List of tallest buildings in Toronto

Many of the tallest buildings in Toronto are also the tallest in all of Canada. The tallest structure in Toronto is the CN Tower, which rises 553.3 metres (1,815 ft).[1] The CN Tower was the tallest free-standing structure on land from 1975 until 2007. However, it is not generally considered a high-rise building as it does not have successive floors that can be occupied. The tallest habitable building in the city is First Canadian Place, which rises 298 metres (978 ft) tall in Toronto's Financial District and was completed in 1975. It also stands as the tallest building in Canada.[2]

View of Downtown Toronto in 2020

The history of skyscrapers in Toronto began in 1894 with the construction of the Beard Building, which is often regarded as the first skyscraper in the city.[3] Toronto went through its first building boom in the late 1920s and early 1930s, during which the number of high-rise buildings in the city vastly increased. After this period, there was a great lull in construction between 1932 and 1964 with only a single building above 91.5 metres (300 ft) tall being built.

The city then experienced a second, much larger building boom, which was at its peak between 1967 and 1976. This period saw the construction of Canada's three tallest buildings and six of its top ten (at the time). When topped off in 1967, the TD Bank Tower was the 14th tallest building in the world. The TD Tower would soon be followed by Commerce Court West, the 14th tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1972. Later, Canada's current tallest building, the First Canadian Place, became the eighth tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1975. After the mid-1970s, the pace of the boom slowed considerably but continued onto the early 1990s, culminating with the construction of the city's and Canada's second and third tallest buildings: Scotia Plaza and the TD Canada Trust Tower.

After this boom, the city went through a third, shorter lull in construction from 1993 to 2004, in which the city added only one new building to its top 20. By 2005 however, the city's third and largest high-rise construction boom began with the completion of One King Street West and has continued unabated ever since with nearly 50 planned, under construction or recently built buildings over 152.4 metres (500 ft) tall. Of the 21 buildings in Toronto taller than 200 metres, only seven were built prior to 2010. In 2012, The St. Regis Toronto (then known as Trump International Hotel and Tower) was completed, with a top dome height of 252 m (827 ft)[4] and an antenna height of 277 metres (908 ft), making it the fourth-tallest structure in Toronto and all of Canada. With the completion in late 2014 of Aura—which, at 78 storeys and a height of 272 m (892 ft), is the tallest residential building in Canada—the tallest building under construction is the 328.4-metre (1,077 ft) tall The One (though the developer applied for a height increase to 338 metres (1,109 ft)), also a residential building.

Natalie Alcoba of the National Post described this phenomenon as the "Manhattanization" of Toronto in reference to the built-up nature of the namesake island borough in New York City.[5] In one week of 2018, Toronto City Council approved 755 storeys of new development in the city's downtown core.[6] The Toronto skyline (especially the CN Tower) can be spotted by the naked eye during clear daylight skies from locations as far as Newmarket from the north, Clarington from the east, several points along the Niagara Escarpment from the west, and Fort Niagara State Park in the south across Lake Ontario in the U.S. state of New York.[7]

As of January 2023, Toronto has constructed 81 skyscrapers and has a further 36 under construction. Toronto also has 92 skyscrapers that are either approved or in the proposal stage.[8] Toronto currently ranks 20th in the world with most skyscrapers already completed, third in North America and first in Canada. Toronto ranks fourth in the world and first in North America with the number of skyscrapers under construction.

Ranking by standard height

There are 80 skyscrapers in Toronto that stand at least 150 m (492 ft) ranked by standard height measurement as of October 2021.[9] This includes spires and architectural details, but does not include antenna masts. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. An asterisk (*) indicates that a building has been topped out, but not completed. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed. Freestanding observation and/or telecommunication towers, while not habitable buildings, are included for comparison purposes; however, they are not ranked. One such tower is the CN Tower.

RankNameImageHeight
m / ft
FloorsYearCategoryNotes
N/ACN Tower 553 / 1,815147
equiv.
1976Observation &
Telecommunications
Tower
1First Canadian Place 298 / 978721975Commercial
  • Tallest building in Canada since 1975[12]
  • 8th tallest building in the world at the time of its completion
  • Tallest building in the world outside Chicago and New York City at the time of its completion
  • Tallest building completed in Toronto in the 1970s
  • Formerly known as First Bank Tower
2The St. Regis Toronto 277 / 908632012Hotel & Residential
  • Tallest mixed-use building in Canada[13]
  • 776 ft (237 m) to roof
  • Tallest building completed in Toronto in the 2010s
  • Formerly known as Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto and later as The Adelaide Hotel
3Scotia Plaza 275 / 902681988Commercial
  • Tallest building completed in Toronto in the 1980s[14]
4Aura 272 / 892782014Residential
  • Tallest residential building in Canada[15]
5TD Canada Trust Tower 261 / 856531990Commercial
  • Tallest building completed in Toronto in the 1990s[16]
6One Bloor 257 / 844782017Residential
7Commerce Court West 239 / 784571972Commercial
8CIBC Square I 237 / 780492020Commercial
9Harbour Plaza Residences East 237 / 778672017Residential
10ICE East (ICE II) 234 / 767672015Residential
11=Sky Tower Eau du Soleil228 / 748662019Residential
  • Canada's tallest building outside a central business district.
11=Harbour Plaza Residences West 228 / 748632017Residential
13Ten York224 / 735652018Residential
14TD Bank Tower 223 / 731561967Commercial
  • Tallest building completed in Toronto in the 1960s
15Bay Adelaide Centre West Tower 218 / 715512009Commercial
  • Tallest building completed in Toronto in the 2000s
16The Prestige at One Yonge217 / 712652022Residential
17Shangri-La Toronto 215 / 705662012Hotel & Residential
  • 66 floors including mechanical
18Ritz-Carlton Toronto 210 / 689532011Hotel & Residential
19=Massey Tower208 / 682602019Residential
19=Bay Wellington Tower 208 / 682491991Commercial
21The Residences of 488 University Avenue 207 / 679552019Residential
22The L Tower 205 / 672582016Residential
23=88 Scott 204 / 669582017Residential
23=Four Seasons Hotel and Residences West 204 / 669552012Hotel & Residential
  • 55 floors including mechanical
25=YC Condos202 / 664622018Residential
25=ICE West (ICE I) 202 / 664572014Residential
27=E Condos South 196 / 643582019Residential
27=Bay Adelaide Centre East Tower 196 / 643442016Commercial
29Wellesley on the Park194 / 647602021Residential
30EY Tower 188 / 617402017Commercial
31=Casa II185 / 607562016Residential
31=RBC Centre 185 / 607422009Commercial
33U Condominiums - East Tower184 / 604562016Residential
341 Yorkville183 / 601582021Residential
35TD North Tower 183 / 600461969Commercial
36Maple Leaf Square North Tower 181 / 594542010Hotel & Residential
37=Casa III180 / 590552018Residential
37=Royal Bank Plaza South 180 / 590411979Commercial
39=INDX Tower179 / 587542016Residential
39=Water Tower Eau Du Soleil179 / 587492019Residential
41Vita on the Lake177 / 581512021Residential
42One King West Hotel & Residence 176 / 578512005Hotel & Residential
  • Tallest completed all-residential skyscraper in Toronto in the 2000s
43The Well, Office Tower 174 / 571362022Commercial
44Success Tower 1 173 / 567552009Residential
45Teahouse Condominiums171 / 561522022Residential
46Maple Leaf Square South Tower 171 / 561502010Residential
47Hullmark Centre, North Tower 168 / 551452014Residential
  • Tallest building in North York
  • Tallest building in Toronto outside of Downtown
48=44 Charles Street West 166 / 544511972Residential
48=The Selby166 / 544502019Residential
48=Karma Condos166 / 544502016Residential
51Quantum 2 165 / 541542008Residential
52=Residences of College Park North 163 / 535512006Residential
52=Burano 163 / 535502012Residential
52=One York Street 163 / 535352016Commercial
55=Success Tower 1 162 / 531522011Residential
55=Lago at the Waterfront162 / 531512016Residential
57=X2161 / 528492015Residential
57=FIVE161 / 528482016Residential
59=The Uptown Residences 160 / 524482011Residential
59=Delta Toronto Hotel 160 / 524472014Hotel
61=Grid Condos158 / 518502019Residential
61=300 Front Street West 158 / 518522014Residential
63=Theatre Park 157 / 515512015Residential
63=PJ Condos157 / 515482021Residential
63=Festival Tower 157 / 515422011Residential
66=Dundas Square Gardens156 / 511502019Residential
66=87 Peter (Noir Condominiums)156 / 511492018Residential
66=King Blue Condominiums, Tower 2156 / 511492019Residential
66=Daniels Waterfront, Lighthouse Tower156 / 511482020Residential
66=Yonge & Rich Condominiums156 / 511462021Residential
66=e2 at ePlace156 / 511462023Residential
7216 York155 / 508322019Commercial
73=U Condominiums154 / 505462015Residential
73=TD South Tower 154 / 505391985Commercial
75=West One 153 / 501492007Residential
75=35 Mariner 153 / 501492005Residential
75=Westlake I153 / 501482015Residential
75=Montage 153 / 501482009Residential
79=Chaz Yorkville151 / 495472015Residential
79=Star Tower151 / 495442012Residential
79=Cadillac Fairview Tower151 / 495361981Commercial
79=The 250151 / 495351992Commercial
83Monde150 / 492442018Residential
84Exchange Tower146 / 479361981Commercial

Ranking by pinnacle height

Skyscrapers and other structures may also be measured based on their pinnacle height, which includes radio masts and antennas. As architectural features and spires can be regarded as subjective, some skyscraper enthusiasts prefer this method of measurement. Standard architectural height measurement, which excludes antennas in building height, is included for comparative purposes.

Tallest buildings in Toronto.
RankNamePinnacle height
m / ft
Standard height
m / ft
Year completedNotes
1CN Tower553 / 1,815457 / 1,4991976[11]
2First Canadian Place355 / 1,165298 / 9781975[17]
3Commerce Court West287 / 942239 / 7841972[18]
4The St. Regis Toronto277 / 908277 / 9082012[4]
5Scotia Plaza275 / 902275 / 9021988[19]
6Aura272 / 892272 / 8922014
7TD Canada Trust Tower261 / 856227 / 7451992[20]
8One Bloor257 / 844257 / 8442017
9CIBC Square I237 / 780237 / 7802020
10Harbour Plaza Residences East237 / 778237 / 7782017
11ICE East (ICE II)234 / 768234 / 7682015
12=Sky Tower Eau du Soleil228 / 748228 / 7482019
12=Harbour Plaza Residences West228 / 748228 / 7482017
14Ten York224 / 735224 / 7352018
15TD Bank Tower223 / 731223 / 7311967[21]
16Bay Adelaide Centre West Tower218 / 715218 / 7152009
17The Prestige at One Yonge217 / 712217 / 7122022
18Shangri-La Toronto215 / 705215 / 7052012
19Ritz-Carlton Toronto210 / 688210 / 6882011[22]
20=Massey Tower208 / 682208 / 6822019
20=Bay Wellington Tower208 / 682208 / 6821992[23]
22The Residences of 488 University Avenue207 / 679207 / 6792019
23L Tower205 / 672205 / 6722016
24=88 Scott204 / 669204 / 6692017
24=Four Seasons Hotel and Residences204 / 669204 / 6692012
26=YC Condos202 / 663202 / 6632018
26=ICE West (ICE I)202 / 663202 / 6632015

Under construction

There are 36 buildings under construction in Toronto that are planned to rise at least 150 m (492 ft) as of January 2023.[24]

RankNameHeight
m / ft
FloorsYearNotes
1Sky Tower346 / 1,1351052026Upon completion, it may become the tallest residential building in the world by floor count
2The One328 / 1,077912025
3Forma West Tower308 / 1,011842028
4Concord Sky301 / 985842026
5Forma East Tower266 / 874742027
6160 Front Street240 / 787462023Also metonymically known as TD Terrace, though TD Terrace itself specifically refers to the podium rooftop space on the fifth floor
7CIBC Square II241 / 792502025
8Sugar Wharf Condominiums, Phase 1, Tower 1231 / 757702023
9Sugar Wharf Condominiums, Phase 1, Tower 2219 / 718652023
10The Pemberton216 / 709682027
1111 Yorkville Avenue212 / 697622024
12Concord Canada House A232 / 761742024
13Concord Canada House B203 / 666642024
1419 Duncan187 / 612552023
15The Rosedale on Bloor186 / 610552023
16Water's Edge at Cov182 / 598552025
178 Wellesley182 / 598552026
18The United BLDG180 / 589522026
198 Cumberland171 / 561512024
2055C Charles167 / 574532024
2155C Charles167 / 574532024
22252 Church166 / 545532024
2388 Queen163 / 535532024
24Lakeside Residences158TBD2028
25RIU Plaza Hotel157 / 515492023
26Theatre District Hotel & Condos157 / 515482023
27The Well Condominium Tower F157 / 515462023
28Nobu Residences 1157 / 515452023
29Nobu Residences 2157 / 515452023
30400 King West157 / 516452025
3255 Mercer155 / 510472024
33Maverick155 / 507492024
34One Delisle155 / 509492025
35Peter and Adelaide152 / 500472023
36The Saint151 / 495472023

Timeline of tallest buildings

NameStreet addressYears as tallestHeight
m / ft
FloorsReferenceImage
Beard Building163 King Street East1894–189630 / 987[3]
Temple Building62 Richmond Street West1896–190640 / 13110[25]
Trader's Bank Building67 Yonge Street1906–191260 / 19715[26]
Canadian Pacific Building69 Yonge Street1912–191565 / 21315[27]
Royal Bank Building2 King Street East1915–192889 / 29520[28]
Sterling Tower372 Bay Street1928–192990 / 31321[29]
Royal York Hotel100 Front Street West1929–1931124 / 40728[30]
Commerce Court North25 King Street West1931–1967145 / 47634[31]
Toronto-Dominion Bank Tower66 Wellington Street West1967–1972223 / 73156[32]
Commerce Court West199 Bay Street1972–1975239 / 78457[33]
First Canadian Place100 King Street West1975–present298 / 97872[2]

See also

References

External links