On Saturday, July 8th, the Queen Street crowds were suddenly met with the installation of a dramatic new architectural presence in the heart of Downtown Toronto. That morning, the skybridge was moved to its location linking the main hall of Cadillac Fairview's Eaton Centre with the historic Hudson's Bay building to the south. The WilkinsonEyre Architects and Zeidler Partnership-designed structure now stands in the place of the previous skybridge, which was disassembled earlier this year. 

An aerial still of the video, image courtesy of PCL Construction

Now, a new video by builders PCL Construction offers a close-up look at the early-morning process, which saw Mammoet's powerful self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) move the bridge from its James Street assembly site, before lifting the structure well above street-level on Queen Street.

Video Copyright 2017 by Sight on Site Inc.

The video also highlights the assembly process that preceded the bridge's installation. Beginning in May, the steel frame of the curved bridge was assembled on James Street, and was followed by the installation of the first etched bronze panels and glazing, with work now continuing above Queen Street. 

The Eaton Centre skybridge, image by UT Forum contributor steveve

Just to the east, meanwhile, the heritage building at 2 Queen West is also set to transform the prominent Downtown block, with a restoration of the 1895-built structure now underway. Designed by Zeidler in partnership with heritage consultants E.R.A. Architects, the restoration will return the building's façade to its original aesthetic state, doing away with the acontextual metal grille that was installed as part of a 1980s re-cladding project.

2 Queen West, image by Greg Lipinski

A conspicuously modern 3-storey glass addition—topped by a green roof—will also be constructed above the heritage building as part of the restoration, creating a new seven-storey presence at the busy northwest corner of Queen and Yonge.

Rendering of 2 Queen West, image via submission to the City of Toronto