Since topping off at a height of 257 metres in 2015, cladding installation and interior fit-outs are bringing Great Gulf Homes' One Bloor East closer to completion. Before this glass behemoth was added to the southeast corner of Yonge and Bloor, One Bloor's footprint was occupied by a collection of shops and restaurants surrounding a pedestrianized laneway called Roy's Square. Back in 2006, Roy's Square remained a unique example of Toronto urbanism, though its days were numbered.

View of the southeast corner of Yonge and Bloor, 2006, image by Forum contributor marcus_a_j

Fast forward to 2016 and Roy's Square is but a distant memory, demolished at the end of 2007. Standing in its place, the large podium of the Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed One Bloor East is currently having finishing touches installed. Among the retailers that will occupy the podium will be the first Canadian location of Nordstrom Rack, occupying 38,600 square feet of the retail component over two floors, and scheduled to open in 2018.

View of the southeast corner of Yonge and Bloor, 2016, image by Forum contributor MetroMan

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!