With Mirvish+Gehry and OCAD University’s recent announcement of the 25,000 square-foot Princess of Wales Centre for Visual Arts, we turn our attention to another condominium development in the Entertainment District which will provide gallery space for the rapidly expanding art school – Studio and Studio2 on Richmond. 

Rendering of Studio and Studio2 on Richmond, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge Homes

The Aspen Ridge Homes development, currently under construction at 199 Richmond St West, will consist of two towers standing at 31 and 41 storeys rising from podiums. The unique Quadrangle Architects design, an evolution of the classic modernist rectangular form, will serve as a perfect complement to the 8,000 square-foot OCADU public gallery and café planned for street level in the Richmond Street podium. In the photos below, we check up on some of the recent construction progress at Studio and Studio2 on Richmond, where the crane is now up and columns in the bottom floor of the garage are in for the first phase.

Panoramic view of Studio and Studio2 construction site, image by Jack Landau

Excavation for the Studio2 tower in the southwest corner has not commenced yet.

Studio and Studio2 construction site, image by Jack Landau

Amenities at Studio and Studio2 have been divided up into two distinct sections; “MeZone”, located on the 9th floor of the podium, will feature a Zen-inspired area containing relaxing amenities including hot tubs, an outdoor winter lounge with heated floors, indoor and outdoor yoga spots and steam rooms. “WeZone”, as reflected by its name, will house amenities suited more towards group-oriented activities such as parties, barbecues or just enjoying a drink at the building’s bar. Residents will also have access to the first floor fitness centre and seventh floor outdoor terrace, as well as the aforementioned OCADU gallery and café.

Rendering of Studio's lobby, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge Homes

In addition to its contributions to the art scene, the 762 unit project has turned quite a few heads in the development community, winning the 2012 BILD People’s Choice Award as well as being nominated as one of 5 finalists for BILD’s 2012 High-Rise of the Year Award. These accolades have stirred up considerable interest in Studio and Studio2 on Richmond, a project we will be sure to revisit in the coming months as construction progresses.

For additional information and renderings, please visit the dataBase page linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the related forum thread here, or voice your opinion in the comments section below.