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Toronto’s – and Canada’s – future tallest skyscraper could climb even higher than now approved, as Pinnacle International seeks to add yet another storey to SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge. Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, the tower, already under construction, will be the country’s first building to surpass 100 storeys at 105, and one of only a few Toronto towers heading for ‘supertall status of over 300m. A new Minor Variance application, however, is seeking to increase the height of fifteen of the upper storeys, and at the same time add one to SkyTower’s floor count by converting the lowest mechanical penthouse level into a habitable one.
Located at Yonge Street and Queens Quay East in Toronto’s Central Waterfront, the site spans 26,996m², occupying the entire block at 1 and 7 Yonge Street. Positioned in the northwest corner of the block where Lake Shore Boulevard East currently peals off of Yonge Street, construction is already well underway on the ‘SkyTower,’ beside the completed 65-storey first phase, dubbed ‘The Prestige’. UrbanToronto’s last update on construction here was recently in February, 2025 when SkyTower was about 60 storeys tall.
In December, 2023, City Council approved a major height increase raising SkyTower from 95 to 105 storeys, with its peak reaching 344.9m instead of 312.5m. That was followed by a Site Plan Approval resubmission in April, 2024 which adjusted the design of the mechanical penthouse, shifting the Tuned Mass Damper housing to become the highest point of the building and bringing the overall height slightly higher to 345.5m.
The latest Minor Variance application proposes revisions for the tower’s upper levels, where floor-to-floor heights on Levels 89 to 104 would increase from 2.95m to 3.25m. This adjustment would create 10 ft ceilings in these residential units, aligning with North American standards for super-deluxe building suites.
A new total of 106 storeys is tied to modifications in the tower’s mechanical penthouse. The lower level of the three-level mechanical penthouse would now include 354m² of indoor amenity space, designed as a residents’ observation lounge, while two penthouse suites on Level 105 would also gain 160m² ‘pop-up’ second floors within what has been until now just a lower mechanical penthouse level in the plans. Mechanical penthouse levels are not typically included in buildings’ floor counts; only the floors normally accessible to residents or guests are counted.
While the building’s mutli-level mechanical penthouse would maintain its approved 13m height envelope, the addition of amenity and residential space on its lowest level now classifies that portion (6.25m) as a habitable floor, effectively adding a 106th storey. With the adjustment in height of the upper level condos, the tower’s total height to the top of the mechanical penthouse and rooftop projections would rise from 345.5m to 351.85m.
At the same time, the Minor Variance application also seeks approval to install an emergency generator on the roof of the mechanical penthouse. It would fall within the existing 7.2m height projection allowance permitted for rooftop elements such as windscreens and window washing equipment. The generator is intended to power critical building systems, including elevators and corridor lighting, ensuring resident safety during power outages.
The proposed changes would leave the general look of SkyTower unchanged. The tower’s podium height, step-backs, and tower floor plate sizes would remain as previously approved, as in fact the first 64-or-so floors have already been formed. The revisions would not impact the building’s Gross Floor Area, unit count, nor amenity space ratios, nor would they alter parking, loading, or bicycle parking requirements.
The surrounding area is rapidly intensifying. To the south, Pinnacle One Yonge Commercial is proposed at 24 and 40 storeys, while Pier 27 Phase 3 would add 11- and 45-storey towers. To the west, The HUB is planned at 57 storeys. North of the site, developments include 45 The Esplanade at 39 storeys, One Front at 49 storeys, and 20 Front West at 52 storeys. Nearby, CIBC SQUARE is under construction with its second office tower of 50 storeys. To the east, Sugar Wharf Condominiums (Phase 2) proposes three towers rising between 70 and 85 storeys.
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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