Commercial and office building development has taken a backseat to condominiums in our ongoing growth boom, but as more people move into our densifying core, the demand for new office space has rebounded in Toronto's centre. The Southcore neighbourhood has been a perpetual construction site since its inception several years ago, and new condominium and office towers continue to replace surface parking lots in the area, gradually connecting Harbourfront with the city proper. In the southeast of this neighbourhood, Oxford Properties' WaterPark Place III is nearing completion, as the final exterior details are being installed on the 30-storey, 930,000 square foot office tower on Queen's Quay between Bay and York Streets.

RBC WaterPark Place III viewed from the L Tower, image by Jack Landau

Designed by WZMH Architects, the 460 foot tower will serve as the headquarters for RBC 's Canadian Banking division, which will occupy approximately 550,000 square-feet of the tower. RBC's space in the building will unite 4,000 workers behind the reflective glazing.

RBC WaterPark Place III, image by Jack Landau

The building has been topped off for several months, and with the tower hoist disassembled and the podium hoist coming down soon, the final glazing can be installed to finally seal off the building from the elements.

RBC WaterPark Place III viewed from the east on Queen's Quay, image by Jack Landau

At ground level, the reconstruction of Queens Quay has complicated the site for passing motorists, but as both projects are coming close to completion, the busy construction staging area for the tower has cleared somewhat, allowing for the installation of double-height ground level glazing as well as the armature for a protective glass canopy above it.

Podium at RBC WaterPark Place III, image by Jack Landau

Here is a closer look at the ground level glazing installation.

Ground level cladding installation at RBC WaterPark Place III, image by Jack Landau

The block will soon be improved further with the demolition of the elevated off-ramps from the Gardiner Expressway for York, Bay and Yonge Streets in the coming couple of years. Located to the immediate west and north of the new office tower, the ramps will be replaced by a new one at Simcoe Street, and a new park will expand upon the greenspace currently within the existing circular ramp.

RBC WaterPark Place III viewed from the corner of York and Harbour, image by Jack Landau

For additional information including building facts and renderings of RBC Waterpark Place III, please visit our dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the section provided at the bottom of this page.