The Sheppard subway line, built as a truncated compromise to an overly ambitious proposal, serves as a short spur following Sheppard between the much busier Yonge line and its eastern terminus at Don Mills. While the ridership figures on the line have perpetually ranked much lower than the TTC’s other two heavy rail transit lines, the nearly 11 year old line is sure to see a steady increase over the next several years due to the thousands of new residents being drawn in by the many residential developments underway along Sheppard. Just above Don Mills Station, the line’s eastern terminus, ELAD Canada’s Emerald City development is one of the largest projects currently underway on this densifying corridor.

Construction at Emerald City by ELAD Canada, image by Jack Landau

Designed by WZMH Architects, the project so far consists of three towers flanking a courtyard with townhomes.  The three towers of Emerald City are each in a different state of construction; the 36-storey tower (phase 1 of the project) has been topped off and the crane removed, the 29-storey tower (phase 2) is nearing its structural peak, and the 25-storey 'Dream Tower' (phase three) is following close behind.

Emerald City by ELAD Canada at Don Mills and Sheppard, image by Jack Landau

While the 36-storey first phase tower appears more or less complete from the outside, there is still much work left to do inside the structure.

Emerald City's 36-storey first phase, image by Jack Landau

Phase two looks to be on or near its final residential floor, with a mechanical penthouse still to be built before topping off.

Emerald City's 29-storey second phase, image by Jack Landau

While shorter than the other phases in the development, ‘Dream Tower’ includes a substantial podium, containing suites on the east side, and amenities on the west side.  

25-storey Dream Tower at Emerald City, image by Jack Landau

Dream Tower and podium viewed from the north, image by Jack Landau

Dream Tower's podium viewed from the south, image by Jack Landau

Although there are few obvious signs of the townhomes that will soon occupy much of the courtyard, early elements of the courtyard portion of the development are starting to take shape, including this concrete structure will be the roof over the ramp to the basement parking. Townhomes will soon rise on either side of structure, minimizing its visual impact.

Concrete roof over the ramp to the townhouses basement parking, image by Jack Landau

Located in the southwest corner of the development site, Dream Tower is now just a few floors away from structurally topping off. These three phases of Emerald City represent 1,198 new residential units with quick subway access, fulfilling provincial and municipal planning mandates to grow where transit facilities are the best. While a better-used Sheppard subway line will provide easy access to the rest of the city, residents of Emerald City will also have lots to do in their own backyard, with a direct connection to the 175 stores, cinemas, restaurants and services of Fairview Mall, located just across Sheppard Avenue, along with its neighbouring major local library.

Emerald City viewed from Fairview Mall's parking garage, image by Jack Landau

Looking for additional information? A comprehensive collection of project facts and renderings can be found in our dataBase entry, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.