{"id":21140,"date":"2023-08-24T23:32:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T06:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/queen-central-condos-mix-heritage-and-modernity\/"},"modified":"2023-08-24T23:32:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T06:32:07","slug":"queen-central-condos-mix-heritage-and-modernity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/queen-central-condos-mix-heritage-and-modernity\/","title":{"rendered":"Queen Central Condos Mix Heritage and Modernity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The buzz of the early stages of construction at\u00a0Queen Central<\/a> condominiums in Downtown Toronto\u00a0is palpable.\u00a0Spearheaded by\u00a0Parallax Investment Corporation<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Harlo Capital<\/a>,\u00a0UrbanToronto last reported on the project designed by Arcadis<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 the Amsterdam-based global firm that acquired Toronto-based IBI Group in Fall 2022 \u2014 four years ago when\u00a0modifications<\/a>\u00a0to the design of the 34-storey tower aimed to better separate the new tower visually from the preserved heritage walls at ground level. Located on the northeast corner of Queen and Mutual streets, the design marries modern aesthetics with the area’s heritage fabric.<\/p>\n

Looking northeast to Queen Central, designed by Arcardis for Parallax Investment Corporation\u00a0and\u00a0Harlo Capital<\/span><\/p>\n

Demolition of some parts of the existing structures and heritage preservation of other parts got underway in 2021, continuing into mid-2022, with steel scaffolds in place by August, 2022 for the sections of wall that would remain in situ during redevelopment. Looking eastward, below, in November, 2022 we see a long-reach excavator, equipped with a claw, dismantling portions of the old roof. The western building has been demolished, laying bare the interiors of these vintage sites. The facade retention scaffolds stand firm \u2014 these temporary green bracing structures protect the heritage facade along Queen Street.<\/p>\n

Looking east to the demolition in November, 2022, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

An aerial view of the construction site that same month reveals the preliminary stages of backfilling.\u00a0A red dump truck dispenses crushed aggregate over the site’s surface, providing a level ground for shoring rigs that will be here next. Adjacent to the west, parts of the construction site for 88 Queen Street East<\/a>\u00a0can be seen. A neighbouring development, it will ultimately overshadow the Queen Central with its 51 storeys.<\/p>\n

Looking northwest to the backfilling process, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

By March of 2023, excavation work was then several meters below ground. A tieback rig dominates the image, there to secure the growing retaining walls into the surrounding substrate.<\/p>\n

Looking northwest to the tieback rig at work, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking southward later in March, a lone yellow excavator sits atop mounds of excavated earth.\u00a0Glasshouse Lofts<\/a> looms overhead behind the heritage walls. Green steel bracings tie the walls to the scaffold to the south, while the walls are wrapped in a white protective tarp. Yellow shoring struts and timber support the excavation at grade.<\/p>\n

Looking south to the excavation and heritage elements, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

In April, looking northeast across Queen and Mutual, we gain a panoramic view of the site. The heritage facades on the western and southern fronts remain supported by the facade retention systems. Safety scaffolding and site hoardings line Queen Street. In the backdrop at centre, the profile of the Hyatt Centric and 203 Residences on Jarvis<\/a> is discernible under its crane.<\/p>\n

Looking northeast to the site across Queen Street, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

Peering southwards into the excavation, yellow excavators work to clear the remains of a ramp down into the pit; one digs within the pit while another operates at grade.\u00a0Timber lagging buttresses parts the southern excavation wall adjacent to the heritage facade, while most of the shoring wall is made of concrete caisson. Tieback anchor rods protrude from the walls at regular intervals. Affixed at an angle, they can be discerned reinforcing the excavation walls at two levels.<\/p>\n

Looking south to the excavation progress as of April, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to the southwest in July, we can see significant strides have been made in both excavation and sub-grade construction.\u00a0The crew has placed construction materials below, and the crane’s base and tower are firmly established near the western perimeter. In places, rebar awaits encasement in concrete positioning, while lowest level concrete walls have been completed in others.<\/p>\n

Looking southwest to the ongoing below grade work, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

As of mid-August, the below-grade work continues. Covering the right third of the background of the image, 88 Queen Street East now towers, marking the passage of recent months and the transformative narrative of the locale.<\/p>\n

Looking southwest to the crane tower base, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo<\/span><\/p>\n

Set to rise to 106.23m, Queen Central will bring 369 residential units to the site, adding vibrancy to the neighbourhood.<\/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\n\n
Related Companies:\u00a0<\/td>\n\nArcadis<\/a>, Astro Excavating Inc.<\/a>, Bousfields<\/a>, Citi-Core Group<\/a>, Cornerstone Marketing Realty<\/a>, Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists<\/a>, Harlo Capital<\/a>, Land Art Design Landscape Architects Inc<\/a>, LEA Consulting<\/a>, Rebar Enterprises Inc<\/a>, U31<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n