Post-industrial Dupont Street might not be the most sought-after area to live in the city, but Toronto's rapidly growing population and expensive real estate are pushing developers, investors and Torontonians themselves to areas where only few people would have considered moving to a decade ago. The intersection of Dupont Street and Lansdowne Avenue is one of those areas in town to experience a dramatic change—for the better—with the northwest corner being intensively remade and redeveloped.

The retained brick structure will house a 24 hour Metro grocery store and a Shoppers Drug Mart, picture by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

Two 27 and 23-storey high condominium towers known as Fuse & Fuse2 Condos will soon bring a new influx of residents and shops to the neighbourhood, located a short bus ride or healthy walk from Lansdowne Subway station and eclectic communities such as Bloordale to south, The Junction to the west or Corso Italia to the north. Developed by Neudorfer Corporation and Channington Developments, the 576-unit project is now rising at a steady pace above a preserved landmark brick warehouse.

Windows have been removed and new floor plates are being built, picture by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

The progress is indeed clearly visible since the last time we checked on this site. As seen in the picture above, while the heritage building's windows have been removed to be later replaced by brand new industrial-inspired glazing, steel beams are shaping the future floor plates supporting the lofts above the much-awaited Metro grocery store and Shoppers Drug Mart. 

Phase 2 will reach ground level in the upcoming weeks, picture by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

The concrete structure that will eventually fold around the older brick construction is also taking shape. Parts of the underground parking garage have already been poured, and it is only a matter of weeks before Fuse2's lower levels catch up to form continuous subterranean floors.

View of the site looking north east from Dupont Street, picture by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

Back to the surface, the two levels of parking intended to accommodate those who will drive to the supermarket are almost complete and need to be connected to Fuse2 to form a protective structure along the CP Rail tracks.

Phase 1 of the project is now steadily rising as seen from north of the rail tracks, picture by Nicolas Arnaud-Goddet

Moving the to easternmost part of the site, the first phase of the development is growing well as workers are now pouring the sixth floor of the tower. The regular floor plates and their reasonable size allow for the Barrett Architect Inc.-designed building to grow by approximately one floor a week. At this pace, it should top off by the very end of the year and allow the first residents to move in next Spring, as it is currently planned.

Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for Fuse and Fuse2, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.