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At the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard streets, Concord Sky is reshaping Downtown Toronto as it makes its ascent. With Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates as design architect and architects—Alliance as Architect of Record, Concord Adex’s 85-storey tower will feature a modern glass facade juxtaposed with heritage preservation at its base, incorporating retained facades from the Gerrard Building, Richard S. Williams Block, and Yonge Street Mission.
Since demolition and heritage preservation efforts in 2019 by the previous developer, Concord Adex took over the development in 2021. Following a stop-work order from the City in March, 2023 in the absence of above ground permits, construction has resumed and the project now rises above its heritage base.
The north and south cranes were erected in February and March, 2023, seen here in August of that year. Rebar is in place across the site where forms are being created for the five underground parking levels. Along Gerrard Street to the left, the white weatherproofing materials cover the back side of preserved heritage walls, supported by scaffolds.
The project reached grade by the end of that year. Seen looking northwest in January, 2024, in the foreground materials are staged behind fencing along O’Keefe Lane on the eastern edge of the site, while concrete columns and formwork is in place for more ground floor walls. In the background, the north crane’s jib is hoisting formwork, visible between the rebar cage and concrete column.
Looking southwest in September, 2024, construction had progressed to the fifth storey slab, with a parapet wall prominent above the retained heritage facade on the east elevation.
Taken from a high vantage point in the last few days, nine storeys have now been formed. A platform extends from the seventh floor on the east elevation, serving as a staging area for materials. A white concrete boom pump is visible between the two cranes.
From across Yonge and Gerrard streets, the heritage facade of the former Gerrard Building is visible at the north end of the site. The heritage walls, with their original stone and window openings intact, remain secured by scaffolds, but as new structure is completed behind them, the scaffold can be disassembled. That will be followed by restoration work overseen by ERA Architects which will include detailed cleaning, repair of stone elements, and the addition of new glazing. The tower volume is is stepped-back from the streetwalls along Gerrard and Yonge streets.
Looking northeast across Yonge Street, the south elevation reveals a concrete wall. After the podium is completed, the tower will step back and then rise vertically, in comparison to the angled north wall of the tower.
Once completed, Concord Sky will stand 299m tall above the main Yonge Street doors. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) however, this building will rise just centimetres over 300m as measured from the lowest pedestrian access point at the south end of the site. By the CTBUH's count, Concord Sky would qualify as a 'supertall' structure.
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: | architects—Alliance, Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, HGC Noise Vibration Acoustics, Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Live Patrol Inc., Quasar Consulting Group, Rebar Enterprises Inc |
