Nearly three years after UrbanToronto's last update in February 2022, when shoring equipment had just arrived, 4800 Yonge Street has re-emerged above ground after a lengthy and technically complex period underground. The 49-story building, which rises from the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue and spans a curved subway tunnel, is now just three stories tall. Designed by Arquitectonica and B+H Architects for Menkes Developments with Turner Fleischer as Architect of Record, the residential tower, intended primarily for rental apartments, will gradually take on a distinctive shape and presence in the North York Center skyline.
An aerial photo in January 2024 shows the preparations for the first crane installation in the excavation pit. The crane base is covered in an orange tarp, while the perimeter of the pit is lined with extensive temporary supports. Horizontal steel rakes support the northwest corner, while slanted rakes on the northeast corner provide support. The slow, methodical excavation reflects the site's greatest limitation: the subway tunnel connecting Yonge Line 1 and Sheppard Line 4. The Sheppard-Yonge interchange is located directly north and east of the pit.
An aerial view of the excavation and tower crane base, image courtesy of UrbanToronto Forum contributor ProjectEnd
A top view from thirteen months later, in February 2025, shows construction progressing toward grade, spanning five levels of underground parking. The excavation pit is now largely covered with dense reinforcement mesh and active formwork. Along the Bogert Avenue facade on the right, this block was closed during construction, a work platform was installed just above grade to support the stage.
Looking northeast at underground construction progressing toward grade, image by A Torontonian Now, UrbanToronto Forum contributor
By July 2025, construction has been accelerated as the structure rises one story above the site and the second tower crane is now installed near the northwest corner. Exceptionally dense rebar can be seen throughout the second floor, forming a substantial transfer plate. Along Bogert Avenue, a truck-mounted concrete boom pump arches into the terrain.
An elevated view looking west of the second tower crane installed with rebar for the second floor transfer slab, image by Sunnyraytoronto, UrbanToronto Forum contributor
Another ten months later, to this day, construction work on the seven-story podium continues to progress. The concrete structure now extends to three floors, with rebar cages extending upward to mark the work to support the fourth and fifth floors. Along the southern facade, a series of large cylindrical reinforced concrete columns rise from a thick transfer slab to the third floor. Crews are emerging from the transfer plate and have begun assembling a structural steel I-beam frame for a canopy over the Bogert, Yonge and Sheppard walkways.
Looking northwest at the three-story podium with attached rebar cages on the fourth floor, image by UrbanToronto forum contributor Sunnyraytoronto
From the Hullmark Center across the street, we have a top view of the steel roof frame at the southeast corner, finished with white fascia and white soffit, curving along the north, east and south facades of the podium. At ground level on the right, extensive scaffolding and shoring lines the Yonge Street facade near the future subway pedestrian connection.
The curved canopy structure takes shape at the southeast corner, image by Sunnyraytoronto, UrbanToronto Forum contributor
Looking southwest across Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue at night, the emerging form begins to take hold, rising in front of the Emerald Park Condos on the left and the Nestle Canada building on the right. At the base, the podium walls will consist of clear and spandrel glazing framed by white aluminum window louvers, along with metal louvers and metal panel cladding, while the under construction hints at the flowing canopy and future retail facade.
A nighttime view looking southeast toward the podium cluster emerging at Yonge and Sheppard streets, image by UrbanToronto Forum Contributor Kris
Once completed, 4800 Yonge Street will have 168.24 m of space and offer 498 rental units.
Looking southwest at 4800 Yonge Street, designed by Arquitectonica, B+H Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects for Menkes Developments
UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of this development, but in the meantime you can learn more in our database file linked below. If you'd like, you can join the discussion in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the designated area on this page.
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