Design Guidelines For Tall Buildings

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TALL BUILDING
DESIGN
GUIDELINES Ma r c h 2013
City of Toronto
Tall Building Design Guidelines

March 2013

Tall Building Design Guidelines online:
toronto.ca/planning/tallbuildingdesign.htm
_______________________________________________________________________
The City of Toronto acknowledges the following previous tall building design guidelines and
studies which informed the development of these city-wide Tall Building Design Guidelines:

Design Criteria for the Review of Tall Building Proposals (2006) HOK Architects Corporation |
City of Toronto

Tall Buildings: Inviting Change in Downtown Toronto (2010) Urban Strategies Inc. |
Hariri Pontarini Architects | City of Toronto

Downtown Tall Buildings Vision and Performance Standards Design Guidelines |
(2012) Urban Strategies Inc. | Hariri Pontarini Architects | City of Toronto
Photo Credits:
All illustrations and photographs by City of Toronto
with exception of 4.3 Pedestrian Level Wind Effects: Figure 1
used with permission from Moonwire (Nathalie) on Flikr.
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Introduction 1
Evolution of Tall Building in Toronto 2
Evolution of Tall Buildings 4
0elning Tall Buildings G
Guiding Principles
Design Excellence 7
Sustainable Design 7
Heritage Conservation 8
Downtown Study Area
Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines 8
Organization of the Guidelines 9
How and Where the Guidelines Apply 12
1.0 Site Context 13
1.1 Context Analysis 14
1.2 Master Flan or Larger Sites 1G
1.3 Fit and Transition in Scale 18
1.4 Sunlight and Sky View 21
1.5 Prominent Sites and Views from the Public Realm 22
1.G heritage Froerties and heritage Conservation 0istricts 24
2.0 Site Organization 25
2.1 Building Flacement 2G
2.2 Building Address and Entrances 27
2.3 Site Servicing, Access, and Parking 28
2.4 Publically Accessible Open Space 30
2.5 Private Open Space 32
2.G Fedestrian and Cycling Connections 88
2.7 Public Art 34
Table of Contents
3.0 Tall Building Design 36

3.1 Base Building 37
3.1.1 Base Building Height and Scale 38
3.1.2 Street Animation 40
3.1.3 First Floor Height 41
3.1.4 Faade Articulation and Transparency 42
3.1.5 Public-Private Transition 44
3.2 Middle (Tower) 45
8.2.1 Floor Flate Si/e and Shae 4G
3.2.2 Tower Placement 47
3.2.3 Separation Distances 48
3.2.4 Tower Orientation and Articulation 52
3.2.5 Balconies 54
3.3 Tower Top 55
8.8 Tower To 5G
4.0 Pedestrian Realm 57
4.1 Streetscape and Landscape Design 58
4.2 Sidewalk Zone 59
4.8 Fedestrian Level wind Eects GO
4.4 Fedestrian weather Frotection G2
Submission Requirements, References, Glossary & Appendices 63
Clossary G4
List o Reerences G7
Submission Requirements G8
Appendices 83
Appendix A: Heritage Conservation Principles 84
Appendix B: Downtown Tall Buildings: Summary of Supplementary 87
Design Guideline References

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INTRODUCTION
Evolution of Tall Buildings in Toronto
Evolution of Tall Building Guidelines
Defining Tall Buildings
Guiding Principles
Design Excellence
Sustainable Design
Heritage Conservation
Downtown Study Area
Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines
Organization of the Guidelines
How and Where the Guidelines Apply
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Tall buildings have been part of Torontos urban landscape
since the early twentieth century. In 1905, the steel frame of the
Traders Bank Building at Yonge and King rose to 14-storeys to
become the tallest building in the British Empire. Over the course
of the following century, the form of tall buildings in Toronto
continuously evolved, responding to changes in technology,
market demand, transportation choice, development economics,
settlement patterns, planning controls, and design trends.
In the 1920s, small plate commercial developments, such as
the first tall buildings at Yonge and King, and along Bay Street,
were constructed on large single lots or a collection of smaller
lots. Later, in the 1950s, eight to ten storey concrete frame
apartments were built on single lots along streets such as Jarvis,
Dunn Avenue, and St. George. This generation of tall building
development provided little or no on-site parking. These buildings
also tended to have small rear and side yard setbacks, which
may have provided adequate light, view, and privacy for lower
buildings, but did not work successfully with taller structures.
Introduction
By the 1960s, new construction technology and changing
ideals in city planning resulted in taller buildings and larger-scale
development. Whether commercial or residential, tall buildings at
this time were typically built on consolidated lots or large-scale
blocks, and in many cases involved the demolition of existing
neighbourhoods for redevelopment. New towers were then
placed in the middle of the lot with extensive landscaped open
space around. Bold new commercial developments based on this
model, such as the TD Centre, became the symbols of the rising
economic power of Toronto. While this pattern allowed for ample
sky view, sunlight, as well as privacy between neighbours, it often
impeded ease of pedestrian access and the vitality of the street.
Beyond the built up core, new subdivisions such as Flemingdon
Park and Parkway Forest were planned using Tower in the Park
design principles. While often providing generous apartment
and office space, in general, this type of development did not
fit comfortably within the existing built form context and was
disruptive to the pedestrian-oriented scale and character of
traditional Toronto neighbourhoods. These buildings did not
support walkable streets and lacked the mix of uses, small retail
frontages, porches, and stoops which successfully animated the
public realm elsewhere in the city. The large, often slab-like floor
plates cast long shadows and created windy conditions at grade.
In many cases, the promised landscapes of the Tower in the
Park became, in reality, the Tower in the Parking Lot.
In the late 1980s, a different approach to tall buildings emerged.
New developments were more careful to fit within the existing
urban fabric, defining the edges of streets and small open spaces
in a traditional way with base buildings, townhouses, and other
lower scale buildings. These new tall buildings were often mixed-
use, had smaller floor plates, and were located with greater regard
for minimizing shadow and wind impacts.
More recently, tall building development has been influenced by
sustainable design and construction methods, with factors such
as energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and building
Traders Bank Building, c.1912
EVOLUTION OF TALL BUILDINGS IN TORONTO
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3
performance playing an increasingly important role in determining
tall building form. Many buildings today are also capitalizing on
technological advancements and economic advantages resulting
in ever greater building heights. While it is an exciting time in
the history of tall buildings in Toronto, many new questions and
challenges have emerged.

Current tall building debates often centre around the capacity
of places and infrastructure to serve tall buildings and their
occupants, the liveability of the vertical communities being
created, the cumulative effect of clusters of tall buildings,
particularly on quality of life and the public realm, as well as
the longevity of what is being built, including the durability and
lifespan of materials, construction practices, energy performance,
and the ability of buildings to adapt and accommodate change
over time.
Whether past, present, or future, all tall buildings play a prominent
role in the Toronto landscape. In addition to the Traders Bank
Building, other tall buildings, including the Canadian Bank of
Commerce (1934) and the remainder of Commerce Court (1972),
have claimed the status of 'tallest' building in the city and beyond.
While contributing to the evolution of tall buildings in Toronto,
these buildings stand proudly today as city-wide landmarks and
heritage icons.
In recognition of the high level of civic responsibility and obligation
that tall buildings carry, the Official Plan includes specific Built
Form - Tall Buildings policies. These policies are based on the
premise that tall buildings are desirable in the right places, but do
not belong everywhere. When appropriately located, designed,
and well-planned, tall buildings can enhance the public
realm, complement neighbouring buildings, and contribute to a
sustainable future.
EVOLUTION OF TALL BUILDING GUIDELINES
To assist with implementation of Official Plan policy and
provide specific design direction for tall buildings in Toronto,
City Council adopted the "Design Criteria for the Review of Tall
building Proposals" (2006) and the "Downtown Tall Buildings
Vision and Performance Standards Design Guidelines" (2012).
These guidelines were developed through consultant studies by
HOK Architects (2006) for the city-wide "Design Criteria," and
Urban Strategies Inc./Hariri Pontarini Architects (2010) for the
"Downtown Guidelines."
This updated city-wide "Tall Buildings Design Guidelines"
document integrates and builds upon these previous studies
and guidelines to establish a new, unified set of performance
measures for the evaluation of all tall building development
applications across the entire city.

1960s Towers in the Parking Lot
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DEFINING TALL BUILDINGS
Tall buildings are generally defined as buildings with height that
is greater than the width of the adjacent street right-of-way or the
wider of two streets if located at an intersection. Since street right-
of-way width varies across Toronto, typically between 20 and 36
meters, this definition reinforces the importance of site context in
determining the threshold for when a building is considered tall
and when these Guidelines will apply.
Top
The tos o tall buildings, including uer Noors and rooto
mechanical or telecommunications equipment, signage, and
amenity space, should be designed, primarily through tower
massing and articulation, and secondarily through materials,
to create an integrated and appropriate conclusion to the tall
building form.
Middle (Tower)
The location, scale, Noor late si/e, orientation, and searation
distances of the middle (tower) affect sky view, privacy, wind,
and the amount of sunlight and shadows that reach the public
realm and neighbouring properties. The design and placement
of the tower should effectively resolve these matters to ensure
that a tall building minimizes its impact on surrounding streets,
parks, public and private open space, as well as existing or
future buildings on adjacent sites. Tower placement and design
also plays an important role in meeting sustainability objectives.
Base Building
The lower storeys of a tall building are referred to as the base
building. The role of the base building is to frame the public
realm, articulate entrances, and assist in the creation of an
attractive and animated public realm which provides a safe,
interesting, and comfortable pedestrian experience. The base
building should delne and suort adjacent streets, arks,
and open space at an appropriate scale, integrate with adjacent
streetwall buildings, assist to achieve transition down to
lowerscale buildings, and minimi/e the imact o arking and
servicing on the public realm.
As with variation in height, the design of tall buildings may also
differ across the city in response to the local context or building
use. While the design expression may vary, in general, most tall
buildings in Toronto will follow a classic form and consist of three
carefully integrated parts: a base building, middle, and top, each
with a particular role to play in achieving the goals of the Official
Plan. Exceptions to this form may be considered on a site-specific
basis, provided that the overall intent of the Official Plan is met.
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IHrIaI FIan aIaranra
3.1.3 Built Form Tall Buildings: Policy 1
Regardless of stylistic approach, the design and placement of all
tall buildings should make a positive contribution to the public
realm, fit harmoniously within the surrounding context and skyline,
and be consistent with the following:
slender oint towers, rising above wellroortioned
and articulated base buildings, with a strong relationship
to the existing context and adjacent public realm, are
preferred;
avoid reestanding towers without bases or a direct
relationship to the street, e.g. towers in a park;
avoid big, boxy, dominant massing, and large, elongated,
or slablike Noor lates,
embrace design creativity and variation in built form and
architectural expression, including variation in tower
shape, orientation, and the design of each faade for the
purpose of visual interest and sustainability; and
be innovative, but also appropriate in the choice of
materials and construction methods, to make a long
term, sustainable, highvalue contribution to city
building.
Avoid big boxy,
dominant massing and
slab-like tower form
Avoid free-standing
towers without base
buildings or a direct
relationship to
adjacent streets
AVOID
AVOID
Figure 2. Large, elongated Noor lates cast long shadows and create an
inappropriate scale at street level.
Figure 1. Freestanding towers disrut the edestrianoriented scale, character,
and vitality of the street.
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DESIGN EXCELLENCE
Tall buildings should reflect design excellence and innovation to
acknowledge the important civic role tall buildings play in defining
the image and liveability of Toronto. In addition to architectural
quality, design excellence should be reflected through the
effective use of resources, high-quality materials, innovative
and sustainable building design and construction, and through a
sensitive and thoughtful response to the impacts that tall buildings
place upon the urban landscape.
To assist in achieving design excellence, tall building applications
may be subject to the City of Toronto Design Review Panel
process. Design Review is an independent process that can help
ensure a design that is "fit for purpose" from a property owner's
perspective also makes a suitable response and contribution to
the surrounding context and public realm.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Tall Building Design Guidelines do not determine where tall
buildings are permitted. Rather, the Guidelines assist with the
implementation of Official Plan policy to help ensure that tall
buildings, where they are permitted, fit within their context and
minimize their local impacts.
The Guidelines primarily illustrate how the public realm and built
form policy objectives of the Official Plan can be achieved within
a tall building development and within the area surrounding
a tall building site. The Guidelines provide specific and often
measurable directions related to the following guiding principles:
promote architectural and urban design excellence,
sustainability, innovation, longevity, and creative
exression with visionary design, highquality materials,
and leadingedge construction methods,
romote harmonious lt and comatibility with the
existing and lanned context, emhasi/ing relationshis
to lowerscale buildings, arks and oen sace,
conserve and integrate adjacent and onsite heritage
properties so that new tall buildings are sympathetic to,
and compatible with, the heritage property;
consider relationships to other tall buildings, including
the cumulative effect of multiple towers on sunlight,
comfort, and quality in the public realm;
create a safe, comfortable, accessible, vibrant, and
attractive public realm and pedestrian environment;
minimi/e shadowing and wind imacts, and rotect
sunlight and sky view, for streets, parks, public and
private open space, and neighbouring properties;
respond appropriately to prominent sites, important
views from the public realm, and the shape of the skyline
to reinforce the structure and image of the city; and
ensure highquality living and working conditions,
including access to public and private open space,
interior daylighting, natural ventilation, and privacy for
building occupants.
City Council has designated all growth areas within Toronto as
Design Review Districts. Tall building applications in these and
other areas experiencing substantial development pressure may
be subject to Design Review, particularly if they contain significant
public realm impacts either through their location, scale, form or
architectural quality.
Given the prominence of tall buildings, the City, development and
design industry, and members of the public all have a vital role
to play in promoting design excellence. The Design Review Panel
process is one important way of contributing to this goal.
Review of a tall building proposal at a Design Review Panel meeting
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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Another responsibility of tall buildings is to embrace a heightened
awareness of green building innovation and the built form linkages
between urban design, architecture, and sustainability. Sustainable
design is an approach to developing tall building sites and
buildings that is less resource intensive and works to improve the
economic, social, and natural environment we live in.
Sustainable design works at two levels in tall buildings. The first
level recognizes that tall buildings have a strategic role to play in
the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the City.
Tall buildings, particularly those that contain a mix of uses and are
designed to accommodate the changing needs of occupants, can
be an effective counter-measure to urban sprawl by encouraging
a healthy, pedestrian-oriented lifestyle and promoting better use
of transit. Improving the adaptability and flexibility of tall buildings
also helps to ensure that these buildings remain functional and
capable of addressing any shifts in demographics and market
demands over the long term.
The second level of sustainable design is more technical relating
to building performance, materials and construction methods,
water management, landscaping, and the quality of the internal
environment. While the core temperatures of fully glazed tall
buildings are typically quite stable and comfortable with very
low energy consumption, current popular glazing systems and
balcony designs create highly dynamic thermal conditions within
the first two metres of the building perimeter. Significant thermal
losses and solar heat gain in the perimeter zone must then be
offset with extra energy (e.g. mechanical heating/cooling) to
create a comfortable and balanced interior environment. This
in turn can translate into higher maintenance costs. There are
many site and building design measures, including the selection
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of more efficient perimeter systems, which can be applied to
improve the sustainability and energy performance of tall building
developments.
Both the first and second levels of sustainable design should
be identified at the projects initial or site planning stage when
fundamental design decisions are being made. By following an
integrated design process (IDP) and ensuring that all design
and construction disciplines are involved early, a tall building
can achieve better overall performance results.
Strategies for applying both levels of sustainable design in new tall
building development can be considered in the following ways:
in residential and mixeduse buildings, oer a range
o ownershi tyes and unit si/e choices, including
the provision of larger units suitable for families with
children;
design and construct tall buildings or Nexibility o use
and potential for future change, including versatility in
interior design, layout, and construction practices to
encourage building longevity and adaptability to potential
shifts in demand over time:
in base buildings, rovide Nexible interior saces to
accommodate changing uses, including the transition
from residential to commercial uses;
in the tower ortion, rovide conditions to allow
residential units to be converted or combined to adjust
to changing occupancy requirements;
incorporate renewable energy systems or district energy
where feasible;
include energy elciency measures and evaluate energy
erormance through changes in gla/ing ratios, building
placement, massing, orientation and articulation, balcony
design, materials and construction methods;
incorporate recycled content or reuse building materials
and components;
rovide eective lighting and measures or birdriendly
design;
include opportunities for water collection and reuse;
Tall building green roof
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incorporate pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
improvements; and
include sulcient sace and highquality soil volume or
successful shade tree planting, sustainable landscaping,
and green roofs
The City of Toronto encourages sustainable design through
the Official Plan and the Toronto Green Standard (TGS). The
TGS sets out performance measures for tall buildings and
sites and specifies strategies that can be used to achieve cost-
effective, environmentally, and socially responsible end results.
The performance measures are organized under the following
categories:
Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs) are special areas dense
with heritage properties and a unique historic character. The
character and values of HCDs will be conserved to ensure that
their significance is not diminished by incremental or sweeping
change.
There will also be heritage properties that can work in harmony
with new development. In these cases, development should strive
for the long term protection, integration, and re-use of heritage
properties. Heritage properties should be used to inform the scale
and contextual treatment of the new development. If well-designed
and sited in appropriate locations, tall buildings can make a
positive contribution within historical settings.
Air Quality
Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Energy
Efficiency
Water Quality, Quantity and Efficiency
Ecology
Solid Waste
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New tall building applications are required to meet Tier 1 of the
Toronto Green Standard (TGS) performance measures. Applicants
are required to submit the TGS checklist with their development
application. Specific performance measures from the TGS
are identified with the above icons for relevant sections of the
Submission Requirements for these Guidelines.
HERITAGE CONSERVATION
The City of Toronto values its heritage properties and requires that
they be protected and that new development conserve the integrity
of their cultural heritage value, attributes, and character, consistent
with accepted principles of good heritage conservation (see
Appendix A: Heritage Conservation Principles). Not every property
is suitable for tall building development as a result of constraints
imposed by its size or by the fact that such development may be
incompatible with conserving heritage properties on or adjacent to
a development site or within a Heritage Conservation District.
Tall building development proposals containing heritage properties
on or adjacent to the development site are required to provide a
Heritage Impact Assessment as part of the application review
process, to evaluate the impact the proposed development or site
alteration will have on the heritage property and to recommend an
overall approach to conservation of these resources and mitigate
negative impact upon them.
DOWNTOWN STUDY AREA
In response to the tremendous growth and amount of tall building
development in Toronto's Downtown, City Council adopted the
"Downtown Tall Buildings Vision and Performance Standards
Design Guidelines" in July 2012. The Downtown Guidelines
identified "where" tall buildings may be appropriate within the
Downtown and established a framework to guide the height, form,
and contextual relationship between new tall buildings and the
surrounding area.
The Downtown Guidelines included: a vision statement for
Downtown tall buildings; mapping identifying the location, heights,
and building typologies along High Streets; and twenty-three
James Cooper Mansion
9
As a result of this consolidation, the updated Tall Building Design
Guidelines contained herein establish a unified set of performance
measures for the evaluation of all tall building development
applications city-wide, including all areas within the Downtown.
The consolidated and renamed "Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision
and Supplementary Design Guidelines," is now a chapter within
the Council-approved District- or Area- Based Urban Design
Guidelines.
For convenience purposes, cross-references to the Downtown
Supplementary Design Guidelines are listed within the Related
Standards, Guidelines & Studies at the bottom of relevant sections
within these Guidelines and within a summary table in Appendix B.
ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDELINES
The Tall Building Design Guidelines are organized into the
following sections:

Individual design guidelines with supporting illustrations, photos,
rationales, and related references, such as to Official Plan policies,
TGS performance measures, and the Downtown Tall Buildings
Supplementary Design Guidelines, are provided for each aspect
of tall building development identified within sections 1.0 through
4.0. These sections provide an easy to follow workbook, which
is concluded by a supporting framework of related Submission
Requirements to help lead applicants, City staff and others through
an effective tall building development review process.
Performance Standards relating to the base conditions, the tower
portion of tall buildings, and to contextual fit.
Key objectives behind developing Downtown Tall Building
Guidelines included enhancing the pedestrian environment;
minimizing shadowing of sidewalks, parks, and public squares;
protecting landmark views and heritage resources; and improving
the quality of life (access to natural light, sky view, and privacy)
for people living and working in the citys core.

Together, the study vision and performance standards were
designed to assist with the review of new tall building applications
within the Downtown study area boundary, encompassing
portions of Wards 20, 27 and 28 as bounded by Bathurst Street
on the west, Dupont Street on the north, the Don Valley Parkway
on the east and Lake Ontario on the south, (but excluding areas
within this boundary that are subject to existing Secondary Plans).
DOWNTOWN TALL BUILDINGS: VISION AND
SUPPLEMENTATRY DESIGN GUIDLINES
As part of the 2012 approval, City Council directed that the
Downtown Guidelines be consolidated with the city-wide
Guidelines. The outcome of this consolidation is as follows:
all Downtown tall building performance standards with
citywide alicability have been integrated into the
udated citywide Tall Building 0esign Cuidelines,
locationsecilc asects o the 0owntown Cuidelines,
namely the Downtown Vision and the Tall Building
Typologies with all associated mapping and tables, as
well as all area or sitesecilc erormance standards
unique to the 0owntown study area, remain asadoted
by Council in a consolidated, companion guideline
renamed the "Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and
Supplementary Design Guidelines;" and
the citywide Tall Buildings 0esign Cuidelines will be
used together with the consolidated "Downtown Tall
Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines"
to evaluate all new and current tall building development
applications falling within the Downtown study area
boundary. Secondary Plan Areas within the Downtown
study area boundary continue to be excluded from the
Downtown Supplementary Design Guidelines.
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Introduction

1.0 Site Context
2.0 Site Organization
3.0 Tall Building Design
4.0 Pedestrian Realm
Glossary; References; Submission Requirements;
and Appendices
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1.0 SITE CONTEXT
1.1 6onIaxI knaIysIs
Evaluate the existing and planned context and
demonstrate how the proposed tall building responds
to the patterns, opportunities, and challenges within the
surrounding area.
1.Z MasIar FIan Ior Largar 8IIas
Coordinate the development of larger sites with potential
for multiple tall buildings, new internal streets, or parks
through a Master Plan.
1.8 FII and TransIIIon In 8raIa
Ensure tall buildings lt within the existing or lanned
context and provide an appropriate transition in scale
down to lowerscaled buildings, arks, and oen sace.
1.4 8unIIghI and 8ky VIaW
Locate and design tall buildings to protect access to
sunlight and sky view within the surrounding context of
streets, parks, public and private open space, and other
shadow sensitive areas.
1.6 FromInanI 8IIas and VIaWs Irom Iha FubIIr aaIm
Frovide an aroriate, highquality design resonse
for tall buildings on or adjacent to prominent sites, and
when framing views from the public realm to prominent
sites.
1.6 harIIaga FroarIIas and harIIaga 6onsarvaIIon
IsIrIrIs
Locate and design tall buildings to respect and
complement the scale, character, form and setting of
onsite and adjacent heritage roerties and heritage
Conservation 0istricts (hC0s).
2.0 SITE ORGANIZATION
Z.1 8uIIdIng FIaramanI
Locate the base of tall buildings to frame the edges of
streets, parks, and open space, reinforce corners, and to
lt harmoniously within the existing context.
Z.Z 8uIIdIng kddrass and LnIranras
0rgani/e tall buildings to use existing or new ublic
streets for address and building entrances.
Ensure primary building entrances front onto public
streets, are welldelned, clearly visible, and universally
accessible from the adjacent public sidewalk.
Z.8 8IIa 8arvIrIng, krrass and FarkIng
Locate back of house activities, such as loading,
servicing, utilities, and vehicle parking, underground or
within the building mass, away from the public realm
and public view.
Z.4 FubIIraIIy krrassIbIa an 8ara
Frovide graderelated, ublically accessible oen sace
within the tall building site to complement, connect, and
extend the existing network of public streets, parks, and
open space.
Z.6 FrIvaIa an 8ara
Frovide a range o highquality, comortable rivate
and shared outdoor amenity space throughout the tall
building site.
Z.6 FadasIrIan and 6yrIIng 6onnarIIons
Provide comfortable, safe, and accessible pedestrian
and cycling routes through and around the tall building
site to connect with adjacent routes, streets, parks, open
space, and other priority destinations, such as transit
and underground concourses.
Z.7 FubIIr krI
Pursue public art opportunities and funding strategies on
tall building sites, or adjacent public lands, to enhance
the quality of the development, the public realm, and the
city.
3.0 TALL BUILDING DESIGN
3.1 Base Building
3.2 Middle (Tower)
3.3 Tower Top

3.1 BASE BUILDING
8.1.1 8asa 8uIIdIng 8raIa and haIghI
0esign the base building to lt harmoniously within
the existing context of neighbouring building heights
at the street and to respect the scale and proportion
of adjacent streets, parks, and public or private open
space.
8.1.Z 8IraaI knImaIIon
Line the base building with active, graderelated uses
to promote a safe and animated public realm.
k brIaI ovarvIaW oI rInrIIa guIdaIIna sIaIamanIs ronIaInad In sarIIons 1.0 Ihrough 4.0.
11
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8.Z.4 ToWar rIanIaIIon and krIIruIaIIon
0rgani/e and articulate tall building towers to romote
design excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
8.Z.6 8aIronIas
0esign balconies to maximi/e usability, comort, and
building erormance, while minimi/ing negative
impacts on the building mass, public realm, and
natural environment.
3.3 TOWER TOP
8.8 ToWar To
Design the top of tall buildings to make an appropriate
contribution to the quality and character of the city
skyline.
Balance the use of decorative lighting with energy
elciency objectives, the rotection o migratory birds,
and the management o artilcial sky glow.
4.0 THE PEDESTRIAN REALM
4.1 8IraaIsraa and Landsraa asIgn
Frovide highquality, sustainable streetscae and
landscape design between the tall building and adjacent
streets, parks, and open space.
4.Z 8IdaWaIk Zona
Provide adequate space between the front of the building
and adjacent street curbs to safely and comfortably
accommodate pedestrian movement, streetscape
elements, and activities related to the uses at grade.
4.8 FadasIrIan LavaI wInd LIIarIs
Locate, orient, and design tall buildings to promote air
circulation and natural ventilation, yet minimi/e adverse
wind conditions on adjacent streets, parks and open
space, at building entrances, and in public and private
outdoor amenity areas.
4.4 FadasIrIan waaIhar FroIarIIon
Ensure weather protection elements, such as overhangs
and canoies, are wellintegrated into building design,
carefully designed and scaled to support the street, and
ositioned to maximi/e unction and edestrian comort.
8.1.8 FIrsI FIoor haIghI
Frovide a minimum lrst Noor height o 4.5 metres,
measured NoortoNoor rom average grade.
8.1.4 Faada krIIruIaIIon and Transaranry
Articulate the base building with highquality materials
and design elements that lt with neighbouring
buildings and contribute to a pedestrian scale.
Provide clear, unobstructed views into and out from
ground Noor uses acing the ublic realm.
8.1.6 FubIIrFrIvaIa TransIIIon
Design the base building and adjacent setback to
promote an appropriate level of visual and physical
access and overlook reNecting the nature o building
use at grade.
3.2 MIDDLE (TOWER)
8.Z.1 FIoor FIaIa 8Ita and 8haa
Limit the tower Noor late to 75O square metres
or less er Noor, including all built area within the
building, but excluding balconies.
8.Z.Z ToWar FIaramanI
Place towers away from streets, parks, open space,
and neighbouring properties to reduce visual and
physical impacts of the tower and allow the base
building to be the rimary delning element or the site
and adjacent public realm.
8.Z.8 8aaraIIon IsIanras
Setback tall building towers 12.5 metres or greater
from the side and rear property lines or centre line of
an abutting lane.
Provide separation distance between towers on the
same site o 25 metres or greater, measured rom the
exterior wall of the buildings, excluding balconies.
ImIamanIaIIon oI ToWar 8aaraIIon IsIanras.
8maII 8IIas
On small sites, apply the recommended minimum
tower setbacks and stepbacks to determine the
resultant Noor late si/e and easibility o the site
dimensions to accommodate a tall building.
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HOW AND WHERE THE GUIDELINES APPLY
i. The Tall Building Design Guidelines apply to the design,
review, and approval of all new and current tall building
develoment in Toronto. The Cuidelines have citywide
applicability and will normally apply to the evaluation of
tall building roosals and design alternatives in 0lcial
Flan Amendments, Zoning Bylaw Amendments, Flans o
Subdivision, and Site Plan Control applications.
ii. The Tall Buildings Design Guidelines apply together
with the consolidated "Downtown Tall Buildings:
Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines" to
evaluate all new and current tall building development
applications within the Downtown study area boundary.
Secondary Plan Areas within the Downtown study area
boundary continue to be excluded from the Downtown
Supplementary Design Guidelines.
iii. The Guidelines are intended to be read together
with the 0lcial Flan, alicable Zoning ByLaws,
Secondary Flans and heritage Conservation 0istrict
Plans, the Toronto Green Standard (TGS), the Toronto
Development Guide, as well as all other applicable City
policies, standards, guidelines, and requirements.
while there are no erceived conNicts between any
reexisting City Counciladoted olicies, standards or
guidelines, should conNict arise, the more restrictive or
prescriptive of these measures will prevail. In all cases,
0lcial Flan and heritage Conservation 0istrict Flan
policies prevail over guideline measures or requirements.
iv. The Guidelines are intended to provide a degree of
certainty and clarity of common interpretation, however,
as guidelines, they should also be afforded some
Nexibility in alication, articularly when looked at
cumulatively.
The Guidelines are not intended to be applied or
interpreted independently of each other. Rather, each
guideline requirement should be weighed across the
board with the other guidelines and "work together"
to determine whether a tall building development
application has successfully met the overall intent of
these Cuidelines and the 0lcial Flan.
v. In considering whether to permit a tall building on a
sitebysite basis, many other lanning issues must lrst
be taken into account, including, but not limited to, the
site context and availability of adequate infrastructure,
public transit, parks, community and cultural services
and facilities, schools, and child care facilities. If it
is determined that a tall building is supportable, and
represents good planning, these Guidelines will then
apply.
vi. The Guidelines are an evolving "living" document which
may be revised, rom time to time, to reNect new
lndings or study recommendations that have an imact
on the effective evaluation of tall building applications.
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1.0 8ITL 6hTLXT
1.1 Context Analysis
1.2 Master Plan for Larger Sites
1.3 Fit and Transition in Scale
1.4 Sunlight and Sky View
1.5 Prominent Sites and Views from the Public Realm
1.6 Heritage Properties and Heritage Conservation Districts
14
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a. As art o the Flanning Rationale, include a walkable"
context analysis, showing the tall building proposal, and
illustrating through text and graphics at an appropriate
scale:
25Om and 5OOm 'walkability' radii rom the site,
planning area boundaries (e.g. secondary plans);
land uses and designations;
major streets and blocks (atterns, si/e, location),
pedestrian/cycling routes and connections;
transit routes, stations, and stops (including distance to
rapid transit nodes);
open space networks (parks, open space, natural
features);
existing or otential heritage roerties and heritage
Conservation Districts;
area amenities and destinations (community centres,
trails, libraries, schools, retail areas, etc.);
toograhical inormation (where signilcant).
b. As part of the Planning Rationale, include a Block context
analysis, showing the tall building proposal and illustrating
through text and graphics at an appropriate scale:
si/e o blocks and arrangement o arcels or lots,
location, si/e, and organi/ation o ublic streets,
laneways, sidewalks, transit stops, and other pedestrian
or cycling routes and connections;
location and si/e o arks and oen sace,
adjacent and onsite heritage roerties,
imortant or identiled views rom the ublic realm,
existing and planned building footprints;
ground Noor uses, setback atterns, and general location
of building entrances, street trees and site circulation/
servicing on adjacent sites and blocks;
existing and planned building heights, including the
height of context buildings, other tall building towers
and base buildings, to demonstrate how the proposed
tall building relates to surrounding buildings, particularly
within the same block and across streets and open
space (see also 1.3 Fit and Transition in Scale and 3.2.3
Separation Distances).
kTIhkLL
Context refers to the setting of a development, including both
the existing physical surroundings and the planned vision
for the future of an area. The intent of the context analysis
is to identify patterns, opportunities, and challenges, and
demonstrate how the roosed tall building will lt with and
respond appropriately to the surrounding area.
The context analysis should inform many key design decisions,
including the placement, height and character of base buildings,
the location, shape, general height, and spacing of towers,
as well as the relationship in scale between tall building
components and to neighbours.
The context analysis may also be used to determine what
amenities and community facilities are present and which ones
may need to be provided around or within the tall building
site to achieve a highquality living and working environment.
Important considerations may include public open space,
community centres, schools, grocers and markets, other active
commercial uses, community energy systems, transit, cycling
and pedestrian connections, generous sidewalks, and street
trees.
A 5OO metre radius is a generally acceted measure or
walkability and is roughly equivalent to a 10 minute walk.
The intent of the context analysis at a "walkable" scale is to
demonstrate how the proposed tall building development
reinforces existing or planned built form patterns, responds
appropriately to changes in land use and scale, and makes
connections to important area amenities, such as transit, public
open space, and living and working destinations.
The block scale analysis allows for a closer examination
of the immediate context, including buildings on the same
block and across the street on adjacent blocks. This analysis
should evaluate setback patterns, building heights, proximity
to oen sace, ground Noor uses, relationshi to other tall
1.1 6hTLXT khkLY8I8
LvaIuaIa Iha axIsIIng and Iannad ronIaxI and damonsIraIa hoW
Iha roosad IaII buIIdIng rasonds Io Iha aIIarns, oorIunIIIas,
and rhaIIangas WIIhIn Iha surroundIng araa.
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15
30
Storeys
7
Storeys
5
Storeys
5
Storeys
25
Storeys
5
Storeys
5
Storeys
3 Storeys
Community Centre
2 Storeys
7
Storeys
30
Storeys
5
Storeys 30
Storeys
25
Storeys
3-4
Storeys
3 Storeys 3 Storeys 3 Storeys
6 Storeys
3
Storeys
5
Storeys
25
Storeys
4
S
to
re
y
s
Property Line
Existing Commercial
Frontage
Proposed Commercial
Frontage
Proposed
Development Site
Main Building
Entrance
Commercial/Retail
Entrance
Existing Heritage
Properties
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 1 | 8.1.8 Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 2b, 2c and 2d | 8.1.5 heritage Resources |
8.8 Building hew heighbourhoods. Folicy 1, 2, and 8 | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 2
buildings, and the arrangement of driveways, sidewalks, and
street trees. The block scale context analysis should inform
site organi/ation, oen sace allocation, building massing,
lacement, ground Noor uses, and the design and character o
the public realm.
An important step in the Block context analysis is to evaluate
the relationship between the proposed development and the
heights of other buildings in the surrounding area. The intent
of this analysis is to coordinate the proposed tall building with
the location, height, scale, and spacing of existing or approved
buildings, and in particular other tall buildings on the same or
adjacent blocks.
Flexibility in the scope of the context analysis, as well as the
si/e and shae o the 5OO metre and 25O metre 'walkability'
radii is encouraged to address locali/ed conditions, such as
natural or physical barriers (ravines, railways, highways, etc.),
planning boundaries, important destinations, community
facilities, transportation nodes, changes in land use, and the
overall si/e o the tall building site.
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Figure 1. A concetual walkable"

context analysis within a 5OO metre
radius of the tall building site.
Figure 2: A conceptual
"Block" context analysis
for the blocks immediately
adjacent to the proposed tall
building site.
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1.Z Mk8TL FLkh F LkL 8ITL8
6oordInaIa Iha davaIomanI oI Iargar sIIas WIIh oIanIIaI
Ior muIIIIa IaII buIIdIngs, naW InIarnaI sIraaIs, or arks
Ihrough a MasIar FIan.
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a. As part of the Planning Rationale, provide a Master Plan for
Larger Sites, which includes:
25Om and 5OOm 'walkability' radii and relevant site
context (see also 1.1 Context Analysis);
general layout and dimensions of new streets, blocks,
parks, and public or private open space;
perspective(s) showing important views and the shape
of the skyline;
existing or otential heritage roerties and heritage
Conservation Districts to be conserved;
si/e and dimensions o develoment arcels, and
a phasing plan, schedule, and interim landscape plan.
b. For each development parcel within a Master Plan, include:
general location of base buildings and tower footprints;
setbacks between buildings and from streets, parks, and
open space;
proposed building heights and separation distances
between proposed towers;
location of site servicing, vehicular circulation, and major
utility connections including shared systems such as
district/community energy;
pedestrian and cycling connections through and around
the tall building sites; and
a landscape concept plan.
kTIhkLL
A Master Plan provides a planning and design framework to
guide the incremental development of large or complex areas
with multiple tall buildings, new streets, or parks. This Plan
should provide a vision for the development of the entire site
area, including how new buildings, streets, blocks, pedestrian
and cycling routes, parks, and publically accessible and private
oen saces will lt within the existing and lanned context.
A Master Plan for Larger Sites is required for developments
having any one or more of the following characteristics:
requiring new streets or parks;
proposing multiple tall buildings;
containing two or more construction phases;
using shared servicing; and/or
covering a site area larger than 2.0 hectares.
Preparing a Master Plan for Larger Sites can offer certain
planning and design advantages, including the ability to:
coordinate servicing, parking access, and utilities to
maximi/e elciency and minimi/e negative imacts on
neighbouring properties and the public realm;
accommodate an appropriate transition in scale to areas
of different intensity, including stepping down to lower
scale buildings and properties;
delne new and existing streets, arks, and oen saces
at an appropriate scale;
achieve generous spatial separation between tall building
towers, particularly if clustered within a block or on
adjacent blocks;
locate and orient buildings, parks, and open space
to maximi/e sunlight access, sky view, and energy
elciency,
provide a mix of open space and building types, and a
diverse range of housing options and affordability;
eectively conserve onsite heritage buildings,
structures, and landscapes, adjacent heritage properties,
heritage Conservation 0istricts, and identiled heritage
views from the public realm; and
shape the skyline and vary the built form, sky view, and
massing in a comprehensive way to reinforce the city
structure.
A Master Plan may not be required if there is a Secondary Plan
that applies to the site, with associated Context or Precinct
Plans that include comparable information and detail.
17
8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 18 to 18 | 8.1.8 Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e | 8.1.5 heritage Resources |
8.2.1 housing. Folicy Oa | 8.2.2 Community Services and Facilities. Folicy 5 and G | 8.2.8 Farks and 0en Sace. Folicy 1 |
8.8 Building hew heighbourhoods. Folicy 1, 2, and 8 | 8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 2O
Master plan areas
generally require
new open spaces
New buildings are to
consider context and
provide appropriate
transition to adjacent
neighborhoods
Achieve appropriate
spatial separation
between towers
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Figure 1: An illustration of a
conceptual Master Plan for
a larger development area
containing multiple tall buildings,
new streets and parks.
Public Transit
Route
Arterial Roads
Collectors and
Local Streets
Development
Phases
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a. Aly angular lanes, minimum hori/ontal searation
distances, and other building envelope controls (such as
stepping height limits, building setbacks and stepbacks),
to transition rom tall buildings down to lowerscale
buildings and to maintain access to sunlight and sky view
for surrounding streets, parks, public or private open space,
and neighbouring properties.
b. At the broader district or city scale, encourage lt and
transition in scale in the following ways:
when a tall building or group of tall buildings is proposed
within an identiled growth area, design towers nearer
to the edge of the growth area to be progressively lower
in height than those in the centre the location of
greatest intensity and highest order transit;
when a tall building or group of tall buildings is proposed
on a site surrounded by other tall buildings of consistent
height, relate the height and scale of the proposed tower
to the existing context.
1.8 FIT kh Tkh8ITIh Ih 86kLL
Lnsura IaII buIIdIngs HI WIIhIn Iha axIsIIng or Iannad ronIaxI and
rovIda an arorIaIa IransIIIon In sraIa doWn Io IoWarsraIad
buIIdIngs, arks, and oan sara.
c. At the site scale, romote lt and transition in scale between
tall buildings and lowerscaled buildings, arks and oen
spaces on the block or across the street by:
accommodating all asects o lt and transition within
the tall building develoment site (see lgures 1 to 4),
including base buildings that relate directly to the height
and typology of the existing or planned streetwall context
(see also 8.1.1 Base Building Scale and height),
on larger sites, roviding lowerscale buildings or oen
sace to achieve hori/ontal searation distance.
d. Aroriate lt and transition in scale may mean that not all
sites are suitable for tall buildings, or that the existing or
approved massing and scale of a tall building on one site
can be applied or used as a reference point for redeveloping
a neighbouring site (see also 3.2.3 Separation Distances).
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kTIhkLL
Tall buildings should respect the scale of the local context
and display an appropriate transition in height and intensity
esecially when adjacent to areas o diering land use, lower
scale built form, and heritage properties.
n general, aroriate lt and transition is achieved when
tall buildings respect and integrate with the height, scale and
character of neighbouring buildings, reinforce the broader city
structure, rovide hori/ontal searation and transition down to
lowerscale buildings and oen sace, and maintain access to
sunlight and sky view for surrounding streets, parks, public or
private open space, and neighbouring properties.
Figures 1 through 4 illustrate tyical scenarios o tall building lt
and transition. The actual design approach and methods used
to achieve aroriate lt and transition will be determined on a
sitebysite basis and may vary according to the.
regulatory framework (e.g. Secondary Plans);
existing and planned context;
si/e o the develoment site,
planned intensity of use and scale of development;
proximity and scale of adjacent built form;
location or si/e o adjacent streets, arks and oen sace,
potential impact on privacy, daylight, sky view, sunlight/
shadow for the public realm and neighbouring properties;
otential imact on heritage roerties and/or heritage
Conservation Districts;
otential imact on identiled imortant views rom the
public realm; and
environmental sensitivity of adjacent natural features
(woodlots, ravines, etc.).
Continued on page 20...
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Figure 1: A conceptual illustration of a progressive
transition in the height and scale of tall buildings
rom the centre o a growth area down to a lower
scale area.
Figure 2: A conceptual illustration of a new tall
building ltting within an existing context o other
tall buildings of consistent height.
Figure 8. A concetual illustration o hori/ontal
separation distance and a change in base building
height and form to support tall building transition
down to a lowerscale area.
Figure 4. A concetual illustration o an angular
plane and direct relationship in base building height
and form to support tall building transition down to
a lowerscale area.
PL PL PL PL
Mixed Use Areas Neighbourhoods
Horizontal
Separation
Distance
Height Limit
Street Site
Height Limit
Existing
Context
New
Building
PL PL PL PL
Mixed Use Areas
Apartment
Neighbourhoods
Major Arterial
with Access to
Public Transit
Open Space
Existing
Context
Existing
Context
Existing
Context
Generous
Separation
Distance
(25m or
Greater)
Height Limit
New
Building
Site
Open Space
Mixed Use Areas /
Growth Areas
Height Limit
Site
Existing
Context
New
Building
New
Building
Existing Lower
Scaled Buildings
Height Limit
Major Arterial
with Access to
Public Transit
PL PL PL PL PL PL PL
Existing
Context
PL PL PL PL PL PL
Mixed Use Areas
Major Arterial
with Access to
Public Transit
Mixed Use Areas
Street Site
Existing
Context
New
Building
Existing
Context
New
Building
Existing
Context
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kTIhkLL ronI.
knguIar FIanas
Angular planes are a commonly applied measure:
to provide transition in scale from tall buildings down
to lower scale areas, limiting shadow and overlook on
neighbouring properties that are lower scale, and limiting
shadow and loss of sky view on adjacent streets and
oen sace (see Figures 1 and 4), or
to protect access to sunlight and sky view for streets,
arks, ublic and rivate oen sace (see Figure 4 and
1.4 Sunlight and Sky view and 8.2.1 Base Building Scale
and height).
bnless otherwise seciled in a Secondary Flan or other City
approved policy, standard, guideline, or study which would
aly to a secilc site, a 45 degree angular lane, measured
from the relevant property line(s), is typically used to provide
transition in scale from growth areas/tall building developments
down to lower scale areas, such as stable residential
Neighbourhoods.
1.8 FIT kh Tkh8ITIh Ih 86kLL CONT...
2.8.1 healthy heighbourhoods. Folicy 2a, 2b, 2c and 8 | 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 8 and 4 | 8.1.5 heritage Resources |
8.8 Building hew heighbourhoods. Folicy 8b | 4.2 Aartment heighbourhoods. Folicy 2a, 2b and 8d |
4.5 Mixed bse Areas. Folicy 2c and 2d
aIaIad 8Iandards, uIdaIInas & 8IudIas
Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines, #1
21
1.4 8hLIhT kh 8kY VILw
LoraIa and dasIgn IaII buIIdIngs Io roIarI
arrass Io sunIIghI and sky vIaW WIIhIn
Iha surroundIng ronIaxI oI sIraaIs, arks,
ubIIr and rIvaIa oan sara, and oIhar
shadoW sansIIIva araas.
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a. Evaluate alternative placement and massing concepts for
individual tall building sites at the scale of the block to
secure the greatest amount of sunlight and sky view in the
surrounding context. Consider the following:
limit the scale and height of the base building to
appropriately frame the public realm, while maintaining
access to at least 5 hours o sunlight on the oosite
side of the street at the equinoxes (see also 3.1.1 Base
Building Scale and height),
provide slender, point towers with generous separation
distances, and limit or vary the height of towers, to
retain sky view between buildings and reduce the
si/e o shadows and length o time they are cast on a
particular area (see also 3.2 Middle (Tower)). Consider
the cumulative effect of multiple towers on resulting
shadowing.
b. Through a Sun/Shadow Study, demonstrate how the
proposed tall building protects access to sunlight and seeks
to minimi/e any additional shadowing o arks and natural
areas, such as ravines.
A hatural heritage mact Study may be required to evaluate
sun/shadow impacts on natural areas.
c. Through a Sun/Shadow Study, demonstrate how the
proposed tall building protects access to sunlight and seeks
to adequately limit shadowing of neighbouring streets,
properties, and open space, including shadow sensitive
areas such as schoolyards, lay lelds, and cemeteries.
d. Additional shadow and sky view protection may be required
for a particular street, park, open space, natural area,
heritage roerty, heritage Conservation 0istrict, or other
shadow sensitive area on a sitesecilc basis.
kTIhkLL
Access to direct sunlight improves the usability and enjoyment
of outdoor spaces and allows trees and vegetation to thrive.
Tall buildings can adversely affect the environmental quality
of surrounding areas through the loss of sky view and by the
overshadowing of adjacent streets, parks, and public or private
open spaces.
Sky view is the measurable amount of sky seen from a street,
park, or other open space above and in between building
masses. Loss of sky view reduces access to light, which affects
the comfort, quality, and use of the public realm.
Toronto's climate is one o extremes, characteri/ed by hot,
humid summers, and cold, grey, damp winters. In summer,
shade rom trees and light bree/es make the ublic realm more
comfortable. In the shoulder seasons, spring and fall, access
to direct sunlight and shelter from the wind become very
important to improve the comfort, usability, and enjoyment of
outdoor spaces. Required Sun/Shadow studies focus on the
equinoxes - March 21 and Setember 21 - to emhasi/e the
importance of access to sunlight during these seasons. The
review of other times of day and other seasons may be required
depending on the type and shadow sensitivity of adjacent uses.
For tall buildings, protecting sky view and access to sunlight
is generally achieved through good street proportion, overall
massing, generous tower setbacks and separation distances.
Figure 1: Tall buildings designed to protect sunlight and sky view in a public park.
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 8d, 8e, 8, and 4
3.2.3 Parks and Open Space: Policy 3
Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design
Cuidelines, #2 and #8 | Sun, wind and Fedestrian Comort. A
Study of Torontos Central Area
22
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FrovIda an arorIaIa, hIghguaIIIy dasIgn rasonsa Ior IaII
buIIdIngs on or adjaranI Io romInanI sIIas, and Whan IramIng
vIaWs Irom Iha ubIIr raaIm Io romInanI sIIas.
1.6 FMIhLhT 8ITL8 kh VILw8 FM ThL F8LI6 LkLM
key locations viewed from bridges or highways, or
framing views to or from important public open spaces
or natural features, such as ravines, river valleys, Lake
Ontario, and the Lake Iroquois shoreline; or
other unique places within the structure of the City.
when a tall building is roosed on a rominent site, the design
and placement of the building and surrounding landscape
should respond to the heightened level of importance within
the City structure. welldesigned tall buildings on rominent
sites can become recogni/able landmarks, roviding oints o
orientation and visual interest within the City.
when a tall building rames a view rom the ublic realm to
a rominent site or other imortant natural or humanmade
feature, the design and placement of the tall building should
kTIhkLL
Certain sites within the City are more prominent than others.
The role of a tall building should vary depending on whether it
is on a prominent site, adjacent to a prominent site, framing a
view from the public realm to a prominent site, or none of the
above and simply part of the overall city fabric.
Not all tall building sites are considered prominent.
Furthermore, prominent sites neither require tall buildings to
make them secial, nor are they justilcation or a tall building
or an additional increase in height. The merits of a site will
be reviewed and determined during the preliminary planning
application stages.
Sites identiled as rominent" may include.
a street or view corridor terminus;
a major intersection and highorder transit node,
Increased tower
step back to
preserve view to a
local landmark
a. Locate and design tall buildings on or adjacent to prominent
sites to appropriately frame or terminate visual axes. A view
terminus is not always justilcation to locate or emhasi/e a
tall building tower.
b. when a tall building will rame an imortant view rom
the ublic realm, evaluate the roosed site organi/ation,
building placement, heights, setbacks, stepbacks, massing,
and site landscaping to ensure that the view is maintained,
and where ossible, enhanced. n the case o identiled
heritage views, locate and design tall buildings to preserve
these views unobstructed (see also 1.G heritage Froerties).
c. where ossible and aroriate, organi/e the tall building
site and building massing to create or extend views from the
ublic realm to imortant natural and humanmade eatures,
such as prominent buildings, structures, landscapes, and
natural features, including ravines and Lake Ontario.
Figure 1: The tall building steps back to protect an important view from the public realm.
23
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A distinctive base
building, tower, or
public open space
provides a focal
point at the view
terminus
Figure 2: A prominent site at a view terminus.
Design buildings to
frame and engage
open space
Express unique site
characteristics through
building design
Figure 3: Prominent sites framing an important public open space.
Figure 4. A rominent site at a unique location in the City structure.
respond in a supporting role to those sites and features which are
imortant and rominent. n the case o identiled heritage views,
the location and design of tall buildings will preserve these views
unobstructed. A heritage mact Assessment may be required to
inform this evaluation.
In order to determine how the design and placement of the
tall building may best support views from the public realm to
rominent sites and other imortant natural and humanmade
features, it is necessary to understand the character of the view,
and what is important within it.
Considerations for views from the public realm may include:
is the view of or including heritage properties?
is the view short or long?
is the view framed by buildings, landscaped setbacks, open
spaces, or a natural setting?
is the foreground, background, and/or silhouette, important
to the integrity or clarity of what is being viewed?
is the view dynamic and anticipated to transform over
time, or is it expected to be maintained and enhanced in its
current state?
Most often tall buildings will play a secondary role to what is
being viewed. For example, the design and placement of the
base building, tower and open spaces work together to open up
or better frame the view. Less frequently, tall buildings may be
an integral part of shaping what is being viewed, such as with
skylines.
In all instances where it is considered appropriate to include tall
buildings in the vicinity o an identiled ublic view, the addition
must be coordinated and aear wellintegrated with the overall
composition of the view.
2.8.2 Toronto's Creen Sace System and waterront. Folicy 7b |
3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 3, 8a, 8b, 9, and 10 |
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 1a | 8.1.5 heritage Resources
Cuidelines, #4 | Farks Canada. Standards and Cuidelines or
the Conservation o historic Flaces in Canada
24
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a. Conserve and integrate heritage properties into tall building
developments in a manner that is consistent with accepted
principles of good heritage conservation (see Appendix A:
heritage Conservation Frinciles). Tall building roosals with
adjacent or onsite heritage roerties or within an hC0 are
required to rovide a heritage mact Assessment as art o a
complete application.
b. Conserve the integrity of the cultural heritage values, attributes,
character, and threedimensional orm o an onsite heritage
building or structure or roerty within an hC0. Faade retention
alone is not an acceptable method of heritage preservation.
c. when a tall building is adjacent to a lowerscale heritage
property:
design new base buildings to respect the urban grain, scale,
setbacks, proportions, visual relationships, topography, and
materials of the historic context;
integrate the existing heritage character into the base building
through highquality, contemorary design cues,
provide additional tall building setbacks, stepbacks, and
other appropriate placement or design measures to respect
the heritage setting (see also 1.5 Frominent Sites and views
from the Public Realm); and
ensure consistency with alicable hC0 Flan requirements.
d. Tall buildings will not visually impede the setting of properties
on the heritage register. The objective or the longterm
reservation, integration, and reuse o heritage roerties may
mean that not all sites with or adjacent to heritage properties are
appropriate for tall building development.
8.1.5 heritage Resources
Cuidelines, #5 | Farks Canada. Standards and Cuidelines
or the Conservation o historic Flaces in Canada
1.6 hLITkL FFLTIL8 kh hLITkL 6h8LVkTIh I8TI6T8
LoraIa and dasIgn IaII buIIdIngs Io rasarI and romIamanI Iha sraIa,
rhararIar, Iorm and saIIIng oI onsIIa and adjaranI harIIaga roarIIas
and harIIaga 6onsarvaIIon IsIrIrIs (h6s).
Figure 1: New base buildings with contemporary expression relate to the heritage buildings
reserved onsite.
Figure 2: The historic streetwall context is respected with a generous tower stepback
and referenced through an appropriately scaled and articulated base building.
kTIhkLL
The City of Toronto values its heritage properties and
heritage Conservation 0istricts (hC0s) and requires that
they be protected and, where appropriate, integrated into
new development in a manner that is consistent with
accepted principles of good heritage conservation (see
Aendix A. heritage Conservation Frinciles).
There may be instances where conservation principles
outweigh the goals o intensilcation and redeveloment,
and may limit the construction of tall buildings or require
additional breathing space to preserve the integrity of an
hC0, heritage roerty, or secilc attributes. n locations
where tall buildings are considered appropriate, heritage
properties should be referenced to inform the scale and
contextual treatment o the new develoment. well
designed and appropriately sited, tall buildings can make a
positive contribution to an historical setting.
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Z.0 8ITL khIZkTIh
2.1 Building Placement
2.2 Building Address and Entrances
2.3 Site Servicing, Access, and Parking
2.4 Publically Accessible Open Space
2.5 Private Open Space
2.6 Pedestrian and Cycling Connections
2.7 Public Art
26
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Align base building to
setback pattern of
surrounding context,
and ensure generous
space for sidewalks
and tree planting
Provide greater
building setbacks at
strategic points
a. In general, build parallel to the street and extend the base
building the length of the site along the edges of streets,
parks, and open space.
b. where the existing setback attern is consistent and
not planned to change, align new base buildings with
neighbouring building frontages.
c. when existing setbacks are wellestablished, but vary on
either side of a tall building site, locate and design the base
building to resolve the differences. Avoid blank side walls
visible to a street.
d. On blocks where a consistent setback pattern does not
exist or is planned to change, locate the base building at the
required setback line (see also 4.2 Sidewalk Zone).
e. On corner sites, respond to the setback pattern and
alignment of neighbouring buildings on both streets.
LoraIa Iha basa oI IaII buIIdIngs Io Irama Iha adgas oI sIraaIs, arks, and
oan sara, Io HI harmonIousIy WIIh Iha axIsIIng ronIaxI, and Io rovIda
oorIunIIIas Ior hIghguaIIIy Iandsraad oan sara onsIIa.
Z.1 8ILIh FLk6LMLhT
kTIhkLL
Torontos traditional urban pattern is of buildings aligned
parallel to the street with a consistent setback from the front
roerty line. This attern o building lacement clearly delnes
the edges of streets, parks, and open spaces to promote a
vibrant pedestrian environment.
welllaced base buildings create a coherent streetscae and
hel new tall buildings lt in with existing neighbours. where
the setback pattern is not consistent or planned to change, the
placement of base buildings at the required setback line, parallel
to the street, hels establish a edestrianoriented context or
the uture. where the required setback line is at or very close to
the property line, greater building setbacks at strategic points or
along the entire frontage may be encouraged to expand the public
realm and improve pedestrian comfort and amenity. Buildings,
site services, and amenities should also be arranged to maximi/e
graderelated and other onsite oortunities or highquality
landscaped open spaces to enrich the public realm, improve living
and working conditions, and promote sustainable design.
f. Provide greater building setbacks at strategic points or along
the entire frontage, as appropriate, for architectural interest
and to improve pedestrian amenity, including more space
or tree lanting, wider sidewalks, orecourts, la/as, and
other ublically accessible oen saces (see 2.4 Fublically
Accessible 0en Sace and 4.2 Sidewalk Zone).
g. where alicable, maintain the character o existing sot
landscaped streetscapes by providing generous setbacks for
trees and plantings.
h. highquality, graderelated landscaed oen sace is
encouraged or at least 25 ercent o total site area.
Opportunities may include hard and soft landscaped setbacks,
la/as, courtyards, etc. 0n smaller inlll sites, this landscaed
oen sace may be combined in art with abovegrade areas,
such as rooto amenity or green roos. (See 2.4 Fublically
Accessible 0en Sace and 2.5 Frivate 0en Sace).
Figure 1: A base building
placed parallel to the street
and aligned with the frontages
of neighbouring buildings.
Strategic setbacks, where
appropriate, create space for
pedestrian amenity.
8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 11a, 12, 17 and 18 | 8.1.2
Built Form. Folicy 1a, 4, 5b and 5d | 8.1.8 Built Form Tall
Buildings. Folicy 2e | 8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 18
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27
Provide clear and visible
identity for corner and
mid-block entrances
Create rhythm
of multiple
secondary
entrances
a. bse highquality architectural and landscae design to
emhasi/e rimary entrances.
b. Differentiate between residential and commercial entrances
in mixeduse buildings.
c. Frovide an entrance to each ground Noor retail unit, which is
identilable and directly accessible rom the ublic sidewalk.
d. where building entrances are set back by a la/a or
forecourt, maintain high visibility and direct, universal
access from the public sidewalk.
e. If a base building provides access to more than one tower or
more than one use within a tower, ensure that the entrance
to each is clearly identilable, visible, and universally
accessible from the public sidewalk.
. when a larger tenancy is lanned, divide the aade into
narrower widths or bays and provide multiple secondary
entrances to animate the street (see 3.1.2 Street Animation).
g. Coordinate the location of building entrances with transit
stops and stations.
rganIta IaII buIIdIngs Io usa axIsIIng or naW ubIIr sIraaIs Ior
addrass and buIIdIng anIranras.
Lnsura rImary buIIdIng anIranras IronI onIo ubIIr sIraaIs, ara
WaIIdaHnad, rIaarIy vIsIbIa, and unIvarsaIIy arrassIbIa Irom Iha
adjaranI ubIIr sIdaWaIk.
Z.Z 8ILIh kL88 kh LhTkh6L8
Figure 1. A series o streetrelated entrances romote interaction between the building interior
and adjacent public realm.
Figure 2: Public art and signature architectural features
effectively highlight primary building entrances.
kTIhkLL
welldesigned entrances create an arrival exerience and
identity or the tall building and can hel delne the transition
between public and private realms. Typically, the most vibrant
and interesting streets are lined with active, streetrelated uses
accessed by a series of entrances from the public sidewalk.
Clear, visible entries and views from building interiors to the
street provide security for building occupants and pedestrians.
Direct, universal access from the public sidewalk to each tower
or use within a tall building, animates the street and encourages
pedestrian activity to occur in the public realm rather than
inside the building.
3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 11b | 3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 1b and 1c |
8.5.8 The Future o Retailing. Folicy 4
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Accessibility Design Guidelines |
Toronto Green Standard
28
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a. Provide access to site servicing and parking at the rear
of the building, from a lane, if present, or from a shared
driveway, if possible.
b. Include new curb cuts, preferably on side streets, only when
there is no alternative means of site access.
c. Minimi/e the extent o site area dedicated to servicing and
vehicular access through the use of shared infrastructure
and elcient layouts.
d. Throughlanes (ublic or rivate) are encouraged to
minimi/e vehicle turnarounds.
e. Avoid reestanding vehicle rams, loading areas, and
garbage storage and collection areas or enclosures.
. Recess, screen, and minimi/e the si/e o garage doors and
service openings visible from public streets and public or
rivate oen sace. bse highquality doors and lnishes.
g. 0rgani/e droo areas into the side or rear o the site.
when located at the rear, rovide direct visual and hysical
pedestrian access to the street frontage.
h. Frovide taxi stands and bus droo areas on rivate
property for tall buildings which contain hotels, or
commercial and olce uses.
i. Provide pedestrian and cyclist access to and from parking
areas that is clearly visible, welllit, convenient, and easily
accessible from the street.
j. where belowgrade arking structures are ermitted to
encroach beyond the front face of the building, provide
uncompacted soil for a minimum 1 metre depth below grade
to support opportunities for tree planting and other soft
landscaping along the building frontage.
k. Locate ventilation shats, grates, and other aboveground
mechanical or site servicing equipment, away from the
public sidewalk (especially the pedestrian clearway) and
public or private open spaces.
Figure 1: Site servicing and vehicular access provided within and behind the building.
LoraIa "bark oI housa arIIvIIIas, surh as IoadIng,
sarvIrIng, uIIIIIIas, and vahIrIa arkIng, undarground
or WIIhIn Iha buIIdIng mass, aWay Irom Iha ubIIr
raaIm and ubIIr vIaW.
Z.8 8ITL 8LVI6Ih, k66L88, kh FkkIh
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kTIhkLL
Tall buildings accommodate two types of activities at grade:
front of house activities, such as retail and landscaping,
and back of house activities, such as parking, loading, and
servicing.
Back of house activities include, but are not limited to:
vehicle access, ramps, and parking;
droo areas,
garbage storage and collection;
loading docks;
vents, utility meters, transformers, and other site utilities
and servicing infrastructure.
l. where it is not easible to integrate back o house"
activities underground or within the building mass, locate
these activities to limit negative impacts on the safety,
comort, and quality o the ublic realm. where aroriate,
use highquality architectural elements and landscae
design to screen these activities from public view.
m. when arking cannot be located underground (due to
belowgrade transit inrastructure, a highwater table, etc.),
line the arking structure with active, graderelated uses to
searate the abovegrade arking rom streets and ublic or
private open spaces (see also 3.1.2 Street Animation).
0esign abovegrade arking structures to be consistent with
the design standards outlined in 3.1 Base Building.
Figure 8. Abovegrade arking structures lined with active, graderelated uses.
Figure 2. Site servicing and vehicular access screened with highquality architectural and landscae eatures.
Back o house" activities are essential to the elcient
unctioning o new develoment. when back o house"
activities are concealed within and behind buildings, it
promotes a safer, more comfortable and attractive public realm
and pedestrian environment.
bsing the building or highquality architectural elements and
landscape design to screen vehicular access and site servicing,
also helps mitigate noise, air quality concerns, and unattractive
views within the tall building site and on adjacent streets, public
or private open spaces, and neighbouring properties.
2.2 Structuring Crowth in the City. Folicy 8c | 2.8.1 healthy heighbourhoods. Folicy 2d | 2.4 Bringing the City Together. Folicy 7b and 12 |
8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy Gb | 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 2 and 5a | 8.1.8 Built Form - Tall Buildings. Folicy 1a |
8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 18d and 2O | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8a and 8h
Toronto Creen Standard | Cuidelines or the 0esign and Management o Bicycle Farking Facilities | BirdFriendly 0eveloment Cuidelines
P
P
P
Screen above-grade
parking structures
with active uses in the
base building along
street, park, and open
space frontages
Parking Active Uses PL
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kTIhkLL
Most new tall building develoments have imortant onsite
opportunities to provide publically accessible landscaped open
space (see also 2.1 Building Placement). Although these open
saces are tyically rivatelyowned and maintained, they
should read as public places and be designed to encourage
yearround ublic use.
The location of open spaces on a site, along with the type,
si/e, and intended use o the sace, may vary deending uon
building use, site characteristics, and the range of open spaces
available in the surrounding area. Providing good quality,
publically accessible open space within a tall building site can
a. Locate and design publically accessible open space to:
read as a public place and include features and
rogramming oortunities to encourage yearround use,
provide direct visual and physical connections to
public streets, parks, and open space, including adjacent
pedestrian and cycling routes;
complement and connect with publically accessible open
space on neighbouring properties, where possible;
create attractive views and focal points; and
maximi/e saety, comort, and amenity, including access
to sunlight, clear views to and from adjacent streets
and buildings, universal accessibility, edestrianscale
lighting, four season landscaping, seating, public art, and
protection from wind and inclement weather.
b. On larger sites, use publically accessible open space to
rovide throughblock edestrian connections.
c. 0elne and animate the edges o ublically accessible oen
sace with wellroortioned base buildings, ermeable
aades, and active uses atgrade.
d. Use design elements, such as surface materials,
urnishings, landscaing, and edestrianscale lighting
that are highquality, unctional, universally accessible, and
environmentally sustainable.
Figure 1: Tall building sites offer a broad range of publically accessible open space
opportunities.
FrovIda gradaraIaIad, ubIIraIIy arrassIbIa oan sara WIIhIn
Iha IaII buIIdIng sIIa Io romIamanI, ronnarI, and axIand Iha
axIsIIng naIWork oI ubIIr sIraaIs, arks, and oan sara.
Z.4 F8LI6kLLY k66L88I8LL FLh 8Fk6L
hel new develoment lt within the existing context and is
particularly important when there is a shortage of public park
space in the surrounding area.
Publically accessible open space should be large enough
and Nexible in its design to suort a variety o uses and
programming opportunities. The design should also create a
microclimate that suorts edestrian comort, biodiversity,
and should meet or exceed public standards for universal
accessibility, saety, and highquality architectural, landscae,
and sustainable design.
Courtyard
Landscaped
Setback
Urban
Garden
Existing
Park
Walkway
New Public
Park
Plaza
Forecourt
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8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 11a, 12, 18, 17 and 18
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 5b and 5d
8.1.8 Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 2e
3.2.3 Parks and Open Space: Policy 1a, 1c and 1d
8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 18
Toronto Green Standard | Shade Guidelines
Entrances, glazing, and
public uses create a lively
pedestrian environment
Walkway provides
connection through
urban blocks
Figure 2. An active, midblock walkway.
Figure 3: An urban garden with amenity for children.
Figure 4. A la/a with seating and shade.
Legal agreements or onsite arkland dedication or easements
on title to secure public access to open space and owner
maintenance responsibilities may be required.
Tyas oI ubIIraIIy arrassIbIa oan sara may InrIuda.
6ourIyards landscaed oen sace, located in the centre o a
single or consolidated block with no direct street frontage.
ForarourIs landscaed oen sace between the ublic
sidewalk and the main entrance of a building.
Landsraad 8aIbark sace between the ublic sidewalk and
building ace characteri/ed by hard or sot landscae treatment.
FIatas animated gathering lace with redominantly hard
suraced landscae eatures Nanking a ublic street.
rban ardans landscaed sace, usually o intimate
scale, open to a public street, located and oriented to provide
maximum sunlight during midday.
waIkWays exterior ublic edestrian route at street level,
usually providing connection through the block. A galleria,
when gla/ed and enclosed.
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kTIhkLL
whether shared or accessed exclusively by individual building
occupants, private open space should meet a broad range of
needs, including those of families with children and pet owners.
Private outdoor amenity space, such as balconies, gardens,
courtyards, roof terraces, and accessible intensive green roofs,
should be comfortable, safe, and designed to accommodate
yearround use.
a. Locate and design shared private outdoor amenity space to:
maximi/e access to sunlight,
minimi/e noise and air quality imacts rom site
servicing, mechanical equipment, etc.;
include highquality, universally accessible, and
environmentally sustainable materials, four season
landscaing, seating, edestrianscale lighting, trees,
shade structures, weather protection, screening, and
programming opportunities, as appropriate.
b. To the greatest extent possible, locate private patios and
gardens to access direct sunlight and minimi/e overlook
from neighbours.
c. Make private balconies large enough to provide usable
outdoor sace, such as sace or seating (see also 8.2.5
Balconies).
d. n residential or mixeduse develoments, include laces
or ets and et runs either atgrade or on a shared rooto
space.
e. n residential or mixeduse develoments, rovide access
to secure outdoor lay sace and equiment or amily
si/ed units. where ossible, locate amilysi/ed units with
windows and balconies overlooking outdoor play areas.
. when rootos are used or outdoor amenity, ensure that
the base of any building mass or tower that faces onto the
space is treated to protect migratory birds and mitigate
edestrianlevel wind.
g. where ossible, locate interior amenity acilities adjacent
to shared outdoor amenity areas and provide windows and
doors for direct physical and visual access between these
spaces.
FrovIda a ranga oI hIghguaIIIy, romIorIabIa rIvaIa
and sharad ouIdoor amanIIy sara IhroughouI Iha IaII
buIIdIng sIIa.
Z.6 FIVkTL FLh 8Fk6L
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy G | 8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 18 | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8b
Toronto Creen Standard | Toronto Creen Roo Bylaw | BirdFriendly 0eveloment Cuidelines
Figure 1: Tall buildings require
a broad range of private open
spaces to meet the needs of
building occupants.
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33
a. 0esign onsite edestrian and cycling
routes to:
read as publically accessible
(easements on title to secure
public access may be required);
be direct, logical, and continuous
to limit the need or added way
lnding measures,
include landscaing, edestrian
scale lighting, and other amenities
to enhance safety, comfort, and
four season use;
meet or exceed design standards
for universal accessibility and
safety in the public realm.
b. Locate shortterm and longterm bicycle arking with direct
access from the public street and near entrances to tall buildings,
transit, and other pedestrian infrastructure. Design bicycle parking
in accordance with the Toronto Green Standard and Guidelines for the
Design and Management of Bicycle Parking Facilities.
FrovIda romIorIabIa, saIa, and arrassIbIa adasIrIan and ryrIIng
rouIas Ihrough and around Iha IaII buIIdIng sIIa Io ronnarI WIIh
adjaranI rouIas, sIraaIs, arks, oan sara, and oIhar rIorIIy
dasIInaIIons, surh as IransII and undarground ronroursas.
Z.6 FLL8TIkh kh 6Y6LIh 6hhL6TIh8
kTIhkLL
Tall buildings should be sited and designed to encourage
walking and cycling as viable transportation choices for
building occuants. highquality edestrian and cycling routes
should be wellconnected with related inrastructure, such as
transit, bicycle lanes, onsite bicycle arking, generous ublic
sidewalks, the FATh, etc., to reduce autodeendency, suort
safer and more active streets, and promote a healthier city.
Froviding direct, convenient, sae, highlyvisible, and
universally accessible connections to the surrounding public
realm is key to promoting walking and cycling.
A network o above and belowgrade connections to local
destinations can also help tall buildings integrate with the
surrounding context, but should never be at the expense of
good connections atgrade to suort vibrant ublic streets and
sidewalks.
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra. 2.2.1 0owntown. The heart o Toronto. Folicy 12 | 2.4 Bring the City Together. Folicy 2d and 8 |
8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 11a, 12, 18 | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8a

aIaIad 8Iandards, uIdaIInas & 8IudIas. Toronto Creen Standard | FATh Master Flan Study | Toronto walking Strategy |
Guidelines for the Design and Management of Bicycle Parking Facilities
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Figure 1. Connections atgrade, as
well as those above and belowgrade
promote walking, cycling and transit.
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a. where alicable, rovide adequate building setbacks and
space around public art so that it can be properly viewed
and experienced from the public realm.
kTIhkLL
Public art enriches the public realm by making buildings and
open spaces more interesting, engaging, and memorable.
when considered early in the roject lanning stages, the most
impactful locations and opportunities for public art can often be
identiled and secured.
FubIIr arI oorIunIIIas on IaII buIIdIng sIIas may InrIuda.
a concetual ramework to organi/e oen saces including
arks, la/as, setbacks, or streetscaes,
Figure 1: Public art integrated with landscape elements. Figure 2: Public art in the form of an independent sculpture.
Fursua ubIIr arI oorIunIIIas and IundIng sIraIagIas on
IaII buIIdIng sIIas, or adjaranI ubIIr Iands, Io anhanra Iha
guaIIIy oI Iha davaIomanI, Iha ubIIr raaIm, and Iha rIIy.
Z.7 F8LI6 kT
an indeendent sculture or twodimensional work that
marks an entryway, corner, feature area, or view terminus;
a combination of visual arts with the building elements,
including aades, canoies, Noors, lighting, etc.,
visual arts combined with landscape design, functional,
and decorative elements of a site, such as water features,
lighting, seating, paving, walls, fences, entrances and exits,
etc.
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 5g | 8.1.4 Fublic Art. Folicy 1d and 1e
Percent for Public Art Program Guidelines
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8.0 TkLL 8ILIh L8Ih
3.1 Base Building
3.2 Middle (Tower)
3.3 Tower Top
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8.8 TwL TF
3.3 Tower Top
8.1 8k8L 8ILIh
8.1.1 Base Building height and Scale
3.1.2 Street Animation
8.1.8 First Floor height
8.1.4 Faade Articulation and Transarency
8.1.5 FublicFrivate Transition
8.Z MILL (TwL)
8.2.1 Floor Flate Si/e and Shae
3.2.2 Tower Placement
3.2.3 Separation Distances
8.2.4 Tower 0rientation and Articulation
8.2.5 Balconies
Tha IHrIaI FIan sIaIas IhaI a IaII buIIdIng shouId ronsIsI oI Ihraa raraIuIIy
InIagraIad arIs. a basa buIIdIng, mIddIa, and Io.
8.0 TkLL 8ILIh L8Ih
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8.1 8k8L 8ILIh
3.1.1 Base Building Height and Scale
3.1.3 First Floor Height
3.1.4 Faade Articulation and Transparency
3.1.5 Public-Private Transition
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Aligned with scale
and height of
neighbouring
streetwall buildings
a. where there is an existing context o streetwall buildings
with consistent height, align the new base building with the
height of the streetwall (see also the height limit in 3.1.1b).
b. In the absence of a consistent streetwall height context,
rovide a minimum base building height between 1O.5
metres and 8O% o the adjacent street rightoway width
(A), u to a limit o 24 metres` in height.
Additional base building height may be appropriate with a
stepback of at least 3 metres, provided that the total height
does not exceed 1OO% o the adjacent street rightoway
width (A), u to a limit o 24 metres` in height.
`hote. 24 metres equals aroximately 7 storeys or a mixeduse building (assuming
4.5m lrst Noor and 8m or all other Noors) or G storeys or a commercialonly building
(assuming 4.5m lrst Noor and 8.Gm or all other Noors).
c. On corner sites, vary the height and form of the base
building to respect and respond to the height, scale, and
builtorm character o the existing context on both streets.
d. For sites where the adjacent context is lowerscale and
not anticipated to change, provide a transition in the base
building height down to the lowerscale neighbours.
Match at least a portion of the base immediately adjacent
to the lowerscaled context with the scale and height o
neighbouring buildings.
e. For sites including or adjacent to heritage properties, design
the scale and height of the base building to respect and
reinforce the streetwall height established by the historic
context.
. within the tall building site, rame ublically accessible and
shared, rivate oen saces with a wellroortioned base
building.
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asIgn Iha basa buIIdIng Io HI harmonIousIy WIIhIn Iha axIsIIng ronIaxI oI
naIghbourIng buIIdIng haIghIs aI Iha sIraaI and Io rasarI Iha sraIa and
roorIIon oI adjaranI sIraaIs, arks, and ubIIr or rIvaIa oan sara.
8.1.1 8k8L 8ILIh 86kLL kh hLIhT
Figure 1: The height and scale of the base building responds to the scale of neighbouring buildings and the street proportion.
** Io a IImII oI Z4 maIras
39
Ma 8 Rightoway widths Associated with Existing Major Streets
2.8.1 healthy heighbourhoods. Folicy 2a to 2c
8.1.1 Built Form. Folicy 5
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 1a, 8a, 8c, 8e, 8 and 4
3.1.3 Built Form Tall Buildings: Policy 1a and 2c
Cuidelines, #G | Sun, wind and Fedestrian Comort. A Study o
Torontos Central Area
kTIhkLL
The role o the base building is to hel a tall building lt
harmoniously within the existing or planned streetwall
context, delne the edges o adjacent streets, arks, and
open space at good proportion, and maintain access to
sunlight and sky view for pedestrians and neighbouring
properties.
A base building that is 1O.5 metres or around 8 storeys
in height generally lts well with a lowerscale context to
effectively frame the public realm.
Limiting the height o the base building to 8O% o the right
oway width rovides consistency in street roortion
and maintains access to at least 5 hours o sunlight on the
opposite side of the street at the spring and fall equinoxes.

0n wider streets (8O to 45 metres in width), limiting the
height o the base building to a maximum 24 metres
(G7 storeys), ensures that the base does not overwhelm
the pedestrian environment, compound tall building
impacts on shadow and sky view, and contribute to a
disproportionate tall building composition, undermining
the benelts o achieving a slender, oint tower orm.
Many tall building sites, including corner sites, have
multiple frontages facing streets, parks, and public or
private open space. The scale, height, and form of the base
building may need to vary in order to respond appropriately
to dierences in adjacent building height, builtorm
character, oen sace si/e, and street width or each acing
condition.
The appropriate height for base buildings facing small
oen saces within a site is oten lowerscale than what
may be appropriate for street frontages. Provide a smooth
transition where a change in base building height, scale,
and builtorm character occurs.
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Figure 2: The height of the base building relates directly to an established streetwall context.
Figure 3: The base building sets a new streetwall height context at a comfortable pedestrian
scale.
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a. 0n streets with a mixeduse or commercial character, line the
base building with a series of active commercial and retail
uses. where ossible, dedicate at least GO% o the street
frontage to active retail uses.
b. On streets with an exclusively residential character, line the
base building with graderelated residential units with usable
front entrances and windows to living spaces facing the street.
c. 0n secondary street rontages where a mixeduse or
commercial character is planned, but not yet established,
rovide a lrst Noor height and Nexibility in the base building
structure to accommodate transition to active commercial and
retail uses over time (see also 8.1.8 First Floor height).
d. Avoid locating rivate, indoor amenity acilities atgrade
along primary street frontages. Amenities and bicycle storage
acilities with a ositive streetlevel resence may be ermitted
on a secondary street frontage.
e. Multiple building and storefront entrances, spaced an average
o 71O metres along street and oen sace rontages, are
encouraged.
. Animate uer Noors o base buildings with active uses and
windows overlooking the public realm.
g. In general, limit the width of lobbies and the presence of large
format commercial uses at street level. Consider placing large
ormat uses on uer Noors or belowgrade.
h. where largescale saces are necessary on the lrst Noor,
locate them toward the building interior and line them with
active uses along all street and public open space frontages.
i. In locations where grand lobbies and foyers prevail, such
as the Downtown Financial District, continue their use as a
signature feature.
Figure 1: Active retail and commercial uses and upper storey windows animate the base
building and provide natural surveillance for the street.
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LIna Iha basa buIIdIng WIIh arIIva, gradaraIaIad usas
Io romoIa a saIa and anImaIad ubIIr raaIm.
8.1.Z 8TLLT khIMkTIh
kTIhkLL
Active, streetrelated commercial and retail uses are oten
the most desirable activity generators in the base building,
since the resulting pattern of entrances and display windows
provides multiple points of interaction between the building
interior and adjacent public realm.
Conversely, lobbies, largeormat commercial uses, rivate
indoor amenities, and guest suites tend to be relatively
unanimated spaces that lack a strong or engaging connection
with pedestrians and do little to improve safety from natural
surveillance and streetlevel activity.
0n streets characteri/ed by a residential character, grade
related residential units, such as townhouses, can create a
pleasant and animated base building alternative, broaden the
range of housing choices, and increase the opportunity for
social interaction and natural surveillance.
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra: 3.1.1 The Public Realm: Policy 12
8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 1c | 8.5.8 The Future o Retailing.
Folicy 2 and 4
Cuidelines, #7
41
a. where the base building is adjacent to lowrise residential buildings or to a heritage roerty, maintain a direct relationshi
between the lrst Noor height and the height and scale o the neighbouring buildings (see 8.1.1 Base Building Scale and height
and 8.1.4 Faade Articulation and Transarency).
Minimum 4.5m first
floor height to create
flexible commercial
and retail space
Figure 1. A 4.5 metre lrst Noor height
gives prominence to the base and
supports active commercial uses.
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FrovIda a mInImum HrsI 0oor haIghI oI 4.6 maIras,
maasurad 0oorIo0oor Irom avaraga grada.
8.1.8 FI8T FL hLIhT
kTIhkLL
A generous lrst Noor height gives rominence to the street
level, establishes a clear presence for retail, and increases the
visibility, marketability, and utility o ground Noor sace.
A minimum NoortoNoor height o 4.5 metres also
accommodates the vertical clearance required for loading
spaces and truck maneuvering within the rear of the building,
which is essential to the viability of retail and many other
commercial activities.
where aroriate, taller lrst Noor heights or graderelated
residential units are encouraged to provide continuity in
the base building and to ermit adatability and longterm
Nexibility, including ossible uture conversion to retail or
commercial use.
The NoortoNoor heights o adjacent heritage roerties
or lowerscale buildings that are not anticiated to change,
should be reNected in the design and articulation o the base
building to romote integration and lt with the context.
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra: 8.5.8 The Future o Retailing. Folicy 4
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e. Along mixeduse and commercial street rontages, avoid
locating balconies (rojecting or inset) within the lrst 1O.5
metres (3 storeys) of the base building. Between 3 and 6
storeys, inset balconies behind the streetwall.
. bse highquality, durable materials, an aroriate variety
in texture, and carefully crafted details to achieve visual
interest and longevity for the faade. Environmentally
sustainable materials and construction methods are
encouraged.
g. Use opaque or translucent overhangs and canopies to
reduce solar gain within the building, hel mute reNections
on gla/ing, and minimi/e light tresass rom the building
interior.
a. Provide architectural expression and design elements,
such as cornice lines, window bays, entrances, canopies,
building materials, and fenestration, in a pattern, scale,
and proportion that relate to neighbouring buildings and
engages pedestrians.
b. Place building entrances and transparent windows on all
faades facing streets, parks, and open space. Design the
lrst 1O12 metres o the aade in accordance with Bird
Friendly best practices found in the Toronto Green Standard.
c. For active commercial and retail uses atgrade, include
transarent gla/ing O.5 metres above grade and at least 2.5
metres in height, for 60% or more of the frontage.
d. Avoid blank walls, but if necessary, articulate them with
the same materials, rhythm, and highquality design as the
more active and animated frontages.
Maintain high
degree of visual and
physical access at
street level
Multiple entries and
transparent glazing are
encouraged to support
active, street-related
commercial uses
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krIIruIaIa Iha basa buIIdIng WIIh hIghguaIIIy maIarIaIs and dasIgn aIamanIs
IhaI HI WIIh naIghbourIng buIIdIngs and ronIrIbuIa Io a adasIrIan sraIa.
FrovIda rIaar, unobsIrurIad vIaWs InIo and ouI Irom ground 0oor usas IarIng
Iha ubIIr raaIm.
8.1.4 FkkL kTI6LkTIh kh Tkh8FkLh6Y
Figure 1: A high degree of visual
and physical access supports retail
and promotes a vibrant and safe
public realm.
43
kTIhkLL
The building faade should provide architectural expression that
relates to its surroundings and include materials and elements
that can be viewed and appreciated at the speed and proximity
of pedestrians.
Although the articulation and transparency of all faces of a
base building are important, those fronting streets, parks, and
open space are most critical. At street level, a series of clear
and unobstructed views both into and out of buildings enriches
the urban experience for pedestrians and building occupants
alike. Transparency in the building faade adds visual interest,
contributes to a sense of liveliness on the street, and improves
safety through natural surveillance.
A high degree of visual and physical connection, including
multiple entrances and storefront windows, supports active,
streetrelated commercial and retail uses. Attemting to
obscure these views (e.g. through the use of postering, paint,
shelving, or nontransarent glass), creates an uninviting
pedestrian realm and is strongly discouraged.
Transparency in the faade, especially at street level, is very
important to livability, but must be balanced with requirements
for environmental sustainability, including design measures for
energy elciency, eective lighting, birdriendly bestractice,
and the use of sustainable materials and construction methods.
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8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 1c and 8b | 8.5.8 The Future o Retailing. Folicy 4 | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8 and 8g
aIaIad 8Iandards, uIdaIInas & 8IudIas:
Toronto Green Standard | Bird Friendly Development Guidelines | Accessibility Design Guidelines
Figure 2. A wellroortioned base building, articulated with
highquality materials and architectural detailing, lts with the
rhythm of the existing streetwall context and contributes to a
edestrianscale street rontage.
Pedestrian-scaled treatments
of building mass, materials,
texture and composition
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kTIhkLL
There are a variety of design approaches to treat the
transition space between the public realm and the public or
private interior of the base building.
where shared entrances or active, streetrelated uses, such
as retail, are resent, interaction between the ground Noor
and public sidewalk should be promoted by providing paved
surfaces with direct, universal access to the building interior.
In cases where there are townhouses or other private uses
at street level, grade separation and a landscaped setback,
hard or sot, are imortant to delne a level o rivacy or
the building interior, while maintaining views out to improve
safety in the public realm.
a. For all public entrances, such
as entries to commercial uses
or shared lobbies (public and
private), provide direct, universal
access, Nush with the ublic
sidewalk.
b. For private entrances to ground
Noor residential units, rovide
grade separation (up to 0.9
metres) and distance separation
(3 metres minimum from the
front property line, or greater
where required by the existing
context or Zoning Bylaw).
c. where there is a change in grade along a street or oen sace rontage, maintain a consistent grade relationshi between the
ublic sidewalk and ground Noor. Avoid the use o large retaining walls and exterior stair cases.
d. Filter and screen views into private dwelling units with soft landscaping, but ensure views to streets and open space are
maintained for natural surveillance.
Provide a landscaped setback and small grade
change as transition from the public sidewalk to
private residential units
Provide direct,
universal access
from the public
sidewalk to
commercial uses
and shared
entrances
asIgn Iha basa buIIdIng and adjaranI saIbark Io romoIa
an arorIaIa IavaI oI vIsuaI and hysIraI arrass and
ovarIook ra0arIIng Iha naIura oI buIIdIng usa aIgrada.
8.1.6 F8LI6FIVkTL Tkh8ITIh
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IHrIaI FIan aIaranra: 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 5b
Figure 1. Treatment o the transition sace between the ublic sidewalk and building interior reNects the diering needs or access
and privacy between residential and commercial frontages.
Figure 2: A small change in grade and soft landscaping enhances privacy, while maintaining
views out from residential uses at grade.
45 4444444444444444444555555555555555555555
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8.Z MILL (TwL)
3.2.1 Floor Plate Size and Shape
3.2.4 Tower Orientation and Articulation
3.2.5 Balconies
46
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The si/e and shae o the tower Noor late works together with
the height and placement of the tower to determine the overall
threedimensional massing o a tall building and the visual and
physical impact it poses on surrounding streets, parks, open
sace, and roerties. Tower Noor late si/e includes all built
area within the building, measured from the exterior of the main
walls at each Noor above the base building, excluding balconies.
when adequately searated, slender, oint orm towers with
comact Noor lates cast smaller, aster moving shadows,
improve access to sky view, permit better views between
buildings and through sites, and contribute to a more attractive
skyline. Towers with smaller Noor lates can also make interior
climate control more energy elcient and increase daylighting
within the building an important contributor to sustainability,
residential liveability, and workplace productivity.
The tower Noor late si/e and shae should be determined
together with the site dimensions and required tower separation
distances, setbacks, and stebacks. A Noor late smaller than
75O square metres may be necessary to achieve adequate
tower setbacks and spacing on a site (see 3.2.3 Separation
Distances).
a. 0rgani/e, locate, and articulate the tower Noor late to.
minimi/e shadow imacts and negative wind conditions on
surrounding streets, parks, open space, and properties;
minimi/e loss o sky view rom the ublic realm,
allow for the passage of natural light into interior spaces (e.g.
shallow rather than dee Noor lans),
create architectural interest and visually diminish the overall
scale of the building mass; and
resent an elegant rolle or the skyline.
b. Provide greater tower separation, setbacks, and stepbacks
roortionate to increases in tower Noor late si/e or height to
mitigate resultant wind, shadow, and sky view imacts (see 1.4
Sunlight and Sky View and 3.2.3 Separation Distances).
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LImII Iha IoWar 0oor IaIa Io 760 sguara maIras
or Iass ar 0oor, InrIudIng aII buIII araa WIIhIn
Iha buIIdIng, buI axrIudIng baIronIas.
8.Z.1 FL FLkTL 8IZL kh 8hkFL
0n a sitesecilc basis where adequate tower searation,
setbacks, and stebacks are achieved, Nexibility in the
maximum Noor late si/e may be considered or the tower, or a
portion thereof:
to make the interior layout o nonresidential uses, such
as commercialonly buildings, commercialonly Noors o
mixeduse buildings, institutional buildings, and hotels,
economically viable; or
to accommodate modest increases from additional servicing
and structural requirements for very tall buildings (e.g.
residential or mixeduse buildings greater than 5O to GO
storeys).
Any increases in tower Noor late si/e require that excetional
design attention be given to the shape and articulation of the
tower to diminish the overall scale and impact of the building
mass. Greater tower separation, setbacks, and stepbacks
roortionate to increases in building si/e are also eective
strategies to mitigate resultant wind, shadow, and sky view
impacts on surrounding streets, parks, open space, and
properties.
Floor Plate
750m
2
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 8d, 8e, 8 and 4
8.1.8 Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 1b | 8.2.8 Farks and
Open Space: Policy 3
Figure 1. The maximum Noor late si/e
o 75O sq m includes all built areas,
such as dwelling units, olces, indoor
amenity facilities, elevator cores, storage
spaces, stairwells, hallways, etc., but
excludes inset or projecting balconies.
47
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3m or greater tower
step back from
base building
(includes balconies)
Up to one-third of
point tower frontage
within the step back
may extend to grade
c. Tower stepbacks greater than 3 metres are encouraged
and may be required or tall buildings to lt harmoniously
within an existing context, including sites that contain or are
adjacent to heritage properties.
d. As an option within the stepback, up to one third of a
point tower frontage along a street or open space may
extend straight down to the ground. At these locations,
provide permanent building features, such as canopies and
overhangs, to hel mitigate edestrianlevel wind.
a. Coordinate tower placement with other towers on the same
block and adjacent blocks to maximi/e access to sunlight
and sky view for surrounding streets, parks, open space,
and roerties (see 1.4 Sunlight and Sky view and 8.2.8
Separation Distances).
b. Step back the tower, including balconies, 3 metres or
greater from the face of the base building, along all street,
park, and open space frontages (including publically
accessible or private shared open space and rooftop amenity
within the site).
FIara IoWars aWay Irom sIraaIs, arks, oan sara, and naIghbourIng roarIIas
Io radura vIsuaI and hysIraI ImarIs oI Iha IoWar and aIIoW Iha basa buIIdIng Io
ba Iha rImary daHnIng aIamanI Ior Iha sIIa and adjaranI ubIIr raaIm.
8.Z.Z TwL FLk6LMLhT
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra 2.8.1 healthy heighbourhoods.
Policy 2a to c | 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 8a, 8e and 4 | 8.1.8
Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 1b | 8.2.8 Farks and 0en
Space: Policy 3
kTIhkLL
Towers that meet the ground directly can generate
uncomfortable wind conditions, establish an overwhelming
street proportion, and create an oppressive sense of pedestrian
scale. Setting the tower back at least 3 metres and more where
ossible, reinorces the base building as the delning element
for the public realm, enhances pedestrian comfort by absorbing
downward wind shear, and limits the visual impact of the tower
at grade. Generous tower stepbacks, substantially greater
than 3 metres, as well as coordination of tower placement
with the location of other tall buildings, may also improve
wind conditions and access to sunlight and sky view in the
surrounding area.
For the urose o design Nexibility, roviding visible tower
address, and integrating components of a tall building (i.e. base
building, tower, top), up to one third of a point tower frontage
within the stepback, may extend down through the base
building to the ground. n the case o larger or elongated Noor
plates, a threshold below one third may apply. At locations
where towers extend to the ground, permanent features to
mitigate edestrianlevel wind are essential.
Cuidelines, #8 | Sun, wind and Fedestrian Comort. A Study o
Torontos Central Area
Figure 1: The tower frontage, including balconies,
steps back at least 3 metres from the base building. As
an option, up to one third of the point tower frontage
within the stepback extends to the ground.
3m or greater
3
m

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a
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up to 1/3 point
tower frontage
within step
back may
extend to grade
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a. where the existing context is characteri/ed by tower
searation distances greater than 25 metres, rovide tower
setbacks and separation distances in keeping with the more
generous spacing established by the context (see Figure 3).
b. where taller buildings or larger tower Noor lates are
roosed (see also 8.2.1 Floor Flate Si/e and Shae), rovide
greater setbacks and separation distances proportionate to
increases in building si/e and height (see Figure 2). For larger
Noor lates, use the widest dimension o the tower Noor
plate as a guide to determine adequate tower setbacks and
searation (see Figure 4).
c. Sites that cannot provide the minimum tower setbacks and
stepbacks, as required above and in 3.2.2 Tower Placement,
may not be appropriate for tall buildings (see Implementation
o Tower Searation 0istances. Small Sites on age 51).
d. Sites that cannot provide the minimum tower separation
distance o 25 metres or greater in relation to the context as
outlined in 3.2.3a., may not be appropriate for multiple towers.
e. Coordinate tower setbacks and separation distances with other
towers on the same block and adjacent blocks to maximi/e
access to sunlight and sky view for surrounding streets, parks,
oen sace, and roerties (see 1.4 Sunlight and Sky view
and 3.2.2 Tower Placement).
. where ossible, aly creative solutions, such as oset
towers/views, nonarallel walls, taering or curved tower
forms, to increase actual or perceived tower separation
distances, provided that access to sky view is maintained and
adverse wind and shadow conditions are minimi/ed.
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8aIbark IaII buIIdIng IoWars 1Z.6 maIras or graaIar Irom Iha sIda and raar
roarIy IInas or ranIra IIna oI an abuIIIng Iana.
FrovIda saaraIIon dIsIanra baIWaan IoWars on Iha sama sIIa oI Z6 maIras
or graaIar, maasurad Irom Iha axIarIor WaII oI Iha buIIdIngs, axrIudIng
baIronIas.
8.Z.8 8LFkkTIh I8Tkh6L8
25m or greater*
*greater than 25 metres, particularly when dictated by Zoning By-law or the existing or planned context.
Figure 1: Minimum tower separation distance measured from building face to building face.
Figure 2: Minimum tower separation distance increases with building height.
greater than
25 m
25 m 25 m
49
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kTIhkLL
Adequate tower separation distances from property lines and
from other towers is a critical aspect of tall building design.
The lacement o towers should minimi/e negative imacts on
the public realm and neighbouring properties, such as adverse
shadowing, edestrianlevel wind, and blockage o sky view,
and should maximi/e the environmental quality o building
interiors, including daylighting, natural ventilation, and privacy
for building occupants.
Searation distances greater than the 25 metres are oten
necessary to ensure a tall building lts harmoniously within an
existing or planned context.
Figure 8. Cenerous sacing o new towers (greater than 25m) reinorces the attern o tower searation ound in the existing context.
The minimum separation distances are established to ensure
tall buildings achieve the following objectives for the protection
of sky view, privacy, and daylighting:
8ky VIaW:
The ability to retain adequate sky view in between building
masses is essential to maintain the character, usability,
and quality of streets, parks, open space, and neighbouring
properties. Lack of sky view can also negatively affect the
microclimate and sense of pedestrian scale at grade.
FrIvary.
Privacy objectives, particularly for residential units, are achieved
when tower orientation, appropriate facing distances, and
setbacks combine to mitigate overlook between the windows or
balconies of one building and those of another.
ayIIghIIng:
Access to natural light in the building interior is an important
component of residential liveability, workplace productivity, and
sustainable building practice. An adequate level of daylighting
is achieved for residential buildings when natural light reaches
the main living space for part of the day. Tall buildings with
small Noor lates and adequate searation rovide enhanced
opportunity for daylighting.
Continued on next page...
Minimum
Separation Distance
Equal to Widest
Dimension of
Tower Floor Plate
X
X
Figure 4. Minimum tower searation distance roortionate to Noor late si/e, measured
from building face to building face.
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8.Z.8 8LFkkTIh I8Tkh6L8 CONT.
kTIhkLL ronI.
where a new tall building is roosed adjacent to an existing
tall building or a potential tall building development site,
matters of sunlight, sky view, privacy, and daylighting become
even more critical since the cumulative effect of a cluster of
towers on a street, park, open space, or in relation to each
other and neighbours can amplify quality of life concerns for
both the public and private realms. Even if tall buildings in close
proximity to other tall buildings meet the minimum required
separation distances, setbacks, and stepbacks, towers should
be further shaped, placed, and articulated to increase the actual
and perceived distances between adjacent building elevations.
Since tall building development is typically evaluated on a
sitebysite basis, it is imortant to understand the cumulative
2.8.1 healthy heighbourhoods. Folicy 2c | 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 8c, 8d, 8e and 4 | 8.1.8 Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 1b
Sun, wind and Fedestrian Comort. A Study o Toronto's Central Area
Towers with inadequate
minimum separation distance
(less than 25m)
Variation in tower
stepbacks and orientation
increase perceived and
actual separation distance
Adequate minimum separation
distance between buildings
(25m or greater) promotes
privacy, daylighting and at-grade
access to sunlight and sky view
Figure 5. Adequate minimum
tower separation distances,
measured from closest building
face to building face, protect
access to sunlight and sky view
for the surrounding public realm
and neighbouring properties, and
improve privacy and daylighting
within tall buildings.
AVOID
effect of the proposed tall building within the context of other
tall buildings (see also 1.1 Context Analysis). One test for the
appropriateness of proposed tower setbacks and separation
distances is to replicate the proposal on adjacent sites or
blocks. The cumulative effect should result in acceptable
outcomes for shadowing, access to sky view, privacy, and
daylighting (see also 1.4 Sunlight and Sky view).
If towers are permitted to locate too close to side or rear
roerty lines, the result is a lrsttotheost" develoment
scenario, whereby the need to provide access to sunlight, sky
view, privacy, and daylighting, may restrict adjacent sites from
developing in a similar manner.
51
The construction of tall buildings on sites that are too small
to accommodate the minimum tower setbacks and stepbacks
results in negative impacts on the quality of the public realm,
neighbouring properties, the living and working conditions for
building occupants, and the overall liveability of the City.
If tall buildings are constructed too close together negative
impacts may include:
excessive shadowing of surrounding streets, parks, open
space, and properties;
diminished sky views for pedestrians;
heightened street level wind effects;
loss of privacy for residents; and
limited interior daylighting.
As noted, when towers are constructed too close to property
lines, development of one site may restrict adjacent sites from
developing in a similar manner.
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n smaII sIIas, aIy Iha rarommandad mInImum IoWar saIbarks and
sIabarks Io daIarmIna Iha rasuIIanI 0oor IaIa sIta and IaasIbIIIIy oI Iha sIIa
dImansIons Io arrommodaIa a IaII buIIdIng.
8.Z.8 8LFkkTIh I8Tkh6L8 6hT.
IMFLLMLhTkTIh F TwL 8LFkkTIh I8Tkh6L8. 8MkLL 8ITL8
Mid-Block Site
without Laneway
Mid-Block Site
with Laneway
Corner Site
without Laneway
Corner Site
with Laneway
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laneway
3m or greater
street
12.5m or greater
12.5m or greater
street
3m or greater
12.5m or greater
12.5m or greater
12.5m or greater
12.5m or greater
12.5m or greater
3m or greater
street
C
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laneway
12.5m or greater
3m or greater
street
12.5m or greater
12.5m or greater
B
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Small sites also have greater dilculty in roviding required
amounts of underground parking as minimum lot depths are
necessary to achieve setbacks and to allow or tyical below
grade parking layouts, including ramps and access. Street level
faades and edestrian activities are comromised when above
grade parking garages are introduced on sites with inadequate
conditions or belowgrade arking to exist.
Appropriate minimum dimensions for a proposed tall building
site may be determined by applying the recommended
minimum tower setbacks and stebacks (see lgure G), and
evaluating the resultant Noor late si/e. it is not easible to
construct a tower on a site after applying these setbacks and
stepbacks, the site may be too small for a tall building. In
some cases, it may be possible to assemble several smaller
properties to allow tall building development to proceed, but in
other cases, the small site may only be able to accommodate a
lowerscale building orm, such as a midrise building.
Figure 6: Conceptual "small sites" showing recommended minimum tower stepbacks from the base building and setbacks from side and rear property lines or centre line of an abutting lane.
52
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rganIta and arIIruIaIa IaII buIIdIng IoWars Io romoIa dasIgn
axraIIanra, InnovaIIon, and susIaInabIIIIy.
8.Z.4 TwL ILhTkTIh kh kTI6LkTIh
a. Orient towers to improve building energy performance,
natural ventilation, and daylighting, provided that access
to sky view is maintained and adverse wind and shadow
imacts are minimi/ed (see also 1.4 Sunlight and Sky view,
8.2.1 Floor Flate Si/e and Shae, 8.2.2 Tower Flacement,
and 3.2.3 Separation Distances).
b. Vary the design and articulation of each tower faade to
resond to changes in solar orientation. where aroriate,
adjust internal layouts, gla/ing ratios, balcony lacement,
fenestration, and other aspects of the tower design to
manage passive solar gain and improve building energy
erormance (see also 8.2.5 Tower Balconies).
c. Variation in the design and articulation of each tower faade
is encouraged to provide visual interest and to respond to
design opportunities and differing facing conditions within
the adjacent context (see also 1.5 Frominent Sites and
Views from the Public Realm).
d. where ossible, include oerable windows to rovide
natural ventilation and help reduce mechanical heating and
cooling requirements.
e. when multile towers are roosed, stagger the tower
heights to create visual interest within the skyline, mitigate
wind, and improve access to sunlight and sky view. In
general, variation o 5 storeys or more rovides a dierence
in height that can be perceived at street level.
. where ossible, rovide internal Nexibility within the tower
to accommodate changing Noor layouts and uses over time.
n residential and mixeduse buildings, the inclusion o
'breakout' anels or other relevant construction techniques
are encouraged to allow residential units to be converted or
combined to meet changing occupancy requirements.
g. Articulate tall building towers with highquality, sustainable
materials and lnishes to romote design excellence,
innovation and building longevity.
Figure 1. A wellarticulated tower rovides visual interest and a variety o balcony
opportunities with good solar orientation.
Figure 2: A "sustainable" faade design, including operable windows for natural ventilation
and enestration to shade higherormance gla/ing.
53
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kTIhkLL
n addition to tower Noor late si/e, shae, lacement, and
separation, the orientation and articulation of the tower is
critical to the overall perception of the three dimensional
massing of the tall building, the physical impact on adjacent
areas, and the visual impact upon the skyline. Designs which
reduce the appearance of the overall tower bulk and present a
slender, point tower form in the skyline are encouraged (see
also 8.2.1 Tower Floor Flate Si/e and Shae).
Orienting and articulating the tower in relation to the
seasonal paths of the sun across the sky, combined with the
arrangement of internal spaces, can greatly improve natural
daylighting, liveability, and energy elciency. t is imortant
to balance design decisions based on building performance
objectives with maintaining sky view and minimi/ing adverse
wind and shadow impacts on the public realm and surrounding
properties.
The tower portion of a tall building is often the most visible
and the most resource intensive part of the development. The
rovision o internal Nexibility and the inclusion o oerable
windows, sun shades, and other highquality, sustainable
materials, lnishes, and construction methods oster building
sustainability and longevity.
3.1.3 Built Form Tall Buildings: Policy 1b
8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 18e and 1O
8.5.1 Suorting the Foundations o Cometitiveness. Folicy 1c
5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8c, 8 and 8g
Toronto Creen Standard | BirdFriendly 0eveloment Cuidelines
54
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Shade from balconies
help reduce solar gain
and sun penetration in
the summer months
Sun penetration
and solar gain is
maximized in
winter when sun is
low in the horizon
summer winter
a. Avoid balcony arrangements that
signilcantly increase the hysical
and apparent visual building mass.
wraaround balconies are generally
discouraged, but if included may
require a smaller tower Noor late or
greater tower separation distances
to offset the impacts on shadow, sky
view, privacy, and daylighting caused
by adding to the building mass (see
8.2.2 Floor Flate Si/e and Shae).
b. Design balconies to meet
sustainability objectives, including
the use o searated Noor slabs
to minimi/e heat loss rom thermal bridging, less transarent materials to reduce bird strikes and mitigate light tresass, and
arrangements and materials that control sunlight penetration passive heat gain.
c. Design residential balconies to be an extension of interior living space and consider the following:
balconies greater than 1.5 metres in deth and rectangular in shae are generally reerred or dining and seating, and
inset or artially inset balcony arrangements may oer greater rivacy and be more comortable, articularly on uer Noors
(see also 2.5 Frivate 0en Sace).
asIgn baIronIas Io maxImIta usabIIIIy, romIorI, and buIIdIng arIormanra,
WhIIa mInImItIng nagaIIva ImarIs on Iha buIIdIng mass, ubIIr raaIm, and
naIuraI anvIronmanI.
8.Z.6 8kL6hIL8
kTIhkLL
Balconies are often included, particularly in residential and
mixeduse tall buildings, to rovide rivate oen sace amenity.
while balconies contribute imortant outdoor sace, their
placement and design can have a major impact on the real and
erceived bulk o a tall building. when balconies are contiguous
and wrap the entire tower, the result can sometimes be a
building enveloe that aears much larger than the tower Noor
late, even when it meets the 75O square metre maximum si/e.
Balcony arrangements which are not carefully planned and
integrated within the tower massing can contribute to additional
shadow impacts and a reduction in privacy, sky view, and
daylighting. A decrease in Noor late si/e or increase in
separation distances may be required to mitigate the impact of
balconies on the public realm and neighbours.
From a sustainable design perspective, balcony arrangements,
materials, and construction methods can signilcantly imact
building energy performance. Furthermore, transparent glass
balconies are generally discouraged, since they can pose a
collision risk for migratory birds and do little to manage passive
solar gain or reduce sky glow caused by light trespass from the
building interior. where glass is used, it should always include
birdriendly surace treatments.
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra.
3.1.2 Built Form: Policy 3b, 3d, 3e, 3f and 6 |
5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8c
Toronto Creen Standard | BirdFriendly 0eveloment
Guidelines
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Figure 1: The effective design and placement of balconies can help manage sun penetration and passive solor gain.
55 55
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8.8 TwL TF
3.3 Tower Top
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kTIhkLL
An aroriate design or the to o a tall building is inNuenced
by many factors, which may include location, height, built form
comosition, architectural exression, and overall 'lt' within the
existing context of the city skyline.
Most tall buildings form part of the urban backdrop which
frames existing landmarks and public open space. In these
instances, the top should reinforce the supporting role of the
building and subtly integrate with the overall tower design.
A small number of tall buildings, such as those terminating
a view or those with signilcant height, may benelt rom a
signature tower top to strengthen the tall building identity as a
landmark for orientation in the city.
n all instances, rooto mechanical and telecommunications
equiment, as well as signage must be wellintegrated into
the total building design to avoid detracting from the form and
elegance of the top.
In the same manner that not all tower tops warrant a signature
eature, not all tos require decorative lighting. when decorative
lighting for the tower top or other key architectural features is
included to enhance the design and presence of a tall building
at night, lighting does not have to be turned on for all hours of
the night or all days of the year to be effective. Furthermore,
illumination should respond to environmental sustainability
objectives and be:
energy elcient
designed to minimi/e glare, light tresass, and sky glow
programmed to turn off during the migratory seasons
(Aril to May and midAugust to mid0ctober).
a. ntegrate rooto mechanical or telecommunications
equipment, signage, and amenity space, where
appropriate, into the design and massing of the upper
Noors o the tall building.
b. where decorative lighting is included within the tower
design, use energy elcient lxtures (such as LE0s), avoid
uplighting and overlighting, and include programmable
lxtures which can dim as the evening rogresses or turn
off during migratory seasons.
asIgn Iha Io oI IaII buIIdIngs Io maka an arorIaIa ronIrIbuIIon Io Iha
guaIIIy and rhararIar oI Iha rIIy skyIIna.
8aIanra Iha usa oI daroraIIva IIghIIng WIIh anargy aIHrIanry objarIIvas, Iha
roIarIIon oI mIgraIory bIrds, and Iha managamanI oI arIIHrIaI sky gIoW.
8.8 TwL TF
8.1.8 Built Form Tall Buildings. Folicy 1c and 2b | 8.4 The hatural
Environment. Folicy 18e | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8g
Toronto Creen Standard | BirdFriendly 0eveloment
Guidelines
Figure 2. Energy elcient decorative lighting makes an interesting contribution to the
appearance of tall buildings in night sky.
Figure 1: Subtle variation in massing and integrated signage enhance the tower top.
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57 555555557777777
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4.0 FLL8TIkh LkLM
4.1 Streetscape and Landscape Design
4.2 Sidewalk Zone
4.3 Pedestrian Level Wind Effects
4.4 Pedestrian Weather Protection
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a. Create a strong visual and physical connection between the
building setback and public streetscape through the use of
consistent materials, grades, and design elements. Maintain
universal access to public and shared entrances, particularly
where there are changes in toograhy. (See also 8.2.5
FublicFrivate Transition).
b. 0rgani/e streetscae and landscae elements to suort
safe and comfortable pedestrian movement, highlight
important building features, such as entrances, screen less
attractive activities, such as parking access, add four season
interest, colour, and texture, and provide shade, where
appropriate.
c. Provide sustainable streetscape and landscape design by:
protecting existing natural features and trees;
roviding sulcient soil deth and highquality growing
medium for new shade trees and plant material;
using highalbedo and ermeable aving materials to
manage the urban heat island effect and stormwater;
maximi/ing onsite stormwater inlltration, cature, and
reuse;
installing energy elcient, edestrianscale lighting with
shielded lxtures and automatic shuto devices.
d. 0n streets characteri/ed by sot landscae setbacks or
where ground Noor uses require more rivacy rom the
adjacent sidewalk, provide additional landscaping between
the building face and public sidewalk. Such treatment may
include tree and shrub planting, water features, minor
grade changes, railings, curbs, low walls, fences, public art,
lighting, and seating, etc.
kTIhkLL
A welldesigned and vibrant streetscae is vital to the character
and quality of the tall building site and the surrounding public
realm, as well as to the livability of the City.
All building frontages facing public streets, parks, and open
space must safely and comfortably accommodate pedestrian
movement, street furnishings, lighting, bicycle parking, and
landscaping. The space in front of buildings may also contain
cafs, grocery stands, canopies, awnings, signage, public art,
fountains, landscape structures, and other built or landscape
features, which further animate the street and enhance
pedestrian amenity.
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FrovIda hIghguaIIIy, susIaInabIa sIraaIsraa and Iandsraa
dasIgn baIWaan Iha IaII buIIdIng and adjaranI sIraaIs, arks,
and oan sara.
4.1 8TLLT86kFL kh Lkh86kFL L8Ih
Figure 1: A vibrant and green streetscape with a good range of pedestrian and cycling
amenities.
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra 8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 1d, 5, G, 11a, 12, and 14e | 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 1d, 5a, 5b and 5g |
8.4 The hatural Environment. Folicy 1d and 18 | 5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8b, 8d, 8e and 8g
aIaIad 8Iandards, uIdaIInas & 8IudIas Urban Design Streetscape Manual | Toronto Green Standard | Vibrant Streets |
Toronto walking Strategy | Fercent or Fublic Art Frogram Cuidelines

59
Setback
(private property)
PL Right-of-Way
(public property)
a. Along the primary street frontages of a tall building site,
secure a sidewalk /one at least G metres wide or greater
where larger setbacks are established by the existing context
or required by the Zoning Bylaw. The edestrian clearway
must be within ublic roerty. The broader sidewalk /one
may be entirely public or a combination of public and private
property.
b. Exceptions to the minimum 6 metre width may be
considered when the extent of the tall building frontage or
potential for future redevelopment on abutting sites does not
support establishing a new setback pattern. In such cases,
creative solutions, such as eroding the lrst Noor to achieve
the sidewalk width at grade, or setting back a portion of the
building to create a forecourt, may be appropriate.
c. Tall buildings at corners, transit nodes, FATh access
oints, or other locations with signilcant edestrian use, or
where there is a substantial change in grade, may require
additional setbacks for all or portions of the building
rontage to accommodate edestrian Now.
d. Tall buildings o signilcant height and density may require
additional sidewalk width beyond 6 metres to accommodate
the anticiated volume o edestrian tralc.
e. wider streets that tyically carry higher volumes and seeds
o vehicular tralc may also benelt rom additional sidewalk
width to improve pedestrian safety and comfort.
kTIhkLL
Sidewalks are a vital part of the public realm, and play a crucial
role in dense urban areas, articularly when characteri/ed by
limited oen sace or arkland delciencies. Since many streets in
Toronto were not designed with tall buildings and the associated
density in mind, the width of the existing public sidewalk is
requently too narrow. A wider sidewalk /one, which may
include a building setback, is often necessary to properly resolve
competing demands for space from pedestrians, street furniture,
trees, utilities, and commercial uses. wider sidewalks can also
provide space for grouped bicycle parking, boulevard cafs, public
art installations, and other valuable street activities and amenities.
New development, especially when at the scale of an entire
block, offers the opportunity to improve sidewalk amenity by
roviding an edge /one, a generous urnishing and lanting /one,
a continuous, universally accessible pedestrian clearway, and an
aroriate rontage or marketing /one deending uon the uses
at grade. In order to achieve an appropriate sidewalk width, the
base of a tall building may need to be set back further from the
roerty line than the distance required by the Zoning Bylaw.
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FrovIda adaguaIa sara baIWaan Iha IronI oI Iha buIIdIng and adjaranI
sIraaI rurbs Io saIaIy and romIorIabIy arrommodaIa adasIrIan movamanI,
sIraaIsraa aIamanIs, and arIIvIIIas raIaIad Io Iha usas aI grada.
4.Z 8ILwkLk ZhL
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra 2.2 Structuring Growth in the City:
Folicy 8a(ii) and 8b | 2.2.1 0owntown. The heart o Toronto.
Folicy 11 | 2.4 Bringing the City Together. Folicy 2 |
8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 5, 11a, 11b, 12 and 14e
Urban Design Streetscape Manual | Vibrant Streets | Toronto
Creen Standard | Toronto walking Strategy
Figure 1: A generous sidewalk and strategic setback supports an active street frontage and
vibrant pedestrian environment.
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kTIhkLL
The design and placement of tall buildings to capture natural
bree/es and air Now can benelt energy elciency and indoor
air quality. Adequate air circulation atgrade, esecially during
the summer months, is imortant to Nush away streetlevel
pollutants and improve air quality for pedestrians and cyclists.

while air circulation around tall buildings is imortant, down
drafts from buildings or accelerated winds from tunnelling
between buildings can negatively aect edestrianlevel comort
and even become ha/ardous. n general, the taller the building,
the stronger the potential for wind effects at the base and the
greater the need for mitigation measures.
Adverse wind conditions can be mitigated through the siting,
massing, orientation and articulation of the base and the tower.
The use of stepbacks at the tower base is a particularly useful
strategy to dissipate down drafts. Architectural devices, such
as projecting cornices, screens, terraces, overhangs, and
permanent canopies can also be applied to reduce the effects
of high speed wind around the base building and within rooftop
amenity areas.
The placement of permanent site features such as walls,
berms, and landscaping can also help mitigate wind impacts
by reducing speed or creating sheltered areas for seating or
standing.
Fredicting the inNuence o tall buildings on local wind Now
atterns and streetlevel conditions is a comlex task best
established through wind tunnel testing of a scale model. At
a preliminary planning stage, however, the basic aerodynamic
issues illustrated in the schematic diagrams provided on the
following page can be applied to inform the initial design.
Figure 2. wind testing (Engineering inut by Rw0)
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LoraIa, orIanI, and dasIgn IaII buIIdIngs Io romoIa aIr rIrruIaIIon
and naIuraI vanIIIaIIon, yaI mInImIta advarsa WInd rondIIIons on
adjaranI sIraaIs, arks and oan sara, aI buIIdIng anIranras, and
In ubIIr and rIvaIa ouIdoor amanIIy araas.
4.8 FLL8TIkh LLVLL wIh LFFL6T8
Figure 1. Strong edestrian level wind makes streetlevel conditions uncomortable and in
some cases ha/ardous.
61
wind Nowing down the building
face causes accelerated wind
speeds near the windward
corners.
Tall and wide facades that face
the prevailing winds are often
undesirable.
Buildings create a low wind
pressure area immediately
downwind.
A low building upwind of a tall
building increases the downward
Now o wind, causing accelerated
winds near the windward corners
of the tall building.
wind is unneled between two
buildings causing accelerated
winds between them (wind
canyon effect).
The height, spacing, and
orientation of the buildings
affect intensity of wind
acceleration.
Issuas
Colonnaded base buildings can
be used on windward facades to
control downward wind Nows.
Colonnades provide pedestrians
a choice of calm or windy areas
(bree/es are welcome on hot
days).
Base building roof areas that
are inaccessible to pedestrians
can be used to mitigate against
downward wind Nows and
improve conditions at grade.
Landscaped base building roof
areas can further reduce wind
speeds at grade.
The use o hori/ontal canoies
on the windward face of base
buildings is benelcial.
Parapet walls can increase the
canopys effectiveness.
Sloped canopies only partially
deNect downward wind
conditions.
Towers that step back from
base buildings can be used to
reduce undesirable downward
wind Nows.
The proportion of base building
stebacks and their inNuence
on the wind is affected by the
height of the surroundings.
8oIuIIons
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8.1.1 The Fublic Realm. Folicy 12 | 8.1.2 Built Form. Folicy 8e, 8 and 5c | 8.2.8 Farks and 0en Sace. Folicy 8
Sun, wind and Fedestrian Comort. A Study o Toronto's Central Area
Figure 3:
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
Figure 7.
Figure 6:
Figure 8:
Figure 9:
62
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Permanent canopies and
overhangs provide wind
and weather protection
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Lnsura WaaIhar roIarIIon aIamanIs, surh as ovarhangs and ranoIas, ara
WaIIInIagraIad InIo buIIdIng dasIgn, raraIuIIy dasIgnad and sraIad Io suorI
Iha sIraaI, and osIIIonad Io maxImIta IunrIIon and adasIrIan romIorI.
4.4 FLL8TIkh wLkThL FTL6TIh
a. Provide permanent pedestrian weather protection, such
as overhangs or canopies, at building entrances and along
commercial and mixeduse street rontages.
b. n general, locate weather rotection at the to o the lrst
Noor (G metres maximum) and rovide a width o 8 metres.
Incorporate all encroachments within the private setback
unless otherwise ermitted by ByLaw or legal agreement.
c. Coordinate pedestrian weather protection with neighbouring
buildings for continuous shelter and compatibility in design.
d. For visual interest and clarity, integrate edestrianscale
lighting, signage, street numbering, and other features, such
as public art, as appropriate.
e. Permanent, durable materials are preferred as they form
part of the building architecture, have greater longevity, and
hold up against the elements.
f. Translucent or opaque materials are recommended to mute
reNections on ground Noor gla/ing, mitigate assive solar
gain, and reduce light trespass from the building interior.
g. Colonnades are generally discouraged, but where proposed,
design and space columns to maintain clear views to the
uses behind and romote ease o edestrian Now. Frovide
generous proportions, including a minimum width of 3
metres and minimum height of 6 metres (1:2 ratio).
kTIhkLL
The inclusion of pedestrian weather protection along the edges
o buildings can greatly enhance the yearround enjoyment
o streets and oen sace. where base buildings orm a
continuous streetwall, coordinated and uninterrupted weather
protection allows pedestrians to move comfortably throughout
the entire area in all seasons.
weather rotection elements can work together with street
trees to delne and rame a street. They can hel delne building
proportions at the street level, articulate entrances, animate
base buildings and enhance the character of a neighbourhood.
Overhangs, canopies and awnings can also play an important
environmental role by protecting building interiors from direct,
Toronto Green Standard | Accessibility Design Guidelines
Figure 1: A generous permanent overhang protects pedestrians from wind and weather.
Figure 2. A wellroortioned overhang is enhanced by illuminated ublic art.
midday summer sun and hel mute reNections on gla/ing to
achieve 'birdriendly' design.
Colonnades are generally discouraged as weather protection
devices as they tend to pull retail frontages and associated
edestrian activity away rom the street. where they do revail,
generous proportions and a clear view to the uses behind is key
to allow or edestrian Now and visibility.
IHrIaI FIan aIaranra 8.1.2 Built Form Folicy 5c |
5.1.8 Site Flan Control. Folicy 8a
63
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L88kY
LFLLh6L8
88MI88Ih LILMLhT8
64
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6onIaxI knaIysIs. the study of how new development
will lt with and resond to existing and lanned atterns,
oortunities, and challenges identiled within the surrounding
area.

6ourIyard. a landscaped open space, located in the centre of a
single or consolidated block with no direct street frontage.

ayIIghIIng. access to natural light direct or diffuse sunlight
within the building interior.

Faada. the exterior wall of a building visible from the public
realm.

FIoor FIaIa. see Tower Floor Plate
ForarourI. a landscaped open space between the public
sidewalk and the main entrance of a building.
FronIaga. the portion of a development parcel or lot facing a
street, park or other publically accessible open space.
aIIarIa. a gla/ed and enclosed ublic or ublically accessible
walkway.
hIghrIsa 8uIIdIng. see Tall Building
Landsraad an 8ara. outdoor area characteri/ed by hard
and/or soft landscape treatment, but excluding driveways and
vehicular arking areas. 0nsite landscaed oen sace may
be publically accessible or privately shared common outdoor
sace atgrade or abovegrade on rootos o base buildings or
towers.
Landsraad 8aIbark. the space between the public sidewalk
and building ace characteri/ed by hard or sot landscae
treatment.
LoWIsa 8uIIdIng. a building that is generally up to four
storeys in height.
krIIva sas. atgrade uses within a building that suort
pedestrian activity and promote a high degree of visual and
physical interaction between the building interior and adjacent
public realm. Grand entrance lobbies, private indoor amenity
sace, guest suites, and largeormat retail or commercial
facilities are typically not considered active uses.
kmanIIy. see Pedestrian Amenity
knguIar FIana. a geometric measure alied to control the si/e
and shape of the building envelope or portion thereof for such
purposes as promoting transition in scale between buildings of
different intensity, protecting access to sunlight and sky view
for streets, parks, public and private open space, and/or limiting
shadow and overlook on neighbouring properties.
krIIruIaIIon. the layout or pattern, expression and material
character of building elements, including walls, doors, roofs,
windows and decorative elements such as cornices and belt
courses.
8asa 8uIIdIng. the lower portion of a tall building, designed to
delne and suort adjacent streets, arks, and oen sace at
an appropriate scale, integrate with adjacent buildings, assist to
achieve transition down to lowerscale buildings, and minimi/e
the impact of parking and servicing on the public realm.
6FTL (6rIma FravanIIon Through LnvIronmanIaI asIgn).
a roactive crime revention strategy which advocates that
proper design and effective use of the built environment can
lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime and
improve the quality of life. The four underlying concepts of
CPTED are Natural Surveillance, Natural Access Control,
Territorial Reinforcement, and Maintenance.
www.cptedontario.ca/

6onIaxI (LxIsIIng and FIannad). the existing context of any
given area refers to what is there now. The planned context
refers to what is intended by City policies in the future.

Glossary
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65
MasIar FIan. a planning and design framework to guide the
incremental development of a large or complex area with
multiple buildings, new streets, and/or parks.
MIdIsa 8uIIdIng. a building generally taller than four storeys,
but no taller than the width o the adjacent street rightoway.
0n a 2O metre wide street, the tallest midrise building would
be 5 to G storeys, whereas on a 8G metre wide street, the tallest
midrise building would be O to 11 storeys (see chart below).
Assumptions:
1. R.0.w. widths are identiled in 0lcial Flan Ma 8
2. Mixed bse heights assume 4.5m or ground Noor and 8.Om rom all Noors above
8. Commercial heights assume 4.5m or ground Noor and 8.Gm or all Noors above
Reer to the City o Toronto Ferormance Standards or Mid
Rise Buildings.
MIddIa (ToWar). the portion of a tall building above the Base
Building, designed to lt with and achieve an aroriate
relationship with the Base Building, the public realm, and
neighbouring properties.

FrImary 8IraaI. a street with high pedestrian priority,
determined by the street and sidewalk widths, character of
uses at grade, level o transit service, tralc volumes, number
of vehicular and cycling lanes, and the overall level of civic
importance within the structure of the city. A site can have more
than one primary street frontage.

FadasIrIan kmanIIy. architectural and landscape elements,
including lighting, trees, four season landscaping, decorative
paving, seating, public art, water features, etc., that promote the
safe and comfortable use of streets and open spaces.

FadasIrIan 8raIa. the quality of the physical environment
which reNects a symathetic roortional relationshi to human
dimensions and which contributes to a person's perception
and comprehension of buildings or other features in the built
environment.
FIata. an animated gathering place with predominantly hard
suraced landscae eatures Nanking a ublic street.
FodIum. a podium is a type of base building. For the purposes
of evaluating tall buildings, the term 'podium' should be
replaced by the term Base Building with the associated
delnition and guideline requirements.
FoInI ToWar. a compact and slender tall building form with
a tyical residential tower Noor late o 75O square metres or
less.

FrIvaIa 8harad kmanIIy 8ara. common spaces or facilities
that are owned, maintained, and accessed privately by building
occupants.
FubIIr krI. site secilc artwork created to enhance ublicly
accessible space through artistic interpretations that range from
independent sculpture to integrated architectural treatment and
landscape design.
FubIIr aaIm. streets and lanes, parks and other open spaces
and the accessible parts of public buildings.
FubIIraIIy krrassIbIa an 8ara. privately owned and
maintained outdoor space that is designed to promote public
access and use.
8arondary 8IraaI. a Nanking street with a more local scale
and pedestrian priority, determined by the street and sidewalk
widths, character of uses at grade, the level of transit service,
tralc volumes, number o vehicular and cycling lanes, and the
overall level of civic importance within the structure of the city.
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..w. wIdIh
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8aaraIIon IsIanra. the hori/ontal distance between
buildings or building components, such as tall building towers,
measured from the exterior wall of the building or building
component, but excluding balconies.
8aIbark. a hori/ontal distance measured at a right angle rom
any lot line to the nearest part of the main wall of a building or
structure.
8IdaWaIk Zona. the space between the roadway curb and
roerty line. The sidewalk /one may be exanded when a
building is setback from the property line.

8ky VIaW. the measurable amount of sky seen from a street,
park, or other open space above and in between building
masses.

8oII LandsraIng. vegetation such as grass, trees, shrubs,
Nowers or other lants growing in an oen unobstructed area
that ermits water inlltration into the ground.
8Iabark. the setting back of the upper storeys of a base
building or of a tower from the face of a base building.
8IraaIsraa. the distinguishing elements and character of a
particular street as created by its width, degree of curvature,
paving materials, design and placement of street furniture,
trees, landscaping, lighting and other pedestrian amenities, as
well as the setback and form of surrounding buildings.

8IraaIWaII. the condition of enclosure along a street whereby
the fronts of buildings align and the faades visually and
hysically join together to create a continuous delning edge or
the street.
8IraaI FroorIIon. the ratio of the height of buildings along
the edges of a street and the width of the space between the
building faces on each side of the street (includes setbacks).

TaII 8uIIdIng. (also reerred to as a highrise Building) a
building that is generally taller than the width of the adjacent
street rightoway, or the wider o two streets i located at an
intersection.
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TaII 8uIIdIng Form. generally a threeart building
composition, consisting of a Base Building, Middle (Tower) and
Top.
To. the uppermost portion of a tall building, designed to
contribute to the skyline character and integrate any rooto
mechanical or telecommunications equipment, signage, and
amenity space.
ToWar FIoor FIaIa. the total built area within a tall building
tower above the base building, measured from the exterior of
the main walls at each Noor, but excluding balconies.
nIvarsaI krrass. refers to built environments, buildings,
facilities, accommodation, services and products that are
inherently accessible to all people regardless of their abilities.
Incorporating universal access and accessible facilities into
the design and site layout of new development contributes to
making Toronto's built environment "barrier free," enabling
people of all abilities to move about freely and safely, participate
fully in society and experience a better quality of life.
rban ardan. a landscaped space, usually of intimate
scale, open to a public street, located and oriented to provide
maximum sunlight during midday.
waIkabIIIIy. the extent to which the built environment
promotes safe, comfortable and convenient conditions for
pedestrian travel. Generally measured and evaluated within a
5OO metre radius (1O minute walk) o a site.

waIkWay. an exterior public pedestrian route at street level,
usually providing connection through the block.
waaIhar FroIarIIon 8ysIams. continuous canopies,
overhangs, or other permanent building features which are
si/ed and ositioned to eectively shield edestrians rom
inclement weather atgrade. Such systems are a riority.
on streets with active retail or commercial uses at
grade
along Avenues
within the Downtown Financial District
at locations adjacent to transit stops
in all other areas with signilcant edestrian Now
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IHrIaI FIan
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/olcial_lan/introduction.htm
TaII 8uIIdIng asIgn uIdaIInas (onIIna)
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/tallbuildingdesign.htm
oWnIoWn TaII 8uIIdIngs. VIsIon and 8uIamanIary asIgn
uIdaIInas
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/tallbuildingstudy.htm
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/urbdesign/tableofcontents.htm
ToronIo raan 8Iandard (T8)
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/environment/
greendevelopment.htm
T8 TIar 1 Ior MId Io hIghIsa avaIomanI
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/environment/d/mr_hr_tech.
pdf
T8 6harkIIsI Ior MId Io hIghIsa avaIomanI
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/environment/d/checklist_mid
high.pdf
ToronIo avaIomanI uIda - "8uIId ToronIo TogaIhar. k
avaIomanI uIda"
htt.//www.toronto.ca/develoingtoronto/develoment_guide.
htm
ThL LLkTL 8Tkhk8, ILLIhL8 & 8TIL8
krrassIbIIIIy asIgn uIdaIInas
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/toronto/content?vgnextoid=
7OaG2d8GcdO4O81OvgnvCM1OOOOO8ddGO8ORCR0&vgnextcha
nnel=2Gd811eGOe52O81OvgnvCM1OOOOO8ddGO8ORCR0
8IrdFrIandIy avaIomanI uIdaIInas
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/environment/guidelines.htm
uIdaIInas Ior Iha asIgn and ManagamanI oI 8IryrIa
FarkIng FarIIIIIas
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/bicycle_arking_guide.htm
References
Farks 6anada. 8Iandards and uIdaIInas Ior Iha 6onsarvaIIon
oI hIsIorIr FIaras In 6anada
htt.//www.historiclaces.ca/en/ages/standardsnormes
FkTh MasIar FIan 8Iudy
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/t_athm.htm
FarranI Ior FubIIr krI Frogram uIdaIInas
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/urbdesign/ublic_art.htm
8hada uIdaIInas
http://www.toronto.ca/health/tcpc/shade.htm
8un, wInd and FadasIrIan 6omIorI. k 8Iudy oI ToronIo's
6anIraI kraa by F. Bosselmann/E.Arens and K.0unker/R. wright,
City of Toronto, 1990
htt.//www.escholarshi.org/uc/item/O1G5c77h#age1
ToronIo raan ooI 8yIaW
http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/index.htm
ToronIo waIkIng 8IraIagy
http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/walking/index.htm
rban asIgn 8IraaIsraa ManuaI
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/urbdesign/streetscape/index.htm
VIbranI 8IraaIs
http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/streetfurniture/pdf/
vibrant_streets.d
ThL LFLLh6L8
6IIy oI ToronIo asIgn avIaW FanaI
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/designreviewpanel.htm
InHII ToWnhousa asIgn uIdaIInas
htt.//www.toronto.ca/lanning/urbdesign/inllltownhousing.htm
FarIormanra 8Iandards Ior MIdIsa 8uIIdIngs
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/midrisestudy.htm#report
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Submission Requirements
Submission Requirements
A sectionbysection overview is rovided below to outline how Alicants can demonstrate accordance with the Tall Building
Design Guidelines and how each section within these Guidelines relates to the Complete Application submission requirements found
in the Toronto Development Guide "Building Toronto Together: A Development Guide."
Guideline Summary Statement
As part of the required Planning Rationale (or cover letter) in a complete application, provide a brief summary outlining how the
roosed tall building develoment resonds to these Cuidelines, including how the tall building(s) will lt harmoniously within
the existing/planned context and address key performance measures, such as base building height, tower setbacks, stepbacks and
searation distances, tower Noor late si/e, onsite landscaed oen sace, sidewalk width, etc. The summary should also address
relationshis to other relevant olicies, lans, standards and guidelines, such as sitesecilc Zoning, Secondary Flans, Midrise
Guidelines, Public Realm Plans, etc.
where a tall building develoment diers rom these Cuidelines, rovide a suorting lanning/design justilcation to exlain how
the proposed design approach for the site/building/public realm will meet the overall intent of these Guidelines and the related
olicies and goals o the 0lcial Flan.
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1.1 Context Analysis
Illustrate the required context analysis information through
detailed text and graphics presented at two scales:
1. 'walkable' scale - within a radius o at least 5OO
metres (10 minute walk) of the tall building site
2. "Block" scale for the block(s) on which the tall
building development is located and for all blocks
immediately adjacent to the tall building site(s) (e.g.
across a street, park or open space).
Flexibility in the si/e and shae o the context analysis
boundaries should be alied to address locali/ed conditions
and priorities. On larger sites where multiple tall buildings
are proposed, provide larger context analysis boundaries to
incorporate the boundary for each individual tall building or
site.
ToronIo avaIomanI uIda.
aIaIad 8ubmIssIon aguIramanIs
Context Flan
Concet Site and Landscae Flan
Toograhic Survey
Boundary Flan o Survey
Flanning Rationale
Comuter Cenerated Building Mass Model
Freliminary Fedestrian Level wind Study
Community Services and Facilities Study
hoise mact Study
vibration Study
Ceotechnical Study
Servicing Reort
Storm water Management Reort
Transortation mact Study
Farking Study
Loading Study
Site and Building Elevations
Site and Building Sections
Site Flan
1.0 SITE CONTEXT
1.2 Master Plan for Larger Sites
Provide a Master Plan for Larger Sites which illustrates the
required context analysis, planning, design and phasing
information, through detailed text and graphics. A Master
Plan may not be required if there is a Secondary Plan that
applies to the site, with associated Context or Precinct Plans
that include comparable information and detail.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Toograhic Survey
Architectural Control Cuidelines
SiteSecilc brban 0esign Cuidelines
housing ssues Reort
hoise mact Study
vibration Study
Ceotechnical Study
Servicing Reort
Farking Study
Loading Study
Tralc 0erations Assessment
Site Flan
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1.3 Fit and Transition in Scale
Provide plans, sections, elevations and computer views at an
appropriate scale to clearly illustrate the existing context and
roosed tall building(s) within this context. nclude /oning
envelopes, setbacks, property lines, street widths, heights
of existing and proposed buildings, angular planes and sun/
shadow analyses as applicable.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Toograhical Survey
Fersective 0rawing
oWnIoWn TaII 8uIIdIngs.
VIsIon and 8uIamanIary asIgn uIdaIInas
SDG #1
1.0 SITE CONTEXT
1.4 Sunlight and Sky View
Provide plans, elevations, computer views and a Sun/Shadow
Study to illustrate and evaluate the potential impact of the
proposed tall building(s) on access to sunlight and sky
view for all affected streets, parks, public and private open
sace and other shadow sensitive areas identiled within the
surrounding context.
where shadows rom tall buildings have otential imact
on heritage roerties or heritage Conservation 0istricts,
a heritage mact Assessment will be required. where
shadows from tall buildings have potential impact on natural
areas, a hatural heritage imact Study may be requested.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Sun/Shadow Study
Site & Building Elevations
hatural heritage mact Study
heritage mact Assessment
SDG #2 and SDG#3
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1.5 Prominent Sites and Views from the
Public Realm
Provide plans, elevations and computer views to illustrate
how a proposed tall building(s) responds to being on or
adjacent to a prominent site or within an important view
corridor. where a tall building is roosed on a 'rominent'
site, provide a detailed planning rationale outlining the merits
of the site and the associated design response.
where tall buildings have otential imact on views rom the
ublic realm to heritage roerties or heritage Conservation
0istricts, a heritage mact Assessment will be required.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Sun/Shadow Study
Fersective 0rawing
Site Flan 0rawing
Landscae Flan
S0C #4
1.0 SITE CONTEXT
1.6 Heritage Properties and Heritage
Conservation Districts
Provide plans, sections, elevations and computer views to
illustrate how the location and design of a proposed tall
building(s) conserves, integrates, and comlements onsite
or adjacent heritage properties and heritage conservation
districts.
Tall building roosals with onsite or adjacent heritage
roerties, as well as those within a heritage Conservation
0istrict or with otential imact on a heritage Conservation
0istrict are required to rovide a heritage mact
Assessment.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Sun/Shadow Study
Fersective 0rawing
Site Flan 0rawing
1.5O Scale 0etailed Colour Building Elevations
Landscae Flan
Tree Freservation Flan
Archaeological Assessment
S0C #5
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2.1 Building Placement
Provide plans, sections and elevations to illustrate how the
organi/ation o the site and buildings lts with the atterns
established by the existing/planned context (see also "Block"
scale analysis in 1.1 Context Analysis).
dentiy the si/e and character o all building setbacks and
onsite landscaed oen sace
Toograhical Survey
Context Flan
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
bnderground Carage Flan(s)
First Floor Flan(s)
Site & Building Sections
Landscae Flan
Fublic btilities Flan
2.2 Building Address and Entrances
Provide annotated plans, sections and elevations that indicate
the location of primary and secondary building entrances
(public and private) and how the addresses are readily
identilable and accessible rom the ublic street.
Toograhic Survey
Context Flan
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
First Floor Flan(s)
Landscae Flan
ToronIo raan 8Iandard aIaranras.
A0 8.5
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2.3 Site Servicing, Access and Parking
Provide annotated plans, sections and elevations to explain
the systems of vehicular and bicycle access, circulation and
parking, major pedestrian movements, and the location,
integration and screening of garbage/ recycling storage and
collection areas, loading areas, underground ventilation shaft/
gratings, service metres and transformer vaults, etc.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Farking Study
Loading Study
bnderground Carage Flan
Site Flan 0rawing
Landscae Flan
A0 1.1 | 2.1 to 2.5 | 4.8
EC 5.8
Sw 1.1 & 1.2
2.4 Publically Accessible Open Space
Demonstrate through annotated plans, pedestrian level
ersective views and other studies how the onsite oen
space features create and enhance pedestrian amenity and
comfort, and how the design of the building and associated
open space(s) relate to its context including other public
spaces.
dentiy the si/e and character o all building setbacks and
onsite landscaed oen sace.
Flanning Rationale
Toograhical Survey
Fersective 0rawing
Context Flan
Sun/Shadow Study
hoise mact Study
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
Landscae Flan
AQ 3.1 & 3.2
EC 2.1 to 2.4
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2.5 Private Open Space
Demonstrate through annotated plans, sections, elevations
and perspective drawings how the proposed private open
space features work together with the building programming
and other public spaces to achieve required outdoor amenity
for building occupants. Drawings and studies should identify
the level of privacy and comfort achieved, as well as the
sustainable design measures being pursued.
Flanning Rationale
Sun/Shadow Study
hoise mact Study
Fersective 0rawing
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
Roo Flan
Landscae Flan
A0 5.1
EC 2.1 to 2.4 | 5.2
2.6 Pedestrian and Cycling Connections
Provide annotated plans, sections and elevations to explain
the systems of major pedestrian and cycling movement
through and around the site.
Demonstrate the projects' commitment to universal
accessibility and to reducing private vehicle use through
relevant transportation demand management strategies.
Flanning Rationale
Context Flan
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
bnderground Carage Flan
Floor Flan(s)
Landscae Flan
A0 2.1 to 2.5 | 8.1 to 8.5
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2.7 Public Art
Refer to the processes for secure public art opportunities
outlined in the Percent for Public Art Program Guidelines
(2O1O, Chater 5. Making it haen - Securing Fublic Art).
where alicable, rovide annotated lans, elevations
or perspective drawings to identify potential public art
opportunities.
Flanning Rationale
Site Flan 0rawing
Landscae Flan
3.1.1 Base Building Scale and Height
Provide annotated street elevations, sections and pedestrian
level views showing the massing relationship between the
base building, the adjacent street width, and neighbouring
building heights and the sun/shadow impacts of the base
building on affected streets/sidewalks, parks and open space.
Flanning Rationale
Sun/Shadow Study
Context Flan
Fersective 0rawing
SDG#6
3.1 BASE BUILDING
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Frovide annotated lans, sections and elevations or the lrst
Noor(s), showing the nature o ground Noor uses and the
relationship to the public sidewalk.
Context Flan
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
Floor Flan(s)
Landscae Flan
S0C #7
3.1 BASE BUILDING
3.1.3 First Floor Height
Frovide annotated sections and elevations showing the lrst
Noor height at various oints along the building rontage, and
where relevant, the relationship of this height to the height
and scale of neighbouring buildings.
Context Flan
Site Crading Flan
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3.1.4 Faade Articulation and Transparency
Frovide an annotated 1.5O elevation drawing showing how
the proposed materials and expression of the base building
creates visual interest, contributes to active street frontages,
and employs sustainable design techniques.
EC 5.1 | G.1 & G.2
3.1 BASE BUILDING
3.1.5 Public-Private Transition
Provide annotated plans, section and elevations showing the
design techniques being used to provide safe, accessible and
contextaroriate transition rom the ublic realm to the
tall building.
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
Floor Flan(s)
Landscae Flan
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3.2.1 Floor Plate Size and Shape
Frovide dimensioned lans to illustrate the si/e and shae
of all interior and exterior elements of the tower. Include a
Planning Rationale and other relevant studies to support
proposed variation from the stated maximum.
Annotate regulations such as the Ontario Building Code
which affect the layout.
Flanning Rationale
Sun/Shadow Study
Floor Flan(s)
3.2 MIDDLE (TOWER)
Provide annotated plans and related studies to demonstrate
how the tower location works together with the base building
to achieve a comortable microclimate atgrade.
Flanning Rationale
Sun/Shadow Study
Site Flan 0rawing
SDG #8
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Provide annotated plans, elevations and relevant studies to
illustrate design strategies for adequate tower separation, and
impacts on sunlight, sky view, daylighting, wind and privacy.
0rawings will clearly indicate /oning enveloes, setbacks,
separation distances, property lines, and building heights, as
well as arrow annotations showing view angles and access
to light at dierent times o the day and year. where oset
towers and nonarallel walls are roosed, demonstrate
through a massing study that issues of privacy, daylighting
and sunlight and sky view are suitably resolved.
Indicate separation distances between towers on the same
site and between neighbouring properties, on a site plan or a
block context plan as appropriate.
8MkLL 8ITL8
Provide annotated plans showing site dimensions, all
required building/tower setbacks and stepbacks from relevant
property lines/other buildings and the dimension of the
resultant Noor late.
Flanning Rationale
Sun/Shadow Study
Toograhical Survey
Fersective 0rawing
Context Flan
Site Flan 0rawing
3.2 MIDDLE (TOWER)
3.2.4 Tower Orientation and Articulation
Provide annotated plans, sections, elevations, perspective
views and other studies to indicate how the tower placement,
form and articulation responds to the context, including site
prominence, relationship to other tall buildings, and solar
orientation.
Sun/Shadow Study
Energy Elciency Reort
ChC 1.1
EC 5.1 & 5.2 | G.1 & G.2
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3.2.5 Balconies
Demonstrate through sun/shadow studies, through mass and
energy modelling, and through other studies, that the balcony
design and arrangement minimi/es shadowing o the ublic
realm, addresses opportunities to control passive heat gain,
and minimi/es heat loss through the use o thermal bridging
systems. ndicate balcony dimensions on tyical tower Noor
plans.
Sun/Shadow Study
Floor Flan(s)
ChC 1.1
EC 5.1 & 5.2
3.2 MIDDLE (TOWER)
3.3 Tower Top
Provide perspective drawings and 3D modelling images
which show the proposal in the context of the skyline.
Illustrate on site and building elevations the tower top design,
labelling clearly the proposed materials.
Fersective 0rawing
Roo Flan
A0 5.1
EC 6.1 & 6.2
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3.3 TOWER TOP
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4.1 Streetscape and Landscape Design
Indicate landscape design elements on the landscape
plan including paving, exterior furniture, fencing, lighting
screens, public art locations where applicable, planting, and
other related materials in sulcient detail to ully describe
and illustrate the design quality and sustainable design
techniques.
Toograhic Survey
Sun/Shadow Study
Final Fedestrian Level wind Study
Arborist / Tree Freservation Reort
Site Flan 0rawing
Landscae Flan
A0 8.4 | 4.1 & 4.2
w0 4.1
EC 2.1 to 2.4 | 8.1 to 8.8 | 4.1 | G.1 & G.2
4.0 PEDESTRIAN REALM
4.2 Sidewalk Zone
Provide a dimensioned plans and sections of the sidewalk
/one (curb to building ace) at key oints along the building
frontage. Identify the location and width of the pedestrian
clearway and all other /ones (e.g. urnishing and lanting
/one).
Flanning Rationale
Site Flan 0rawing
Site Crading Flan
Landscae Flan
A0 8.2 & 4.2
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4.3 Pedestrian Level Wind Effects
Frovide a Fedestrian Level wind Study analysis to
demonstrate that the tall building design results in a
comfortable microclimate for pedestrians and cyclists on
adjacent streets, parks and open space, at building entrances,
and in public and private outdoor amenity areas.
4.0 PEDESTRIAN REALM
4.4 Pedestrian Weather Protection
Illustrate on building sections and elevations the design and
amenity of pedestrian weather protection features, labelling
clearly the dimensions and proposed materials.
AQ 3.3
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kFFLhI6L8
Appendix A. Heritage Conservation Principles
Appendix B. Downtown Tall Buildings: Summary of
Supplementary Design Guideline References
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LLI8ILITY. New work should be distinguishable from old.
Buildings or structures should be recogni/ed as roducts
of their own time, and new additions should not blur the
distinction between old and new.

MkIhTLhkh6L. with continuous care, uture restoration will
not be necessary. with regular ukee, major conservation
projects and their high costs can be avoided.
Applying these principles for the Tall Buildings Design Guideline
Area means:
harIIaga FroarIIas ara VaIuad. heritage roerties hel make
up a dynamic mix of buildings that embody our history, events
and accomplishments as Torontonians. As such they contribute
to our collective identity and should be treated with a high level
of respect and reverence.
harIIaga FroarIIas 8haII 8a 6onsarvad. The Provincial
Policy Statement, the Planning Act and the City of Toronto
0lcial Flan all direct that signilcant heritage resources shall
be conserved. heritage buildings are threedimensional and
all have an exterior and interior that requires consideration.
Although heritage buildings can sometimes work in harmony
with developments, there may be places where heritage
considerations outweigh other goals such as intensilcation
and redevelopment. As such, not all sites with, or adjacent to,
heritage properties can accommodate tall buildings.
kIIaraIIons Io harIIaga FroarIIas MusI kdhara Io adoIad
8Iandards and uIdaIInas. n March o 2OO7, City Council
adopted the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation
o historic Flaces in Canada or the evaluation o all roosed
interventions to heritage properties. Any proposed tall buildings
that have an impact on or adjacent to a heritage property
are required to conform with that document to ensure that
properties are properly conserved.
The Province of Ontarios Eight Guiding Principles for the
Conservation o heritage Froerties, as well as the Standards
and Cuidelines or the Conservation o historic Flaces in
Canada should be used as primary documents for evaluating
and articulating what good heritage conservation means within
a development proposal.
These principles speak to:
L8FL6T F 6MLhTkY LVILh6L. Do not base
restoration on conjecture. Conservation work should be based
on historic documentation such as historic photographs,
drawings and physical evidence.
L8FL6T F ThL IIhkL L6kTIh. Do not move
buildings unless there is no other means to save them. Site is
an integral component of a building or structure. Change in site
diminishes cultural heritage value considerably.
L8FL6T F hI8TI6 MkTLIkL. Reair/conserve rather
than relace building materials and lnishes, excet where
absolutely necessary. Minimal intervention maintains the
heritage content of the built resource.
L8FL6T F IIhkL Fk8I6. Repair with like materials.
Repair to return the resource to its prior condition, without
altering its integrity.
L8FL6T F ThL 8ILIh'8 hI8TY. Do not restore to
one period at the expense of another period. Do not destroy
later additions to a building or structure solely to restore to a
single time period.
LVL8I8ILITY. Alterations should be able to be returned to
original conditions. This conserves earlier building design and
technique. (Examle when a new door oening is ut into
a stone wall, the original stones are numbered, removed and
stored, allowing for future restoration).
Appendix A
Heritage Conservation Principles
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harIIaga FroarIIas asarva LxraIIanI 6onsarvaIIon. when
change is proposed for a heritage property, it should be done
with the utmost resect or its cultural heritage values. heritage
properties best convey their importance when retained in
their entirety or when substantially intact. As such, additions
or alterations to heritage properties should retain as much
of the original heritage fabric as possible. Faade retention
alone, relocation off site, or reconstruction are not generally
acceptable methods of conservation for historic properties in
the City of Toronto.
Tha 8asI way Io FroIarI a harIIaga FroarIy Is Io Iva II
a 8arond LIIa. heritage buildings can accet a change in
use, and may need to do so in order to ensure their survival.
heritage roerties can sometimes accet interventions
including acting as podiums to towers placed behind or beside
heritage structures, or by accommodating appropriately
designed additions. In every instance, new construction should
be sympathetic and compatible with the historic building.
Changes in use and form should conserve and celebrate the
cultural heritage values of a heritage property and mitigate
impacts to its form, scale, massing, materials and other
attributes.
harIIaga FroarIIas 6onIrIbuIa Io and aHna LoraI and 8IraaI
6onIaxIs. heritage roerties sometimes oulate a street
in concentrations or grous that hel delne and reinorce the
existing built form context of many streets. The form, scale,
massing, rhythm, materials, setbacks, and orientations create
valued streetscapes and welcoming pedestrian environments.
The context created by a grouping or series of heritage
properties should be conserved and strengthened when new
development is considered in these areas. Towers may not
always be appropriate along historic streetscapes and heritage
conservation district plans may prohibit tall buildings by
imposing height limits or other restrictions.
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The Tall Building 0esign Cuidelines aly to the evaluation o all tall building develoment alications city-wide. These Cuidelines
are to be used together with the Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines to evaluate tall building
proposals within the Downtown Design Guideline boundary area.
For convenience purposes, the following table provides a summary of references within the Tall Building Design Guidelines to
applicable Downtown Supplementary Design Guidelines.
Appendix B
References to the Downtown Tall Buildings
Supplementary Design Guidelines
1.8 FII and TransIIIon In 8raIa
1.4 8unIIghI and 8ky VIaW
1.6 FromInanI 8IIas and VIaWs Irom Iha
FubIIr aaIm
1.6 harIIaga FroarIIas and harIIaga
6onsarvaIIon IsIrIrIs
8.1.1 8asa 8uIIdIng 8raIa and haIghI
8.1.Z 8IraaI knImaIIon
8.Z.Z ToWar FIaramanI
TaII 8uIIdIng asIgn uIdaIInas
8 #1 | secilc transition requirements to lower scale areas
8 #Z and 8 #8 | secilc sunlight rotection requirements or 0owntown arks and
open space
8 #4 | secilc view rotection requirements or City hall, 0ld City hall and the 0ueens
Park Legislature Assembly
8 #6 | secilc reerences to 0owntown heritage Conservation 0istricts (hC0s), hC0
Study Areas otential hC0 Study Areas and Cultural Resources
8 #6 | secilc excetions or 0owntown base building heights (e.g. Canyon
Form Streets)
8 #7 | secilc requirements or Friority Retail Streets
8 #8 | secilc tower steback requirements or Yonge Street
8uIamanIary asIgn uIdaIInas (8)
The complete Downtown Tall Buildings: Vision and Supplementary Design Guidelines are available online:
www.toronto.ca/planning/tallbuildingstudy.htm
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Design Guidelines For Tall Buildings

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What are the guidelines for tall building design in Toronto?

What factors are considered for site context analysis?

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Figure 1. A concetual walkable"

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