The Modern, Empire Communities' 17-storey tower rising at Richmond and Sherbourne Streets, was the scene of a party yesterday for all involved in the construction of the building, to celebrate its topping off. On Urban Toronto the building has become most famous for its permeable appearance when looking east along Richmond Street from the core. A pair of photographs by member Androiduk have highlighted that look, one which we published at the beginning of May, and now this one, taken June 5th:

Looking east along Richmond to The Modern by Empire Communities, image by Androiduk

We are happy to able now to wave back, figuratively, with the reverse shot looking west down Richmond.

Looking west along Richmond from The Modern by Empire Communities, image by Craig White

So, let's go for a quick look around the DTAH/E.I. Richmond-designed Modern, starting to the southwest. This angle provides a view of the building's most public face. While most of the facade will be steel and glass, the lower four floors present a slate-coloured brick podium running parallel to Sherbourne Street. With three levels of residential units above, ground level will provide new retail along Sherbourne, enlivening the street. Above, the tower runs perpendicular to Richmond Street, and the angle with which it meets the podium reminds us that Toronto's north-south and east-west streets rarely run at 90° angles to each other. The design here makes good use of that fact to provide some real visual interest in what otherwise could have been an undifferentiated box. Further up, four floors of protruding balconies add further articulation to the facade. 

The Modern by Empire Communities, from Richmond and Sherbourne, image by Craig White

While the west side is the one which has been photographed most, the east side has a similar number of articulations to break down the slab's volume.

The Modern by Empire Communities, from the east on Richmond, image by Craig White

The Modern by Empire Communities, east side, image by Craig White

The Modern by Empire Communities, east side, image by Craig White

Time to go inside, and up.

The Modern by Empire Communities, heading in, image by Craig White

The Modern by Empire Communities, future lobby, image by Craig White

The Modern by Empire Communities, future lobby, image by Craig White

The Modern by Empire Communities, looking up the elevator shaft, image by Craig White

The ride up the hoist provided a view up Sherbourne Street and over the wedge shaped four floor podium below.

The Modern by Empire Communities, Sherbourne wedge from the hoist, image by Craig White

A hazy blue sky greeted participants on the building's roof on the warmest day of the year. This area, with terrific views all 'round, will become amenity space for Modern residents.

The party reaches the roof at The Modern by Empire Communities, image by Craig White

The Modern by Empire Communities, future amenity space on the roof, image by Craig White

Empire Communities' staff gather to celebrate on the roof, image by Craig White

Empire Communities' founding members, brothers Andrew and Dan Guizetti, and Paul Golini Sr. and Paul Jr.

Andrew Guizetti, Dan Guizetti, Paul Golini Sr., Paul Golini Jr. of Empire Communities

Here's a final shot for now, a good view showing The Modern in context, this one courtesy of dt_toronto_geek from his perch near Wellesley and Jarvis.

The Modern by Empire Communities, seen from the north, image by dt_toronto_geek

We congratulate Empire for reaching this milestone on this handsome project, and we will be back to The Modern to capture more progress in coming months.