Photos: James Bombales
PJ Condos is a 48-storey residential development currently under construction on the northeast corner of Pearl and John streets in Toronto’s Entertainment District. The high-rise condominium is the second phase of Pinnacle International’s sold out Pinnacle on Adelaide project and features 372 suites, luxury amenities, and a unique shape and architecture.
Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, PJ Condos bucks the current trend of all-glass residential towers. Instead, it features a sculpted facade of precast concrete panels with embedded brick veneers. The design choice is a nod to the neighbourhood’s historical brick-and-beam buildings and contrasts nicely with surrounding structures. The masonry construction starts at the building’s six-storey podium and continues upward with vertical bands separating windows and balconies as they run all the way up the face of the tower.
The podium also houses the development’s collection of lifestyle amenities, which include a rooftop outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and sun decks. Other amenities include a multi-purpose/party room with kitchenette and bar, fully-equipped fitness centre, yoga room and a 24-hour concierge.
Construction at PJ Condos started in late-2016 and crews have now passed the halfway point with concrete footings now being poured on the 33rd floor. As the tower continues to rise, workers on lower floors are simultaneously installing the building’s red brick-cladding and dark green glazing and spandrel.
The tower’s sculptural crease is now visible starting on the 7th floor where it angles out towards John Street, expanding the floor plate of subsequent floors. The increased floor plates allow for larger units — up to three-bedrooms — while the high ratio of solid wall-to-glass ensures that energy code requirements are exceeded.
At ground level, the residence’s six-storey podium is fully clad and most of the windows have already been installed. Although it’s still fenced up, passersby along Adelaide Street can get a sense of what the wedged-shaped, pedestrian-oriented public plaza will look like when completed. Another unique design element is the half-moon shapes that frame the windows and entrances of the future retail spaces facing John Street and Adelaide Street West.
