Roughly a decade of non-stop growth has transformed Toronto's Entertainment District from a collection of night clubs and converted warehouses into the high-density mixed-use community we know today. New projects continue to add to the landscape, with the latest project to begin construction—known as Theatre District Residence and RIU Plaza Hotel—now underway at the corner of Widmer and Adelaide streets.

Looking southeast across the Theatre District site, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

The site of the two-tower Quadrangle-designed development for Plaza has been active for a few months now. Following the issuing of demolition and shoring permits, the project's temporary on-site presentation centre was demolished, clearing the way for the arrival of construction equipment to begin shoring work.

Looking northeast across the Theatre District site, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

A bright green GFL-branded shoring rig is now working away at the site to form the below-grade earth retention walls that will allow a safe excavation. During this phase, a series of boreholes will be drilled around the edges of the pit to be excavated. The boreholes will have steel I-beams and poured concrete lowered into them to create soldier piles. Aerial views of the site show bundles of hollow cylindrical steel tubes and I-beams awaiting use at the site's northwest corner.

Looking north over the Theatre District site, image by Forum contributor Russ P

Meanwhile, the drilling rig is working away on the initial boreholes at the northeast edge of the site around the former presentation centre footprint. Shoring and excavation will cover approximately three-quarters of the site, while the preserved Victorian townhome frontages at 10-20 Widmer Street will remain undisturbed by drilling and digging.

Shoring underway next to preserved Victorian townhome frontages, image by Forum contributor Red Mars

Rising 48 and 49 storeys into the Entertainment District skyline, the towers will introduce a combined 555 condominium units to the area, while the lower 28 levels of the 48-storey north tower will house the first Canadian location for Rui Plaza Hotels, set to contain 353 rooms.

Theatre District Residence & Riu Plaza Hotel, image courtesy of RIU

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

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