1.3K 
It has been just over three months since our last update on the construction of Amexon Development Corporation's Residences of 488 University Avenue, a 55-storey Core Architects-designed tower that will see the addition of 37 news floors of condo units atop the existing 1968-built Global House office building at 480 University Avenue. At the time of our last update back in January, removal of the office tower's concrete grille facade was in progress, along with the first elements of structural reinforcement work by engineers Sigmund Soudack & Associates.
Three months later, over two thirds of the concrete grille cladding have been removed, while the braced structural steel skeleton that will support the load of the new levels has risen to the 7th level of the 18-storey office building. Once fully in place, the bracing will support a tabletop for the new levels above the office tower, transferring their load down the exterior of the structure to the bedrock below. Impressively, this extensive undertaking is being conducted as the offices continue to function, albeit with some inconveniences, the workspaces currently shielded from the elements with temporary walls.
The newest photos of the site reveal that the installation of curtain wall glazing has begun for the office floors. The cladding being used features slender alternating vertical light and dark mullions which maintain the proportions of the previous windows from the original concrete grille facade.
The structural bracing will play a major role in the project's exterior expression, as they will be visible behind the transparent curtain wall glazing to passersby under many lighting conditions.
Along with the renewed office spaces, the completed development will add 453 new residential suites to the intersection of University and Dundas, residents of which will enjoy wide views, and have access to 30,000 square feet of II BY IV Design Associates-appointed amenity spaces, including party room, a roof deck, a gym, and a sheltered outdoor pool.
Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for 488 University, 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: | Amexon Development Corporation, Core Architects, II BY IV DESIGN, Motioneering, Sigmund Soudack & Associates, Walters Group |
