Toronto is building a new landmark like nothing else that exists in the city

A new landmark is quickly taking shape, set to redefine an area of Toronto once best known for its spaghetti-like mess of an intersection.

The new Etobicoke Civic Centre (ECC) is rising from the Westwood Theatre Lands at the recently reconfigured Six Points interchange where Kipling Avenue, Bloor Street and Dundas Street intersect, previously known by locals as the "spaghetti junction." 

The City of Toronto-led project turned heads when its futuristic design, from world-renowned architecture firm Henning Larsen, working with local firms Adamson and Associate Architects and PMA Landscape Architects, was first revealed as part of a 2017 design competition.

City of Toronto

The enormous new complex will feature a staircase-like group of incrementally taller volumes maxing out at 16 storeys, set to house a mix of uses.

Fareen Karim

Approximately 210,000 sq. ft. of office space will house multiple City divisions, agencies and corporations, along with two amenity floors featuring a variety of meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, social spaces, a multi-faith room, a parent room, a lunchroom and outdoor terrace office space.

Fareen Karim

Other uses include a new Toronto Public Library branch, a community centre with swimming pools, multi-purpose rooms, fitness studios, a gymnasium and walking track, a ground-floor cafe, and much more.

Fareen Karim

A key feature of the project is a planned 47,000 sq. ft. outdoor space, including an event plaza with a filter garden, large boulders and other landscape elements, a water feature, a sacred fire vessel, and a bike share station.

Construction of the complex kicked off back in April, 2024, and after over two years of site prep, excavation, and upward construction, the new structure is rapidly coming together.

Fareen Karim

Progress in August included concrete forming reaching the 9th floor of the complex, along with the installation of mechanical and electrical services on the lower levels, completion of concrete block work on the lower levels, installation of safety-related building features, and additional work on structural steel installation, which has been ongoing since June.

Fareen Karim

Meanwhile, work continues in September on the building's exterior cladding installation, which has progressed to cover the lower levels.

Fareen Karim

Concrete forming is expected to continue to the 15th floor this month, just one level shy of the top.

The project is scheduled to open in 2028.