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Construction progress on one of the UrbanToronto Forum's favourites, The One on the southwest corner of Yonge and Bloor streets, has seen a noticeable increase in construction speed of late. Tracking the project as it is documented by UT Forum contributors, a more efficient workflow with the Automated Climbing System (ACS) seems to have developed, allowing workers to complete new floors in an impressive 8 day cycle.
However, with lots of focus in our previous coverage being given to the ACS and the construction of the tower’s core and floor plates, this update will take a moment to address the auxiliary components on the south side and west side of the tower. These volumes serve interesting roles in The One’s infrastructure, offering important extensions that allow the open concept design of the first 6 storeys to thrive.
On the tower’s north side, the image above, captured by UT Forum contributor Johnny Au, shows the shadowy gap between the tower and the narrow auxiliary extension reaching about 40 feet to the 3rd storey. This grand space will be The One’s primary entrance, sealed with floor to ceiling windows. The extension to the west will house the elevators that provide service from the garage below and from ground level up as high as the 6th storey main lobby, mail room, and reception area. External finishings can also be seen on the north elevation, with 3 sections of corrugated metal cladding running vertically covering the elevator building’s entire face.
Images from UT Forum contributor Benito, who has been following the project’s construction consistently from a conveniently located vantage point above, show sealing of the elevator building’s roof completed on August 10th. It can also be observed that floor-plates connecting the west elevator building to the tower are now structurally complete as well, the highest of which will eventually be a walk-out green roof with access from the 7th storey.
On the south side, ground level images from Benito, show similar levels of external completion, above on the west elevator building, and below on the extension that rises above existing buildings on the west side of Yonge Street. A cladding of metal rods acting as a screen can be seen running horizontally here, behind which windows are hidden in various places, some of which can still be seen unscreened, at 3rd, 4th, and 5th levels.
This extension, rises 5 storeys to meet the lobby level with rooftop outdoor amenity space that will be shared by hotel guests and residents. Inside, this extension will provide space for the back-of-house facilities needed to accommodate the different commercial services moving into levels 2 through 5 of the tower, plus retail at ground level.
Beyond the buzzworthy retail space occupying the tower’s double-height ground level, a restaurant and event venue will fill levels 3 and 4, with the hotel lobby and bar/lounge on 5. In this way, it is clear how the southern extension efficiently introduces some much needed additional space, even taking advantage of the roof, with a planned pool and outdoor amenity space on level 6.
Designed by UK-based architects Foster + Partners with Toronto's Core Architects, The One is approved at a height of 85 storeys, 308.6 metres. The building is among the pair of projects currently contending for the title of Canada's tallest building, along with the 312.5-metre SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge, which is now under construction a couple of kilometres south. Mizrahi Developments has applied for an increase in height and density for The One to rise to 94 storeys and 338.3 metres. If the increase is permitted, The One would take the record as the tallest building in the country.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow updates for this development, but in the meantime, 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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