Approximately ten months since shoring rigs arrived at the northwest corner of Richmond and Augusta, adjacent to Toronto’s famous Graffiti Alley along Rush Lane, construction is in full swing at the site of Alterra Group‘s Rush Condos. The Quadrangle-designed project is to rise 15 storeys, and include new wall space along its Rush Lane frontage for new creations that will further enrich this world-famous corridor of guerrilla street art.

After we covered the arrival of heavy equipment and the start of construction in late November, 2019, shoring and excavation were completed after shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and then construction resumption with new precautions in place. Excavation bottomed out 10.24 metres below grade in May, allowing a crane base to be put in place. Tower crane assembly happened in mid-June, with forming work subsequently beginning on the building’s three underground levels.

Underground there will be a single basement level and two parking levels below. The basement will contain mechanical, electrical, resident lockers, and bicycle parking, while the two parking levels are to house 26 long-term resident parking spaces. The lower P2 began to take shape in July, with the P1 slab following in August. By the start of September, the first slab forms, rebar cages, pipes, and conduits were in place for the basement level slab. The most recent images show that the basement level’s walls and columns are in the process of being formed.

The sold-out project is bringing 125 condominium units to the neighbourhood in a mix of one-bedroom through three-bedroom+den layouts, from 458 ft² to 939 ft² in area. Living up to its name referencing Rush Lane, the building’s north and west podium walls will include areas for street artists to add to the colourful laneway. While unlicensed street art remains illegal throughout the majority of the city, Rush Lane was designated as an area of municipal significance in the City’s 2011-adopted Graffiti Management Plan, leading to the City’s forming of the “StART” street art program, fostering legal street art across the city.

Source: Urban Toronto