On Yonge Street north of College Street in Downtown Toronto is the site of Halo Residences – a 38-storey residential tower being developed by QuadReal Property Group. Currently, crews are working on forming the 33rd level. This is significant progress since our last update on the project in September, when the tower was having its eleventh floor formed. While the tower's residential levels are being formed quickly with their repeating layouts, its mechanical penthouse will need special forms built in a couple months time to complete the forming. 

Tower progresses while old clock tower remains covered up, image by UT Forum contributor Benito

The architects—Alliance-designed building incorporates the heritage facade of a three-storey commercial building at 480 Yonge Street, and the clock tower of the former 1871-built Fire Hall No.3 at 484 Yonge Street into its base. ERA Architects are overseeing the heritage architectural work on the project. As of today, the old fire hall clock tower is still wrapped by scaffold and covered up with protective tarp as restoration work continues behind. 

Two types of balcony glass featured on Halo, image by UT Forum contributor Benito

Other progress taking place at Halo is on its facade – with two types of balcony guard being installed on the lower levels of the tower. On the northern third is a transparent glass, while on the east-facing side a uniquely whimsical pattern appears on the balcony guards here. It remains to be seen how it will complement of contrast as a backdrop for the preserved clock tower, once it is finally uncovered. 

Whimsical balcony glass, image by UT Forum contributor Benito

Upon completion of Halo, an etched glass "ghost facade" representing the long-lost fire hall that once surrounded the clock tower will also be installed as the front wall of the retail podium to the north of the restored clock tower. 

Ghost facade at Halo Residences on Yonge, designed by architects—Alliance, construction completed by QuadReal Property Group

Originally a Cresford project until the developer ran into financial issues and was forced to sell off a number of its projects, the building was well under construction when it was acquired by QuadReal. Previously being sold as condo units, in February, 2021, QuadReal announced that Halo would become a purpose-built rental tower. Purchasers were refunded their deposits in April, 2021. 

Looking southwest to Halo Residences on Yonge, designed by architects—Alliance, construction completed by QuadReal Property Group

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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