It's been almost 13 years since Midtown Toronto's Yonge-Eglinton area skyline got its first 21st century skyscrapers in the Minto Midtown towers. The neighbourhood's rise has plowed full steam ahead in the years since, now standing as one of the tallest and densest clusters of high-rise buildings outside of Toronto's Downtown. The latest major addition is rising immediately north of the precedent-setting Minto Midtown development, as work progresses on Tower Hill Development's 2221 Yonge Condos.

Looking north to 2221 Yonge, image by Forum contributor AlbertC

Designed by Pei Partnership Architects—a firm run by the sons of the late legendary architect I.M. Pei—working with Toronto-based Quadrangle, the 193 metre-tall condominium tower is rising from east side of Yonge Street on the former site of a six-storey office building demolished during 2015 and 2016. Shoring followed, paving the way for an excavation and de-watering phase that continued into early 2017. A tower crane was installed in November of that year, and the building's three-level underground parking garage would wrap up a year later as construction surfaced above grade. We last checked in on the site back in May, 2019, when forming of the six-storey podium had concluded, and the first of the tower floors had begun to rise above.

Looking south to 2221 Yonge, image by Forum contributor AlbertC

Ten months of construction progress has brought the tower high into the neighbourhood skyline, as forming—racing toward a final count of 58 storeys—is now as high as the 48th floor, with just ten more residential levels and a mechanical penthouse remaining before the building tops out. Currently, the building stands just a few metres shy of the height of the north tower at Minto Midtown, and will surpass it in the coming months to become the area's second tallest building after E Condos.

Looking northeast to 2221 Yonge, image by Edward Skira

Exterior finishes have also progressed significantly in the months since our last update, when only a few panels of window wall cladding were present on the podium. These have since been joined by distinctive balconies with grille-style railings along the east and west facades. The chevron-shaped north and south elevations are being finished in a different look, with a staggered balcony pattern giving the facades a sense of motion. Balcony finishes are now in place as high as the 20th floor, while white balcony underpainting has advanced to the 27th floor.

Looking north to 2221 Yonge, image by Forum contributor AlbertC

Upon completion, the project will add 623 condominium units to the area, as well as 1,994 m² of retail and 3,314 m² of office space.

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 below.

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