Amid a climate that is challenging both perspective homebuyers and developers alike due to persistently high interest rates, questions abound on when the Bank of Canada might begin to ease its grip. Yet, plenty of construction in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is pressing on, as tower cranes continue to be raised on the skyline. Today, we've put together a roundup of the latest construction starts plus recent completions as other projects approach occupancy across the GTHA.
Under Construction:
Emerging along Etobicoke's West Mall is Starlight Investments’ latest residential venture. The 21-storey, 67.2m rental building, designed by Architecture Unfolded, will rise near the corner of The West Mall and Rathburn Road. With equipment onsite as of February 2024, construction is starting towards adding 249 modern market-rate rental units into the neighbourhood.
Looking north to a shoring rig onsite at 555 The West Mall, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor DrillBit
The Hyatt Place Toronto Airport
The latest hotel for those needing accommodation near Pearson is taking shape with the construction of The Hyatt Place Toronto Airport. This 8-storey, 196-room hotel designed by Chamberlain Architect Services Limited for Manga Hotels has started construction at the intersection of Dixon Road and Highway 27 in Etobicoke. As of last month, a tower crane and construction equipment are onsite, signalling work progressing on this 30.18m addition to the area.
Looking east to the tower crane erected at the construction site for The Hyatt Place Toronto Airport, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor FW36
Situated in North York's Lansing neighbourhood at 53-63 Sheppard Avenue West, this Fieldgate Urban development with 16 and 4-storey tower and townhomes, is designed by Arcadis. Excavation work was seen at the site at the start of this month for the project. Encompassing 352 condo suites and 9 townhome units, the site a short walk from Sheppard-Yonge station on Yonge Line 1 and Sheppard Line 4.
Looking southwest to early stages of excavation for NorthCore Condos, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Undead
Amid the industrial-chic backdrop of Toronto's King Street West, work is starting on a new flatiron at 1071 King Street West. This month, geothermal drilling rigs have been seen at the site, laying the groundwork for this 17-storey building, designed by BDP Quadrangle, with Kirkor Architects Planners as Architect of Record, for Hullmark and First Capital. It will provide a blend of 278 market-rate rental units with ground-floor retail, with plans for the West Toronto Railpath to seamlessly integrate into its design at ground level.
Looking west to geothermal driling rigs at 1071 King Street West, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy
Camrost-Felcorp is looking to bring contemporary urban living to Toronto's Humewood-Cedarvale neighbourhood. With a design by Arcadis, this 28-storey condominium is set to stand 91.95m. An image from this month captures shoring equipment in motion, at the start of work on 320 condo units plus grade-level retail at 65 Raglan Avenue. The site is a 10-minute walk from St Clair West station on University Line 1.
Looking northeast to shoring equipment at the site for Raglan House, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC
U of T: Innis College Expansion
The University of Toronto’s latest expansion is at Innis College where a Montgomery Sisam Architects-designed 4-storey institutional building has broken ground just of St George Street. Excavators and hoarding spotted onsite last month are the first signs of a new chapter for the college. This expansion is poised to stand at 17.6m tall.
Looking northwest to excavators onsite at for construction at the U of T Innis College Expansion, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor everydayhim
Complete:
The completion of 655 Supertest Road marks a modern addition to the York University Heights area, blending industrial functionality with sleek office space. This two-storey development, from Eleven Investment Ltd and designed by Baldassarra Architects Inc, brings a single-storey warehouse behind a two-storey office area.
Looking south to 655 Supertest, image by Ed Skira
Occupancy has begun at Carriage Gate Homes’ Gallery Condos + Lofts in the heart of Burlington. This 23-storey tower designed by Turner Fleischer Architects rises 94.05m to overlook Brant Street, offering 183 residential units. The building's exterior showcases a contemporary mix of glass, aluminum spandrel, and precast concrete panels.
Looking west to Gallery Condos + Lofts, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor ben.thebean1
The two towers of Plaza Midtown near Yonge and Eglinton have now been added to the Midtown Toronto landscape. Standing at 83.82m and 107.89m, the towers from Plaza offer a total of 545 units. The design by BDP Quadrangle showcases a neutral palette of glass, aluminum, and patterned precast concrete panels, which encase the residences in a modern skin.
Looking northeast to Plaza Midtown, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Domenico
Kitchener's urban texture gains depth with the completion of 397 King Street East. This mixed-use development by B & T Food Centre and designed by Fryett Turner Architects Inc presents an eight-storeys of residential, office, and retail space. The building's massing and material selection – a modern blend of brick, glass, and steel – are intended to respect the historic context of the King East neighbourhood while moving forward with contemporary urban design.
Looking southeast to 397 King Street East, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor emphurent
Nestled within Toronto's vibrant Entertainment District, Peter and Adelaide Condos designed by BBB Architects for Graywood Developments stands as a 47-storey tower at a height of 152.39m. This mixed-use tower at 350 Adelaide St West enriches the area with 696 residential units, while its ground-floor retail and public spaces will add amenities and vibrancy to this bustling corner of the city.
Looking southwest to the tower of Peter and Adelaide, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor christiesplits
In the Leslieville area, The Poet Condominiums by Fieldgate Urban rises along the streetscape with a modern urban form. TACT Architecture’s design features deep-set balconies fronting this 6-storey, 69-unit building at 1285 Queen Street East.
Looking southeast to The Poet Condominiums, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC
The Garden District Condos present another fusion of Toronto's storied past and contemporary urban living. The 32-storey condominium, designed by architects—Alliance for Hyde Park Homes and The Sher Corporation, is situated at 79 through 85 Shuter Street, integrating heritage Georgian and Victorian exteriors of three 1860s heritage buildings into its base. This building brings 234 new units of housing to the east side of Downtown.
Looking east to Garden District Condos, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
Set to be a cornerstone of community health and social services in Hamilton's Landsdale neighbourhood, the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre stands ready to welcome the public. Designed by Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson, the 2-storey facility at 430 through 436 Cannon Street East exhibits a contemporary design with large glass facades that create transparency and engagement at street level.
Looking south to Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Branden Simon
That's it for today's roundup of construction starts in the GTHA. To learn more about any of the projects from today's story, you can visit their respective database files linked below; from there, you can also join in on the conversation by visiting the project thread. In the meantime, we will continue to follow the progress of these projects and keep you informed with ser the important updates as they come.
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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.