The changing face of the Entertainment District has garnered much coverage on UrbanToronto. While the addition of large scale mixed-use developments in this area of historically low-rise, commercially zoned land has raised property values and livened up the area, it has put pressure on heritage buildings which have seen steep property tax increases. In the case of Vancouver-based developer Pinnacle International’s aptly named Pinnacle on Adelaide development, two heritage buildings will acutally benefit from restoration and reuse, while a barren surface parking lot is replaced by hundreds of new residents.

Pinnacle on Adelaide rising in the Entertainment District, image by Jack Landau

At the southwest corner of John and Adelaide, the tower is now standing tall at 21 storeys, just about half way towards its final count of 43 storeys.   

Pinnacle on Adelaide rising in the Entertainment District, image by Jack Landau

The project has come a long way in the last year. In twelve months we have seen the completion of the building’s underground floors, the moving of the historic Richard West House, and the completion of half of the tower’s superstructure.

Pinnacle on Adelaide seen from just east of John Street, image by Jack Landau

The Hariri Pontarini Architects design makes use of a clean, simple rectilinear form adorned with a high-quality blue-tinted curtainwall glazing. Pinnacle on Adelaide’s cladding, a big step up from the less elegant but more typical windowwall seen in most condominum construction, was a well-received surprise among our forum participants, and after a quick look at the results, it is no surprise why.

Pinnacle on Adelaide seen from the northeast corner of John and Adelaide, image by Jack Landau

The 564-unit will feature a public plaza fronting John Street, a spot which should be quite a lively setting during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and for several years to come. Up above the new public space and atop the podium, Pinnacle on Adelaide’s residents will have access to their own gathering spot in facilities that include a workout room, indoor pool, hot tub and saunas, as well as a large outdoor terrace.

Pinnacle on Adelaide's podium and Adelaide frontage, image by Jack Landau

For additional information including building facts, renderings and floorplans, please visit the associated dataBase page, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out one of the associated Forum threads, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided below.