Concord Canada House has unveiled a pedestrian's dream condo in downtown Toronto's CityPlace community, a two-tower complex that redefines urban living with extensive outdoor amenities. The development, comprising 79 and 81 storeys, is designed as a vertical city, offering residents a unique blend of nature and luxury.
A Vertical City with Canadian Flair
The complex, developed by Concord Adex and designed by IBI Group (now Arcadis), features an expansive outdoor ecosystem on the 10th and 11th floors. Inspired by the Canadian Shield, the amenity spaces include a skating rink that mimics Ottawa's Rideau Canal, which transforms into a pond in summer. Lisa Rapoport, founding partner of PLANT Architect Inc., led the design starting in 2012, navigating challenges such as COVID-19 and approvals to create a space that feels like its own village.
Four-Season Outdoor Oasis
The outdoor area boasts a log jam, a sinking schooner, and a large black granite rock, evoking the rugged Canadian landscape. In winter, the rink serves as a social hub, complete with a Zamboni stored on-site. During summer, the pond features a dock extending to a granite island, offering a cottage-like atmosphere. A waterfall fountain adds sensory appeal, encouraging residents to dip their toes.
Additional amenities include an upper dog park, BBQ area, lounges, fire bowls, and a playground. The SkyLounge on higher floors provides stunning views of Lake Ontario, with 30-foot ceilings and a banquet lounge. Pool facilities are extensive, featuring multiple lanes, a hot tub, cold plunge, sauna, and steam rooms. The SkyGym and SkySpa on the 71st and 72nd floors offer premium workout equipment and spaces for yoga and spinning classes.
Designed for Community and Convenience
Rapoport emphasized the challenge of creating a long, slow walk around the podium within a rectangular building. The perimeter walk follows a built-in trail with rest stops and viewing points, passing fire bowls, pergola-shaded benches, terrace seating under an illuminated glass canopy, and a playground. The goal was to make residents feel they never need to leave the building, though the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Nathan Philips Square are steps away.
The development also adapted to market trends, with unit sizes expanding to accommodate family-sized needs. PLANT Architect Inc. focused on bringing the outdoors inside, creating a condo that acts like its own village, complete with all the amenities of a small community.
