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Toronto's Current Skyscraper Projects
New Developments to Transform City Skyline Under Construction
Projects like the Trump Tower and 1 Bloor will enliven the Toronto skyline, currently dominated by box-shaped bank towers and uninspired architecture.
   
Toronto already has the most impressive skyline in Canada – there are five Toronto buildings on the list of Canada’s tallest before Calgary’s Petro-Canada Centre makes an appearance at number six. In four years, the Petro-Canada Centre will be pushed to number ten behind nine Toronto skyscrapers. But when compared to the skylines of equally-sized cities around the world, Toronto’s falls just short. It lacks the modern edge of Frankfurt’s bank district and is architecturally bland compared to Chicago.

By 2012, however, residents and tourists of Toronto can expect to see a more dynamic, modern skyline. Donald Trump will contribute a major addition to Toronto’s bank district and Kazakh developers have taken their ambitions to Canada. If all goes as planned, here’s what to expect in the next four years:

1 Bloor
273.3 m (897 ft) – 80 floors – 2011 completion – 2nd tallest in Toronto

Kazakhstan developer Bazis International has taken the first step in reconstructing the trashy intersection of Bloor and Yonge streets, the site of Toronto’s two major subway lines and Canada’s most prestigious shopping district. Their vision is a Dubai-esque semi-transparent metal and glass tower, complete with 132 hotel rooms and 592 condos in the heart of midtown Toronto. Bloor 1 was made Canada’s most expensive real estate property when a Hong Kong businessman bought its 80th-floor penthouse suite for $25 million. Over 100 people lined up for a week in late 2007 for the opening of Bloor 1’s sales office.

Trump International Hotel and Tower
269.2 m (893 ft) – 59 floors – 2010 completion – 5th tallest in Toronto

After a series of delays and a height reduction in the project, Toronto’s Trump Tower is now under construction and scheduled for a 2010 completion. Looking south, it will be located between Toronto’s two major bank towers, the Scotia Plaza and First Canadian Place. Included in the building will be 256 hotel rooms, 118 condos, a multi-level spa complete with pool and gym, a five-star restaurant and conference rooms.

Aura
245 m (803 ft) – 75 floors – 2012 completion – 6th tallest in Toronto

Just when you thought the two recently-completed condominiums at College Park were impressive, developer Canderel Stoneridge had its plans for the final phase of the Residences of College Park project approved. Upon completion, the mixed-use commercial and residential tower will be Canada’s largest condominium tower. Its two-storey glass lobby will be a welcomed change from the seedy discount shops that currently stand at its location on Yonge and Gerrard streets.

Bay-Adelaide West
218 m (715 ft) – 51 floors – 2009 completion – 8th tallest in Toronto

Now half-complete, the Bay-Adelaide West tower will be the first completed of the Bay-Adelaide Centre project. The multi-purpose business complex is the first new development in Toronto’s financial district in over a decade and will stand out amongst the surrounding grey stone buildings with a sky-blue, all-glass design.