Yonge & The Esplanade signalized intersection update

L Tower  8 The Esplanade – Signalized Intersection Update for Yonge & The Esplanade 

As residents and passerby have noticed, the new traffic lights have been installed for the new signalized intersection at Yonge and The Esplanade. This was one of the public realm deliverables of the L Tower development. It was supported by the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA, Deputy Mayor McConnell, City Councillor for Ward 28 and the developers, Castlepoint Numa, Cityzen, and Fernbrook Homes.  Under Deputy Mayor McConnel’s leadership the installation and funding of the intersection was taken on by the City of Toronto.

While the poles lights are installed, the intersection won’t “go live” yet. It usually takes a month or so, weather permitting, after the hardware is installed before the traffic lights are tested and become active. We expect an update from the Deputy Mayor’s office shortly and will post and circulate the information once we have it. 

Check back here at ltowerconstructioninfo.com for updates.

Traffic light for the new signalized intersection at Yonge and The Esplanade

Northbound traffic light for the new signalized intersection at Yonge and The Esplanade

Sony Centre Plaza Public Art – Dream Ballet Triptych revealed

L Tower  8 The Esplanade – Sony Centre Plaza Update – December update. 

On December 8th the major new public art installation in the Sony Centre Plaza was revealed: Triptych Dream Ballet by Toronto artist Harley Valentine is now fully revealed. Dream Ballet is the centrepiece of the Claude Cormier + Associés designed plaza. As with the adjacent redesigned Bercy Park (also by Claude Cormier), some finishing and landscaping work remains to be complete before the Plaza is “finished” but the artwork is easily viewable by all as the new gateway to the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood and Old Town Toronto. 

Dream Ballet Triptych by Harley Valentine, in the Claude Cormier designed Sony Centre Plaza.

The reveal event on December 8th featured remarks from Alfredo Romano, President of Castlepoint Numa, artist Harley Valentine, and Rex Harrington, former Principal Dancer of the National Ballet who performed for many years at the Sony Centre. Attendees included Suzanne Kavanagh, President of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, and Al Smith, Executive Director, of the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA. 

Alfredo Romano, President of Castlepoint Numa, speaking at the Dream Ballet Triptych “reveal” on December 8.

Artist Harley Valentine speaking at the Dream Ballet Triptych “reveal” on December 8.

The Esplanade and Yonge

City contractors are at work on installing footings for new traffic lights and street lights at the corner of Yonge and The Esplanade. They are also taking the concrete median apart that divides Yonge Street. This work is preparation for the new controlled pedestrian crossing at The Esplanade, which was one of the public realm deliverables of the L Tower redevelopment.

City contractors installing the footings for new traffic lights at The Esplanade and Yonge Street.

Check back here at ltowerconstructioninfo.com for updates.

Sony Plaza update November 7 2016

L Tower  8 The Esplanade – Sony Plaza Update – November 7 

Progress continues at the northwest plaza of the Sony Centre with pavers and landscaping elements being installed. As we noted in our last updated, the new public art piece Triptych Dream Ballet by Toronto artist Harley Valentine has been installed and awaits its public reveal. 

Last month also saw the competition of the paving and concrete pour for the sidewalk on the north side of The Esplanade, along the south wall of the Sony Centre and the southeast face of the L Tower. 

Check back here at ltowerconstructioninfo.com for updates.

Triptych: Dream Ballet awaits its reveal at the Sony Centre’s northwest plaza.

Progress continues on the Sony Centre northwest plaza.

The wide sidewalk in the evening light, just east of the L Tower.

Sony Plaza update October 24 2016

L Tower  8 The Esplanade – Sony Plaza Update

In the past two weeks significant progress has been made on the northwest plaza of the Sony Centre.

As recently as October 7, crews were laying paving stones to form the “floor” of the plaza. Just this weekend the new public art piece Triptych Dream Ballet by Toronto artist Harley Valentine was installed on the site. 

The public “reveal” of Triptych Dream Ballet is coming soon. This exciting new addition of public art and public realm space will be serve as new landmark and gateway to the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. 

Check back here at ltowerconstructioninfo.com for updates.

Placing paving stones on the Sony Centre northwest plaza October 7

One of the sculptural elements of Triptych Dream Ballet being lowered into place at the Sony Centre. Photo Credit Harley Valentine.

The final sculpture of the Dream Ballet being put in place at the Sony Centre. Photo Credit Harley Valentine. 

Triptych Dream Ballet being installed at the Sony Centre northwest plaza. Photo Credit Harley Valentine.

L Tower autumn update – October 2016

L Tower construction information 8 The Esplanade – L Tower October 2016

We check in at the L Tower now that fall is here. While the building is nearly fully occupied some work remains to be done.

At the top of the building the derrick (temporary crane) will remain in place until May 2017. The derrick is going to be used to install the permanent Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) in May.

Work is scheduled to be underway to install paving and complete the remaining unfinished sidewalk area on the south side of the L Tower and the Sony Centre. Weather permitting this work should be completed within the next 4 weeks. 

Finally, work is continuing on the northwest plaza of the Sony Centre. The plaza is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. We will have an update on the plaza later this fall.

Check back here at ltowerconstructioninfo.com for regular updates on Backstage and the L Tower. 

L Tower as seen from the podium deck of Backstage.

Northwest Sony Centre plaza under construction.

Sony Centre northwest plaza in progress.

East face of the L Tower with completed windows and balconies.