Heritage preservation has found a place in the hearts of more and more Torontonians recently. While not all development includes sites worthy of heritage preservation, Five St. Joseph is doing its part to ensure Toronto's past is not forgotten. The joint project by MOD Developments Inc. and Graywood Developments Ltd. embraces its site's history and builds upon it. The project on Yonge north of Wellesley will feature a modern 48-storey tower rising behind heritage buildings and facades along its street edges.

Five St. Joseph facade buttressed for preservation, image by Jack Landau

The most famous shot during the construction here has been of the buttressed facade of 5 St. Joseph Street after which the project is named. With construction of the foundation behind it now complete, the load of the heritage facade has been succesfully transferred to the new building slab, and workers have turned their attention to the complex's podium. The four-storey base will incorporate the 1905 Gothic Revival frontage on the north side of the Hariri Pontarini / ERA Architects building, while the west side facing Nicholas Street will be recreated in the same style but with new window placement.

Restored 1905 heritage facade at Five St Joseph, image courtesy of MOD Developments

At street level the Nicholas Street frontage will be transformed into a pedestrian friendly retail zone with shops and cafes incorporated into the building.  

Nicholas Street currently with construction on the east side, image by Forum member thecharioteer

Future pedestrian-friendly retail zone on Nicholas Street, image courtesy of MOD Developments

Concrete work is currently progressing on the third floor, with forming for the walls and slab being put in place. Above the restored podium will sit an amenities terrace for the condo community with views looking out across the neighbourhood.

Five St. Joseph podium-rooftop amenities space, image courtesy of MOD Developments

While restoration of the heritage facade is an important piece to the project, the adjacent shops and buildings on Yonge Street will also undergo rennovations. Retail will be maintained on the ground level floor of the buldings while resdidential units will be placed above in the three-storey Yonge Street buildings. With scaffolding recently put in place, work is soon to commence on this portion of the project.

Overview of revitalization site along Yonge and St Joseph streets, image by Forum member thecharioteer

As work continues and the tower takes shape, Urban Toronto will keep you informed with the lastest. Visit the dataBase entry linked below for more information and renderings, or check out the associated Projects & Construction Forum thread to join in the conversation and to see many more recent photos of the project.