I hate to say it, but compared to most of the cities Toronto cares to compare itself to, our buildings are generally more uniform in colour, shape, material, and size and are less adventurous. With a few exceptions, they are boxes with slight embellishments (particularly when seen from the island). We generally lack the showstopper buildings that a tourist would take note of or know about in advance. We purposefully look at these things every day so of course WE note the differences, but to the average person, Toronto has no Marina Bay Sands, Shanghai World Financial Centre, Eureka Tower, Gherkin, Opera House / Harbour Bridge, John Hancock Tower / Sears Tower, Empire State Building, Bank of China Tower, etc. Yes, yes, CN Tower (thank you 1960's), but the rest.... This is not to knock Toronto, which is doubtlessly improving, but I think there's a kernel of truth in a fresh-eyed perspective.