The construction of Lifetime Developments and Great Gulf Homes' X2 Condominiums has reached a major milestone, as cladding now stretches to the uppermost reaches of the building's facade, atop the mechanical penthouse level. The 49-storey, Wallman Architects-designed condominium tower topped out towards the end of the Summer, and in the time since, the final cladding now wraps around the tower's mechanical penthouse.

X2 viewed from the corner of Church and Charles, image by Jack Landau

At X2, the mechanical penthouse has been partially enclosed by fins and glazing that continue the Mies van der Rohe-inspired facade all the way up to the roofline, not unlike the new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences. This is a major departure from sister development X Condominiums, which has a set-back and fully enclosed mechanical penthouse, clad in aluminum.

X2 and neighbouring X and Couture viewed from Sherbourne Street, image by Jack Landau

Even with the "fully enclosed" mechanical penthouses of most buildings, there are always fan exhausts from the top of HVAC units which control the temperature in the building interiors. At X2 and other buildings of this type, the HVAC units are more exposed to the elements. Architects have described this roofless glass wrap style top as one which allows the building to disappear into the sky.

X2's mechanical penthouse surrounded by the building's roof fins, image by Jack Landau

X2 viewed from the east on Sherbourne Street, image by Jack Landau

For additional information, including renderings and floor plans, visit X2's dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or voice your opinion in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.