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Toronto's Entertainment District is inundated with residents and visitors alike, and demand for accommodation remains high in this evermore bustling area. The added density of both condominium and hotel units from the Theatre District Residence & Riu Plaza Hotel is poised to address some of the demand. The 48- and 49-storey towers, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Plaza, have made steady progress throughout 2023, and now stand topped off.
In our last update in January, the towers had ascended to roughly three-quarters of their final height. Their vertical climbs continued throughout the year, and we start catching up here in August.
Captured from a street perspective, one of the tower cranes has been dismantled as work continues on the south (left) and north (right) towers. Looking westward, the south tower rises, its tower levels clad with aluminum panelling, save for the topmost storeys. The podium of both towers features prominently displayed precast brick cladding, blending the new structures with the historical architectural fabric of Toronto, while the north tower is at roughly the same height and cladding progress as its neighbour.
Three months later, an overcast November sky frames the topped off north and south towers in this southwestern aerial view. We see the skeletons of the mechanical penthouses, with cladding nearly completed. The architectural rhythm is highlighted by the pattern of projecting balconies on the south tower, contrasting with the north tower's more uniform facade. The construction hoist, captured mid-ascent on the northern tower, signifies ongoing progress as we approach year-end.
Our focus turns to the podium of the south tower, where the detailed masonry work pays homage to the vernacular warehouse architecture of this area of Toronto. This northwestern view brings us close to where the project's Widmer Street-facing Victorian-era homes are being integrated into the project, shrouded behind scaffold and green tarp, hiding meticulous restoration efforts taking place out-of-sight.
A street-level view gazing south across Adelaide Street looks up to the second floor construction management site office in the north tower. Above the at-grade hoarding, this perspective offers a detailed look at the podium's brick cladding, while the hotel portion of the north tower above is marked by aluminum panel with punched windows, while the condo floors at top are fronted by balconies.
Most recently in December, an view looking northwest from further back showcases the mostly clad mechanical penthouses of both towers. Standing as nearly complete, with the towers' cladding catches the sunlight, highlighting the progress over the past year.
As work continues inside, work to install the final exterior finishes will continue into early 2024. Now both standing at 156.05m, the complex will offer 655 new condominiums and 350 hotel units upon completion.
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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| Related Companies: | BDP Quadrangle, Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Live Patrol Inc., Plaza, Rebar Enterprises Inc, Unilux HVAC Industries Inc. |
