The construction of Tridel and Hines' Aqualina at Bayside is soon to meet a major milestone in Toronto's emerging East Bayfront district, as the 13-storey condominium development approaches structural completion. Designed by Miami-based architects Arquitectonica, as the first condominium in the area, the project will be the first development to bring a 24-hour presence of people to the district, in this case with 362 residential suites ranging from 548 square feet in size to 2,100 square feet.

Aqualina at Bayside nearing structural completion, image by Forum contributor Razz

Aqualina's massing breaks up the traditional slab apartment typology into a series of distinctly articulated volumes, making for a less imposing exterior. The southernmost volume—the tallest component of the project—recently topped off at 13 storeys, while the stacked boxes of the northern volume are now just shy of their final height.

Northern volume now topping off, image by Forum contributor marcus_a_j

The first signs of the installation of the building's exterior envelope were spotted just over two months ago, coming in the form of dark, reflective window wall panels framed in charcoal-black mullions. The ongoing installation of these panels is now accentuating the sawtooth pattern of the building's lower levels.

Window wall cladding at the base of Aqualina, image by Forum contributor skycandy

The installation of framing and cladding is now making steady progress on the ground floor of the building alongside Sherbourne Common. Following completion of the building—anticipated for next year—park-fronting retail spaces will open here, adding some animation to the east side of the park. A similar situation will unfold to along the north half of the park at the site of Monde Condominiums.

Framing and glazing sealing off the ground level of Aqualina, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Most recently, the rectilinear upper volume at the south end of the site has had the first of its curtain wall panels installed. Now covering much of this volume's lowest level, this cladding material will soon cover the following six levels, and will be accented by further balcony glazing on the volume's angled balconies. (You can compare these photographs with the rendering at the end of the story to see where this is going.)

View of Aqualina from the east, image by Forum contributor skycandy

A close-up view of the Toro Glasswall curtain wall captured from the base of the building's east side reveals the reflective qualities and the mullion pattern of the glazing. 

Detail view of the curtain wall cladding being installed at Aqualina, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Residents of the completed development will have access to interior amenity spaces appointed by II BY IV Design Associates, as well as outdoor amenity spaces on levels 11 and 13. At street level, a two-storey sheltered walkway running through the structure called Via Velo will include landscaping, retail space, sculptural seating, and modular glass walls that can be removed to create an open air space during warmer months.

Rendering of Aqualina at Bayside, image courtesy of Tridel/Hines

Additional information and renderings can be found in the project's 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.