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Cladding installation is underway on Forma’s 73-storey East Tower, marking a major visual milestone for the Frank Gehry–designed development rising in Toronto’s Entertainment District. The first sections of the sculpted stainless steel and curtain wall facades have now been installed on the lower levels of the project designed by Gehry Partners with Adamson Associates as Architect of Record for Great Gulf, Dream Unlimited, and Westdale Properties. UrbanToronto last provided an update in July, 2025, when the developers submitted revised plans for the future 84-storey 'supertall' West Tower. The larger West Tower is not yet in sales nor under construction.
Looking northeast to the west elevation of the East Tower, this photo captures installation progress where two distinct curtain wall treatments are now visible. On the left, flat reflective glazing panels form a smooth curtain wall system that will ascend the tower, while on the right, sculpted stainless steel panels bend and fold at varying angles to create what Gehry calls a “waterfall” effect that will cover this portion of the facade. Of note regarding the flat glazing section, the various panels are not uniform, but have varying degrees of reflectivity, meant to increase the shimmering effect of the building overall as it reacts to the sun's daily travel across the sky.
A closer look at the west elevation reveals the distinctive facade treatment. Each stainless steel–clad unit is faceted and subtly canted, producing a rhythm of reflections. The panels interlock within a grid of clear curtain wall glazing, their folded surfaces refracting neighbouring towers and sky. The precision of the panel seams and bracket connections combines glazing with three-dimensional metal cladding to achieve Gehry’s intent of translating Toronto’s layered urban character into architecture.
Viewed head-on, this close-up emphasizes the complexity of the folded stainless steel panels. Each panel bends along multiple angles.
At close range, the work becomes evident in the riveted stainless steel panels, regularly spaced, their grid-like pattern continuing across vertical and horizontal joints. The rivets anchor the metal sheets to sub-framing, ensuring both rigidity and dimensional control for the folded surfaces. Streaks owing to highly dusty construction conditions and rain will be removed through cleaning at the end of the installation process.
When complete, the East Tower will rise 262.8m with 864 residential units, while the planned West Tower would reach a ‘supertall’ height of 308m.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, 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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