Latest Towers Reach Grade at Universal City in Pickering

DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION
April 15, 2026 by Anthony Teles 487

Newest towers reach grade at Universal City in Pickering

Construction work on the final phase of the Universal City development in Pickering has reached the level that marks the start of structural work on the towers, designated UC6 and UC7. Designed by KIRKOR Architects and Planners for Chestnut Hill Developments, the two towers will stand 26 and 37 storeys tall, respectively, on the east side of the site near Sandy Beach Road and Celebration Drive in the city east of Toronto, adding to the growing density near Pickering GO Station. The new phase follows the completion of previous buildings in the community – UC1, UC2 and UC3 – at 17, 28 and 31 storeys.

Drone shot of UC1, 2 and 3 near the end of their construction in June 2024, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor FutureDurham

In this June 2025 close-up nighttime view of the northeast corner of the site, work focused on installing the first of two crane bases. A reinforcing mesh is laid out under the crane foundation, which serves as reinforcement for the structural base, which is created after the concrete is poured and hardened. Here a mobile crane stabilized by supports lowers the steel property into position. Teams can be seen leading the placement and coordinating the installation.

The first tower crane base installation with rebar mesh, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Bingbong

In July 2025, a mobile crane parked on the slope was busy lifting sections of masts, while several more sections lay on the ground to the left, waiting their turn. At the bottom of the excavation pit – which is to become a three-story underground car park – foundation slabs, column bases and formwork panels are distributed under the footprint of a future tower. A green telehandler and a yellow excavator are at work in the pit, while the surrounding retaining walls, secured with tension straps, define the edge of the property.

Looking east at the tower crane mast assembly, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Bingbong

In August 2025, both cranes were erected, the second crane was installed further south. Garage foundation work is progressing with a section of dense reinforcement mesh and formwork, and active crew work is focused between the cranes. Concrete columns extend from the foundation around the first crane on the left, with protruding rebar ready to tie into the next level columns as they are formed.

Looking southeast at twin tower cranes and foundation work progressing as excavation progresses, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Bingbong

In this image taken in October 2025, a grid of reinforced concrete columns is now erected around the south crane, while the ramp leading from the second underground level to the lowest level has been formed.

Looking south at the underground parking columns and the ramp formation around the south tower crane, image by Bingbong, UrbanToronto Forum contributor

Looking north from a neighboring Universal City Pickering tower this month, the western end of the site has reached grade. The floor slab is now erected, with reinforcing bars, formwork systems and building materials being provided in an organized arrangement in preparation for initial structural concrete work. The completed towers UC1, UC2 and UC3 frame the site to the west and south.

Looking down on the western end of the site with materials staging next to the completed UC1, UC2 and UC3 towers, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor generalcanada

Work on UC6 and UC7 was converted to ground level construction, with reinforced concrete walls now constructed around each crane. The taller north crane is positioned to serve the 37-story UC7 on the left, while the shorter south crane serves the 26-story UC6 on the right. Formwork, reinforcing steel and building materials are arranged throughout the ceiling, while at the northern end parts of the second floor ceiling are covered with decking.

Looking southeast across the entire site at grade as ground floor work is underway, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Bingbong

Once completed, UC6 and UC7 will reach heights of 75m and 114.4m respectively and comprise a total of 758 condominiums.

Looking southwest at UC6 designed by KIRKOR Architects and Planners for Chestnut Hill DevelopmentsLooking northwest at UC7 designed by KIRKOR Architects and Planners for Chestnut Hill Developments

The future phases UC4 and UC5 are planned to be 46 and 54 floors respectively, with the tallest buildings placed at the northern end of the site.

Looking northwest at the full design of the 7-tower Universal City community designed by KIRKOR Architects and Planners for Chestnut Hill Developments

UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of these developments, but in the meantime you can learn more in our database files linked below. If you’d like, you can join the discussions in the associated Project Forum threads or leave a comment in the designated area on this page.

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