The redevelopment of Front and Spadina has been a long time coming. As much as car dealerships are a necessity for any metropolitan area, the recent and ongoing demand for downtown real estate has provided the impetus required to take this site to its higher calling. This gateway site is the entrance to the city for many who commute via the Gardiner Expressway, and The Globe and Mail is determined to improve it.

Rendering of the completed Globe and Mail building

With their move a half block to the east from a quiet stretch of Front Street to this bustling corner, and with a simple but striking design by renowned KPMB Architects, The Globe and Mail's advocacy for and engagement with its home city is bound to increase. The new building is slated to rise 18 storeys with a six-storey podium grounding it. It will be entirely office space above street level, housing multiple tenants while the Globe and Mail offices will occupy the podium. Not to be outdone by other office developments in Toronto, the Globe and Mail project is aiming to achieve LEED Gold certification when completed.

Construction begins at Front and Spadina, Photo provided by forum member Red Mars

The newspaper business is evolving, given the tough climate these past few years for traditional papers, with more and more of the content going online, and with the increased integration with television, cable, and telecommunications services. With the chance to design their office space from the ground up, the Globe is stepping into the digital future with state of the art surroundings and technology, and with much more flexibility.

Construction at The Globe and Mail building, photo provided by forum member Red Mars

Demolition began at the site earlier this month with Ellis Don overseeing the dismantling process. Construction on the new building is scheduled to be complete in late 2015 .

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