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In Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood, excavation has progressed at the southeast corner of Queen Street East and Leslie Street, and a crane has been installed for 1233 Queen Street East. Designed by Studio JCI, the project will deliver a 10-storey, purpose-built rental building from Woodbourne Canada Management, which assumed control of the development from original proponent, Core Development Group.
Looking across the site in April, 2025, excavation for the single underground level had been underway since work began in January. Along the south edge, a soldier pile shoring system is visible, with steel I-beams driven into the ground forming the structural backbone of the temporary retaining wall that stabilizes the surrounding soil. In the foreground, a hydraulic drill rig operated by Iron Shoring is positioned against the wall, drilling tiebacks that extend into the ground beyond. Nearby, a tracked excavator works among mounds of excavated soil.
In September, 2025, a compacted soil access ramp descends from Leslie Street into the pit to allow construction vehicles to enter and exit the site. On the right side is a drill rig used for shoring and geothermal work, while construction equipment, material storage, and site servicing elements are staged across the pit floor.
By early January, 2026, excavation reached the final depth. Additional structural bracing is visible along the east wall, where a steel waler beam is installed at the northeast corner, alongside raker beams angled down into the excavation to support the shoring system. Within the pit, tracked excavators continue grading and moving soil as crews prepare the base of the excavation.
Later that month, a yellow mobile crane lifts and stabilizes the crane’s components for assembly. Along the Queen Street frontage, construction hoarding encloses the site perimeter.
From Queen Street East in February, 2026, demolition and site preparation extend to the neighbouring structure immediately east. The house has been partially gutted, with interior partitions removed and the roof stripped back to expose timber roof joists and framing members. Below the open structure, a mini tracked excavator works within a narrow trench excavated beneath the former floor slab, breaking up foundations and removing debris, while a larger compact excavator stands nearby assisting with material removal.
Looking into the excavation this month, the crane rises near the northeast corner of the site from a concrete base. Around the crane footing, materials and formwork components are staged, while tracked excavators continue grading and moving soil. Temporary metal stairs provide worker access down into the pit on the left.
Upon completion, the development will stand 35.7m and house 149 rental units.
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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