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Construction of the first phase of the mass timber office complex, T3 Sterling Road, is now entering the final stretch as finishing work pushes forward inside and out. Designed by Chicago-based architects DLR Group with help from Toronto’s WZMH Architects, the project is transforming the once industrial Junction Triangle area into a thriving commercial hub that will attract high-profile tenants with its forward-looking design features and amenities. With cladding nearing completion on both the six and eight storey buildings, the project from the development team of Hines and Hazelview Investments has become a stylish new staple of the West End’s built form.
Beginning with a look at the eight-storey west building, which abuts the West Toronto Railpath to the west, the structure seems to be camera ready from virtually any angle, even in its half-clad state. Referring to the image above, we can see that the northern facade is the last to see its cladding treatment begin, giving us a glimpse of what is at play beneath the slick black metal finish.
First, a layer of Blue Skin is applied to the exposed timber frame, creating an air-tight vapour barrier, which is followed by a layer of standard insulation. Finally, the insulating materials are topped with the metal framing that allows the cladding panels to be fixed to the building. This same process is also underway on the south and east facades, with insulation moving forward above the Blue Skin layer.
The west facade, however, is looking more like the final product, with black cladding in place all the way up to the eighth floor. Peering through the windows, we can see that temporary construction lighting is set up inside as work continues on the different levels of commercial office space. With 12 foot ceilings on every floor, the building’s interior recreates the aesthetic of brick-and-beam industrial buildings while performing at the highest levels in terms of operating efficiency.
Moving slightly further north to view the building’s northwest corner, we can see how the footprint of the building warps to fit within the irregularly shaped site. While it wasn’t clear in the previous image, the west wall is actually angled to follow the southeastward course of the railpath. Interestingly, rather than having the west wall meet the north wall at a tight acute angle, the designers went for a chamfered corner instead, creating a more usable space inside.
As for the progress on the six-storey east building, the structure appears to be in the same state as its sibling to the west, despite trailing the west-building throughout the majority of the construction process. Exterior cladding is installed across some parts of the four facades, while insulation remains exposed on others. Overall though, the impression of the building is clear, and the next few months of work will bring out the industrial character further.
The main difference structurally between the two buildings can be seen on the eastern edge of the east building, where a narrow projecting volume has been added for the purpose of creating an outdoor terrace space at every level. Providing tenants with usable outdoor space is a key part of the development’s commitment to delivering office space that facilitates a high quality of life.
Breezing through construction over the course of the last year, phase one of T3 Sterling Road is on pace to meet its target completion date of late-2023, bringing a new life to the industrial Sterling Road area for the start of 2024. With phase 2 promising an additional 13-storey building, also boasting a mass timber frame, the complex will continue to evolve over the next few years.
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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