539 
As The James at Scrivener Square from Tricon Residential and Diamond Corp rises in Toronto's Summerhill neighbourhood, a minor variance approval from July, 2024 has increased its final height from 21 to 23 storeys. Nestled at Yonge and Price streets, this site is across the plaza from the former North Toronto Rail Station. In operation from 1916 to 1930, the station is now the flagship Summerhill LCBO, and with forming of The James more than halfway complete, the pedestrian priority space between them is beginning to hint at its final form.
Five months have passed since UrbanToronto’s last update when the first several storeys of the COBE Architects-designed complex were formed. Now, along with the vertical growth, cladding and glazing specced by Architect of Record Graziani + Corazza Architects as are also being installed.
In June, 2024, two additional storeys had formed since the previous update, for a total of six. A cement truck was parked at the east end, with a red concrete boom pump on the seventh floor, to the left of the tower crane when the image below was taken. On the third floor, white precast concrete cladding was being installed on the west side of the north elevation and continued across the west elevation, above the second-floor step-back. This precast cladding will frame the building, contrasting the traditional red brick masonry for the lower levels.
Looking northeast across Price Street in August, 2024, at least 10 storeys are now formed beside the Terroni restaurant, including the upper levels that are veiled by blue weather-protecting panels. The building’s volumetric design is on display in the thicker concrete slab over the second floor that leads to a step-back at the southwest corner, with additional step-backs on the right end above the third floor and centrally above the fourth. The lower four storeys' walls are encased in a white weatherproofing membrane, awaiting bricks to be laid.
This month, construction has reached 13 storeys, with the white aluminum pre-cast framing installed on the third through sixth floors on both the projecting western and counterpart eastern volumes. The first two floors, along with the third level of the east side and the recessed centre of the fourth storey, are lined with weatherproofing material in preparation for the red brick masonry. The initial installation of glazing is spotted on the northwest corner's first two floors.
We come up close for a reveal of the first bricklaying on the lower floors, behind various construction materials and equipment.
Looking east from Yonge Street, the west elevation showcases progress on the glazing on the first two floors. Tall rectangular windows, segmented by thin black vertical mullions with metal louvre grills to be installed above, have been installed alongside insulation material. Above, the precast cladding will frame the shadowbox curtainwall system of the upper levels. The building’s setback at the south end places it behind the adjacent low-rise commercial structures, featuring masonry similar to that of The James at Scrivener Square.
With occupancy targeted for 2025, the recent minor variance approval has increased its final height from 81.65m to 88.21m, and the total number of residential units from 120 to 127.
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: | CCxA, Diamond Corp, Graziani + Corazza Architects, Greenloc Environmental Hoarding, Jablonsky, Ast and Partners, Live Patrol Inc., Tricon Residential, Urban Strategies Inc. |
