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Four months after UrbanToronto's previous update, the Spadina Sussex Residence at the University of Toronto has hit its 23-storey goal. The ongoing work is a venture between the institution and The Daniels Corporation, as they work towards a September 2024 completion target. The residence and its planned 230 units will alleviate some of the pressures on University of Toronto and its student housing crisis.
Resting on the northwest corner of Spadina Avenue and Sussex Avenue in Harbord Village, the development includes the 23-storey tower, featuring a two-volume massing, and a 3-storey townhouse. The distinctive design — the work of Diamond Schmitt Architects — purposefully contrasts contemporary construction with traditional material finishes, embodying a harmonious blend of old and new with retained elements of a heritage building in the southeast corner, formerly the 'Ten Editions' bookstore at 698 Spadina Avenue.
Work began here with demolition of earlier buildings on the site in late 2021, and the site was fully cleared by November except for the heritage elements. This update to track construction progress starts on April 20th, with a westward glance captured by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Benito. The once-bare structure now flaunts precast cladding panels, embedded with brick veneers arranged in an unconventional, upright 'Soldier Bond' pattern, that have ascended several storeys since our last update. The heritage red-brick facade and purple brick veneer cladding create an intriguing contrast. Blue hoarding and metal fencing add an extra layer of safety around the site.
We change directions as we gaze southwards on April 27, courtesy of an image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Towered. This vantage point showcases the distinct two-volume massing of the tower, enveloped in precast concrete cladding. We see that the building is approaching topping off, a marked progression since forming was 60% completed back in February. Temporary metal staging platforms jut out from the north and east sides, and the towering crane punctuates the skyline.
Fast-forward to May 25, and UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo gives us a view from the northwest, from across the U of T's Robert Street Field behind the building. It provides a glimpse of the multifaceted nature of the neighbourhood — heritage, residential, student housing, sports field, and retail space all united in one block. The blue hoist system at the building’s edge stands as a symbol of progress, with the brick cladding which has steadily climbed up the tower.
Two days later, UrbanToronto Forum contributor A Torontonian Now provides a bird's eye view of the construction site looking northwest. The dance of the cranes at the Spadina Sussex Residence and 666 Spadina Avenue projects tells a tale of simultaneous development, with the brick cladding of the Spadina Sussex building enveloping the structure.
Most recently, on July 10th, Rascacielo's lens returns to focus on the development once again, capturing the project from a similar vantage point as the April 20th image. Both the south and north volumes of the tower have topped off, with the cladding on the south portion fully installed. The heritage facade on the ground level, cloaked under a green tarp, accentuates the project's aim to respect the site's historic lineage. Halfway up the tower, the installation of the glass windows adds a modern touch, and juxtaposes the pillars of the building’s podium.
In the final snapshot of the day, we take a step back to appreciate the project's progression from across the sports field. The topped-off south volume and the half-cladded north portion convey the swift advancement of the project. Though its job to push the building upwards is done, the crane still stands, a harbinger of the continuous construction efforts.
With each passing month, the Spadina Sussex Residence continues to reshape the architectural landscape of Harbord Village, interweaving heritage elements with modern design, soon to chip away at the University of Toronto's ongoing student housing crisis.
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: | Counterpoint Engineering, Crossey Engineering, Diamond Schmitt Architects, Entuitive, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., Live Patrol Inc., NAK Design Strategies, The Daniels Corporation |
