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While there are plenty of residential projects transforming Toronto, other development is occurring as well, like Catalyst at 77 Wade, a life sciences building rising near Lansdowne station. Designed by DIALOG for Seeker Labs and AIMCo, the seven-storey development is intended to attract research firms affected by the critical shortage of wet lab spaces in the city, bringing 155,000 ft² of commercial office and lab space to the market.
UrbanToronto’s last update in May, 2023 noted the imminent start of construction, and in fact its ground breaking ceremony was held in October, 2023. Since then, the building has swiftly risen to six storeys with cladding installation now underway.
In February, 2024, the excavation pit was lined with bright orange tarp along the shoring walls. To the immediate west behind the gray fence, the property borders the Barrie GO rail line. Toward the southern end at the back of the photo, excavators move earth along the dirt path at the southeast corner. In the foreground, rebar is visible, marking the ongoing work on the base of one of the two tower cranes.
Seen below in June, 2024, the northern crane on the right was erected in February, while the southern crane on the left was added in March. The structure had risen to two storeys, with formwork and shoring posts visible and awaiting the next concrete pour. Materials are stacked on the third floor, while blue fencing, construction trailers, and equipment line the perimeter.
Catalyst has continued to progress swiftly, as seen here with five storeys formed in September, 2024. Concrete slabs are visible atop the first four floors, with columns at the south elevation. Here, panels of curtainwall glazing with thin silver mullions are being installed on the second floor, marking the initial stages of cladding work. On the third floor, construction workers use a red mini-crane with its boom extended to hoist materials. To the left, a temporary mast system is set up along the first four levels. Above, the south tower crane remains active, hoisting materials to the upper levels.
This month, progress has reached six storeys. We look west to the prominent south staircase adjacent to the main entrance. The stairs will be mirrored by a symmetrical set on the north side, creating visual balance and acting as a distinctive break in the otherwise continuous facade. Curtainwall installation continues along the second floor on the left, with additional panels installed at the first level for the staircase. A larger boom lift stretches to the fourth floor on the right, while a smaller lift extends to the second floor for the cladding installation.
Looking southwest from the north end of the property, cladding is being applied here as well. The second-floor panels now wrap around both the north elevation and the northern portion of the east elevation. The north staircase is positioned to the right of the main entrance. Yellow shoring posts remain visible along the top two levels, supporting the concrete slabs as they continue to cure.
With completion targeted for Spring 2025, Catalyst will reach a final height of 43.72m.
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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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.
| Related Companies: | Blackwell, Colliers International, NAK Design Strategies |
