- Check out the progress and come back regularly as we will add more photos throughout the process: Progress Photos
- We’ve also developed an FAQ of most commonly asked questions: DSR Construction FAQ
April 24, 2026
We’re headed towards the end of this project!
- You will see (and smell) paint.
- The floor in rooms 317 and 318 will be levelled in preparation for carpet installation.
- Furniture is expected to be delivered and installed in the new grad carrel room on the second floor at the beginning of May.
April 10, 2026
- Progress continues with laying flooring installation in the new HVAC room.
- The weather cooperated enough to finally install the HVAC louver on the outer east wall on the second floor (this may not seem like a milestone but the number of meetings related to this item would make your head spin!).
- The lighting and ceiling work in room 318 is also coming along well (see the updated photos)
April 2, 2026
- Work continues on the mudding and sanding. Plastic sheeting and negative air ventilation has been installed to reduce dust.
March 27, 2026
- More mudding and sanding will be taking place over the next two weeks. Plastic sheathing and negative air ventilation will be installed to reduce dust.
- New HVAC installation continues with exterior venting and interior flooring,
March 20, 2026
- We are starting to see the spaces come together. Construction is nearing completion and the painters are scheduled to start next week.
- Thank you all for your patience with the increased dust and noise. Please let Michael know if you require an N95 mask
March 13, 2026
- Now that the fireproofing has been completed, expect to see more activity on the 3rd floor with installation of venting and infrastructure for the new HVAC system, drywall finishing, and floor leveling,
March 6, 2026
- The after-hours fireproofing spray foam installation on the ceilings of rooms 318 and 319 will be completed early Saturday morning, March 7. Thank you for your patience during this period.
February 27, 2026
- As part of the DSR renovation, there will be a fireproofing spray foam installed on the ceiling in rooms 318 and 319. The installation will take place after-hours between 11pm and 7am over 4 days from March 2-6.
- The installation process will be very noisy and impact the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors – primarily in the southeast side of the building although noise will transfer down the corridors of each floor.
February 13, 2026
- Flooring has been installed in rooms 206 and 316. Paint and furniture installation are the last items for these two spaces.
- Preparation for fire spray installation in room 318 and 319A is expected to begin later next week.
- The steel beam for the movable partition wall between rooms 317 and 318 is in production and expected to be installed by the end of February.
February 6, 2026
- Lots of exciting progress with flooring installation in rooms 316 (Kitchen/lounge) and 206 (grad carrel room). Final furniture decisions have been made for all spaces. Still lots of work to be completed in rooms 317 – 320 and expect to see more activity in the coming weeks
January 23, 2026
- Installation of power and heating lines for the new HVAC system, flooring.
- Framing for the new glazed entrance to room 320, and preparation for the fire-rated foam insulation.
January 16, 2026
- Work continues with finalizing details in preparation of the installation of the HVAC system in room 319A, the glass wall and door to room 320, and the operable wall between rooms 317 and 318, with significant progress expected in the next 8 weeks.
- Paint, fabric and finish choices for all furniture, walls and surfaces has been confirmed.
December 12, 2025
- Electrical and HVAC rough-ins continue.
- Patching walls for painting and prepping for flooring installation in rooms 206, 316 and 320.
- Plumbing and counter delivery for room 316 expected in the next two weeks.
December 5, 2025
- Mechanical room (for new furnace) rough-ins continue; furnace components have arrived.
- All electrical rough-ins have been completed for new lighting in Room 318 and Student Carrel Room 206.
- Furniture and fabrics for Rooms 316 and 320 have been selected and the purchase order has been issued.
November 21, 2025
- Work continues to progress with preparation of the new HVAC/furnace room in 319, electrical work in 318, and structural work for the movable wall between 317 and 318.
- Finish details and furniture selection are being finalized.
November 7, 2025
- Construction of the new partition wall in room 319 where the new HVAC system will be installed is under way. Fabrication and installation of ductwork in rooms 317 and 318 continues.
- The minor reno in room 208 is complete with the installation of a pull-down screen and ceiling mounted projector.
October 24, 2025
- Minor reno upgrades to 208 should be complete by the end of this week. Upgrades include reconfiguration of presentation equipment with the removal of the “smart TV” and installation of a ceiling mount projector and pull-down screen. New, more flexible furniture will be installed in spring 2026.
- Room 206, 316-320 renovations continue to progress on-target with the removal of window HVAC units and beginning of duct work installation. The wall and doors to room 320 have been removed to prepare for the new glass wall.
October 10, 2025
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Week 1 of the DSR Renovation project is done! It’s been a busy week for our general contractors with plenty of demolition to our beloved rooms.
October 2, 2025
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Work begins Monday, October 6!
- Locations 206, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320: By the end of Friday, October 3, all items being kept will be packed and stored, furniture being disposed of will be removed, and furniture being kept will be moved to its new location. Effective October 6, these spaces will be unavailable until project completion.
- Kitchen Services: An admin kitchenette will be set up in room 307A with mini fridge and water cooler. A kitchenette will also be set up in room 224 with a family sized fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and water cooler. There will be no running water or dish cleaning facilities. Water coolers with bottled water will be provided.
- A construction schedulewill be available soon and will be shared with all.
September 26
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This week the general contractors conducted a site tour of the rooms in preparation for their construction schedule. We’re hoping to have a firm space transfer date in the next two weeks.
- Another smaller space upgrade is also about to happen. Room 208 will be upgraded with a ceiling mount projector and pull-down screen replacing the smart TV that will be removed and repurposed in one of our newly renovated rooms. The wall where the TV is mounted will be patched, and HDMI and data ports will be relocated. New, more flexible furniture will be added in the spring.
September 12, 2025
- The project team met with the general contractors on September 10 to review the scope of the project and address any questions.
- With no significant issues or questions to be addressed, the next steps will be for U of T’s procurement office to issue the PO and the general contract to prepare a preliminary schedule of construction.
- “Construction kick off” is expected to begin in October. The team also received a furniture procurement update from U of T’s Office of Infrastructure Planning. We expect to receive furniture samples and finish samples in the next few months.
September 5, 2025
- Week of September 1, 2025: Packing up of rooms 318
- Week of September 8, 2025: Project team pre-award meeting with general contractor; continue packing room 317 and 318
June 18, 2025
The DSR renovation project is finally about to begin! The next steps are shown below – along with renderings of the spaces to give you an idea of what's being done. Note that furniture and colour selections have yet to be finalized. Check back regularly for updates!
- Week of June 23, 2025: Site visits by general contractors interested in bidding on the project
- Week of June 30, 2025: General contractor selection and approvals
July 28-August 8, 2025: Packing up of rooms 206, 316, 317, 318, 319; removal of furnitureAugust 11-29: Handover of space to general contractors
Renovation Project Team
Department for the Study of Religion, Chair: Pamela Klassen
Department for the Study of Religion, Department Manager: Michael Twamley
Property Management, Property Manager: Marcelo Lima Figueiroa Office of Infrastructure and Planning, Senior Space Planner: Kate Slotek
BVT Architect Inc., Architect: Barbora Vorac Taylor
MJ Dixon Construction Limited