St. Clair Avenue West's dedicated streetcar right-of-way has done a great deal in priming the thoroughfare for increased densities. Back on July 9, 2005, the so-called "Battle of St. Clair" was coming to a boil, as the Ontario Municipal Board had approved the right-of-way just one month earlier. In the years that followed, the low-rise buildings along St. Clair between Bathurst Street and Raglan Avenue would be replaced by Lash Group Of Companies and Goldman Group's The Forest Hill 1 and 2.

West-facing view along St. Clair, immediately east of Bathurst, 2005, image by Edward Skira

Fast forward to a slightly wider view captured on September 2, 2015, and the dedicated streetcar right-of-way and the 23- and 19-storey Richmond Architects-designed condo towers have long since been completed.

West-facing view along St. Clair, immediately east of Bathurst, 2015, image by Jack Landau

Comparing another corner at the same intersection reveals the transition currently under way to the southeast. In 2005, this corner was occupied by a two-storey building containing retail including a 7-11 convenience store, a CashMoney outlet, etc.

Southeast corner of Bathurst and St. Clair, 2005, image by Edward Skira

The same view on September 2, 2015 reveals that the building has since been taken down to make way for Reserve Properties' Rise Condos, a 25-storey, Graziani + Corazza Architects-designed condo tower, excavation for which is now under way.

Southeast corner of Bathurst and St. Clair, 2015, image by Jack Landau

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!