New phases are adding to the redevelopment of a a roughly 10,000 m² Downtown Toronto site bounded by Queen, Shuter, Mutual, and Dalhousie streets, occupied entirely by surface parking up until a just a few years ago. The first phase of the multi-tower 88 Queen East community has been under construction for roughly three years, with work now wrapping up on it as new phases commence to the south.

Looking north across 88 Queen site to 88 North, image by Forum contributor skycandy

The 27-storey first phase IBI Group-designed condominium tower for St Thomas Developments, known as 88 North, is now topped-out at the north end of the site along Shuter Street, with its exterior finishes largely in place. In recent months, white aluminum panels and slab edge covers have defined the podium through mostly framed-in balconies, while the tower floors feature a randomized projecting balcony pattern on a field of reflective window wall cladding.

Looking west to 88 North, image by Forum contributor skycandy

To the south of the first phase, work is heating up on the second phase of the community. This portion is being developed by Fitzrovia Real Estate, who will add a pair of rental towers set to rise to heights of 27 and 28 storeys in the middle of the block. Heavy equipment arrived to begin work on this phase in mid-December, 2019 following the closure of the remaining section of surface parking lot on the 88 Queen site. In late January when we last checked in on the project, shoring work was nearing its conclusion and excavation had begun. Just over three months later, excavation has moved a few metres below grade, revealing both pile and lagging as well as caisson wall shoring systems. Diagonal bracing struts and the first row of tieback rock anchors further braces the shoring walls as excavation digs deeper below grade. The pit will eventually be deep enough for a four-storey garage.

Looking northwest across 88 Queen site, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects with Architects of Record Turner Fleischer, these purpose-built rental towers will bring another 550 homes to the site upon their targeted completion in mid-2022.

Rental towers at 88 Queen, image via submission to City of Toronto

The south end of the site along Queen Street where the final phase 51-storey condominium tower is to be built—marketed simply as 88 Queen by St Thomas Developments—is currently in use as a construction staging zone for the pair of rental towers. The last phase is another Hariri Pontarini Architects design. Site Plan Approval remains under review for the last phase.

Future condo tower at 88 Queen, image via submission to City of Toronto

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