The Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery addition at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has reached its six-storey structural height, with its steel framework now rising behind the museum’s Galleria Italia glass canopy along Dundas Street West. Designed by Selldorf Architects, Diamond Schmitt Architects, and Two Row Architect, the expansion will add approximately 40,000 ft² of new exhibition space across five gallery levels, increasing the museum’s display area by roughly 30%.
From the AGO staircase in November, 2025, the addition shows enclosure work advancing across the new volume. White weatherproofing then covered much of the wall assembly, set to support the installation of the project’s zinc and glazed terracotta cladding. To the left, the exposed structural steel frame of the bridging volume rises in a grid of columns and beams, its scaffolding now removed as the structure ties toward Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad AGO addition. Red perimeter safety fencing traces the edges along the roofline.
Looking east from the AGO staircase to the weatherproofing application and steel framing, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor ehambobam
From a high vantage point in December, 2025, the addition is seen rising immediately east of the Gehry tower with its suspended, curving exterior staircase. The structural steel frame of the Dani Reiss expansion has reached the level of the sixth and final gallery floor, where vertical steel columns and perimeter beams outline the uppermost level of the expansion above the largely enclosed lower storeys.
A high-angle view looking north across Grange Park toward the addition beside OCAD University, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor CanadianNational
Looking northwest through Grange Park in January, 2026, we see the two-part massing as the steel structure approaches completion. The taller eastern volume on the right has reached its full structural height, with exposed wide-flange columns and perimeter beams outlining the upper gallery level and the floors that will house the mechanical penthouse. To the left, the lower western volume steps down toward Gehry’s blue titanium tower. Set between the volumes, a cylindrical vertical element rises, while the stepped terraces overlooking the park begin to read in the massing. We see white weatherproofing and early preparations for cladding on the west volume.
Looking northwest from Grange Park toward the addition adjacent to the south gallery block (right), image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC
From across Dundas Street West in February, 2026, the uppermost structure reveals the project’s prominent cantilever as steel framing pushes outward. A lattice of beams and diagonal bracing projects from the eastern volume; the exposed structural frame outlines the future spaces.
Looking southwest from Dundas Street West to the cantilevered upper volume, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC
Looking west from McCaul Street this month, the east elevation shows enclosure and structural work advancing above the tight service corridor between the AGO and OCAD University. Several vertical openings remain exposed toward the north end, where a column of windows will punctuate the facade. Above, the structural steel frame of the cantilevered upper volume is being infilled downward, with diagonal bracing and vertical members extending from the projecting floor-plate toward the levels below. The crane mast rises beside the structure, a construction hoist is visible behind it.
The east elevation and tower crane, looking west from McCaul Street, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC
Seen looking southwest across McCaul Street this month, the structural steel frame now clearly defines the upper levels of the expansion. Perimeter safety fencing traces the roofline, while the open steel frame reveals the stepped geometry of the addition as it negotiates the tight space. The north elevation shows the building’s angled northeast corner.
A distant view looking southwest from McCaul Street to the structural steel frame, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC
The addition will stand 48.35m tall once complete.
Looking northwest to the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery at the Art Gallery of Ontario, rendering by Play-Time, courtesy of Art Gallery of Ontario, Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect
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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