With occupancy well under way, residents continue to replace construction workers at Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes, and Castlepoint Numa's Backstage on the Esplanade. Though the 36-storey, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects-designed condominium tower has looked virtually complete to passersby for some time, there are still a few minor elements on the building's exterior that are now wrapping up as the public realm takes shape.

West facade of Backstage on The Esplanade, image by Jack Landau

Among the last exterior elements awaiting completion at Backstage, installation of porcelain tile on the architectural fins on the east side now stretches over halfway to the top. This will be followed by the east elevation’s balcony glazing, finalizing the tower's look on that side.

Porcelain tiles being applied to the east facade, image by Jack Landau

Installation of the porcelain tiles on the more prominent west side wrapped up a while ago, and the external hoist that was used to install the porcelain tile has since been removed. This operation was carried out with the help of a mobile crane, parked on the south side of The Esplanade. The temporary crane lowered the individual disassembled sections of the hoist down one by one, which were then loaded onto a flatbed trailer to be carried off to the next job site.

Porcelain tiles and balcony cladding on the west facade, image by Jack Landau

The public realm's current state, per below, shows the retail units awaiting their tenants, with sidewalk improvements still to be finalized. A canopy sheltering the ground level's residential entrance and retail spaces is still awaiting its glass covering, while the sidewalks remain cracked and broken from the weight of construction gear pulling in and out. A new sidewalk and landscaping planned for Backstage's frontage is still awaiting permits. Once approved and completed, the public realm will showcase a design by acclaimed landscape architects Claude Cormier + Associés.

Public realm at the base of Backstage, image by Jack Landau

While work wraps up on the outside, work continues on some of the common elements inside the building. Many of Backstage's amenities are nearing completion and expected to be operational shortly. One area still in the midst of construction is the amenity deck atop the building's four-storey podium, where residents will soon have access to an outdoor space featuring a pool, trees, and views of the surrounding city.

Backstage on The Esplanade, image by Jack Landau

We will keep you updated as construction wraps up, and the project's public realm takes shape. In the meantime, more information is available via our dataBase file for the development, linked below. Want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment on this page, or join the ongoing conversation in our associated Forum thread.