As Burano Condominiums rises on Bay Street north of college, several camera-toting UrbanToronto members have been keeping the project under their collective watchful eye: androiduk, confusion, drum118, dt_toronto_geek, Jasonzed, and Mike in TO have all contributed to our knowledge of this building's progress over the last few weeks. UrbanToronto presents a tour of the best of their photos, alongside high resolution renderings of the finished product.

Let's start with a bang-up brand new photo of the tower taken from the south tower of Murano across the street. With blue skies and sunlight, light reflecting off Murano's facade provides a dappled show on Burano's east side.

Image by Mike in TO

The building, like the Murano towers, its Lanterra Developments cousins to the east, is designed by modernist master Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance. Here's a long, tall drink of Burano as seen from the north.

image courtesy of Montana Steele/architectsAlliance

Of particular notice from this angle is the colourful glassed-in atrium lobby at the north end of the building. It does not look so colourful yet, but the unusual concrete canopy roof provides a focal point for speculation about its eventual form.

image by dt_toronto_geek

image by Jasonzed

image by dt_toronto_geek

image by confusion

Let's get a better look at its final form.

image courtesy of Montana Steele/architectsAlliance

Here's a closer look at the landmark artwork hanging behind the glass. Its creator is Sandro Martini of Milan.

image courtesy of Montana Steele/architectsAlliance

If we turn to the left we take in the view down Bay Street, and get a look at the intersection of the modern podium and the restored facade of the 1925-built McLaughlin Motors Building. Along with the glass and steel we expect from modern point tower condos, Burano features the restored facade of the historic building fronting its podium. Heritage specialists ERA Architects are directing the restoration of this brick and limestone exterior

image courtesy of Montana Steele/architectsAlliance

At the south end of the complex we see the tower rising over the restored McLaughlin Motors Building, now acting as a retail podium.

image courtesy of Montana Steele/architectsAlliance

Here is what that spot looks like currently.

image by drum118

These images provide increasing focus on the details of the restored facade's brick and limestone. Windows are still to come of course.

image by drum118

image by Jasonzed

image by androiduk

This close-up gives us a better look at the detail of the completed restoration.

image courtesy of Montana Steele/architectsAlliance

What do you think of Burano? Leave a comment here, or join in the conversation in the Burano thread in UrbanToronto's thread for the project by clicking on the link below.

This article was originally published in forum thread: Burano (Bay & Grosvenor, Lanterra, 48s, aA)

Related Companies:  architects—Alliance, Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., Janet Rosenberg & Studio