Project Facts
Client
Great Gulf
Location
Toronto, ON
Status
Completed 2018
Size
843,000 Sq. Ft.
Partner
Located at one of Toronto’s most prominent intersections and at the junction of two subway lines, One Bloor is a landmark mixed-use residential building of 76 storeys. The goal of the design is to increase density while contributing to the public realm, therefore, the six-storey podium steps back, preserving the existing street scale and allowing the tower to be present at the intersection without dominating. Widened sidewalks give access to retail, and a mid-block public pathway leads to both the subway station and an underground shopping concourse.
The building is defined by undulating forms. The flowing lines of the façade begin at the podium terraces and continue up the tower to the sloped rooftop, dramatically contrasting with the surrounding modernist high rises and adding a sculptural element to the skyline. The rectangular form of the tower allows for effective suite layouts and serves as a backdrop for the façade’s curves, created by frit glass balconies. The balconies pinwheel around the tower, increasing in size for the larger corner units to maximize views and light. High performance curtain wall (instead of window wall) and heavily landscaped roofs contribute to the building’s energy efficiency. However, the most significant aspect of One Bloor’s sustainability is the very nature of its urban character—the embodied efficiency of concentrating 700 units over a one-acre site, in close proximity to public transit and compact civic services.
Project Facts
Client
Great Gulf
Location
Toronto, ON
Status
Completed 2018
Size
843,000 Sq. Ft.
Partner
Select Awards
2011 – International Property Awards, Americas Best Residential High-Rise Development
Recent Press
"When we worked with [Hariri Pontarini Architects] obviously we knew they came highly acclaimed in the industry, but we also realized that not only did they have an exceptional vision for design, they also had the bench strength to implement a project with very knowledgeable staff from a technical perspective, as well as visionaries.'
—Geoff Matthews, Director of Development, Great Gulf
"When we worked with [Hariri Pontarini Architects] obviously we knew they came highly acclaimed in the industry, but we also realized that not only did they have an exceptional vision for design, they also had the bench strength to implement a project with very knowledgeable staff from a technical perspective, as well as visionaries.'
—Geoff Matthews, Director of Development, Great Gulf
The new building is the instrument which restores the urban experience of the street, while signifying the corner as a landmark location. The building is comprised of a street level podium with retail and commercial space, and a 70-storey residential tower with sculpted undulating balconies. The interior core maintains a more regular form to avoid compromising the suites, and serves as the backdrop from which the curving façade emerges.
The new building is the instrument which restores the urban experience of the street, while signifying the corner as a landmark location. The building is comprised of a street level podium with retail and commercial space, and a 70-storey residential tower with sculpted undulating balconies. The interior core maintains a more regular form to avoid compromising the suites, and serves as the backdrop from which the curving façade emerges.
The northerly corners of the area were redeveloped in the early 1970’s, but failed to celebrate the importance of this destination by locating the retail below grade, effectively turning their back to the street. Redeveloping this site – reaching the goal of providing strategic densification while activating the public realm – with new connections to transit, street level retail, and improved pedestrian thoroughfare is the source of both the constraints and opportunities which form the project.
The northerly corners of the area were redeveloped in the early 1970’s, but failed to celebrate the importance of this destination by locating the retail below grade, effectively turning their back to the street. Redeveloping this site – reaching the goal of providing strategic densification while activating the public realm – with new connections to transit, street level retail, and improved pedestrian thoroughfare is the source of both the constraints and opportunities which form the project.
A rolling glass façade surges back and forth along the street level podium, generating increased sidewalk widths and moments of pause along the flanking streets.
A rolling glass façade surges back and forth along the street level podium, generating increased sidewalk widths and moments of pause along the flanking streets.
Positioned at the south-east corner of Yonge Street and Bloor Street, this notable site sits atop two converging subway lines, marking the eastern threshold into Canada’s premier shopping district and making it one of the most active and prominent intersections in the City of Toronto.
Positioned at the south-east corner of Yonge Street and Bloor Street, this notable site sits atop two converging subway lines, marking the eastern threshold into Canada’s premier shopping district and making it one of the most active and prominent intersections in the City of Toronto.
The multi-award winning, 76-storey condominium tower stands out among the densely populated Bloor-Yorkville skyline as its undulating curves are illuminated by the fading sunlight.
The multi-award winning, 76-storey condominium tower stands out among the densely populated Bloor-Yorkville skyline as its undulating curves are illuminated by the fading sunlight.
Select Awards
2011 – International Property Awards, Americas Best Residential High-Rise Development
