It has been a few months since Backstage On The Esplanade condos topped off across the street from its splashier sibling development L Tower, both developed by Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes, and Castlepoint Numa. In the time since our last update on the 36-storey, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects-designed development, the project's crane has come down, and has had the great majority of its cladding installed.

Backstage on The Esplanade and L Tower, viewed from the south on Yonge Street, image by Jack Landau

The building's dark-tinted window wall cladding and white spandrel accents now reach the top of the building. In just a few months, all of the clear balcony glass has been installed on the southern facade, another sign of progress since our last update.

Balcony glass now visible on Backstage's south facade, image by Jack Landau

Installation of the balcony finishes lining the building's narrow eastern and western elevations has yet to begin. Once installed, the glazing on these elevations when combined with the cladding that will cover the exposed concrete projections running up the height of the tower, will have a pronounced effect on both the building's thermal performance and its final look.

Backstage viewed from the west on Bay Street, image by Jack Landau

At ground level, cladding of the development's five-storey podium has yet to begin. Renderings of the podium levels depict a two-tone stone cladding, which will eventually be installed over the concrete and cinderblock structural elements currently visible.

Backstage and L Tower's bases on The Esplanade, image by Jack Landau

Once complete, Backstage on The Esplanade will have added 284 new homes to the western edge of Toronto's St. Lawrence neighbourhood, steps from Union Station and major attractions including the Sony Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Air Canada Centre.

L Tower (left) and Backstage (right) viewed from the west on Bay Street, image by Jack Landau

Residents of the completed development will have access to amenities including a rooftop sundeck with a 70-foot infinity pool, a landscaped zen garden, a fitness centre with yoga studio, a private theatre with bar, a billiards and games room, and a business centre.

Backstage on The Esplanade viewed from the southwest at Bay and Lake Shore, image by Jack Landau

Want to find out more about Backstage On The Esplanade? Additional details including building facts, renderings, and floor plans 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 add your voice to the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.