Metro Toronto Convention Centre Expansion

Designed by B+H Architects and built by Eastern using a construction management approach, this 1,000,000 sq ft project opened in 1997 and cost $185 Million. The South Building expansion was the largest excavation project ever undertaken in Toronto. Of particular note was the impact of the adjacent rail-lands on the South Building project. Eastern was responsible to tunnel under rail-lands as well as construct an overhead bridge, connecting the South Building to the existing North facility.

Situated below a major 17-acre urban park created as part of the project, the construction programme included expansive meeting rooms, ballrooms, registration and pre-function areas, and service areas. The entrance pavilion’s dynamic form is composed of a series of drum-shaped volumes articulated with steel, glass, and granite elements. An elliptical skylight provides daylight to all major levels below and frames a dramatic view of the CN Tower from the Registration level which also includes displays of Canadian indigenous sculpture, murals, terrazzo flooring and other unique artwork.

The South Building features 82,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. Meeting rooms number 34 and range up to 10,000 sq. ft. with ceiling clearance up to 22 feet. Exhibit Hall Halls D, E, F & G total 260,000 sq ft with ceiling clearance of 34 feet minimum. Swing space measures 10,000 sq. ft. The Ballroom measures 50,000 sq. ft.

Further to construction of the South Building, Eastern was required to relocate a sensitive heritage structure, The Roundhouse, which involved partial dismantling and reconstruction. The heritage relocation was a separate contract valued at $10 Million as was viewed as Enabling Works to allow excavation to proceed.