In our most recent construction update for Daniels Waterfront: City of the Arts from September, excavation for the commercial buildings on the south half of the site had reached approximately half its final depth. As it stands today, less than a year after The Guvernment/Kool Haus closed their doors for good, the excavation has reached its final depth of 47 feet.

Daniels Waterfront excavation site as seen from the north-east corner, image by kotsy

Having completed the dig-down, work has proceeded quickly and a concrete footings have been poured at the north-east corner of the pit. Steel rebar (reinforcing bar) cages are also appearing for columns and walls that will soon have forms wrapped around them and concrete mix poured into them. The rebar is used to strengthen and hold concrete foundations and walls during any tension it may face.

Close up of the north-east corner of the site. Image by kotsy.

Most noticeably, the first crane onsite has been erected at the north-east corner of the pit. It will deliver heavy materials around the site as work continues below grade on the 4 levels of underground parking, and then be raised as needed as work continues above grade.

Daniels Waterfront excavation site as seen from the south-west corner, image by kotsy

In the new year, the remaining tenants of the building to the north of the current excavation (seen above) will move out, allowing demolition work to commence. In its place, 2 residential towers with a combined total of 900 suites will rise above a new George Brown College and OCAD U arts facility. They are expected to be complete in 2019, with the office portion at the south end opening a year earlierThe total budget for the entire project is $700 Million.

Rendering of Daniels Waterfront - City of the Arts, image courtesy of The Daniels Corporation

Rendering of Daniels Waterfront - City of the Arts, image courtesy of The Daniels Corporation

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.

Related Companies:  Cecconi Simone, Clark Construction Management Inc, Counterpoint Engineering, Giannone Petricone Associates, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., Kramer Design Associates Limited, Live Patrol Inc., NAK Design Strategies, Precise ParkLink, RAW Design, The Daniels Corporation