When concrete is poured at Yonge and Bloor, expectations are high. Among Canada’s most famous crossroads, the intersection brings together hundreds of thousands of people every day—both on the streets and underground in the subways. Great Gulf’s 75 storey tower now rising above its sculptural podium is set to further enliven the intersection with new residents, retail and architecture.
With the concrete frame of the podium now complete, construction crews are pouring the first floors of what will be one of the tallest towers in the city. At 75 storeys, the project will keep crews busy for more than a year pouring the floors, but the tower has a simpler form than the podium for quicker construction.Even as an unfinished concrete frame, the podium’s organically curving terraces enliven the streetscape at Yonge and Bloor. With crews installing high-quality curtain wall glass on the lower floors, the podium is set to be a striking structure like no other in the city.
Residents with southern exposures will have some of the best views of the downtown skyline available anywhere in the city. Views south from the skyscrapers on Bloor Street showcase downtown’s density better than the classic postcard view from the Toronto Islands. One Bloor East features many larger suites among its collection of 690 units—the smallest currently available is the 530 square foot Adventure unit with one bedroom; the largest has 1410 square feet with two bedrooms and a den.
Residents will have access to the outdoor pool on the lush 7th floor terrace. All common spaces will have striking interior design by Cecconi Simone that continues with the façade’s theme of striking organic curves.
With an iconic downtown location at the crossroads of the city, One Bloor East looks to be bringing the kind of distinctive architecture one would expect at such a prominent location. The glazing appears to be of high quality and all of architect Hariri Pontarini’s sculptural curves look to be incorporated in the final product.
As ambitious as the tower appears in the renderings with curved glass, bold architectural ripples, and unique contemporary interiors, Great Gulf isn’t giving us any reason to doubt its execution of this outstanding new landmark so far.
