by Brianna Crandall — March 18, 2015—Architectural firm Foster + Partners unveiled designs last week for “The One,” an 80-storey mixed-use tower on a prominent downtown Toronto site at One Bloor West that reportedly pioneers a new model of vertical retail in the city. Rising to 318 meters, it will be Toronto’s second-tallest building and combines a residential tower with a retail base, which is integrated with the city’s underground pedestrian “PATH” network.
The base comprises nine levels of shops, cafes and restaurants, arranged around a soaring 60-meter atrium. A flexible “urban room” is elevated two stories above the street, protected from the weather and accessed by two express escalators. The apartments are reached via a glass bridge at level 12, and incorporate winter gardens with panoramic city views.
In contrast to the typical glass residential tower with shallow balconies, the façade is characterized by warm metallic tones and a distinctive bronze exoskeleton frame, which transforms as the tower rises to articulate the change in function, explains the firm.
The award-winning Foster + Partners architectural firm has pioneered an innovative, sustainable approach to architecture for four decades through a wide range of work, from urban masterplans, public infrastructure, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices and workplaces to private houses and product design. Based in London, the firm has offices worldwide and buildings on six continents.
