April 30, 2010

PCL CONSTRUCTORS LTD

The Royal Trust Tower is a designated heritage structure and envelope or exterior improvements cannot impinge on its heritage elements.

FEATURE | Building Envelope

Toronto’s Royal Trust Tower undergoing $110-million revitalization

It’s out with “goldy” and in with bronze-tinted glass

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

A massive renewal of one of Toronto’s oldest office towers is designed to bring the building up to modern day energy efficient and sustainability performance standards while respecting its heritage character.

As part of a $110-million revitalization of the former Royal Trust Tower, construction manager PCL Constructors Canada is removing all the single pane windows in the 42- storey building and replacing them with double panes. The project is expected to take until May 2011.

Now known as 77 King Street and one of six skyscrapers comprising the TD Centre, the tower is a designated structure under the Ontario Heritage Act and envelope or exterior improvements cannot impinge on its heritage elements, says Tônu Altosaar, senior partner, B+H Architects.

The revitalization will, in fact, recapture the original vision of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the design architect. Several years after the tower was built in 1969 a ‘goldy’ screen film was added to the windows and that has seriously impacted the aesthetic look, he says.

“Now the building is being rejuvenated to the former (heritage) intent,” says Altosaar, referring to the new windows’ bronze tint which is more in keeping with the original concept.

Apart from aesthetics, the project is targeted at achieving LEED EBOM standards. The new double pane low-e Argon filled insulated glass units will work in conjunction with new manual roller blades to provide a complete energy efficient system, he says.

The window replacement is actually the first phase of a much broader revitalization which encompasses main lobby restorations, infrastructure improvements and mechanical upgrades. A prime example of the latter is the replacement of the floor induction units with new ones which will be mounted within the ceiling space on 16 floors.

“This will add approximately 1,300 square feet of useable space per floor or 527,000 square feet when the entire tower is completed,” says Altosaar.

For now, though, the focus is the window installation. That is being accomplished in a bottom-to-top sequence with the existing windows removed from the inside, says PCL project manager Matt Stainton.

The first 14 storeys were vacant when the work started just after Christmas.

But the second to seven floors had to be completed by April 1st which was the date a single-use tenant took possession, says Stainton.

“On the unoccupied space we have been averaging about four days to complete a floor.”

But that timetable and the dynamics of the project will change significantly when the installers reach the occupied floors.

Notices have to be sent to the tenants three weeks, five days and again two days prior to work commencement in those areas which has to be done at night to minimize disruption to the occupants, he says.

“We will be starting at 6 p.m. and have to out of the offices by 6 a.m.”

And as work proceeds higher and higher, the timetable could be altered if high winds make the outside scaffolding work too dangerous, he says.

Another unpredictable factor is the impact of the G20 Summit, June 26-27 at the nearby Metro Convention Centrewhich may impede worker access and material delivery: “We may have to shut down work for a week.”

The revitalization was partially sparked by the corporate relocation of RBC, a significant tenant, to the new RBC Centre, says Steven Sorensen, vice president of property management with Cadillac Fairview, the owner and property manager.

“But it’s also part of our commitment to ensure that 77 King Street remains at the forefront of corporate real estate and reinforce its’ long-standing commitment to sustainability.”

The reinvestment in 77 King Street will enhance tenant comfort and enhance the overall appeal of the property.  

Any operational savings, including energy savings will be measured over time, through its GREEN AT WORK sustainability program, says Sorensen.

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