How Toronto’s Most Anticipated Developments Are Taking Shape

Under the auspices of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties and MOD Developments, Waterworks is on the verge of opening inside the monumental municipal utility, replete with reintroduced art deco flourishes, at 505 Richmond Street West.

The sensitive adaptive re-use (by a team including Diamond Schmitt, ERA Architects, Cecconi Simone and Janet Rosenberg + Studio) entailed uncovering the original pitched ceiling — and its magnificent skylights — and making thoughtful connections to the neighbours, with signage pointing to St. Andrew’s Playground and a courtyard that connects the brick building to an integrated glass and steel condo complex, a soon-to-open YMCA and the patio for Susur Lee’s relocated flagship restaurant.

Most impressive: The team excavated below the building to carve out a basement where everything that goes into running a bustling food hall — with some 30 vendors — can be discreetly tucked away.