Cladding continues to climb 8 Elm, as the 69-storey condominium tower advances past its halfway mark, while restored sections of the heritage walls at grade below are now uncovered. UrbanToronto’s last update in September, 2025 tracked the arrival of copper-toned panels and early glazing at the lower tower. Since then, the Arcadis-designed project by Reserve Properties and Capital Developments has pushed steadily upward at the tight Yonge-and-Elm site in Downtown Toronto.

A drone view in December, 2025 showed 8 Elm rising to roughly 35 storeys, with formwork underway for the 36th floor. A concrete boom pump arcs over the top of the building, with the tower crane along the east elevation fronting Yonge Street. Below, the building’s envelope is advancing in stages, with glazing installed to approximately the 23rd floor and copper-toned cladding panels up to approximately the 19th floor.

Looking northwest to forming and cladding progress on 8 Elm, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy

Viewed from across Elm Street, the full-height construction hoist runs up the south elevation. At grade, window openings are boarded up in the preserved heritage walls. Above, the building steps outward through a series of ever-larger levels, where projecting floor slabs mark the transition from podium to tower. Panels now span several storeys of the lower tower volume.

The construction hoist on the south elevation above the heritage base fronting Elm Street, looking northeast, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

From Yonge Street, another heritage facade is further along, with the historic masonry reconstructed brick by brick, overseen by GBCA Architects. Original windows have been re-established, while a continuous horizontal metal cornice caps the first storey. At grade, protective hoarding and temporary fencing line the sidewalk, where construction crews continue detailed finishing work.

Revealed heritage facade fronting Yonge Street, looking southwest, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor DarwinP

Along the west elevation this month, the lower levels are defined by angled curtain wall panels and installed glazing that follow the building’s canted geometry. Higher up, sections of bronze-toned cladding have begun to populate the mid-tower. The tower’s curved balcony slabs project outward, their rounded edges creating a continuous sweep, with temporary shoring posts and perimeter protection visible.

Copper-toned cladding progressing on the west elevation, looking east, by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC

In a drone view, 8 Elm rises behind Concord Sky, which rises in the foreground on the east side of Yonge Street. 8 Elm’s envelope gradually climbs below the concrete forming above, now advancing to the 37th floor. An offset grid of reflective glazing framed by horizontal bronze-toned panels, the cladding is marked by offset two-storey vertical strips. Staging platforms cantilever from various levels, providing places to store materials during the Construction process.

A drone view looking southwest to 8 Elm rising with formwork advancing across two tower volumes, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy

Upon completion, 8 Elm will rise 218.2m and deliver 819 condominium units.

Looking northwest to 8 Elm Street, designed by Arcadis for Reserve Properties and Capital Developments

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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UrbanToronto’s research and data service, UTPro, provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe—from proposal through to completion. Other services include Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.​

Related Companies: 

Aercoustics Engineering Ltd, Arcadis, Capital Developments, Cecconi Simone, Clark Construction Management Inc, Crozier Consulting Engineers, Goldberg Group, Grounded Engineering Inc., Kramer Design Associates Limited, Rebar Enterprises Inc, Reserve Properties, Sysconverge Inc, The Fence People