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Concord Sky, the 85-storey mixed-use tower under construction at Yonge and Gerrard Streets in Downtown Toronto, is generating buzz for more than just its design and construction progress. The question of its eventual final height has sparked debate, with the possibility of it achieving "supertall" status — a title conferred upon buildings over 300 metres — hinging on a technicality. If so, the tower on Toronto’s main drag would join the city's short list of projects under construction with boast as a goal.
Designed by architects—Alliance for Concord Adex, Concord Sky is set to house 1,407 units and stand 85 storeys, at a height of 299.00m — that is, at least according to the UrbanToronto Database. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) utilizes criteria that would push the tower over the line to 300.2m, however, categorizing it as a supertall.
The CTBUH is a global non-profit organization seen as an authoritative voice in the realm of skyscrapers and urban design. Established to navigate the complexities of vertical cityscapes, their criteria are often considered the standard for what constitutes a 'supertall' building, a classification that hinges on the nuanced measurement from the "lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance" to the architectural tip.
The method of measuring a building's height is not just a technicality but a narrative in itself. UrbanToronto measures from the main doors of a building to its architectural top, as the main doors are usually where the City designates Average Grade on a building site. The sloping aspect of the site along Yonge Street here, however, introduces a critical variance for Concord Sky.
In this case, the distinction in measurement starting point is pivotal. The slope of Yonge Street creates an elevation difference between its entrances — while UrbanToronto’s figure starts from the main entrance, the CTBUH’s approach includes the south end of the building that sits lower than the main entrance. While not leading to the residential floors, this southern entrance fulfills the CTBUH's criteria for a pedestrian access point. This method adds a crucial 1.2m, nudging Concord Sky's height to 300.2m, placing it in the supertall category.
When scrutinizing the varying elevations at which different entrances sit due to the slope, the grade at the northeast corner of the site (above) is approximately 95.39m, while the main tower doors are at about 95.1m. Meanwhile, the southernmost retail entrance is at 93.92m and embedded within a heritage facade. Therefore, it can be expected that the grade of the door would not change over the current conditions, which results in that additional 1.2m of height gained by measuring to the lower retail door.
This methodological divergence has stirred a lively debate among the UrbanToronto Forum community. Contributors are offering detailed analyses, comparisons, and discussions, as members sift through architectural drawings, survey data, and CTBUH criteria to ascertain Concord Sky's official height. They have dissected elevations, poured over surveys, and deliberated on the precise elevation of the doorways.
This diligence by the Forum's members sheds light on the technicalities of height measurement and is a prime example of the community's passionate engagement with the evolving narrative of Toronto's skyline, where every decimal point in a building's height carries a weight of significance.
Whether UrbanToronto will decide to make an exception for Concord Sky to its height determination method for buildings remains a question, but for now, the height of Concord Sky, according to the method we apply to all other buildings, remains 299 metres. We are not doing this to specifically anger the height fanboys who want to push the ruler further down than our method calls for, but we remain unconvinced for the time being that our standards need a rethink.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
| Related Companies: | architects—Alliance, Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, HGC Engineering Inc, Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Live Patrol Inc., Quasar Consulting Group, Rebar Enterprises Inc |
