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Festival Condominiums, the transformative multi-phase development by Menkes Developments and QuadReal Property Group, continues to make significant strides near Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station. Part of the ambitious 75-acre master-planned community known as Assembly Park, the community is set to have a major impact on the growing city north of Toronto. Last month was a momentous one as the tower crane was dismantled from the 48-storey tower in Phase 1, complemented by a ground breaking ceremony for the 36-storey east tower of Phase 2, known as Bravo.
The ceremony held on April 2, 2024 heralded the start of construction for that phase, set to feature three towers designed by Turner Fleischer Architects and standing 36, 41, and 45 storeys tall. The event was attended by key stakeholders and notable local figures, including city officials such as representatives from Menkes and QuadReal and Vaughan’s Mayor Steven Del Duca.
As Bravo takes shape, it will offer residents a diverse range of amenities, including retail spaces, pedestrian mews, and a landscaped POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly accessible Space) at ground level. The development will also boast a variety of indoor and outdoor amenities. With the successful launch of Bravo's East and West towers, and the upcoming launch of the South Tower, known as Encore, the Festival Condominiums community continues to grow.
In this overhead aerial view from mid-April 2024, we get a glimpse into the early stages of construction at the Bravo site. Numerous vehicles and machinery are visible, including excavators and trucks, preparing the foundation area for the new towers. Piles of construction materials, including steel reinforcement bars and concrete pipes, are ready to be incorporated into the building process.
Pivoting to an aerial view looking east, we see the ongoing progress of the 48- and 59-storey towers of the first part of Phase 1, designed by Arcadis, at the northwest end of the site. Crews are working to dismantle the tower crane for the 48-storey tower at left that has topped off. A derrick, positioned adjacent to the crane, is actively lowering a portion of the crane's jib. This process involves the disassembly of the crane's components, starting with the jib and culminating in the tower's mast sections.
Coming closer with a photo from earlier in the dismantling process. The crane's red-painted cat head, the uppermost part of the crane's mast which facilitates the raising and lowering of the jib, is being dismantled. The derricks's hook is connected to the jib, allowing for a controlled descent of the crane components. Once the jib is lowered, workers on the ground will disconnect the sections and prepare them for removal from the site.
More recently, in this aerial view looking northeast, we see the first two towers of Festival Condominiums Phase 1. The further tower, closing in on 59 storeys, features a yellow construction hoist attached to its southern facade, along with formwork remaining on the upper levels. The balcony guards showcase their white, rhythmic pattern creating a unique aesthetic.
In this expansive aerial view looking northeast from further away, we see the progress of the four Festival Condominiums towers for Phase 1. The eastern towers on the right continue their ascent to 41 and 55 storeys, forming the second half of that phase. In the foreground, we see the site for Phase 2.
Upon completion, Phase 1 will feature towers ranging from 135.3m to 189.05m, with 2,470 units. Phase 2 will add towers from 123.35m to 148.85m, adding 1,654 residential units to the community. Bravo is anticipated to start occupancy in 2028.
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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