Construction on a new residential complex at 89 Avenue Yorkville has progressed over the past year and is now halfway through its final 20 floors. Nestled in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood, this luxury residential project designed by Richard Wengle Architect for Armour Heights Developments is quickly taking shape and will soon tower over its immediate neighbours.
Looking east at 89 Avenue Yorkville, designed by Richard Wengle Architect for Armour Heights Developments
When UrbanToronto last visited the site in February 2022, demolition of the 8-storey Hotel 89 had already been completed. Extensive shoring and excavation would take up most of the remainder of the year, allowing the tower crane to be installed in early 2023. In May 2023, the northeast view below shows the tower crane erected at the east end of the site off Avenue Road. An excavator stands in the middle of the site behind steelwork for a future floor slab. The sub-basement area, partially visible from the tower crane, is being prepared for the installation of an automated mechanical car lift system designed to maximize space on this tight site by allowing cars to be stacked up to four stories high.
Looking northeast at the tower crane and underground work for the mechanical car lift, image by AlbertC, UrbanToronto Forum contributor
By the end of 2023, construction height was reached, and in February 2024 we see the ground floor partially completed, with a concrete column and wall that will form part of the future main entrance. On the second level, materials are being provided for the ongoing work, and to the right there is cage-shaped reinforcing steel protruding from a formed wall.
Looking southeast at rebar and concrete walls at ground level, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner
Two floors above ground will be visible by April 2024. Support posts will remain in place while the concrete hardens. Construction is underway on the third floor, where a team of workers controls a concrete bucket maneuvered by the tower crane's boom.
Construction crews move a bucket of concrete on the third level, image by Northern Light, a contributor to the UrbanToronto Forum
At the eastern end of the site, the tower will take shape in August 2024 over the concrete forms of the podium, above which will be an outdoor leisure space. There is a setback above the second floor leading to the rising tower volume, and another setback above the fifth floor, above which there are currently three levels.
The eastern building, which houses the outdoor area, photo by UrbanToronto Forum contributor drum118
This month, 89 Avenue is now 11 stories high. Concrete walls are being formed on the east side of the 12th floor, while above it the tower crane is busy lifting wooden formwork. Below, a construction elevator is being set up in the middle of the west facade.
The volume will be set back above the sixth floor, with the design to feature rows of five windows. The facade will have a pseudo-historic aesthetic with limestone cladding and will feature large arches at the central base, punched windows and cornices at each set back. The lower floors will be granite and marble, while grey brickwork will clad the upper central portion of the west facade, as well as the north and south facades.
Looking northeast at 11 floors created by ongoing work on the 12th level. The construction elevator is installed on the west facade. Image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo
Construction is ongoing and there are eight floors left to complete. When completed, 89 Avenue will reach a height of 76.5m and house 28 luxury apartments, all within walking distance of St. George and Bay subway stations.
UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of this development, but in the meantime you can learn more about it in our database file linked below. If you'd like, you can join the conversation in the associated project forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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