DEVELOPMENT

A rendering of , currently 's tallest residential tower. The height of residential towers

BY ERIN RUDDY

Tall commercial towers are nothing new, but the last few years have seen an exceptional crop of super-slim residential buildings sprouting up in cities all over the world. From Manhattan to Mumbai, tall towers are as fashionable as they are effectual given advancements in engineering and the sophistication of modern building materials.

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Another reason for the sudden surge skywards is the lack of urban land parcels — and the price tags that go along with them. Given Coming in at most city skylines are so tightly developed, it’s no surprise that the only direction left to build is up. an impressive According to Richard Witt, principal at Quadrangle Architects and Canadian chair of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), an international body in the field of tall buildings and 272 metres, Aura, a sustainable urban design, more than 100 residential are currently under construction across the globe, the tallest being World condominium located One, in Mumbai, India, which is set to rise a staggering 442 metres. Also under construction is the in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 432 metres, and in New York at Yonge and Gerrard City at 425 metres. “Of the world’s top 10 tallest residential buildings, eight are in , will be located in ,” says Witt, pointing out that one is in Australia and the other is in China. “The the city’s fourth tallest in is 413 metres tall, making it the tallest residential tower currently in the world.” Canada’s soon-to-be-tallest residential tower is no slouch either. building and fifth tallest Coming in at an impressive 272 metres, Aura, a condominium located at Yonge and Gerrard in Toronto, will be the city’s fourth tallest structure. Davroc_Condo_March_2014_FINAL.pdf 1 14-03-18 10:14 AM building and fifth tallest structure, soaring above everything but The CN Tower, First Canadian Place, Trump Tower and ScotiaTower. Construction began in January of 2010 and the last occupants are scheduled to begin moving in this December.

Sky-high dwellings Condominiums are climbing to impressive heights, but apartment towers of unusual form are also on the rise. According to Witt, The Cayan in Dubai, which sits at a respectable 306 metres, is far from the tallest building in the world, but it has a striking helical shape turning 90 degrees over the course of its height. New York is currently awaiting the realization of several new ultra- slim residential towers, including 125 Greenwich St., which will soar 413 metres at a pencil-like width making it the second tallest building in Manhattan’s downtown core. “In Canada, we have nothing over 250 metres in the residential department yet except for Aura,” Witt says, “but it won’t be long before this changes. One Yonge Tower and 50 Bloor West are both under construction and slated to be 293 metres and 277 metres respectively.”

Notable designs Impressive height is one thing; striking architecture is another. While historically residential buildings have been on the dull side of design compared to their office building counterparts, Witt suggests that this may no longer be the case. In addition to The Cayan in Dubai (mentioned above), Eight Spruce in , designed by Frank Gehry, is something Witt cites as quite remarkable. “Toronto developer Cityzen has also made some great forms with Absolute World (commonly referred to as the Marilyn Monroe Towers) in Mississauga, and their nearly completed L-Tower in

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December 3-5, 2014 – Metro Toronto Convention Centre

3 Days – 6 Shows – 1,600 Exhibitors

The 2014 show is now poised to get even bigger, as PM Expo along with Construct Canada, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, Concrete Canada, Construct International, and The Real Estate Forum (Toronto) will co-locate with IIDEXCanada to create The Buildings Show, ’s largest exposition, networking and educational event focusing on design, construction and real estate.

PM EXPO HOURS Dates Exhibits Seminars Wed. Dec. 3 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Thurs. Dec. 4 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Fri. Dec. 5 9:00 am - 1:00 pm N/A

Aura stands out in this Networking with Industry Professionals while enjoying a aerial shot of Toronto complimentary beverage on the Show Floor: Wednesday & Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ,” Witt says. Designed Focus on All Types of Buildings by architect Daniel Libeskind, the 58- Mobile App L-shaped residence is already making its Skyscrapers at-a-glance Get information on how to manage, operate, maintain and retrofit mark on the skyline and will be ready for all types of buildings: commercial, residential, hotels, educational, move in next summer. MOBILE APP COMING SOON! healthcare, and institutional. Learn about major products, Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, • World’s tallest building: , Dubai, 828 metres leading-edge technology, services and solutions. iPad but height is measurable — meaning the • World’s tallest residential tower: The Princess Tower, Dubai, 414 metres tallest buildings of today won’t be the tallest • Canada’s tallest building: First Canadian Place, Toronto, 298 metres buildings of tomorrow. Love it or hate it, just 12:00 PM • Canada’s tallest residential tower: Aura, Toronto, 272 metres New and Green Products look at Canada’s national icon, The CN Tower.

• Canada’s proposed tallest building (office/residential): Oxford Place, Toronto, 326 metres DECEMBER 3-5, 2014 Though the once dubbed “tallest free- • Cities with the most buildings over 300 metres: Dubai (18) (6) Hong Kong (6) Learn about new and innovative products, systems, and services. standing structure in the world” didn’t hold Stay informed about the very latest in new technologies that can any permanent world records, it will forever • Since January 2013, Toronto is the site of 31 buildings over 150 metres, with a total of 1,938 high-rise buildings city wide improve building performance, reduce costs, increase efficiency and hold a place in Toronto’s ever-changing meet environmental objectives. skyline. 1 For more building facts and figures, visit CTBUH’s skyscrapercentre.com – Schedule your day – Follow the live social media conversations Erin Ruddy is the editor of Canadian – Plan your education with a full Canada’s #1 Networking Opportunity Apartment Magazine. seminar program & speaker – Network & connect with biographies industry professionals with Canada’s most anticipated real estate and property management show – Find exhibitors on the in-app messaging provides a great opportunity to network with some of the top industry Subscribe to the show floor professionals, all under one roof.

CondoBusiness To attend for FREE* and learn more about the show, visit www.pmexpo.com e-newsletter, FREE. *Free online registration valid until November 25, 2014 11:59 p.m. EST. Attendees who register online or onsite after the date will be charged $25. Visit For Sponsorship, Exhibit & Advertising Information: Jeff Ingram – 416.512.3811 – [email protected] www.condobusiness.ca Follow Us We see condos di erently. and subscribe today Sponsored by • Reserve Fund Studies • Insurance Appraisals • Performance Audits FREE PARKING AVAILABLE at Select Locations 905-761-9500 [email protected] www.firstcondo.ca

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