Building progress viewed from Stone House Walk on February 3 2011

That’s the spirit: Tourists and Toronto residents visiting the Distillery District can finally see progress on the Clear Spirit condominium complex now that podium construction has climbed higher than the Paint Shop and Rack House buildings at the historic neighbourhood’s east end. There isn’t much to see so far, but that will change quickly once the condo tower starts climbing towards its full height of about 40 storeys.

Until a few weeks ago, it was difficult to see any of the construction unless you peered through a chain link fence at the far east end of Stone House Walk, next to the south parking lot. Even from there, you can see only a small section of the building taking shape.

Hoarding blocks views of the construction area from almost everywhere in the Distillery District itself, while Cherry Street isn’t a safe viewing area because of all the traffic from heavy construction vehicles going to and from the Clear Spirit site as well as to and from the massive West Don Lands development across the street where the 2015 Pan Am Games athletes’ village will be situated.

The Clear Spirit tower was designed by Toronto’s architectsAlliance.

Below are several building renderings from the architectsAlliance and Clear Spirit websites, along with photos I’ve taken of construction progress since early 2010.

 

Clear Spirit condo building rendering from the architectsAlliance website

Clear Spirit condo website rendering of the building lobby

Clear Spirit condo website rendering of the building podium and tower

Podium construction rising above Tank House Lane on February 3 2011

Clear Spirit condo excavation viewed from Stone House Walk March 17 2010

Another view of the excavation from the end of Stone House Walk

Foundation construction viewed from Stone House Walk on November 9 2010

Another view of Clear Spirit condo construction on November 9 2010

Podium construction obvious from Tank House Lane on February 3 2011

Podium rising above the Mill Street Brewery on February 3 2011

Podium progress viewed from Tank House Lane on February 3 2011

Clear Spirit crane and construction viewed from Cherry Street on February 3 2011

Crane viewed from outside the Distillery District entrance on Mill Street on February 3 2011. The architectsAlliance-designed building will dominate this view once construction of the 40-storey glass tower is well underway.

Clear Spirit condo tower rendering on a billboard in the Distillery District