{"id":20322,"date":"2023-08-03T22:38:31","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T05:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/west-condos-preparing-for-occupancy-on-niagara-street\/"},"modified":"2023-08-03T22:38:33","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T05:38:33","slug":"west-condos-preparing-for-occupancy-on-niagara-street","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/west-condos-preparing-for-occupancy-on-niagara-street\/","title":{"rendered":"West Condos Preparing for Occupancy on Niagara Street"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In late 2020, Urban Toronto covered the expanding excavation<\/a> for West Condos<\/a>. Over two and a half years later, the site has progressed and topped off as of early 2023. Rapid advancements continue to mark the construction timeline of Aspen Ridge’s West Condos. The project, developed by Aspen Ridge Homes<\/a>, is located at 89 through 109 Niagara Street west of Bathurst Street. The development features\u00a0a 12 and 14-storey mixed-use development with the new building rising to the south of the second phase called The Essery, named after the Essery Manufacturing Company that produced caskets in the four late-1800s heritage buildings that still line the street.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking northeast to West Condos, designed by Core Architects\u00a0and\u00a0Bernard Watt Architect for Aspen Ridge Homes<\/span><\/p>\n

Our last inspection of the site in 2020 noted the preliminary stages of construction following the initiation of work early in the year. Since then, shoring and excavation activities have unfolded at the site, and a year later the project had entered the structural stage. An image taken in late 2021 shows both crane towers installed at the site. We also see some formwork taking place in the southeast corner, suggesting the early stages of slab construction. The backdrop of the image features the preserved 1887-built heritage factory building, an homage to the area’s rich historical roots.<\/p>\n

Looking west at the structural work in 2021, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Red Mars<\/span><\/p>\n

Fast-forward to Spring 2022, and the development begins showcasing vertical growth, with the east tower taking a slight lead. The shared 6-storey podium is discernible from this perspective, designed to complement the scale and materiality of the heritage factory without undermining its Victorian era industrial aesthetic.<\/p>\n

Looking south to the two towers and podium, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Red Mars<\/span><\/p>\n

Progress in February 2023 was marked by the completion of window installation and black cladding on the east tower. The tower topped off with the completion of the mechanical penthouse. The more pronounced black cladding of the podium adds a more refined touch to the aesthetic with a thicker frame around the windows.<\/p>\n

Looking west to the windows and cladding, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner<\/span><\/p>\n

A month later, white cladding forming distinct irregular patterns, reminiscent of Tetris-like shapes, began emerging across the tower’s storeys.\u00a0A black hoist system on the east side is visible, with the iconic 1887-built heritage factory building standing in the background.<\/p>\n

Looking north to the podium and tower, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor irishboy<\/span><\/p>\n

In June 2023, a distant vantage point reveals a panoramic view of the podium’s finished black cladding, the emerging white patterns of the towers, and the hoist system. Further afield, about a kilometre northwest, the ongoing construction of 55 Mercer<\/a> and Nobu Residences Toronto<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 seen at the extreme left of this image \u2014 join the West Condos project in making their mark on the skyline.<\/p>\n

Distant shot looking east, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Red Mars<\/span><\/p>\n

A look towards the east in early July brings into view the towers rising above the neighbouring residential low-rises. The white pattern continues to evolve, and the hoist for the west tower is seen emerging from behind the townhomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking east to the towers and factory, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, an image captured later that month illustrates red and white shoring poles on the tower balconies. The central indoor path connecting the towers sits atop the podium, with its glass walls exuding a modern flair. The distinct white structures forming the tower’s patterns continue to take shape and provide a distinct look for the project.<\/p>\n

Looking north to the emerging white pattern of the tower, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Benito<\/span><\/p>\n

With each passing month, West Condos continues to transform the Niagara neighbourhood while retaining elements of the heritage factory, where work to retrofit and transform its four side-by-side buildings into condo suites has gotten underway. The design of the new building by\u00a0Core Architects<\/a>\u00a0will introduce a total of 345 units, along with ground-floor retail, blending residential and commercial uses. Occupancy of the first suites at West Condos begins just weeks from now.<\/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 Reports<\/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