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Over two years in, 199 Church Street is nearing its final count of 39 storeys on Downtown Toronto's skyline. The project, east of Yonge Street and by the northeast corner of Church and Shuter streets, is from developers CentreCourt and Parallax Investment Corporation. Designed by Arcadis — the Amsterdam-based global firm that acquired Toronto-based IBI Group in Fall 2022 — construction goes back to April, 2021.
Heritage elements of 197 Church Street, included in Toronto's Heritage Register as part of housing from the mid-19th century, are being interwoven into the final vision of the site. Construction has progressed steadily since UrbanToronto last looked at the site back in April of this year, and recent images illustrate the project's progress.
Looking southeast across Church Street to the site, this April 14th snapshot by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Riseth captures the burgeoning height of the site, where the black cladding is ascending steadily, now cloaking an additional several storeys since the beginning of the month. The preserved heritage facades stand out at the ground level, in stark contrast to the rising modern structure above. Protruding from the building's upper levels is black safety netting, hinting at the ongoing concrete work within the skeleton.
Shifting south to a look northeast, another April 14th image by Riseth showcases the multi-faceted nature of the construction scene. We see the heritage facade at the base is covered by a protective green tarp, its silhouette outlined by metal scaffolding. Above this, a cantilevered platform thrusts out from the tower, a place for the crane to hoist materials to so they they can then be taken into the building. The crane, in red, blue, and white, punctuates the skyline, its boom with a southward trajectory. Our rising tower peers up to its neighbour under construction on the left, Social at Church + Dundas, on its way to a final height of 52 storeys.
Stepping back for another vantage point, this aerial view looking southeast on May 29th taken by UrbanToronto Forum contributor tstormers unveils an unfolding architectural dance in the Church-Yonge corridor. From a bird's eye view, the future impact of curret developments such as 199 Church Street, Social at Church + Dundas, and Ivy Condos on the city skyline becomes tangible.
Descending to the ground level, this June 12th image by AlbertC offers a captivating eastward glance from Victoria Street. The stark juxtaposition between the sleek black cladding of 199 Church Street and the historic Mackenzie House illustrates downtown Toronto's delicate balancing act between preserving its heritage and embracing the future.
Peering north from St Michael's Cathedral Basilica on June 21st, this snapshot by Rascacielo once again showcases the project's stark modernity juxtaposed against Toronto's historical backdrop. The tower's ascent continues, the additional storeys bringing the building close to its 39 storey total.
Looking northwest from Dalhousie Street on July 1st, UrbanToronto Forum contributor yrt+viva=1system's perspective offers a view of the tower's soaring height, and a closer-up view of one of the two dramatic overhangs. The ongoing construction process is clear from the yellow hoists mounted at the core of the structure. The brick-clad podium stands out against the tower's dark facade, its edges enveloped by blue tarp. With metal safety railings lining the podium roof and the crane towering overhead, the site marches on towards the expected completion of the above-grade formwork this year.
As the building takes shape, the developers plan to complete interior finishes in 2024. The development encapsulates the spirit of redevelopment in the downtown core, telling a story of urban growth while retaining elements of the city's historical roots.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, 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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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
| Related Companies: | Arcadis, Astro Excavating Inc., Grounded Engineering Inc., Jablonsky, Ast and Partners, Myles Burke Architectural Models, Parcel One, Rebar Enterprises Inc |
