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Over the past few years, Toronto's posh Yorkville Avenue has been an epicentre of architectural transformation, with a highlight being the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences completed just over a decade ago, and which now includes the adjacent developments of 11 YV and The Pemberton across the street from it. As these two buildings progress, with the former much further ahead in its progress, their journeys chronicle the latest story in this neighbourhood's evolution.
Designed by Sweeny &Co Architects, 11 YV is set to stand 62 storeys. Developed by Metropia, Capital Developments, and RioCan Living, it will boast over 3,150m² of retail space on lower floors. A few steps away at 37 Yorkville Avenue, The Pemberton is developed by Pemberton Group with a design by architects—Alliance. This structure is to comprise 44 and 68 storey conjoined towers. Beneath its heights, a Toronto Parking Authority garage will carve out space for 800 vehicles.
The Pemberton has seen greater activity this year after a lengthy period sitting in the early stages of excavation, with Pemberton Group taking over the project in 2020 from the previous developer, Cresford Developments. An aerial perspective from July of 2020 gazes northwest, capturing the infancy of The Pemberton's excavation process. Adjacent to the right where low-rise buildings are being demolished is the upcoming site of 11 YV. Several metres deep, the excavation showcases orange protective sheeting on its shoring walls. A cherry picker occupies the northwest corner, its extended arm reaching up to the site's grade level.
Three years later, The Pemberton's site now teems with activity. The pit's foundation is replete with a thick mesh of rebar, particularly concentrated towards the centre, extending north and west, soon to be filled with concrete to act as a raft slab. The section below the east crane boasts rows of foundational concrete walls, their vertical rebar protrusions awaiting the next floor. The northwest corner, slightly raised, currently acts as a repository for construction materials.
Shifting our attention just to the east and 11 YV, it's far ahead of its next-door neighbour. having blown past The Pemberton during its period of construction inactivity. 11 YV now stands about 36 storeys tall (on its way to 62), with cladding up to the 25th floor. Beside its crane, a vivid red concrete pump is in use filling some of the latest forms with liquid concrete.
From ground level, this view gives a better look at the cladding, the facade boasti g floor-to-ceiling windows, segmented by pronounced mullions and accented with stone tiles on the podium levels. These stone-clad protrusions accompany distinct step-backs on the 8th and 22nd floors. Evoking Art Deco aesthetics, the layered step-backs across elevations gradually concentrate the mass centrally, making for a gradually more svelte upper volume to rise above the low-rise podium.
Once complete, 11 YV will stand 213m. The Pemberton's taller volume will eventually pass it, topping out at 215.79m. The two developments will provide 674 and 1,029 new housing units to the neighbourhood respectively.
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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