3.8K 
For the past three years, the ongoing construction beside the 1972-built Spadina Towers rental apartment building at 666 Spadina Avenue in Downtown Toronto has been reshaping the tower-in-the-park site south of Spadina station. Here, an 11-storey infill project designed by Arcadis for Cromwell Property Management is replacing the green space south of the existing tower.
UrbanToronto last covered the project during its planning stage in 2017, noting the City's heritage concerns in relation to the exisiting Uno Prii-designed Modernist tower. Since then, the site has seen a transformation of both that tower and the infill development.
In August 2020, a view from Harbord Street reveals the significant recladding work on the existing building, transitioning its exterior to an off-white facade. This renovation, nearing completion, extends to the first floor and the outdoor amenities, and includes the installation of new balcony guards, while preserving aspects of its design.
In October, 2021, work for the new building was underway. The excavation pit, several meters deep, is carved out adjacent to the south wall of the existing building. Tiebacks can be seen protruding from the west wall, plunged into the ground behind them to support and stabilize the pile and lagging shoring system.
A pivotal moment in the project's timeline is February, 2022 as crane components are unloaded from a flatbed and assembled onsite.
In January 2023, the project has begun its ascent above grade. With hoarding along the sidewalk perimeter, the site is now dominated by a towering white crane, while shoring poles for the initial storey can be seen behind it, providing support while the second floor slab cures.
In June this year, construction of the third floor walls and columns can be seen. With rebar protruding from the columns and walls, the site is prepared for subsequent concrete pours on higher floors.
Now, a view from October offers a comprehensive look at the emerging mid-rise, with brick veneer-embedded precast cladding installation underway on the east elevation at the podium levels, facilitated by a mobile crane. Above the cladding panels, the structure exhibits a noticeable step-back on the south and east elevations above the podium, transitioning from the height of adjacent commercial structures and providing human scale along Spadina Avenue.
The ground level facing Spadina will feature a brick townhouse-style mass destined for retailers, with elongated rectangular windows. Meanwhile, the concrete framework of the tower above stands exposed, with construction activities persisting on the upper levels, which feature additional step-backs near where the building is soon to top off.
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.
* * *
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, Ferris + Associates Inc., Groundwater Environmental Management Services Inc. (GEMS), Unilux HVAC Industries Inc., WND Associates Ltd |
