We have been closely following the construction of Amexon Development Corporation's Residences of 488 University Avenue, a 55-storey Core Architects-designed condominium development at the intersection of University and Dundas in Downtown Toronto. The complex project, featuring engineering by Sigmund Soudack & Associates, will re-skin and structurally reinforce the existing 1968-built Global House office building and add 37 new levels of condominium units above.

Residences of 488 University Avenue viewed from the southeast corner of University and Dundas, image by Jack Landau

At the time of our last update back in April, all but the five uppermost levels of the office had been stripped of the original concrete grille facade and installation of the structural steel skeleton that will support the load of the 37 new levels had reached the 7th level of the existing office tower. In the time since, structural steel has risen to as high as the 13th floor, and concrete cladding has been stripped away up to the final two levels.

Residences of 488 University Avenue viewed from the east side of University Avenue, image by Jack Landau

Another new development in the time since our previous update is the installation of steel frames on the north side of the building, where crews are building the future residential elevator shaft that will shuttle residents to the sky lobby atop the existing office tower, visible on the right side of the image above. From there, residents will be able to board a second residential elevator servicing the condominium floors above. 

Steel structure taking shape on the north side of the building, image by Jack Landau

With the grille largely removed and structural reinforcement of the office tower progressing quickly, installation of the office tower's new curtain wall glazing is beginning to make an impact. Much of the office component is being clad in a curtain wall system with alternating vertical thin and thick mullions: the silver mullions will have a thicker dark cap attached to them before construction is complete. The slender proportions of the window panes references the original concrete grille. Also in the image below, workers are installing glazing panels in a recessed location on the fourth floor, where the steel reinforcement beams will come to the forefront of the building. 

Glazing installation on the south facade of the office tower, image by Jack Landau

The curtain wall on the second and third levels of the east elevation is plainer. This area will eventually be behind by a three-storey glazed addition that projects out towards University Avenue, providing a new street level lobby and enclosed entrance to St. Patrick Subway Station.

Glazing installation on the east facade of the office tower, image by Jack Landau

Once the steel reinforcement of the existing building is complete, work will be able to being above to start on the residential condominium part of the building.

Rendering the Residences of 488 University Avenue, image courtesy of Amexon

The Residences of 488 University Avenue will add 453 new residential suites to this predominantly office and institutional area of Downtown Toronto.

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.