While down on street level it still feels as though the sky is about to fall with all that protective cladding, the end is almost in sight for the First Canadian Place Rejuvenation. Lets take a look at the project development so far in this installation of Project of the Day.

Building owner Brookfield Properties undertook the staggering job of replacing each one of the iconic 75-storey office tower's Carrera-marble clad panels with 8' x 10' white glass panels, which contrast with the bronze corner panels being installed simultaneously. While the original towers sleek marble exterior signified the wealth, extravagance and power of the businesses which took up tenancy in FCP, the effects of inner-city traffic and smog wrecked havoc on the marble.

Detail of corner treatment showing glass panels and bronze corner panels

Detail of glass panels

The rejuvenation of First Canadian Place didn't stop with the exterior. Brookfield hired architectural firm Moed de Armas & Shannon as well as the local Bregman + Hamann to breathe new life into the retail and lobby sections of the building. Hoping to attract cutting-edge businesses as well as more discerning tenants, Brookfield is installing the latest in mechanical and electrical systems, updating the infrastructure of the circa-1975 tower to 21st Century standards. They also managed to earn a spot in the top 5 international "Zerofootprint Re-Skinning Awards," an award celebrating retrofitting projects that reduce the environmental impact caused by cities.

Street level treatment and application of Carerra marble panels

The rejuvenation is hoping to attract new retail tenants as well, taking advantage of the 84,000 pedestrians who pass through the complex on a daily basis. One hundred and twenty stores will be added on three levels that will be accented by the Carrera marble panels from the exterior. We look forward to seeing the Carrera marble up close — 35 years of wear and tear at 75 storeys high must make for some interesting finishes.

Rejuvenated interior showing application of Carrera marble panels

You can bet that we have some amazing photos of the process of replacing the marble panels. Keep checking the project forum here for further photos to arrive when the cladding is finally removed. In the meantime, take a look at the dataBase listing below for more great renderings of the tower.

Structure beginning to take form at the top of the tower, image by CML

Working down the tower slowly, image by solaris

Beginning to see the change, image by Craig White

Close up of structure and marble/glass contrast, image by m____j1

Nearing completition, image by haljackey