The United BLDG will soon be pushing above the heights of its preserved heritage walls at 481 University Avenue. Rising at the northeast corner of University Avenue and Dundas Street West in Toronto’s Downtown Core, the project by Davpart is transforming a site long defined by the Maclean Publishing Company building and Maclean-Hunter building, dating to 1928 and 1961 respectively. The new construction designed by B+H Architects (heritage work is led by ERA Architects), retains and incorporates the street-facing walls of those buildings.

Looking northeast to The United BLDG, designed by B+H Architects and ERA Architects for Davpart

UrbanToronto last provided an update in November, 2024, following a Minor Variance application approval that bumped the final height of the tower that will grow from above the nine-storey podium from 52 to 54 storeys.

Looking southwest in March, 2025, the northeast corner podium is captured across Edward Street and Centre Avenue, where a blue mobile crane sneaks aprtly into the frame at the left. A pair of cement mixer trucks are queued on either side of Edward Street. Steel beams from the second-floor slab indicate preparations for a future canopy along the north elevation, while formwork is underway for the seventh floor slab of the podium above.

Looking southwest to podium construction at Centre Avenue and Edward Street, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor GenerationLee

This month, formwork is in place for the podium's eighth floor. Looking northwest across Dundas Street and Centre Avenue, the image highlights the Maclean Publishing Company building's heritage Beaux-Arts detailing, with second floor archways where the slab will be removed from the most southerly bay to create a double-height sheltered pedestrian arcade. The construction hoist can be seen installed along the east elevation to the right. 

Looking northwest from Dundas Street to the construction hoist on the east elevation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor ProjectEnd

This detailed view of the east elevation captures the interface between the heritage facade and the rising new structure. Curved concrete floor slab edges define the modern architectural expression, with shoring posts supporting them while the concrete continues to cure.

The adjacent heritage wall and construction on the east elevation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor GenerationLee

Looking east across University Avenue to the site on April 7, 2025, below, construction has risen to the ninth floor slab. The tenth floor will match the current rooftop and will be a transitional floor with a step back allowing for terraces above the preserved facades. After five more storeys, the stepped-back podium floors will end with another, larger step-back above which the tower floors will start. 

A high-angled view looking east to the podium emerging above the heritage walls on the north side, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor 1Ć0

Once finished, the United BLDG will reach a height of 184.85m and contain 743 condominium units.

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.

* * *

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, Bousfields, ERA Architects, Grounded Engineering Inc., Rebar Enterprises Inc, RJC Engineers