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KING Toronto is steadily transforming its King West block with its mountain-like silhouette, and UrbanToronto’s dedicated Forum thread remains lively with updates and photos of the development’s progress. The long-awaited installation of the building’s distinctive glass block panels, which had just started in September, 2024 when we last looked in, has continued at grade while the development’s peaks have now all topped off above.
Located west of Spadina Avenue at 485-539 King Street West and arranged around a public courtyard that will provide new mid-block pedestrian connections, KING Toronto is designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for Westbank Corp and Allied Properties REIT. It features a facade of translucent glass blocks inspired by the Maison de Verre in Paris. An image from October, 2024, below, captures glass panels being delivered to the site and guided by construction crews. The panels are transported within a wooden frame, with their interlocking aluminum components most obvious.
In November, 2024, the east side of a courtyard entrance provides a clear view of the distinct staggered sawtooth effect of several installed glass block panels with inset windows. Above the windows, aluminum panels complete the machined aesthetic.
In a close-up of a corner fronting King Street (King is to the left), angled glass block strips carry the buildinmg’s prominent diagonals to the ground. To the right, the flattened wall of glass block is beside the garage entry ramp.
The image below from December, 2024 captures the imminent installation of the first glass block panel above the garage ramp on second floor of the west side of KING Toronto. A Spyder crane hoists the panel into position, while workers prepare to guide the panel into place from a blue scissor lift below. The underside of the slab reveals pre-installed mounting brackets that will secure the panel.
A couple days later, this area looked like this with several slab-edge panels installed:
Meanwhile, crew members on the south side of the complex install another panel of glass block. The piece is suspended from the crane, with a hook and spreader bar system for handling. Behind this scene, exposed structural elements and ductwork show the extent of ongoing interior work.
This month, a northward view provides a snapshot of progress both above and below. The cladding at grade is now mostly installed. The eastern peak, visible to the right, has reached its full height, as two cranes positioned behind the valleys remain in operation.
When complete, KING Toronto will reach a top height of 57.6m and deliver retail space at and below grade, and 440 condo units above.
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.