Toronto, Montreal among tall-building hotspots.

Plan for Trio of Toronto Towers Advances

Lanterra Developments’ scaled-back plan for a trio of towers in downtown Toronto between St. Patrick and Simcoe streets has, for the most part, won Planning Review Panel approval, UrbanToronto reported. Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, Artists’ Alley now has a gross floor area (GFA) reduced by 21% to 66,959 m2. Building 1, the tallest, was reduced from 54 stories and 634 residential units to 39 stories and 393 residential units. Building 2 increased from 24 stories and 150 units to 36 stories and 310 units. Building 3 remained the same at 17 stories but was reconfigured to house 210, rather than 345, residential units. The GFA for offices shrunk by 57% to 4,661 m2. The new plan includes a 1,000-m2 public park. While approving of the revised density, the panel questioned the suitability of ground-level retail and configuration of some of the residential units.

Mixed-Use Stantec Tower Rising in Edmonton

The 66-story Stantec Tower (ELEVATOR WORLD, December 2014), which will be home to engineering firm Stantec and other corporate entities, as well as approximately 480 condominiums, is rising in Edmonton, Canada’s ICE District, SkyRise Cities reported. The first 28 floors will have offices, with the remainder housing condos. Designed by Stantec, the building will be connected to neighboring towers, boast an approximately 500-space parking area and be energy efficient. It will be the tallest structure in Edmonton. Offices are scheduled for delivery in 2018, with the residential portion set to open in fall 2019.

Striking Montreal Skyscraper Close to Complete

L’Avenue, a 50-story, mixed-use building designed by IBI Group and developed by Broccolini, is poised to open this year in a formerly neglected part of downtown Montreal across from the Bell Centre sports venue, SkyRise Cities reported. The structure has a stepped design that tapers at the top, reminiscent of classical Manhattan architecture, and has already won an INOVA award from Quebec Urban Design Institute. The project will house more than 300 condominiums with views of the St. Lawrence River or Mount Royal, four floors of offices and a supermarket. It is cloaked in a black and blue curtain wall.

Mississauga Tower to Rival Absolute Towers in Originality

Mississauga, Canada, is set to get a 60-story tower that will be the city’s tallest and cut a striking figure on the skyline, World Architecture News reported. Designed by CORE Architects, M City will incorporate seven twisting floorplates, giving it a unique appearance rivaling that of the Absolute Towers (EW, October 2011). It will be the first of 10 towers in a 15-acre masterplanned community. Urban Capital Property Group was selected as the developer by owner Real Estate Development Ltd. The property is set to contain approximately 780 residences and amenities, including a podium-rooftop terrace that transforms into a skating rink in the winter.

Cluster of Supertalls Proposed for Toronto

Five condominium towers ranging from 75 to 89 stories are envisioned on a piece of Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) land at Queens Quay Boulevard East in Toronto, Urban Toronto reported. Developer Menkes has proposed 79- and 80-story towers sitting atop a multistory podium on the northeast quadrant. That part of the project would contain approximately 1,930 residential units and a four-level underground parking garage with 478 spaces. On the northwest quadrant, a pair of 89-story, 304-m-tall towers rising from the LCBO headquarters, along with a 75-story tower and underground parking for 1,543 vehicles, are planned. These three towers would add approximately 5,190 condos to the neighborhood. Office, retail and a public school are also part of the plan.

Apex Lifts Lands 61-Unit ISHA Maintenance Contract

Apex Lifts has been awarded a contract to maintain and repair 61 lifts in Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) homes in London. The yearlong contract commenced in January and includes key performance indicator reporting and the use of Apex Computer Aided Lift Management, an online tool that provides real-time information on schedules, breakdowns, maintenance and repairs. Apex staff are on hand 24/7 to respond to problems. The work includes hydraulic and machine-room-less passenger lifts, as well as stairlifts.