Several planned high-rise developments are set to reshape the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood in the coming years, including Bazis and Plaza's ambitious condominium project, 1 Yorkville. We spotted the first signs of activity at the site of the project this week, as crews have begun interior clear-out of the heritage Yonge Street buildings that will be incorporated into the base of the 58-storey Rosario Varacalli-designed condominium tower.

Closed stores on Yonge Street, image by Jack Landau

All of the retailers on the development site have closed for business, and TMG Builders crews are now in the process of gutting their interiors. When we stopped by the site on Tuesday afternoon, workers were filing in and out of the rear of 844 Yonge Street, which sits mid-block on the development site. A Bobcat vehicle has been delivered to the site to assist in the demolition.

Demolition staging area at the rear of 844 Yonge Street, image by Jack Landau

The buildings in question, located at 836-850 Yonge Street and 1-9A Yorkville Avenue, were constructed between 1850 and 1909, and were placed on the Inventory of Heritage Properties in 1974. A rendering of 1 Yorkville's completed base illustrates how these storefronts will look once incorporated into the new development.

Rendering of 1 Yorkville's base and heritage components, image courtesy of Bazis/Plaza

The completed development will contain 577 condominium units, consisting of studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. Residents will have access to a particularly wide selection of amenities, grouped either atop the heritage podium, or way up on the roof. Fitness related amenities are found atop the podium a include a spa, a rest lounge, aqua massage station, a cross-fit studio plus fitness gallery, and indoor hot-and-cold plunge pools. Just outdoors there's a terrace with swimming pool, hot tub, sunning areas, and a Zen Garden.

Outdoor amenities above the heritage Yonge Street shops are focused on water, image courtesy of Bazis/Plaza

Up top is an indoor-outdoor lounge with bar and barbecue facilities, an outdoor theatre, and more. The views from up there should prove to be superb.

Rendering of 1 Yorkville, image courtesy of Bazis/Plaza

Additional information and renderings can be found in our 1 Yorkville dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.