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Mostly hidden within Canada's largest heritage retention project, The United BLDG has seen many months of extensive and highly complex sub-grade work at the northeast corner of University and Dundas in Downtown Toronto. Now, the 54-storey tower-to-be is rising above grade behind the preserved walls of the historic Maclean Publishing Company and Maclean-Hunter buildings. Designed by B+H Architects with heritage conservation led by ERA Architects, this Davpart development is also the recent recipient of a small density bonus following the approval of a Minor Variance application, adding two levels for a total of 54 storeys.
UrbanToronto last provided an update in January, 2024, when the first tower crane was erected. Since then, a second tower crane was installed before the southwest view into the site was taken in June, 2024. Extensive bracing can been seen supporting the one-bay-deep preservation of the largest two buildings previously on the site.
Looking northwest in July 2024, we see construction one storey away from reaching grade after having built upwards from the bottom of the four storey excavation — three floors deeper than the previous buildings used to go, and making for an incredibly complicated preservation of the walls. At the northwest corner of the site behind the cranes blue mast, new steel trusses can been seen that stabilize the heritage components and transfer their load to the ground.
Facing southwest in August, 2024, work has arrived at grade and crew members are arranging rebar for the ground level slab and columns.
Taking to the skies, we look east to take in the site, with the G-shaped outline of the heritage walls nearly encircling the construction area. Starting clockwise at the top, the site is bordered by Centre Avenue, Dundas Street, University Avenue, and Edward Street. The northeast corner, where two smaller buildings were removed, serves as a staging area for materials.
In this northwards look from September, 2024, the south elevation showcases the preserved heritage facades along Dundas Street West; much restoration work is still to be carried out on them much further into the process. On the right is the 1928-built Maclean Publishing building with a two-storey high arched treatment of its ground-realm windows at grade. To the left, the 1961 Maclean-Hunter Building displays its clean International Style lines, complementing its Beaux-Arts design neighbour. The second floor slab of both buildings will be cut into, one bay deep, along the Dundas Street frontage, allowing for a sheltered arcade and effectively more than doubling the width of the sidewalk here. Entrances to the building will face the arcade, including a new direct access to St Patrick subway station.
As of this month, construction is well underway above grade, with the third floor slab now being formed. The curved concrete slab along the northeast corner outlines another future entrance, eventually to be clad in a combination of curtainwall glazing and stone.
With the Minor Variance approval from July, the United BLDG's final height is increasing from 179.52m to 184.85m, and its residential condo unit count is going from 709 to 743 suites.
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, UTPro, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe — 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: | Aercoustics Engineering Ltd, B+H Architects, Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Bousfields, Grounded Engineering Inc., L.A. Inc., Rebar Enterprises Inc, RJC Engineers |
