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Rising on the site of the former Humber Cinema, Bijou on Bloor is now progressing above grade in Toronto’s Bloor West Village, steps from Jane subway station. Designed by BDP Quadrangle for Plaza, the 12-storey mixed-use development is climbing steadily across its sloped site. UrbanToronto last provided an update in September, 2023, when the crane was installed. Since then, UrbanToronto Forum contributor ‘A Torontonian Now’ has been steadfastly documenting Bijou on Bloor’s ascent.
Bijou on Bloor reached grade in the spring of last year, seen here in May, 2024, following nearly two years of excavation and foundation work complicated by the site’s steep southwest-to-northwest slope. In this view looking northwest, crews prepare for a concrete pour for the lower ground level slab at the rear. To the southwest on the left, poured concrete columns for the P1 level underground level are visible beyond where the slab has been formed.
By September, 2024, construction progressed to the ground floor, seen here from Riverview Gardens. The site’s slope is visible along the west elevation, with the upper slab at Bloor Street level to the right and the lower level retail floor temporarily supported by red shoring posts behind the hoarding. Above, newly formed concrete columns rise with rebar protruding, awaiting the columns’ next entesion to the floor above.
At the start of this year, we see the future grade level retail frontage along Bloor Street. The second-floor slab extends outward in a subtle cantilever above it that will frame the storefronts and the residential entrance. The future ground floor openings are covered in translucent tarp during winter work.
By March, 2025, the structure had risen four storeys above grade, with the fifth level formed and a sixth underway in the distance at the east end. Dense scaffolding remains in place at the southwest retail corner. Formwork lines the west end of the fifth floor in progress, and further east, concrete walls have been poured near the crane. The concrete pump stand to the right of the crane, ready for the next pour.
Just north of the site is a Green P parking lot, below which runs the Bloor Line 2 subway tunnel, requiring earlier construction stages to proceed cautiously. Bijou has risen six storeys at the eastern edge, with concrete columns closer to the crane. The U-shaped configuration above the ground level creates a second-floor amenity terrace, which steps back to what will be a third-floor green roof.
Most recently, Bijou on Bloor now asserts its presence looking west through the Bloor West Village commercial strip. The building now rises above the five-storey commercial building to its east, (mostly hidden behind traffic lights and trees) with sixth-floor concrete walls poured to the right and formwork in place along the south elevation. As construction progresses, the east end volume will rise to the full 12-storey height. Toward the west, the building will step down to nine storeys.
Bijou on Bloor will reach a height of 42.1m, with 186 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.
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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.