buyers, who is looking for luxury and elegance against a modern backdrop," Korban said. "This idea of 'contrast' is evident throughout the spaces in everything from textures and materials, to finishes and furniture. Masculine contrasts with feminine, traditional with modern, soft with brutalist. 40 Bleecker is a new way of living and sets the tone for the future of design and development downtown."

A landscaped courtyard sits at the heart of the project, image via Broad Street Development

The brick and metal facade of the building enhances the punched glass window effect, creating a parti that reflects the scale and character of the neighbourhood's landmarked buildings. The six penthouse units across the top three levels are stepped back and curved at their corners to enable light and views.

Amenities inside the building will include a 57-foot swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre and a 5,600-square-foot courtyard garden appointed with lush greenery, seasonal flora and water features. Condominiums start from under $2 million.

An indoor swimming pool is just one of the extensive amenities, image via Broad Street Development

Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

It has been roughly two years and eight months since Lanterra Developments broke ground on their Wellesley on the Park project, just west of Toronto's Yonge and Wellesley intersection. Construction of the 60-storey tower—designed by KPMB Architects, working with the IBI Group—first involved several months of shoring, excavation, and below-grade forming that extended well beyond the tower's footprint, as a large portion of the site's at-grade area will become a new 1.6-acre public park. Above-grade, construction for the tower has been progressing since the start of 2017, and the tower's growing height has begun to impact views from the surrounding blocks.

Wellesley on the Park viewed from the east on Yonge Street, image by Craig White

Now standing 15 storeys above Wellesley Street, Wellesley on the Park's organic curves have become apparent to passersby. In views captured from the south, the series of terraced stepbacks that transition the podium levels to the more slender tower floorplate is especially eye-catching, and will add visual interest to visitors of the new park that surrounds the tower base.

Wellesley on the Park viewed from the southeast, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

Since work transitioned from the podium levels to the repeating layouts of the tower floors, the speed of construction has increased significantly. With workers now in the swing of forming one every week, Wellesley on the Park's ascent is expected to continue at this rate, and bring the building into prominent skyline views by the end of the year.

Wellesley on the Park viewed from the northeast, image by Craig White

As the tower floors rise above, cladding installation has begun on the building's podium levels. The first panels of this curtainwall glazing system were spotted in early December, with solid frit patterned spandrels along slab fronts, visually dissolving from translucent to clear for the windows. Unlike the primarily curtainwall-clad podium levels, the tower portion above will be finished in window wall cladding behind by wraparound balconies.

Cladding installation for Wellesley on the Park as seen in mid-January, image by Forum contributor Benito

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.

The podium levels are now taking shape at the site of East United Condos, a new high-rise condominium development by SigNature Communities, Berkshire Axis Development, and Andiel Homes at Toronto's Parliament and Adelaide intersection. The 24-storey Giannone Petricone Associates-designed development (three additional floors were approved by the OMB in January) has been under construction since early 2016, and progress above-grade is becoming evermore significant.

East United viewed from the east side of Parliament Street, image by Caleb Cho

Now three storeys tall at the east end, with work underway there on the fourth fourth slab, East United's Parliament Street frontage will rise another level before the structure steps back above the fifth level and work begins on the more slender tower floors above. To the west, additional stepbacks will transition the tower down to meet the scale of the two-storey Christie, Brown & Co. Stables building preserved facades at 95 Berkeley Street.

East United viewed from the west on Berkeley Street, image by Caleb Cho

Work on the project's Berkeley Street heritage frontage has progressed a fair bit since our last update in October. At that time, the stables' interior had been gutted in anticipation of demolition for the building's east and north walls, as well as the easternmost part of the south facade. In the time since, demolition has wrapped up, leaving just the preserved exterior walls in place.

Christie, Brown & Co. Stables building facades, image by Caleb Cho

The approval of three additional floors by the OMB has resulted in the project's previous unit count of 279 increasing by 10. In addition to the condo suites, the project will introduce 824 m² of commercial office space to the heritage frontage on Berkeley, and 207 m² of retail space along the site's Parliament Street frontage.

East United Condos, image courtesy of SigNature/Berkshire Axis/Andiel

For more East United information and renderings, visit the database file 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 the page.