Almost a dozen years after the completion of the truncated Sheppard Subway, the former suburb of North York is urbanizing and densifying at an impressive rate. On Yonge Street, just south of Sheppard Avenue, the fraternal twin towers of Metropia, Bazis and Plaza's Emerald Park Condos are quickly becoming the signature defining feature of North York's blossoming skyline. The complex's shorter western tower is close to topping out, with work currently underway on the building's mechanical penthouse level. Immediately next door, the taller east tower is also getting close to its peak, with construction ongoing on the tower's 38th of 42 floors.

Emerald Park Condos seen from Yonge Street south of Sheppard, image by Jack Landau

Designed by architect Rosario Varacalli, the towers' striking green cladding and unique flared tops have made the project a standout in the North York skyline, but this massive mixed-use development has even more to offer on the inside. The ground floor of Emerald Park will be home to much more than just a lobby. Unlike many residential developments which seem impermeable to the average passerby, Emerald Park will draw in pedestrians, commuters and shoppers thanks to its combination of retail and commercial uses in the podium, as well as direct underground TTC access.

Emerald Park Condos' podium, image by Jack Landau

Just inside the ground floor of the development sits a food court. Unlike the countless underground food courts found across the region, this one sits on the west side of the complex's ground floor. Flooded with natural light, this space gives the average pedestrian a reason to actually enter the building, as opposed to simply passing by.

Food court on the ground floor of Emerald Park Condos' podium, image by Jack Landau

To the northeast lies the building's residential lobby, while the south end of the podium is home to twin escalators leading to the future Metro grocery store on the second floor.

Ground floor of Emerald Park with escalators to grocery store above, image by Jack Landau

The large space pictured below will soon serve as the new Metro supermarket, planned to look like no other existing location of the grocery giant.

Future Metro grocery store viewed from the top of the escalator landing, image by Jack Landau

Directly next to the escalators, along the south wall, a small kiosk-style Starbucks location will serve residents and shoppers alike.

A small kiosk-sized Starbucks location will soon occupy this space on the second floor, image by Jack Landau

On the east side of the podium's second floor, right next to the Metro and Starbucks locations, a new LCBO is set to open in the impressive space overlooking Yonge Street, pictured below.

Future LCBO space on the east side of the second floor, overlooking Yonge Street, image by Jack Landau

We have only scratched the surface at Emerald Park. We'll be back soon for a look at the building's amenities as well as progress on the complex's 550 suites, slated to see occupancy in August.

In the meantime, additional information and many renderings can be found in our Emerald Park Condos dataBase file, 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.