While hockey fans continue to shower praise on the revolutionary Rogers Place, the rest of the ICE District is preparing to give skyscraper enthusiasts something equally as exciting. The 149-metre Epcor Tower, the tallest building in the city for five years now, will soon be dethroned not once, not twice, but three times by separate impending ICE District towers.

Stantec Tower rises above the ICE District, image by Forum contributor Daveography

The 188-metre-tall Tower B, rising on the site of the former Greyhound bus terminal, is the shortest of the trio. The 191-metre JW Marriott and The Legends Private Residences is climbing on the opposite side of Rogers Place's protruding Ford Hall. Finally, the Stantec Tower — which at 251 metres will become the tallest building in Canada outside Toronto — is soaring above grade. Like a massive puzzle, each project will fit together with a vibrant and animated public realm program and an abundance of retail and public space serving as a new downtown gathering place. 

The climbing JW Marriott and The Legends Private Residences, image by Forum contributor DarrenK

With work on each development well underway but at various stages of construction, Forum contributor Daveography started a thread for users to place their bets on how much progress the towers will make by Christmas. The friendly game has elicited a number of responses so far. Tower B won't poke its head above the ground anytime soon, with heavy machinery continuing to excavate the massive site. But the other two projects are already making a big impact on the streetscape. The Stantec Tower's steel-framed podium has assumed its form, while the tower rises in behind. Averaging the submitted guesses so far, our forumers think Stantec Tower will have nearly reached the tenth floor by Christmas. The estimate of 13 storeys for JW Marriott and The Legends Private Residences is a little higher, reflecting its current status and smaller footprint. 

Ongoing excavation at the site of Tower B, image by Forum contributor Daveography

Do you want in on the fun? Place your bets in the Forum thread or in the comment section below. Additional images and information about the above projects can also be found in the Database files linked below.