3.7K 
The unique massing and curved corners of 8 Elm’s lower levels are beginning to take form above the tower's preserved heritage base levels at Yonge and Elm south of Gerrard Street in Downtown Toronto. The 69-storey Arcadis-designed condominium from Reserve Properties and Capital Developments features a distinctive architectural expression that includes cantilevered slabs, copper-toned accents, and a stepped transition from podium to tower.
UrbanToronto’s last update was in February, 2025, when the building had just begun to rise above its three-storey heritage base. Seen from the laneway north of the site in early April, 2025, I-beams cantilever over the sixth floor of neighbouring commercial buildings on the left, supporting a staging platform. Above, the building has now reached nine storeys, with formwork underway for the tenth floor. The building’s canted west elevation is visible on the right, rising above the three-storey podium that will continue to the 15th floor. At the same time, the floorplates are beginning to showcase the curves at their corners.
A close-up of the fourth floor on the south elevation shows the initial installation of cladding within the architectural reveal above the heritage base. We see a single vertical satin bronze-toned metal C-shaped fin, to the left of glazing that is topped by black aluminum louvres, which will be paired with horizontal bullnose profiles.
Viewed from the west along Elm Street this month, construction has reached the 13th floor, with the tower’s massing now beginning its shift from the podium to the main tower form. We see the early stages of installation of the construction hoist, with mast segments and components visible along the south elevation up to the eighth floor. Above the restored heritage masonry at grade, the cantilevered slab at level nine projects over the setback reveal.
Coming in for a closer view, cladding and glazing now span two floors above the heritage base to the right of the construction hoist. Below, window openings for the preserved 8 Elm building remain boarded up. Above, the ninth-floor slab distinctly cantilevers out with a pronounced curve at the corner. At the right edge of the frame, the south wall of Concord Sky appears to blend into 8 Elm's concrete structure, reinforcing the density of the Yonge Street corridor.
Viewed head-on from across Yonge Street, the decking spans across the east elevation for the 13th-floor slab. The blue crane is hoisting materials on the left, while below, two cantilevered staging platforms on either side of the crane extend over the branded sidewalk hoarding.
From Yonge and Elm streets, hints of vertical formwork is visible for the 13th-floor walls, while slab decking has begun at the west end for the 14th floor. The Yonge Street frontage will eventually feature wall panels reinstated from the since-demolished 348 and 352 Yonge, currently undergoing off-site restoration as part of the heritage strategy overseen by GBCA Architects.
Once complete, 8 Elm will rise 218.2m and add 819 residential units to the Garden District.
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, UTPro, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe — 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.
