New developments under construction are a common sight on the King Street East of today, though one doesn't have to look too far back in time to remember the days prior to the development boom. Back in November of 2001, construction was under way at the site of Harhay Developments' Abbey Lane Lofts on the south side of King between Sherbourne and Princess Streets. The warehouse-inspired design on the development would complement the building to the immediate east, and with an ironic twist, would also pave the way for its redevelopment.

Construction of Abbey Lane Lofts, November 10, 2001, image by Edward Skira

Fast forward to 2015, and construction of the red brick-clad Abbey Lane Lofts has been completed for over a decade now, and has since been joined by East Lofts, a condo development that replaced the warehouse building visible in the "before" photo. To the right of Abbey Lane Lofts, a small portion of the under-construction King + Condos is visible, replacing the former commercial properties that used to abut the Abbey Lane site. In the distance at far left, the newly-expanded King East Centre can be seen, while one of the cranes building the Globe and Mail Centre is visible at the very back of the shot.

Abbey Lane Lofts and The East Lofts, July 8, 2015, image by Jack Landau

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!