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Leaside Common, a 9-storey Avenues style, mid-rise condo designed by BDP Quadrangle for Gairloch Developments, has topped off. Located at 1718 Bayview Avenue in Toronto’s Leaside neighbourhood, the project is a short walk south of the soon-to-open Leaside station on the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT. Having broken ground in October, 2022, the installation of dual-tone brick cladding is underway, bringing its facade to life.
The building's design articulates the long structure into two brick-clad structures around a glass-encased central hub. Leaside Common residents will generally have unobstructed views over the adjacent homes of the nearby, treed residential streets.
In this October, 2023 view from the north end of the construction site, progress is underway on the underground levels. The south crane, visible at the back of the photo, had been in place since June, 2023, with a second crane in the foreground installed a month later. Construction teams were active across the site, advancing sub-grade work. The slab of the P2 underground parking level is just being finished in the northeast corner, where concrete columns with exposed rebar project upward. To the south, formwork and early concrete walls are visible for the P1 level.
Jumping nine months to July, 2024, we look southwest as Leaside Common has ascended to eight storeys, with the lower levels concealed by the treeline of Howard Talbot Park. A prominent step-back is visible above the sixth floor on the north elevation to the right, which will contribute to the cascading terrace effect on the western side. Yellow shoring posts support ongoing construction on the eastern facade, where crews are actively working on the ninth and final residential floor.
This southwest-facing view in August, 2024 captures Leaside Common fully topped off, showcasing the surroundings along Bayview Avenue. White weatherproofing materials cover the lower six levels of the north elevation, along with green weatherproofing along the east elevation, preparing for the brick cladding. The architectural design includes stepped-back upper levels, particularly on the west elevation to the right, where a sequence of terraces creates a cascading effect.
This close-up of the south elevation from September, 2024 shows the green weatherproofing layers applied across the lower four levels. These layers are preparing the surface for the dual-tone brick cladding, which will be set between narrow, vertical windows. The building’s massing at the south end (to the left) features a step-back above the third level, whereas on the east side to the right, the step-backs occur above the fourth, sixth, and eighth levels. To the far right, the construction hoist is positioned where the glass-encased lobby and communal areas will connect the two main building volumes.
In this October, 2024 view of the north elevation, brick cladding is advancing steadily, reaching up to the first major step-back. The facade showcases a pre-cast brick panel system in a lighter tone on the north section, with a contrasting darker brick planned for the opposite side of the central glass link. This glass-encased section will feature a curtainwall on the lower four levels for retail and lobby spaces. To the left of the brick installation, the residential window wall system is starting to take shape, with black-framed windows and louvred panels visible on the second and third floors.
Standing at a height of 29.98m, the development will add 197 residential units to the Leaside neighbourhood.
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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