Canadian architecture has reached a new milestone.
Toronto’s One Bloor West earned the distinction of being the country’s first supertall building, a designation reserved for structures exceeding 300 meters with least 50 percent of its height occupiable.
One Bloor West rises 308.6 meters (or about 1,012 feet), making it the second-tallest man-made structure in the city next to the CN Tower[GS1] , also in Toronto. (The CN Tower is ineligible for supertall status, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat—it’s a telecommunications tower with far less than half of its space occupiable.)
“As the first supertall in the country, One Bloor West marks a pivotal moment not just for Toronto, but all of Canada,” says Jim Ritchie, president and CEO of real estate development group Tridel. “We are moving into a new era of development, marked by a level of ambition and engineering excellence not previously seen before.”
Credit: Tridel
Designed by Foster + Partners, the building creates a striking visual impact with its structural frame expressed on the exterior. Champagne bronze cladding and a rhythmic pattern of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal framing elements give the tower a distinctive silhouette. Horizontal bands accentuate the mechanical floors and add definition to the tower’s dramatic vertical rise.
“Foster + Partners is delighted that One Bloor West has now reached its highest floor and has already become a reference point for Toronto’s unique and distinctive skyline,” says Giles Robinson, senior partner with Foster + Partners. “The building is a remarkable feat of design and engineering and is a testament to the ingenuity and creative collaboration of the design team and contractors.”
Credit: Joy von Tiedemann
One Bloor West sits at the border of downtown Toronto and the upscale Yorkville neighborhood. Once complete, the mixed-use tower will include 476 condominium units, luxury retail spaces, and a five-star hotel. The project also incorporates elements of local heritage by preserving the historic William Luke Buildings at its base—brick structures dating back to 1883.
Construction continues on interior elements across several levels. “We’re proud to be part of the team delivering a new landmark to Toronto’s skyline and look forward to future buildings joining One Bloor West’s supertall status,” Ritchie says.
