First Supertall Skyscrapers Coming to Toronto

Tall buildings are not new for Toronto. In the past decade, the city has seen more high-rise development than any other in North America. However, over the next several years a new type of tall building will be making its way onto the city skyline - the supertall skyscraper.

According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), a ‘supertall skyscraper’ is a tall building 300 meters (984 feet) or taller. Currently, there are 173 supertalls globally.

Toronto’s tallest structure, The CN Tower, rises 553 metres, but falls under the classification of a tower, where the less than 50 percent of its height is occupied. Toronto’s tallest building, First Canadian Place, is a 72-storey office tower that rises 298 metres — just 2 metres shy of supertall status. Constructed in 1975, it has held that title for nearly 50 years.

With the city well into a 10+ year development boom, there are now 7 supertall skyscrapers in development, 2 of which are already under construction.

1) SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge — Under Construction at 312 metres / 95-storeys

Rising from the foot of Canada’s longest street, SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge is the second phase in a multi-tower development near Toronto’s waterfront. Currently under construction, the 95-storey mixed-use tower will contain residences, a hotel, commercial offices, retail, and community spaces. The tower is designed by Toronto-based architecture firm Hariri Pontarini.

Recently, the developer has applied for a height increase that would raise its total height to 344 metres / 105-storeys. If approved, it would become the first building in Canada to surpass the 100-storey mark.
 

2) The One — Under Construction at 308 metres / 85-storeys

Situated on the south-west corner of Yonge and Bloor, Mizrahi Development’s The One is making its mark on the northern edge of the Downtown Core. Designed by UK-based architects Foster+Partners, the 85-storey mixed-use skyscraper will contain residences, a hotel, and commercial retail space.

The developer has also applied for a height increase that would raise total height to 338 metres / 94-storeys.
 

3) Forma (West Tower) — Approved at 308 metres / 82-storeys

At the corner of King and Duncan in the Entertainment District, Forma West is an 82-storey mixed-use skyscraper proposed by Great Gulf, Dream Unlimited, and Westdale Properties. It is the second phase in a two-tower development designed by world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry. Both buildings will contain residences, commercial, and institutional spaces.

4) One Yonge (Phase 3) — Proposed at 305 metres / 92-storeys

The third phase of Pinnacle One Yonge will rise immediately next to its taller sibling, SkyTower, and will contain residential condominiums across its 92-storeys. The tower is also designed by Toronto-based architecture firm Hariri Pontarini.
 

5) Union Park (East Tower) — Proposed at 303 metres / 60-storeys

Union Park East is the tallest of a massive 4-tower complex proposed by Oxford Properties along Front Street West. The 60-storey skyscraper designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects is one of two office towers proposed for the site.
 

6) 15 Bloor St W — Proposed at 302 metres / 94-storeys

The latest supertall proposal in Toronto rises immediately next to another supertall under construction (The One). Plans from developer Reserve Properties call for a 94-storey residential tower designed by IBI Group.

7) 191 Bay — Proposed at 301 metres / 64-storeys

The final supertall on the list is QuadReal Properties’ 191 Bay, which will rise above Commerce Court in Toronto’s Financial District. The 64-storey skyscraper, designed by Toronto-based architecture firm Hariri Pontarini, contains commercial office space and would feature one of the city’s highest observation decks.

Recently reduced or withdrawn:

212 King St W — Initially proposed at 312 metres / 80-storeys (reduced)

Located along King Street West at the border of Toronto’s Financial and Entertainment District’s, the initial design for 212 King St West was an 80-storey mixed-use skyscraper proposed by Dream Office REIT and Humbold Properties. Designed by New York-based ShoP Architects, the building would contain residences and commercial office space.

An updated settlement offer based on revised plans was made public in Spring 2023, revealing a reduction in height to 250 metres and losing its supertall status.
 

1200 Bay — Initially proposed at 326 metres / 87-storeys (withdrawn)

A project brought forth by ProWinko and the Kroonenberg Group made headlines in 2020 when a 'pencil thin' tower was proposed on the north-west corner of Bay and Bloor in Yorkville. Designed by Swiss-based architects Herzog & de Meuron, the mixed use tower would have housed office space and residences across its 87-storeys, in an envelope which evoked the super-slender skyscrapers seen on Billionare's Row in New York City.

The application has since been withdrawn and the future of the site remains uncertain.

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While it remains to be seen whether all of these supertall developments will be built, or completed at their proposed heights, Urbanize Toronto will continue to monitor these projects closely as they progress through the various stages of development.