Frank Gehry Unveils Plans For Toronto Skyscrapers

Taking to the skies, Forma Condos, Toronto, will be Frank Gehry’s tallest skyscrapers yet.

Though Frank Gehry has designed dozens of buildings—the Bilbao Guggenheim in Spain and the Dancing House in Prague—only one of them, New York by Gehry at 8 Spruce Street in Manhattan’s financial district, is a skyscraper. However, that won’t be the case for long. The Canadian architect recently unveiled new images of his latest project, Forma Condos. This is a pair of residential towers that will soon be built in Toronto’s Entertainment District. Paolo Ferrari, a local interior architect, will design the interiors of both buildings.

Over 2,000 luxury condominiums will take up most floors in both the 84-story western and 73-story eastern towers. It comes as an extension campus for the Ontario College of Art and Design which will also be part of the development.

The developer is therefore proposing spacious floor plans varying from studio to three-bedroom plus den condos. Alongside this, with state-of-the-art features, Forma Condos is ideal for both young professionals and university students. Forma Condos will also have a wide array of indoor and outdoor amenities. As a result, residents will find wellness spaces, entertainment lounges, creative coworking spaces, and an outdoor terrace. In addition, buyers can also expect to find commercial space in Forma Condos.

Changing the skyline

Forma’s iridescent façade and twisting shape will reflect the colours of the sun and the form of the surrounding buildings to change Toronto’s skyline. Located on King Street West, Forma will be an exceptional addition to the city at the nexus between the Entertainment and Financial District.

In classic Gehry form, the towers are designed in a deconstructivist style. And yet, not as fragmented as some of his previous work. Both towers are constructed from offset blocks stacked at alternating angles. They each boast reflective glass and stainless steel cladding. The result is a building that appears to exist at a constant rotation. The twists and turns thus offer a distinct look from every angle. This illusion is meant to evolve further over the course of the day. As the light changes, you can expect an evolution with reflections off the geometric exterior.

“Every city in the world has its own light, and the light is modified by the buildings in the city,” Gehry said. “I wanted this building to capture the essence of Toronto.”

Great Gulf Group, Dream, and Westdale Properties are developing the project, which is expected to be completed in early 2028. Though Gehry was born in Toronto, he now lives and practices out of Southern California. Dubbed his “homecoming masterpiece,” the Forma towers will surely make a lasting impact on his native skyline.

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