Proposed 75-story tower at 10 York Street by Tridel would be first partnership between Build Toronto and a private developer.

Tridel unveiled plans to build one of Toronto's tallest buildings today, a 75-story condo tower at 10 York Street. downtown. The building will be the first development undertaken in partnership with the city of Toronto's Build Toronto program. Build Toronto is an independent and self-funding real estate and development corporation created by David Miller to maximize the value of city real estate.

Tridel was one of many development companies that responded to a Request for Proposal from Build Toronto in 2010. The RFP asked that proponents present a plan that would maximize value for the land and Tridel's proposal was selected. This decision was made based upon a number of criteria, including Tridel's strong and longstanding performance in the private residential development sector, its recognized sales and marketing acumen and its vision for the site.

Tridel president Leo DelZotto spoke of his excitement at being part of the RFP process for this "truly exceptional" parcel of land, and at the opportunity to create a condominium that will be "spectacular."

Designed to increase street animation and create more usable and safe pedestrian spaces, the architects and designers involved have sought to create an enhanced public realm on the site that will link the downtown core to the waterfront.

The proposed 75-storey condominium, designed by Rudy Wallman, of Wallman Architects, will offer a sleek, contemporary and elegant tower, while fulfilling Tridel's commitment to developing environmentally sustainable, high performance buildings. Tridel and Build Toronto will be seeking a LEED certification for the building, and the developers are committed to ensuring that it exceeds the City of Toronto's Green Building Standards.

Wallman stated that he was asked by Tridel to create an "iconic" design for the high-profile site, so he turned to nature for inspiration. He hopes to capture the shimmering beauty of the northern lights in the skin of the tower, with vertical bands of windows extending from the building's four sides. Those strips will extend at different angles and will reflect the light in different intensities throughout the day. At night the strips will be lit for dramatic effect, with the vertical architectural gestures culminating in fins reaching skyward to the top of the building's mechanical penthouse. That crown will be sheathed so that it begins to blend the building into the sky.

While the floorplans and suite layouts are still being finalized, Tridel and Build Toronto are also committed to the principle of encouraging families to live in the downtown core, and as a result, the development will include three bedroom floorplans, or the possibility of converting suites from two to three bedrooms.

Construction could begin in 2013, assuming quick approvals at City Hall, with completion sometime in late 2016.