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Toronto development is currently defined by concrete-and-steel high-rise construction, but H\u00e4lsa at 230 Royal York Road<\/a> stands out as a rare and sustainable alternative. A 9-storey purpose-built residential rental project rising in Mimico, H\u00e4lsa is being built using a prefabricated mass timber system. Designed by LWPAC Architects<\/a> for Leader Lane Developments<\/a> in partnership with Windmill Development Group<\/a>, the mid-rise building is being assembled from robotically manufactured panels that are craned into place onsite. The project targets LEED Platinum certification and Tier 2 of the Toronto Green Standard.<\/p>\n Located on the northwest corner at Drummond Street, the development just south of the Mimico GO station is part of Leader Lane\u2019s Mimico Collection<\/a>, a trio of mass timber infill buildings that seek to address Toronto\u2019s housing crisis through more accessible and sustainable construction.<\/p>\n In this March, 2025 view looking northwest toward the corner of Royal York and Drummond Street, the central reinforced concrete core of H\u00e4lsa has reached eight storeys. This vertical shaft, which will house the building\u2019s elevator and stairwell, forms the structural spine and provides essential lateral stability for the timber-framed superstructure to follow. A perimeter work platform with safety railings and temporary formwork bracing wraps the penultimate level. Below, plywood sheathing and concrete form tie-holes are visible.<\/p>\n By June, 2025, the mass timber framing is now installed along the north elevation up to the second floor, supported by the crane on the left, delivered earlier in the year. The image captures Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) floor panels spanning between glulam (glue-laminated timber) post-and-beam assemblies, which are fastened with visible steel connection plates. Diagonal wood bracing and temporary fencing provide lateral support, while below, painted steel columns support the level above.<\/p>\n This month, construction has progressed to the fourth level, with portions of the fifth-storey floor slab already in place. Looking west, we see the luffing-jib crane hoisting materials. Temporary fencing along the floor edges and hoarding at grade support the ongoing assembly.<\/p>\n Viewed from across Drummond Street looking northeast, the west elevation shows similar progress. The reinforced concrete core, now topped out to the mechanical penthouse level, stands fully formed, while the base is now partially clad in grey brick. Black membrane tape and edge protection outline each timber slab, sealing joints between prefabricated elements.\u00a0<\/p>\n This southwest-facing view highlights the north elevation. At-grade, the painted steel columns provide the base structural support, distinguishing the hybrid load transfer system between the timber superstructure and concrete foundation. The building\u2019s timber framing is directly connected to the reinforced concrete core.<\/p>\n Once complete, H\u00e4lsa will rise 31.79m, delivering 60 new rental homes to South Etobicoke.<\/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 * * *<\/p>\n UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UTPro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe \u2014 from 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 <\/imgx><\/imgx><\/imgx><\/imgx><\/imgx><\/imgx><\/div>\n