Demolition and dismantling work is now underway in preparation for 88 Scott, a new 58-storey condominium by Concert Properties in the heart of Toronto's Downtown. The 525-unit development will rise behind the limestone façade of the five-storey Royal and SunAlliance Building at 40 Scott Street/10 Wellington East. Though the older portion of the façade (built in 1951) will be incorporated into the project, a two-storey addition above and an extension west along Wellington from the late 1970s/early 1980s will not be reconstructed, but will make way for the new. In the meantime, all is being cleared to make way for shoring and excavation.

Demolition work at 88 Scott, image by Forum member drum118

To accelerate the demolition process, a demolition crane has been erected on site. In the photo below, taken from atop the L Tower in mid-November, we can see the building’s steel structure and concrete floor slabs removed down to 7th floor along Wellington Street and to the 6th floor along Scott and Colborne Streets.

Mid-November aerial view of 88 Scott construction site, image by Jack Landau

A closer look reveals the then-current progress at the top of the structure, including the crane preparing to lift a steel beam from 7th floor, mini excavators with jackhammer attachment breaking up the 7th floor concrete slab, and a bobcat on 6th floor removing concrete debris.

Mid-November aerial view of 88 Scott construction site, image by Craig White

The original five-storey, limestone and granite façade built in 1951 is being dismantled, catalogued, cleaned and finally stored off-site awaiting reintegration into the new mixed-use podium. In the photo below, taken on December 5, we can see the current progress looking northwest from Berczy Park, showing the climbing hoist just above the third level windows of the original limestone building.

Demolition continues at 88 Scott, image by Forum member drum118

In the image below, we are facing northeast from the laneway off of Colborne Street towards the walls surrounding the former courtyard of the building. Safety scaffolding has been installed over the laneway and red safety netting is now in place to protect the demolition crew, the neighbours and the neighbouring properties.

Existing building being cleared in preparation for construction of new condominium, image by Forum member drum118

88 Scott is targeting LEED Gold and Tier 2 Toronto Green Standards (highest Tier). Waste diversion throughout the demolition and construction phase is a critical component in achieving these goals. The balance of the demolition materials are separated and will be recycled, reused or repurposed wherever possible as part of the builder's waste diversion program. In the image below, a recycling bin full of steel beams is being hoisted onto the back of the truck. Due to the immense weight of the load, the truck’s front wheels can be seen lifting off of the ground.

A truck's front wheels raised off of the ground as steel is loaded in the back, image by Kelly Wilson

A few short years from now, 88 Scott will appear as below, with the reinstated podium and a new tower designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects rising above. The intensification of the site will add more vitality to the surrounding streets, poised right between Toronto's financial core and the St. Lawrence Market area.

Rendering of 88 Scott Street's podium

A comprehensive collection of information including building facts and renderings can be found at our dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.