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Rising at the northwest corner of Yonge and Wellesley streets, the crown of 8 Wellesley is complete as is most of its cladding. Developed by CentreCourt and Bazis, and designed by Arcadis, the 55-storey, mixed-use condominium is steps from Wellesley station on Yonge Line 1. The tower’s distinctively sloped east elevation, shaped to exactly meet the City of Toronto’s angular plane requirements, creates a visual element that sets it apart from neighbouring high-rises.
UrbanToronto last provided an construction update in July, 2024. Now, with much of the building envelope now complete, the project is advancing toward occupancy targeted for later this year.
Looking southwest from Dundonald Street in January, 2025, the completed crown of 8 Wellesley is now formed and mostly clad. On the roof above the fully-formed crown, the counterweight of the building maintenance unit can just be seen. The tower’s east elevation displays its sloped profile. On the left side is the lightbox, just south of the slope. The north elevation is fully clad, showcasing black aluminum panels and tinted glazing, with bright vertical fins. Further down, the prominent cantilevered section projects outward above the podium, while a notched column runs vertically along the north elevation, breaking up the facade’s massing and extending to the top of the slope.
By February, 2025, the projecting northern volume is defined by white vertical fins that rise along its south side. At the top right, a single glazing panel is yet to be installed. The lightbox element now appears orange during daylight hours.
By night, the lightbox is illuminated in a rippling pattern of changing colours.
This month, the construction hoist has been removed from the west elevation, revealing an exposed section where cladding installation is ongoing. Looking east from Bay Street, the gap in cladding runs from approximately the 31st storey up to the lightbox element, which is also operational on this side. Additional gaps in cladding are visible above the lightbox and at the top left corner.
Looking northeast from Dr Lilian McGregor Park, we see green weatherproofing materials and bare concrete between levels four through eight, where the hoist was dismantled. This section will eventually feature inset balconies. Below at street level, the heritage facades of 10 through 16 Wellesley Street West are now exposed following the removal of hoarding in February. These heritage red-brick walls will serve as retail and lobby exteriors, topped by mansard-style roofing.
Looking up from street level, the south elevation presents its striking profile with its solid massing and uniform facade. The cantilevered volume, beginning at the ninth storey, projects outward above the restored heritage facades. The exterior is fully clad in black aluminum panels with punched windows.
Standing 182.15m tall, 8 Wellesley will deliver 600 condominium units when residents move in later this year.
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.