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In late 2020, Urban Toronto covered the expanding excavation for West Condos. Over two and a half years later, the site has progressed and topped off as of early 2023. Rapid advancements continue to mark the construction timeline of Aspen Ridge's West Condos. The project, developed by Aspen Ridge Homes, is located at 89 through 109 Niagara Street west of Bathurst Street. The development features a 12 and 14-storey mixed-use development with the new building rising to the south of the second phase called The Essery, named after the Essery Manufacturing Company that produced caskets in the four late-1800s heritage buildings that still line the street.
Our last inspection of the site in 2020 noted the preliminary stages of construction following the initiation of work early in the year. Since then, shoring and excavation activities have unfolded at the site, and a year later the project had entered the structural stage. An image taken in late 2021 shows both crane towers installed at the site. We also see some formwork taking place in the southeast corner, suggesting the early stages of slab construction. The backdrop of the image features the preserved 1887-built heritage factory building, an homage to the area's rich historical roots.
Fast-forward to Spring 2022, and the development begins showcasing vertical growth, with the east tower taking a slight lead. The shared 6-storey podium is discernible from this perspective, designed to complement the scale and materiality of the heritage factory without undermining its Victorian era industrial aesthetic.
Progress in February 2023 was marked by the completion of window installation and black cladding on the east tower. The tower topped off with the completion of the mechanical penthouse. The more pronounced black cladding of the podium adds a more refined touch to the aesthetic with a thicker frame around the windows.
A month later, white cladding forming distinct irregular patterns, reminiscent of Tetris-like shapes, began emerging across the tower's storeys. A black hoist system on the east side is visible, with the iconic 1887-built heritage factory building standing in the background.
In June 2023, a distant vantage point reveals a panoramic view of the podium's finished black cladding, the emerging white patterns of the towers, and the hoist system. Further afield, about a kilometre northwest, the ongoing construction of 55 Mercer and Nobu Residences Toronto — seen at the extreme left of this image — join the West Condos project in making their mark on the skyline.
A look towards the east in early July brings into view the towers rising above the neighbouring residential low-rises. The white pattern continues to evolve, and the hoist for the west tower is seen emerging from behind the townhomes.
Finally, an image captured later that month illustrates red and white shoring poles on the tower balconies. The central indoor path connecting the towers sits atop the podium, with its glass walls exuding a modern flair. The distinct white structures forming the tower's patterns continue to take shape and provide a distinct look for the project.
With each passing month, West Condos continues to transform the Niagara neighbourhood while retaining elements of the heritage factory, where work to retrofit and transform its four side-by-side buildings into condo suites has gotten underway. The design of the new building by Core Architects will introduce a total of 345 units, along with ground-floor retail, blending residential and commercial uses. Occupancy of the first suites at West Condos begins just weeks from now.
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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