In downtown Toronto, there’s a race to build the biggest residential tower in Canada. Between Mizrahi Developments’ The One and SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge, the competition to be crowned the tallest in all the land is a difference of a few metres between the two supertalls.
So, if you were to stack up all of the storeys developers have built across the country over the last ten years, which builder would reach the highest heights?
Using BuzzBuzzHome data, we compiled a list of the tallest developers by how many storeys they’ve constructed over the last decade.
1. Tridel
Total storeys built: 1,553
Notable projects in progress: Westerly Condos, Tridel at The Well
With well over 1,500 storeys under its belt, Tridel takes the winning rank as the “tallest developer” from the last ten years.
This Toronto-based developer is well-known for its high-rise projects in and around the downtown area, inclusive of Ten York, where you’ll find the million-dollar innovation suite. You might also recognize Tridel from their recent proposal for a 41-storey condo tower on the site of The Ballroom in Toronto’s Entertainment District.
2. Menkes Developments Ltd.
Total storeys built: 1,124
Notable projects in progress: Sugar Wharf, in.DE Condos, Grand Festival Condos
If you’re walking along Toronto’s waterfront, you might be familiar with the works of Menkes Developments thanks to the Sugar Wharf condo community. If you frequent the Garden District often, you’ll find Menkes’ recent works, Fleur Condos and in.DE Condos. In Yorkville’s luxurious skyline, you’ll also spot Menkes’ two-tower Four Seasons Hotel & Residences project on Bay Street and Yorkville Avenue.
The developer is also behind the proposal to transform the Filmores Hotel building and an adjacent parking lot into a 46-storey tower.
3. Concord Adex
Total storeys built: 1,072
Notable projects in progress: Concord Canada House, Concord Sky
In March 2020, three of Cresford’s former luxury Toronto towers fell into receivership. Concord Adex, a subsidiary of the Vancouver-based Concord Pacific, bought Cresford’s The Clover and relaunched the high-rise as the newly rebranded Gloucester on Yonge. Concord Adex also acquired YSL Residences, now Concord Sky, earlier this fall.
Concord Adex is known for its development of the master-planned CityPlace community.
4. Onni Group of Companies
Total storeys built: 1,025
Notable projects in progress: 1335 Howe, Gilmore Place
This West Coast developer has multiple developments planned and completed across Greater Vancouver, including New Westminster, Port Moody and downtown Vancouver. In Coquitlam, Onni Group is planning to build Pine & Glen between the Lincoln and Lafarge Lake-douglas SkyTrain stations.
You’ll also find Onni Group projects in Toronto like Westlake Encore or Fortune at Fort York.
5. Concord Pacific
Total storeys built: 922
Notable projects in progress: Concord Metrotown, Park George Phase II
Concord Pacific, the Vancouver-based parent company of Concord Adex, is best known for its condo projects in the Greater Vancouver area.
You might have heard of the builder for its Concord Brentwood community overlooking Lougheed Highway in Burnaby, or Avenue One, which is under construction near False Creek. On Kingsway, Concord Pacific is also working on its 65-storey high-rise project, Concord Metrotown, which will deliver a host of new resident amenities including a Japanese tea house, a 400 metre running track plus an aquatic zone.
6. Pemberton Group
Total storeys built: 886
Notable projects in progress: GO.2 Condominiums, The Pemberton
Pemberton Group scooped up the third Cresford property to fall into receivership, purchasing Toronto luxury tower 33 Yorkville Residences in April and rebranding it as The Pemberton.
The Vaughan-based developer also expects to complete construction of its 29-storey Time and Space Condos project along Toronto’s Front Street next year.
7. Pinnacle International
Total storeys built: 881
Notable projects in progress: The PJ Condos, SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge
Rising 95 storeys, Pinnacle International’s aptly named SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge — one of three condominium towers in the master-planned community surrounding the Toronto Star building — is poised to be Canada’s second-tallest building once construction is completed.
Pinnacle International is also aiming to develop one of Vancouver’s tallest buildings, with its new 53-storey project 601 Beach Crescent poised to tower over the Granville Bridge.
8. The Daniels Corporation
Total storeys built: 872
Notable projects in progress: Condominiums at Square One District, Artsy Boutique Condominiums
Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood is home to two notable Daniels developments, Artworks Tower and Artsy Boutique Condominiums.
The builder also has big plans for Scarborough’s Golden Mile, where alongside Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, Daniels plans to turn a 67-year-old shopping centre into 3,770 new homes.
9. Lifetime Developments
Total storeys built: 865
Notable projects in progress: Liberty Market Tower, Panda Condos
Making its presence felt in Toronto’s Liberty Village neighbourhood, Lifetime Developments has more than 700 units planned through its XO Condos and XO2 Condos projects.
A third development, the 28-storey Liberty Market Tower, will also add housing options in the area, sitting atop the Liberty Market Building.
10. Plaza
Total storeys built: 857
Notable projects in progress: Yonge & Finch Condos, 400 King West Condos
Putting its stamp on Toronto’s Entertainment District, Plaza is developing a mixed-use plaza featuring neighbouring towers — the 51-storey Theatre District Tower and 48-storey Encore Theatre District Condos.
Heading south a block, the developer’s 400 King West Condos project is being constructed on the site of the old Mountain Equipment Co-op building.
11. Great Gulf
Total storeys built: 857
Notable projects in progress: 357 King West, Gehry Condos
In downtown Toronto’s skyline, you might be familiar with some of Great Gulf’s works.
Just south of the Queen Street TTC subway station, the now sold out Yonge + Rich high-rise is expected to conclude construction work this year. At the corner of Yonge and Bloor streets in Yorkville, Great Gulf’s One Bloor tower anchors the major downtown intersection, home to over 700 units and a handful of luxury penthouses that are still available for purchase.
12. Lanterra Developments
Total storeys built: 839
Notable projects in progress: 31 Condominiums, Fifty Scollard Condos
Based in Toronto, Lanterra Developments is behind some of the city’s landmark condo developments, such as Ice Condominiums in the South Core and Toy Factory Lofts in Liberty Village.
Currently, Lanterra Developments is collaborating with Westdale Properties on the 41-storey 31 Condominiums project in The Distillery District, and Natasha The Residences in the Entertainment District, which is anticipated to kick off constriction next summer.
Note: This story was updated to include more builders.
