If you asked Torontonians which bridge they consider the most beautiful in the city, the list of responses would likely include the Prince Edward Viaduct over the Don Valley, the Pedestrian & Bike Bridge at the mouth of the Humber, and the stone arch bridge at the Old Mill, but likely none of the few +15 overhead walkway style bridges downtown would make it into the list... until now. In the time since our last report on the installation of the bridge that connects Saint Michael's Hospital across Shuter Street to the new Diamond + Schmitt-designed Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute on the north side, the bridge has been glazed, and it looks spectacular. Thanks to three UrbanToronto members who have been by recently, we get to see it.

project rendering, courtesy of Diamond and Schmitt

The bridge, image by Drum118

Image by androiduk

The bridge's steel frame was built in Germany, while the curved, double-glazed glass panels have come from Italy. With winter weather here now, attention is turning to interior work; the walkway platform, balustrades, lighting and airflow, with an expected completion date in March.

Glass installation, image by androiduk

Glass installation, image by androiduk

Nearing completion, image by jasonzed

Glass treatment, image by androiduk

Meanwhile, work is nearly finished in much of the rest of the building. Here we take a couple of peaks into the lobby for the Keenan Research Centre, which makes up the western portion of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute.

Image by drum118

Image by androiduk

UrbanToronto will keep you posted on progress here.

Related Companies:  Diamond Schmitt Architects, entro, LiveRoof Ontario Inc, NORR Architects & Engineers Limited, Priestly Demolition Inc.