{"id":14118,"date":"2023-03-13T16:32:23","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T23:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/occupancy-underway-at-universal-city-in-pickering-work-continues-on-later-phases\/"},"modified":"2023-03-13T16:32:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T23:32:24","slug":"occupancy-underway-at-universal-city-in-pickering-work-continues-on-later-phases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/occupancy-underway-at-universal-city-in-pickering-work-continues-on-later-phases\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupancy Underway at Universal City in Pickering, Work Continues on Later Phases"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In the eastern GTA municipality of Pickering, a new high density residential node is taking shape in the immediate vicinity of GO Transit\u2019s Pickering station, with a slew of projects in various stages of development. Among that group is a master-planned community dubbed Universal City<\/a> (UC), from Chestnut Hill Developments<\/a>, comprising a total of seven residential towers planned and designed by Kirkor Architects Planners<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s strength so far has been in its phased approach, advancing the first three towers through the approval process and into construction over the last few years. Now, approaching the halfway mark of its development journey, the project is managing occupancy, construction, sales, and marketing simultaneously as the later phases move closer to their realization.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking northwest at the complete design of the 7-tower Universal City community, image from submission to City of Pickering<\/span><\/p>\n

The project\u2019s first phase encompasses three towers, UC1, UC2, and UC3<\/a>, and was launched in 2019 along with early plans for the larger development effort. Boasting counts of 17, 28, and 31 storeys respectively, the towers promise to deliver a combined total of 928 units, setting the tone with a notable spike in density for the area ahead of the larger subsequent phases.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking northeast at the design of UC2, currently under construction, image from submission to City of Pickering<\/span><\/p>\n

Site preparation for the construction of the UC1, 2, and 3 began in mid-2020, shortly after the project was launched, and the site was pictured that December with excavation nearing completion for the shared pit of UC2 and 3, and forming already underway for UC1. Jumping ahead to this year, the project has a lot of progress to show after more than two full years of construction, particularly at UC1. Not only is the 17-storey tower structurally complete, the tower\u2019s interior has been completed as well, and occupancy has begun, bringing the first residents into the future high-density community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UC1, the 17-storey building is the first to be completed, and is now in occupancy, image by UT Forum contributor FutureDurham<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile UC2 has been growing steadily towards its final count of 28 storeys, and recently claimed the title as the tallest building in the region of Durham. It won\u2019t be keeping that crown for long however, with its sibling tower UC3 working through the early stages of above grade forming and approaching completion of the podium levels. When it achieves its final count of 31 storeys, there will be another passing of the tallest building torch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UC2 (centre) is nearly topped off, while UC3 (right) is nearing completion of the podium levels, image by UT Forum contributor FutureDurham<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking ahead at what is still to come for the project, the final two phases encompassing UC4 and 5<\/a>, and UC 6 and 7<\/a> are already in the works. Based on the site plan below, we can see that UC 4 and 5 will fill in the northern portion of the site with the community\u2019s tallest towers, standing at respective heights of 46 and 54 storeys and built above a shared podium; Meanwhile, UC6 and 7 will rise on the east side of the site, with towers standing 27 and 37 storeys.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Site plan showing the location of all 7 buildings in the Universal City community, image from submission to City of Pickering<\/span><\/p>\n

Interestingly, the developers have launched the marketing campaign for UC6 and 7 ahead of UC4 and 5, indicating that the community\u2019s tallest towers (UC4 and 5) are scheduled to be constructed last. Particular emphasis has been given to UC 7, which was branded as The Grand at Universal City upon the building\u2019s launch last year. With sales already underway, the developers will be keen on keeping the project moving forward and getting construction started to deliver the next phase of towers for the growing community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The complete design for the 37-storey UC7, marketed as The Grand at Universal City, image from submission to City of Pickering<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n