The continuing densification of Yonge and Sheppard in North York has taken a great leap forward over the past couple of years, thanks to projects like Metropia, Bazis and Plaza’s Emerald Park Condos. Designed by Rosario Varacalli, the project features 42 and 33-storey towers rising from a shared podium set to contain retail, a grocery store, office space and direct access to Sheppard-Yonge TTC subway interchange station. 

Emerald Park Condos, image by Jack Landau

Last summer, Bazis predicted that the project would be at the 31st floor by the start of 2014. Though a historic ice storm and a frigid winter have slowed down much construction in Toronto (pouring concrete in extreme low temperatures can be detrimental to structural integrity), Emerald Park’s taller east tower has now risen to 30 storeys while the west tower currently stands at 27 storeys. With the development beginning to close in on its final height, we are now seeing the first stages in construction on the project’s distinctive flared tops with the initial widening of the west tower’s western side.

Beginnings of the west tower's flared top, image by Jack Landau

If you look closely at the top three floors above and below, you will see that the columns and walls of the west tower have begun to flare out. The first stepped-out floor on the taller east tower will occur at level 35, only a few floors away.

Emerald Park Condos viewed from the south, image by Jack Landau

The project derives its name from the deep green cladding now being applied to the building. Emerald Park’s tower floors sport a green tinted glass accented by vivid emerald spandrel sections and slate-gray mullions.

Distinctive green cladding at Emerald Park Condos, image by Jack Landau

Glazing is also ongoing on the podium floors, which feature a complementary but less-tinted design. Long clear-glass walls of floor to ceiling windows are now being installed at street level and just above. 

Ongoing podium work at Emerald Park, image by Jack Landau

The concrete strip running up each tower’s narrow northern and southern façades is being clad in the same opaque emerald spandrel cladding seen accenting the eastern and western façades. The complete wrap of the building will bring a unity to the design upon completion.

Crews installing opaque spandrel cladding to windowless concrete section, image by Jack Landau

When it opens next year, Emerald Park will add 564 residential suites to the rapidly intensifying neighbourhood. 

Emerald Park Condos viewed from the east side of Yonge, image by Jack Landau

We will be sure to return in the near future as the project’s distinctive flared tops materialize. Until then, additional information and many renderings can be found in our Emerald Park Condos 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.