![\"PJ_Construction1\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PJ_Construction1.jpeg\")
<\/a> Photos: James Bombales<\/em><\/p>\nNamed after its location at Pearl and John streets, PJ Condos<\/a> is a sleek new residence now rising above Toronto\u2019s Entertainment District. The 372-unit tower is the second condominium by Pinnacle International<\/a> built along John Street after the successful construction of the 588-unit Pinnacle on Adelaid<\/a>e project.<\/p>\n Construction at PJ Condos started in 2016 when the existing surface parking lot was cleared to make way for excavation. Shoring and excavation of the structure\u2019s six-level underground garage took place for most of 2017 and wrapped up in April 2018. The site entered the next phase of construction shortly thereafter when the tower crane was installed, paving the way for the building\u2019s rise to its 48-storey height. This milestone was reached two years later in the fall of 2020.<\/p>\n As construction progressed on higher floors, workers on lower levels were simultaneously installing the exterior\u2019s red brick-cladding and dark green glazing and spandrel. The use of precast brick veneer on a tower of this height bucks the trend of all-glass residential buildings commonly seen in downtown Toronto. The design choice by Hariri Pontarini Architects<\/a> is a nod to the neighbourhood\u2019s historical brick-and-beam buildings and contrasts nicely with surrounding buildings. The masonry construction starts at the building\u2019s six-storey podium and continues upward with vertical bands separating windows and balconies as they run all the way up the face of the tower.<\/p>\n Another unique architectural feature is the sculptural crease on the John Street fa\u00e7ade starting on the 7th floor, where it angles out towards John Street, expanding the floor plate of subsequent floors. The increased floor plates allow for larger units \u2014 up to three bedrooms \u2014 while the high ratio of solid wall-to-glass ensures that energy code requirements are exceeded.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n