Although the ambitious urban reclamation project that's planned Under the Gardiner is capturing many headlines lately, a drive along Toronto's waterfront expressway provides good vantage points of many of the city's most talked-about construction projects. Thanks to UrbanToronto Forum member G.L. 17's recent photos, a trip down the Gardiner offers us a close look at a wealth of ongoing construction. 

Beginning west of Downtown near Exhibition Place, MLSE's BMO Field expansion is seen to the south of the Gardiner. While today's earlier editorial provides a more in-depth look at the intricately co-ordianted raising of the south roof, a view from the north offers a view of the east and west stands help up by temporary shoring towers as installation of the Gensler-designed canopies nears completion.

The BMO Field renovations in process, image by UT Forum contributor G.L.17

Moving east, driving down the Gardiner presents a full of view of construction at Local at Fort York, seen through the fences erected for the Gardiner's own rehabilitation project. The Onni Group's 13-storey Page + Steele / IBI Group design is now topped off, with much of the exterior cladding now installed. The building—which is rather intimately close to the Gardiner—is set to complete later this year. 

The 13-storey Local at Fort York is seen just south of the Gardiner, image by UT Forum contributor G.L.17

Continuing east, Newton and Forward at Concord CityPlace will eventually be seen on the north side of the expressway, but for the moment both the 30-storey Forward and the 18-storey Newton are just beginning to climb towards grade from the bottom of their excavation pit, so we're cheating and bringing you a shot from street level. As with Local at Fort York to the west, these towers boast a Page + Steele / IBI Group design. 

Cheating slightly, this photo of Newton and Forward isn't taken from the Gardiner, image by UT Forum contributor G.L.17

Arriving in Toronto's growing south core, two of the city's tallest new towers can be seen rising alongside the Gardiner. Both are just south of the highway, and follow the splitting lanes off the York, Bay, and Yonge Streets. Currently easier to see even though it's the further east of the two, is Menkes and HOOPPS' Sun Life Financial Tower and Harbour Plaza Residences complex. The shimmering glass wall of the Sweeney &Co-designed Sun Life Tower, which has topped off at 35 storeys is the focal point for the moment. Behind it are the architectsAlliance-designed Harbour Plaza towers, almost the same height now, but is set to climb to 62 and 66 storeys.

A Harbour Plaza tower is seen rising behind the 35-storey Sun Life Tower, image by UT Forum contributor G.L.17

Tridel's 65-storey Ten York Street is still much shorter, but now makes a distinct impact in the area, rising a level above the elevated expressway. Designed by Wallman Architects, the 224-metre tower is one of the tallest projects now under construction in the city. 

Ten York drives a visual wedge through the Gardiner, Sun Life Tower seen behind, image by UT Forum contributor G.L.17

After you pass Ten York and the Sun Life Tower, and start the spiral down to York Street, the Harbour Plaza Residences come into view on the left, becoming more noticeable all the time with their noticed balconies. 

The Harbour Plaza Residence towers seen from the York and Bay street spiral ramp, image by UT Forum contributor G.L.17

We will keep you updated as these projects continue to take shape, with further "gifts of the Gardiner" forthcoming. In the meantime, make sure to check out our associated dataBase files for more information about each development. Want to share your thoughts? Feel free to leave a message in the space below this page, or join in the conversation on one of our associated Forum threads, which feature many more photos!