After experiencing brisk sales since launching at the close of 2015, the first site activity is now in progress for Lifetime Developments and Knightstone's Whitehaus Condominiums. The 29-storey, Diamond Schmitt-designed condominium tower will rise above Yonge Street a short distance north of Eglinton Avenue in Midtown Toronto. 

Until recently, the bulk of the site was occupied by a split-level retail plaza designed by local architect Lloyd Alter. Opened in 1984, the half-block-long plaza—which, despite its relative lack of aesthetic appeal, featured a fine-grained concentration of local retail—was shuttered earlier this year, with demolition beginning in November.

Whitehaus site viewed from the east across Yonge Street, image by Jack Landau

In the weeks since the locally distinctive orange and black Teperman Wrecking signage was installed around the perimeter, the former retail plaza has been almost entirely demolished. As of Wednesday morning, just a small portion of the building was still in place at the south end of the site, while telltale staircases—leading to the since-removed second floor—lining the Yonge Street frontage.

Facing northwest across the Whitehaus site, image by Jack Landau

At the base of the former plaza's lower level, a tangled web of steel awaits sorting for recycling. Once demolition is complete and the construction debris has been cleared from the lot, the site is expected to be backfilled to allow heavy equipment access, facilitating shoring of the perimeter in advance of excavation.

Facing southwest across the Whitehaus site, image by Jack Landau

Whitehaus Condominums will bring 366 new homes to the bustling Yonge and Eglinton area. The units will come in a mix of one and two-bedroom layouts, ranging in size from 377 ft² to 1,073 ft². At street level, meanwhile, much of the project's Yonge Street and Helendale frontages will be occupied by new retail (below), replacing the block's eclectic, low-slung offerings with a grander space.  

Whitehaus Condominiums, image courtesy of Lifetime/Knightstone

We will keep you updated as site activity progresses. In the meantime, additional information and renderings of the project can be found in our dataBase file for the project, 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.

Related Companies:  Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Cecconi Simone, Diamond Schmitt Architects, Janet Rosenberg & Studio, TUCKER HIRISE Construction, Turner Fleischer Architects, Vortex Fire Consulting Inc.