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With the impressive amount of construction in Toronto's Entertainment District, we find ourselves turning our attention back the area on an almost daily basis as several high-rise developments continue to grow in size. When we last looked at Aspen Ridge Homes’ Studio and Studio2 on Richmond in May, the Quadrangle Architects-designed development was making steady progress, with the north tower 'Studio' climbing quickly and the southern 'Studio2' showing the first signs of its ground floor.
In the time since, Studio has grown to a height of 20 storeys, with just 11 floors plus mechanical levels left to build before the building tops out. On the south side of the site, Studio2's ground floor continues to take shape at the northeast corner of Nelson and Duncan. Studio2 will eventually rise to a height of 41 storeys and will contain 425 condominium units, while the 31-storey Studio will contain 337 units.
The different stages of the two towers can be attributed to the sales centre's former location: it stood on the site of Studio2. Excavation for Studio commenced while the sales centre remained for several months, with excavation for Studio2 beginning only after the presentation centre moved into a retail space across Nelson Street to the south, allowing the subsequent removal of the temporary structure.
Work up top on the north tower continues to speed along, currently moving at a rate of approximately two floors per week. The white arm that can be seen delivers cement mix up through the building to whichever floor is being poured at the time. This frees up with crane to hoist other materials like rebar, and to 'fly' the wall and floor forms from one level to the next, without having to hoist bucket after bucket of cement.
The development's north frontage has filled in a substantial gap in the Richmond Street streetwall, one marked primarily by the heritage warehouse buildings which give the Entertainment District its character. The Studio frontage has been designed to enhance that character, while at street level the building is meant to enhance the pedestrian experience: besides the building's residential entrance, the ground floor here will have both new retail space and a new OCAD University art gallery.
As the summer heats up, so too will construction at Studio and Studio2 on Richmond. In the coming months we can expect to see the topping-off of the 31-storey Studio as well as the first signs of tower glazing, while the 41-storey Studio2 will soon start making an impact on the neighbourhood.
Additional information including building facts, renderings and floorplans for Studio and Studio2 on Richmond can be found in our dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Head over to one of the associated Forum threads, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.
| Related Companies: | BDP Quadrangle |
