Catching Up With the Latest Construction Starts Across the Greater Golden Horseshoe

As we approach February 2024, the Greater Golden Horseshoe is basking in an unusually warm winter, giving a boost to the countless construction projects across the region by allowing crews to be more productive and make quicker progress on developments that reshaping the region's cityscape and suburban landscapes. Keeping track of all this activity can be a daunting task with a seemingly endless list of projects. Here's a roundup of some of the area's construction starts in recent months:

1141 Bloor West and 980 Dufferin

In the heart of Toronto's Dufferin Grove, 1141 Bloor Street West and 980 Dufferin Street are part of Hazelview Investments' Bloor & Dufferin complex. Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, the adjacent properties consist of towers of 11, 34 and 37 stories. This development is part of a larger vision with a total of six buildings, the other three coming from Fitzrovia Reql Estate. The Hazelview buildings will create 1,055 market-rate rental units and retail space on the site of the former Bloor Collegiate Institute. The project cranes, of which there are currently five throughout the complex, are a clear sign of the rapid development.

Tower cranes are set up at 980 Dufferin Street as excavation continues, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor ProjectEnd

Y9825

Y9825 by Metroview Developments, an addition to the company's Yonge Series, named for its address on this street in Richmond Hill. Designed by Wallman Architects, Y9825 will span 22 stories and feature a mix of 451 condominiums and townhouses, each designed with hotel-style interiors. The construction site has been busy since June 2023, marked by the presence of two cranes and early construction work.

Looking east at the tower cranes and excavation work at Y9825, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Shawnzachariah

316 Bloor West

State Building Group's proposal at Spadina subway station will add to the vibrancy of Toronto's Annex neighborhood. Designed by Kirkor Architects Planners, this 37-story mixed-use building will be located at the northwest corner of Bloor Street West and Madison Avenue and will incorporate 499 residential units with ground-floor retail space. The demolition was completed in autumn 2023 and supporting scaffolding has now been installed in preparation for the excavations. The excavations here will allow the tram loop at Spadina station to be expanded to accommodate two full-sized trams.

Shoring equipment parked on site at 316 Bloor West, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Volkswagen battery cell factory

In a bold step towards electrification, Volkswagen subsidiary PowerCO SE will build its first and largest battery plant outside Europe in St. Thomas, Ontario, south of London. Located on a sprawling 1,200 to 1,500 hectare site along Highbury Avenue South, the factory will specialize in the production of battery cells for electric vehicles. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony in December 2023. Partial production is expected by 2027 and full operational status by 2030.

Rendering of the Volkswagen battery cell factory developed by PowerCO SE

The Millhouse Condominiums

Set against the backdrop of downtown Milton, The Millhouse Condominiums by Fernbrook Homes is a condominium designed by Architecture Unfolded. This project consists of three towers ranging in height from 15 to 19 floors and is expected to deliver a total of 677 units. Construction on the project, located on Nipissing Road, began in fall 2023, with foundation work and two cranes now visibly changing the skyline.

An aerial view of foundation work and two tower cranes at The Millhouse Condominiums, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Branden Simon

Lincoln Alexander Hall

A new landmark is being built on the McMaster University campus in the Westdale area of ​​Hamilton. Lincoln Alexander Hall, a joint project between the university and Knightstone Capital Management, was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects. Dedicated to redefining student living with innovative design, this 10- and 15-story residential community is located at 1190 Main Street West. The groundbreaking ceremony in November 2023 marked the start of construction work. With supporting scaffolding and the early formation of the crane base, the foundation has already been laid for what will become a vibrant center for student life.

Looking east at the Lincoln Alexander Hall construction site, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor jta5

31 Sherbourne North

O'Shanter Development Company is bringing a new residential option to Toronto's prestigious Rosedale neighborhood at 31 Sherbourne Street North. Designed by GBCA Architects, this three-story building will provide 11 market-rate rental apartments and will fit into the upscale and historic character of the area. Construction began in early 2024, with a mobile tower crane facilitating work on the project's compact site.

Mobile tower crane erected for construction at 31 Sherbourne Street North, image by UrbanToronto Forum staff rdt

Stone lofts

Located in the heart of Ancaster Village, Hamilton, The Stone Lofts offer a mix of historic charm and modern living. Developed by Sonoma Homes and designed by David Premi Architects, this three-story condominium at 125 Wilson Street East is slated to offer 19 residential units. After a short break, excavations resumed in October 2023, paving the way for this expected expansion of Ancaster's residential offering.

Early stages of excavation at Stone Lofts, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Branden Simon

Gorman Park condos

Developed by Pinemount Developments and designed by Icon Architects, Gorman Park Condos will be located at 128 Gorman Park Road in Toronto's Clanton Park neighborhood. This 9-story, mixed-use building will feature 170 market-rate rental units in retail space, improving the quality of life and convenience of the community. Demolition began in September 2023 and shoring equipment appeared on site last month.

Shoring equipment parked on site after completion of demolition at Gorman Park Condos, image by Ed Skira

740 York Mills

Minto Communities GTA is expanding rental inventory in Toronto's Windfields neighborhood with its project at 740 York Mills Road, on the northwest corner of Leslie Street. Designed by Rafael + Bigauskas Architects, this unique development consists of seven three-story buildings with a total of 192 townhouse units. After the site was demolished in 2022, the construction team broke ground and was actively involved in the excavation work and construction of the underground car park.

Ongoing underground car park excavation, image by UrbanToronto forum contributor, enter username

95 pigeon

Rexton Development is bringing a new townhome community to life at 95 Pidgeon Street in the Clairlea-Birchmount neighborhood of Scarborough, adding 26 contemporary units across three buildings. The three-story buildings, designed by TAES Architect, each offer 8 to 10 residential units with a height of up to 13.49 m. Excavators arrived on site in the fall of 2023 and worked quickly until December to create concrete foundations and walls as well as the Assembly of the wooden formwork.

Formwork and concrete foundation work underway at 95 Pidgeon, Image by UrbanToronto Forum Contributor, Enter Username

To learn more about any of the projects in today's story, you can visit the respective database files linked below. From there, you can also join the conversation by visiting the project thread. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the progress of these projects and keep you informed of important updates.

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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area – from proposal to completion. We also offer instant reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from the first application.