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Over the past three years, the construction site at 162 Queens Quay East in Toronto's growing East Bayfront area has been active, culminating in the recent topping off of Quay House. Designed by Kirkor Architects Planners for Empire Communities, this 21-storey mixed-use development had its tower crane dismantled earlier this month.
In this high vantage point view looking east in November, 2022, we observe progress on the excavation process initiated the year before. The tower crane, erected in October, 2022, stands amid rakers that provide lateral support against the north excavation walls. The east and south walls are lined with orange tarp and reinforced with tiebacks secured into the soil behind them. Around the base of the tower crane, various construction materials and formwork are arranged. A yellow excavator is spotted at the north end of the site.
We look north in December of 2023 to the south elevation after the project reached grade in the first few months of that year. By this point, 11 storeys have been formed fronting Queens Quay East, with initial cladding starting earlier in the month. Seen on the second level, the facade features silver panels and white-painted aluminum panels with the initial installation of the window wall system, complemented by black spandrel panels and slender mullions. A step-back is visible above the fifth storey. Hidden behind the hoarding are such spaces as the future lobby and retail units, which will be marked by double glazing, wood panels, and metal detailing on the exterior.
In this northeast-facing view in May, 2024, work has reached the mechanical penthouse level. Cladding now covers nine storeys on the south elevation, except for the far-right end, and eight storeys on the west elevation. The building showcases an interplay of gray and white metal panels, divided at angles. A construction hoist is seen at the north end of the west elevation. The balcony slabs from the sixth floor and up project at an angle, offering a unique visual element.
By July, 2024, the project is now topped off. The massing displays a C-shape from the third to the eleventh floors and transitions into an L-shape from the twelfth floor upwards, due to the extension of northern and southern volumes. The first eleven floors along Queens Quay are fully clad with glazing, other than where a neighbouring project to the east will eventually abut Quay House. Roughly the same level of cladding progress is mirrored on the 21-storey volume. There are additional step-backs on the south and east elevations just below the top storey.
Returning to an eastward high vantage point view earlier this month before the crane was dismantled, the construction hoist now extends along the west elevation to the top. Work continues at the mechanical penthouse level. The building's north and west elevations reveal a more uniform massing compared to the more pronounced step-backs visible along Queens Quay. Cladding and glazing activities have commenced on the 12th level of the west elevation, while the 12th-floor outdoor rooftop amenity space can be glimpsed to the right. In the backdrop to the southeast, the timber-framed Limberlost Place at George Brown College is close to completion.
Standing at 73.15m, Quay House will bring 463 residential units to the neighbourhood upon completion.
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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| Related Companies: | EQ Building Performance Inc., Kirkor Architects Planners, LEA Consulting, Live Patrol Inc., The Fence People, U31 |
