With the 2015 Pan Am Games just around the corner, the West Don Lands are looking more welcoming than ever. Now transformed from its industrial past, much of the area will be the temporary home to thousands of athletes and officials and eventually a permanent new Toronto neighbourhood. Just to the north of the Pan Am Village on another West Don Lands parcel, the second phase of the first condominium development in the area is now close to completion.

The first phase of River City by developer UrbanCapital has been occupied at the northeast edge of the community since late 2013. The eye-catching black-clad 16-storey Saucier + Perrotte Architects and ZAS Architects-designed tower is now being joined by the white-clad 12-storey second phase, located to its immediate south.

Aerial view of River City Phase 1 (right), and Phase 2 (left), image by Michael Muraz

This phase, made up of three conjoined twelve-storey volumes, is being outfitted in a mixture of fritted and banded windows that create provide a smooth gradient between the opaque white metal panels and transparent glazing. Though installation of this facade started several months ago in late 2014, this specialized and particular curtainwall cladding system required extra installation time, and that work is just wrapping up now. 

River City Phase 2 viewed from Eastern Avenue, image by Michael Muraz

River City and River City 2, image by Michael Muraz

When viewed from the east, the massing and cladding choice's effect on the building's large eastern and western facades is apparent, adding some variety and texture to the building's longer frontages. Units with white walls are rotated 90 degrees to the north or south.

River City Phase 2 viewed from the east, image by Michael Muraz

River City and River City 2, image by Michael Muraz

A close-up view of some of River City 2's east-facing balconies reveals that the first move-ins have begun in the building, as residents begin to occupy the first of this phase's 248 units.

Balcony furniture of RC2's pioneering occupants, image by Michael Muraz

Down at ground level, the exterior details of the building's first-floor are taking shape, including the main residential lobby entrance and first-floor residents' private townhome entrances. Large planters for street trees are also going in.

Ground level details at River City 2, image by Michael Muraz

Ground level details at River City 2, image by Michael Muraz

Ground level details on the south side of River City 2, image by Michael Muraz

The second phase of River City will be followed by yet another architecturally-striking phase, again designed by Saucier + Perrotte. Now in sales, River City 3, or RC3, will offer 333 units as well as three full floors of amenity space, including a two-storey party room and theatre on the 4th and 5th floor, a 2,000 square foot fully-equipped gym on the third floor, as well as a hobby and craft room attached to a childrens' playroom.

Rendering of RC3 (right) with phases 1 and 2 visible (left), image courtesy of Urban Capital

Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.