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PROFESSIONAL TOP AMUSEMENT EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER!
-Aug 12, 2025-
he One Toronto building, also known as One Bloor West, is Canada’s tallest residential skyscraper at 329 meters tall, featuring a distinctive hybrid exoskeleton structure designed by Foster + Partners. It combines luxury residential units, expansive retail spaces, and innovative engineering that redefines Toronto’s skyline with elegance and advanced design techniques.
The One Toronto building was developed by Mizrahi Developments and designed by the renowned British firm Foster + Partners in collaboration with CORE Architects. Construction began in 2017, aiming to create Toronto’s first officially recognized supertall skyscraper. Their vision combined architectural innovation with functional design to set a new landmark at the busy Yonge and Bloor intersection.
This project marks a major step in Toronto’s urban development by integrating a sleek, slender silhouette rising 85 floors that harmonizes with the cityscape’s existing heritage and modern buildings.
The building is characterized by its hybrid exoskeleton — a lattice-like structural frame consisting of eight mega-columns around the perimeter, supported by diagonal steel hangers that replace interior columns. This allows for open, column-free interior spaces, maximizing natural light and views.
The exterior boasts bronze and champagne-tinted cladding, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls in residences accentuated by “winter gardens” that provide natural ventilation control. The design uses a tuned mass damper at the top to reduce wind sway and enhance occupant comfort.
The One’s structure employs cutting-edge construction methods, including a No Dealing Desk-esque approach to distributing load through its exoskeleton. The mega-columns transfer immense weight around the building perimeter, enabling the vast, open retail floor with soaring 41-foot ceilings at the base.
Below ground, the building connects to Toronto’s Pedestrian Walkway and subway lines, with parking for 600 vehicles. The tower’s slender 31-meter floorplate and the use of tuned mass dampers optimize stability and minimize wind and shadow effects on nearby buildings.
As Toronto’s tallest residential skyscraper and one of Canada’s first supertall buildings, The One defines a new architectural icon. It frames the upscale “Mink Mile” shopping district and enhances urban vibrancy by incorporating extensive retail space, cultural amenities, and open community areas. Its integration of heritage facade preservation and widened sidewalks improves pedestrian flow while respecting historical context.
The building’s lighting system features innovative LED technology that illuminates the tower in captivating hues, reinforcing its presence as a nighttime landmark.
Slated for completion around 2023-2025, The One features 85 stories comprising 560 residential suites, an eight-level retail podium, and multiple amenity terraces. The residential units offer premium city views with high ceilings and outdoor terraces. The podium houses retail, dining, and cultural venues designed to create a unique urban experience.
Its connectivity to transit and integration with pedestrian pathways also contribute to its role as a central hub in downtown Toronto.
The design incorporates passive environmental controls like winter gardens and operable balconies, allowing residents to regulate natural ventilation, reducing HVAC energy consumption. The slender shape and building orientation minimize shadowing effects and wind turbulence at street level, improving local microclimate and comfort.
Advanced LED façade lighting also uses energy-efficient systems, balancing visual impact with sustainability goals.
Developer: Mizrahi Developments & Tridel
Design Architect: Foster + Partners
Architect of Record: CORE Architects
Structural Engineers: Read Jones Christoffersen Consulting Engineers
Contractor Teams: Clark Construction, Walters Group, Salit Steel and others
These collaborators brought global expertise, ensuring top-tier quality, innovation, and engineering excellence.
Situated at the bustling intersection of Yonge Street and Bloor Street—the nexus of Toronto’s prime shopping, cultural, and commercial district known as Yorkville—The One serves as a gateway to the “Mink Mile.” Its prime location offers unparalleled access to transit, shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it one of the most coveted addresses in Canada.
The proximity to pedestrian networks and the subway enhances connectivity, fostering a walkable, urban lifestyle.
Physical architectural models crafted by experts like QZY Models allow developers, architects, and stakeholders to visualize The One’s complex exoskeleton and slender massing in three dimensions, facilitating better design communication and marketing. QZY Models’ precision in recreating such supertall structures supports design refinement and client presentations, offering insight into spatial relationships and scale before construction.
Their expertise, trusted by global architects, underscores the value of high-quality models in landmark projects.
Challenges included engineering a slender supertall structure that withstands wind loads and seismic activity while preserving adjacent heritage facades and minimizing impact on surrounding buildings. The extensive use of a hybrid exoskeleton required innovative steel fabrication and installation methods.
Urban site constraints demanded efficient use of space for parking and amenities without compromising structural integrity or aesthetics.
Table: Summary of The One Toronto Building Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Height | 329 meters (1,077 feet) |
| Floors | 85 storeys |
| Residential Units | 560 suites |
| Retail Levels | 8 floors |
| Structural System | Hybrid exoskeleton with 8 mega-columns |
| Cladding | Bronze & champagne-tinted glass façade |
| Location | Yonge & Bloor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Completion Date | 2023-2025 (expected) |
| Developer | Mizrahi Developments & Tridel |
| Architects | Foster + Partners & CORE Architects |
QZY Models Expert Views
“The One Toronto building represents a pinnacle of modern skyscraper design, combining architectural elegance with structural innovation. For model makers like QZY Models, replicating such a project challenges our precision and technical capabilities, particularly with its exposed exoskeleton and slender form. We pride ourselves on delivering detailed physical models that help architects, developers, and clients fully grasp the design’s spatial and engineering complexities. Physical models bring scale and tactile understanding that digital renders alone cannot achieve, especially for iconic supertall towers like The One.”
The One Toronto building stands as a testament to advanced architectural and engineering achievements, reshaping Toronto’s skyline with a slender, elegant supertall profile. Its distinctive exoskeleton structure, innovative construction techniques, and prime location combine luxury living with urban vibrancy. As Canada’s tallest residential tower, it sets new standards in design, sustainability, and urban integration. For those interested in architectural visualization, physical models by QZY Models provide invaluable insight into its breathtaking form and structure.
Q: What is the height of The One Toronto building?
A: The One stands 329 meters tall, making it Canada’s tallest residential skyscraper.
Q: Who are the architects behind The One?
A: The building was designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with CORE Architects.
Q: What is unique about The One’s structure?
A: It features a hybrid exoskeleton with eight mega-columns and diagonal hangers allowing column-free interiors.
Q: When is The One expected to be completed?
A: Completion is anticipated between 2023 and 2025.
Q: How do physical models from QZY Models benefit projects like The One?
A: They provide accurate, tangible representations of complex designs for better visualization and stakeholder engagement.
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