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The ongoing construction of Great Gulf Homes' landmark One Bloor East has already permanently transformed the Yonge and Bloor streetscape, having done away with the low-rise 'Roy's Square' block, now being replaced with a modern skyscraper of concrete, glass and steel. Back in June of 2007, Roy's Square's days were numbered, but the small shops and pedestrian mews were still abuzz with activity as billboards loomed overhead, advertising the ill-fated Bazis proposal for the site—which was taken down by the Lehman Brothers collapse during the economic downturn—and eventually reborn with this new design after being purchased by Great Gulf.
Viewed today, the same angle is barely recognizable thanks to One Bloor East's massive podium. Once construction of the 75-storey condominium tower is complete, the building's Bloor Street frontage, seen in the image below, will feature a dynamic 31-metre-tall sculpture called Safe Hands by artist Ron Arad.
A wider view of the new development reveals that the tower is now approximately 40 storeys tall, just over halfway towards its final height.
We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!
