One of Toronto's highest profile construction projects is the Shangri-La Hotel and Residences at Adelaide and University by Westbank Corp. The building gets attention for many reasons, none more so than for the faceted east elevation which is now becoming evident as its high-quality curtainwall is applied to higher and higher floors. While facets on this scale are unique in Toronto, another unique feature rise is capturing our attention now too. Thanks to a couple of UrbanToronto members, we have photos of the canted skeleton of Shangri-La's future pool pavilion.

 Drum118 caught the first arms rising in January before we really understood what we were seeing.

Image by drum118

The model in the top photo shows the pavilion as entirely transparent. The frame was somewhat unexpected therefore despite what we know about the reliability of some more outlandish details - or lack thereof - in building models, but it was easier to identify when DarkSideDensizen's photos appeared a couple of weeks later. Here they show the pavilion's position along University Avenue's angled streetscape.

Image by darksidedenizen

Image by darksidedenizen

Jasonzed got these images, which include our latest look at the faceted east elevation along with the pool pavilion. 

Image by Jasonzed

Image by Jasonzed

We anticipate more interesting details to come as this portion of the project comes together more fully. Will we really see palm trees swaying over University Avenue when all is said and done? Drum118 also took this photo of the wrapped Bishop's Block - a heritage component on the southwest corner of the project at Adelaide and Simcoe Streets. The block was built in 1829, and a portion of it managed to stand into this millennium. It however was so badly compromised that it would not have survived the vibrations from construction around it. To save it, the building's brick facade was disassembled, cleaned, and has since been reassembled. The facade has been the source of much curiousity as it continues to be hidden from view.

Image by drum118

Jasonzed got a sneak peak through a gap in the wrap... and now we know a bit more about the carefully reconstructed building we have to look forward to when the Block comes out of hiding later this year.

Image by jasonzed

The Shangri-La Toronto was designed by James Cheng Architects of Vancouver and Hariri Pontarini Architects of Toronto. It is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2012.