One Bloor

One Bloor, previously One Bloor East and Number One Bloor, is a mixed-use skyscraper under construction at the intersection of Bloor Street and Yonge Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The project was initially launched by developer Bazis International Inc. in 2007, before being cancelled and re-developed under developer Great Gulf Homes. The two-storey buildings located on the site were demolished in December 2008. The 76-storey tower topped out in late 2015.

History

There have been several attempts to build a residential building at No. 1 Bloor Street East. In 2005, a 60-storey tower was proposed by Young and Wright.^[1] The site was then sold to Bazis International, and finally to Great Gulf Homes. The site was formerly a two storey retail building with a Harvey's and City Optical on the ground floor, which was demolished once the One Bloor project proceeded.

Bazis proposal

In 2007, an 80-storey proposal was announced with much fanfare by Bazis International. The existing two-storey buildings located on the site were demolished in December 2008.

It was to be approximately 275 m (902.2 ft) tall and was designed by Rosario Varacalli.^[1] The proposal called for a semi-transparent metal and glass tower with environmentally friendly and efficient technology. The building planned to include 189 hotel rooms and 612 condominium units.

In July 2009, both the final scope and the eventual fate of the project were called into question. News reports stated that the height would be reduced to 67 storeys to reduce the construction costs.^[2] The Toronto Star also reported that a group of lenders sought to have their $46 million loan be repaid, or that the court allow them to buy the vacant land. The lenders reportedly made a failed bid of $50.5 million to Bazis for the land.^[3] Bazis purchased the site for $63 million in 2007, and cited the global lending crisis as a reason for the height reduction and the loan being in default.^[4]

Sale to Great Gulf

One Bloor site, September 2009

One Bloor construction site in April 2015

On July 22, 2009, the Star reported that Bazis has sold the property to privately held Great Gulf Homes, who have expressed interest in building a skyscraper on the site.^[5] The Bazis proposal died as a result of the sale. Great Gulf Homes relaunched the plans to build a condo tower there with a new design, reduced height (initially 91 to 80, but then 80 floors to 65), and a new name.

Buoyed by strong sales, One Bloor grew from the downsized 65 floors to 70 floors and again to 75 floors. The skyscraper's final height will be 257 m (844 ft), making it the second tallest residential tower in Toronto and Canada, after Aura.^[6] The first move in date is projected to be by early 2015.

The building is designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, overseen by David Pontarini. Number One Bloor features over 27,000 square feet (2,500 m²) of resort-inspired amenities on the sixth and seventh floors designed by Cecconi Simone. On the seventh floor terrace, there is 19,000 square feet (1,800 m²) of outdoor amenity space designed by Janet Rosenberg + Associates, Landscape Architecture/Urban Design.

The six-storey podium will include 100,000 square feet (9,300 m²) of retail space.^[7] One major tenant, the American Nordstrom Rack chain will open a 40,000 square feet (3,700 m²) store. It will be the chain's first Canadian location.^[8]

Construction

Foundations of One Bloor in January 2013

The project has been rebranded. The final scheme comprises a 76-storey condominium tower built by Great Gulf Homes. Construction began in August 2011.^[9]

See also

• List of tallest buildings in Toronto

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to One Bloor.

• Official site
• 1 Bloor East at Emporis
• 1 Bloor East at urbandb.com