2.9K 
Since work began earlier this year, demolition and excavation have progressed at 49 Ontario Street in Toronto’s Old Town neighbourhood, where Dream Unlimited, in partnership with CentreCourt is preparing the site for a 46- and 50-storey purpose-built rental development near the under-construction Corktown station on the Ontario Line 3. The architects—Alliance-designed project, with heritage conservation overseen by ERA Architects, has required the phased removal of a mid-rise office building and other low-rise structures, while carefully retaining the facades of Victorian-era houses along Berkeley Street.
Looking northwest from Adelaide Street East in January, 2026, the site had been largely cleared, with mounds of excavated soil stockpiled toward the centre. On both the east and west edges of the frame, remnants of the former low-rise structures remain in various stages of demolition. To the right, the retained sections of the heritage row houses are supported by extensive shoring and bracing systems.
In February, 2026, the retained Victorian-era row houses were enveloped in a scaffold, with green netting wrapping the upper levels. Along the south elevation, construction crews can be seen working within the scaffold tiers.
Demolition of the former office building continued, with the concrete columns stood as floor slabs were eaten away between them. On the right, an excavator's scoop clears debris following work by the hydraulic jackhammer in the foreground.
Another vantage point gives a broader view over the site, with a lineup of hydraulic excavators is spread across the site, handling soil removal and debris sorting. Along the right edge, orange tarp covers a growing shoring wall.
This month, demolition of the former office building continues with the north end of the structure now largely removed. To the left is a neighbouring wall wrapped in white weatherproofing.
Meanwhile, excavation has progressed toward the rear of the property, where the shoring wall continues to deepen. Below, the pit reveals stepped grades and pooled water where there will soon be two underground levels.
Upon completion, 49 Ontario Street will reach heights of 146.57m and 160.05m, and house 1,226 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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