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L Tower

Coordinates:43°38′47″N79°22′35″W/ 43.64639°N 79.37639°W/43.64639; -79.37639
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The L Tower
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeResidential
Location8The Esplanade
Toronto,Ontario,Canada
Coordinates43°38′47″N79°22′35″W/ 43.64639°N 79.37639°W/43.64639; -79.37639
Estimated completionTopping out: Fall 2013
Completion: Winter 2014
Opening: Summer 2015
CostCAD $235 million[1]
Height
Roof205 metres (673 ft)[3]
Technical details
Floor count58
Design and construction
Architect(s)Daniel Libeskind
DeveloperCastlepoint Realty Partners Ltd.
EngineerSmith and Anderson (MEP)[4]
Structural engineerJablonsky, Ast and Partners[5][6]
References
[2]

TheL Tower(also known as theLibeskind Tower) is a residential skyscraper inToronto,Ontario,Canada designed by architectDaniel Libeskind.The project, whichbroke groundin mid-October 2009, saw many delays. One cause for delay was a stop-work order caused by safety concerns about the crane at the top of the building. The crane was also considered an eyesore for many residents.[7][8][9]Despite the cranes (which were removed by May 2016 and September 2018 respectively), the building still won the eighth placeEmporis Skyscraper Awardin 2017.[10][11]

In the 2000s, the Sony Centre (then known as the Hummingbird Centre) was expected to be demolished and the land sold; however, Hummingbird Centre CEO Dan Brambilla convinced the city to preserve the site and approve the condo development.[8]

Developers[edit]

The building is being developed by three builders:Cityzenand Castlepoint Numa of Toronto, and Fernbrook Homes ofConcord, Ontario.[1]

Sony Plaza and public art[edit]

The Sony Plaza is an open space elevated above the intersection of Yonge and Front streets. It is being designed byClaude Cormierand Associates.[12][13]

Canadian artistHarley Valentineis creating a triptych of sculptures to be installed in the Sony Plaza. CalledDream Balletin hommage to theNational Ballet of Canada's four-decade residence at the site, the three sculptures depict abstracted ballet dancers in various dynamic positions.[14][15][16]

Honour[edit]

In 2017, the L Tower was awarded anEmporis Skyscraper Awardin the number 8 spot in the category of best new skyscraper.[11]

Controversy[edit]

In June 2015, Ontario'sMinistry of Labourbegan investigating the L Tower's work site due to complaints about its partially assembled crane. A stop-work order was issued, and engineering reports were ordered to confirm the crane was structurally sound before continuing work; due at the end of July, these reports were not provided. The crane's operator resigned after he felt his concerns that the crane could collapse were being ignored by the construction manager, and the business manager ofIUOELocal 793 stated: "We don’t believe we should be rolling the dice on a custom-made lifting device over the heads of the good people of Toronto."[1]

In February 2018, former members of a number of condominium boards—including L Tower—were accused of misusing funds, resulting in litigation. Two members of the L Tower's condominium board resigned as a result.[17]

In July 2021, the crane atop the condo tower collapsed. The crane, a building maintenance unit, with its purpose for window cleaning toppled when its 20,000 lb. counterweight fell.[18]The windows of the L Tower have not been washed ever since, as reported by its residents.[18]Reports said the crash had left significant damage to the Meridian Hall Arts Centre adjacent to the condominium, which was later found to be incorrect.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcRobinson, Michael (22 November 2015)."Safety concerns over crane holding up completion of L Tower".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2017.Retrieved5 June2019.
  2. ^"Emporis building ID 1151551".Emporis.Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2016.
  3. ^"Canada".The Skyscraper Center.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^"Skyscraper Center".
  5. ^"Jablonsky, Ast and Partners | The Esplanade".
  6. ^"Jablonsky, Ast and Partners | L TOWER & SONY CENTRE".
  7. ^Reddekopp, Lorenda (12 September 2018)."'Why's the stupid crane up there?': L Tower construction delays finally coming to an end ".CBC News.Archivedfrom the original on 5 June 2019.Retrieved19 September2018.
  8. ^abKnelman, Martin (26 October 2009)."Partnership saves a city landmark and adds a new one".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on 6 October 2016.Retrieved26 October2009.
  9. ^Warnica, Richard (6 November 2015)."Delays pile up at Toronto's iconic L Tower condo despite six years of construction".National Post.Archivedfrom the original on 5 June 2019.Retrieved14 September2018.
  10. ^Hauen, Jack; Jones, Alexandra; Marotta, Sefanie (11 September 2018)."Crane atop the L Tower is finally removed".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on 19 September 2018.Retrieved19 September2018.
  11. ^abDmitrieva, Katia (30 November 2017)."Libeskind Tower in Toronto Nabs Award, Even With Crane Left Atop".Bloomberg News.Archivedfrom the original on 15 September 2018.Retrieved19 September2018.
  12. ^"Sony Centre for the Performing Arts".Claude Cormier.
  13. ^Knelman, Martin (3 October 2015)."Born-again plaza to enhance Sony Centre: Knelman".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2015.Retrieved5 June2019.
  14. ^"Dream Ballet".HV Studio. Archived fromthe originalon 6 April 2013.
  15. ^Rockingham, Graham (3 December 2016)."Hamiltonian's Dream Ballet statues to transform the heart of Toronto".The Hamilton Spectator.Archivedfrom the original on 2 January 2017.Retrieved5 June2019.
  16. ^Govani, Shinan (6 August 2016)."Meet Harley Valentine, the man behind a new Toronto jewel".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on 7 August 2016.Retrieved5 June2019.
  17. ^Lancaster, John (23 February 2018)."Condo owners find out they're on the hook for $750K, sue former board members for $800K".CBC News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018.Retrieved19 September2018.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. ^ab"Crane atop Toronto condo collapses after years of issues and complaints".blogto.Retrieved30 March2024.
  19. ^"No injuries reported after crane falls onto downtown Toronto condo building | News".dailyhive.Retrieved30 March2024.