Almost exactly one year after Graywood Developments and the Alterra Group broke ground on their new condominium development in Toronto's Leslieville neighbourhood, work is in full swing at the Eastern Avenue at Logan site of the building dubbed 'Wonder'. Named in a nod to the heritage Brown’s Breads and Weston Bakery building, components of which are being retained int eh new development, the eight-storey Diamond Schmitt Architects-designed building will sport a modern warehouse-inspired aesthetic framing preserved heritage sections. The heritage aspects are being overseen by specialists GBCA Architects.

Looking south across Wonder site, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Since we last checked in on the project's status last July, demolition, heritage preservation work, and shoring have wrapped up, allowing for the start of excavation in March. A couple months into the digging, excavators have excavated most of the pit where a two-level underground garage will be built. It will hold 258 parking spaces; 201 for residents, 42 for visitors, and 10 serving the building's retail spaces.

Excavation at Wonder site, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Views from the rear of the site show the growing pit as well as two and four-storey sections of the former bakery building. The two-storey section stands as a supported facade, while the larger section to the west retains the front few metres of the building. The excavation has also revealed a retained section of the factory basement.

Retained heritage sections, image by Forum contributor skycandy

A closer look at the two-storey heritage facade offers a rare vantage point at how the steel bracing system, painted yellow, attaches to the inner face of the facade, with pliable timber protecting the delicate brickwork from damage until it can be permanently attached to new structure behind.

Rear of two-storey facade at Wonder site, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Once complete, Wonder will add 286 condominium units to the Leslieville area, including a series of street-fronting townhomes that transition the building down to meet the surrounding low-rise housing. Approximately 1,063 m² of retail space will help to reanimate the site's Eastern Avenue frontage.

Wonder, image courtesy Alterra/Graywood

You can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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