Davpart's The United BLDG is still in the early stages of construction in Downtown Toronto. At this point that doesn't mean new work on this complicated project, but rather mostly means demolition and gutting for now, while at the northeast corner of the block at University Avenue and Dundas Street, structural shoring caissons have been removed since our July update, and as shoring continues, excavation has now begun at that corner. When complete, a depth of 16.5 metres will be freed up for four levels of underground parking, and the new tower will sit on top.

Looking southwest to The United BLDG, image by Forum contributor drum118

The B+H Architects-designed tower will add 52-storeys, and will rise on that northeast quadrant of the block, facing the intersection of Centre Avenue and Edward Street. The tower and its raised podium will be built atop the heritage Maclean Publishing Company/Maclean-Hunter Building covering the western portion of the block at 481 University Avenue, also incorporating another heritage building into its base on the southeast quadrant.

Looking northeast to The United BLDG, image via submission to City of Toronto

At the time of our last update, boards had been placed around the ground floor of the heritage buildings to protect masonry as preparatory work continued. Many of the boards are still in place, but as more than just the exterior facade of the heritage buildings are being used in the final design, currently, the existing floors of the Maclean building are being gutted in preparation for eventual retrofitting and renovation. 

Exterior facade, facing Dundas Street, photo by UT Forum contributor Johnny Au

The heritage integration is being overseen by specialists ERA Architects and includes a plan to transform the arches facing Dundas Street into a colonnade—a sheltered walkway that widens the existing sidewalk. Retailers and the commercial lobby will also be accessed from the arcade.

Dundas Street colonnade at The United BLDG, image via submission to City of Toronto

Davpart is targeting a late 2026 completion for the new development. 

You can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like, 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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Related Companies:

Aercoustics Engineering Ltd, B+H Architects, Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Bousfields, Grounded Engineering Inc., L.A. Inc., Rebar Enterprises Inc, RJC Engineers