Dig to Done: The Story of B.Streets

We have teamed up with our friends over at Lindvest to bring you a long term construction story, following B.streets from “dig-to-done.” We will be meeting with project managers, developers, and architects, who will be filling us in on everything that has gone and will go into B.streets. B.streets is located at the corner of Bathurst and Bloor, one of the most interesting sites in Toronto. The lack of available space around the site makes for a truly unique construction process. The plan is described by Chris Hawkins, the Senior Project Manager:

“There is always a method to build a building. We will be starting from the north end and working to the southern area of the land. Part of the reason why we are doing that is because of the location of the elevator shaft. We normally would have a big generator unit that would be the size of a cement truck, but with this site, we simply just don’t have the room.” Currently one floor below ground, things are moving ahead rather quickly for Lindvest at B.Streets. The school that was once on site is no more, and has been replaced by construction workers and equipment.

“The actual footprint of the building goes full property line to property line, so the full basement goes 34,000 square feet. We’re also planning on placing the crane on the podium. There will be six townhomes built on that half of the property, so we are designing the structure to build the townhomes after we build the tower. We will use the space where the townhomes will eventually go to stage materials.”

The big question that we are all asking is — where is the crane!? When does it get here?

“The tower crane is scheduled to go up in early October. It always gets everyone’s attention.”

Keep an eye on the Toronto Star’s NewInHomes.com, as we will be back at B.streets next month to grab some shots of the crane, as well as to talk with Chris Hawkins about where they are in the construction process.