Increasing density means finding new ways to live in tight spaces. In Downtown Toronto this is becoming ever more true with new condos springing up where once warehourses and parking lots stood. One of the most surprising sites to get a new condominium tower is squeezed in between The Esplanade and the Lakeshore Rail Corridor just east of Yonge Street.

Location of Backstage, image courtesy of Cityzen Development Group

Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes and Castlepoint Realty Partners have teamed up to make use of the pentagonal lot behind the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for the 36-storey Backstage on the Esplanade which will provide 284 new suites in Toronto's core.

Looking west across the Backstage construction site, image by CanadianNational

Construction on the Page + Steele/IBI Group Architects-designed building has been steadily progressing below ground level since 2011. The underground garage at Backstage will actually serve as parking space for the residents of the neighbouring L Tower. To provide a connection between the two buildings, crews brought in a custom designed tunnel borring machine to dig a tunnel under the the street which separates the two buildings.

south east across the Backstage construction site, image by Drum118

Looking east across the Backstage construction site, image by Drum118

Walls are now in place for the P2 parking level, with only one more garage level to form and pour. When complete the garage will house 500 total parking spaces, with levels for Backstage residents in the building's podium. Backstage's proximity to Union Station, with TTC and GO Transit virtually at its doorstep, means getting around is just as easy here without a car. A PATH Connection will also mean an easy walk to work while being sheilded from the weather.

Outdoor amenities at Backstage, image courtesy of Cityzen Development Group

Residents can look forward to luxurious indoor interiors courtesy of Munge Leung and a landscaped rooftop terrace designed by Claude Cormier + Associés above the 6 storey podium with views south towards the lake or north into the core.

Want to know more about Backstage? Check out UrbanToronto's dataBase page for the project, linked below. Want to get in on the conversation? Choose one of the associated Forum thread links, or use the space provided in this page to leave a comment.