Executives dressed in crisp suits, beautiful sunshine, and the warmest day of the year so far made for a perfect backdrop to today's very important construction milestone for the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences. Gathered this morning in the presentation centre on Scollard Street, attendees heard from Isadore Sharp, founder and chairman of the Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts.  Issy recounted both the company's beginning and its rise to the global brand it has become, soon to feature its new landmark flagship hotel building befitting the city in which the company was founded in 1961.

Isadore Sharp, founder of Four Seasons (left), and Alan Menkes (right). Image by Craig White

Shortly after a few more words were spoken, executives and attendees made their way around the block to the South side of the tower to take the construction hoist elevator to the 46th storey where the ceremony would continue. 

Gathered in the construction hoist, making our way to the 46th storey. Image by Craig White.

Four Seasons viewed from South East. Seen is the construction hoist, and small aerial loading platform. Image by Edward Skira

Perched high above the ground on a small aerial loading platform attached to the East side of the building, executives gathered for a few stunning photos with the city as the backdrop, immediately followed by the media who took every opportunity to photograph the city from high above Yorkville.  These views will soon become the exclusive vantage points for those who bought one of the 100 residences in the building.  

Executives gather on the 46th storey aerial loading platform for a stunning photo opp. Image by Dumitru Onceanu.

Executives gather on the 46th storey aerial loading platform for a stunning photo opp. Image by Craig White.

The press follow, snapping some great shots perched from up high. Image by Craig White.

The press follow, snapping some great shots perched from up high. Image by Craig White.

Not a moment was wasted, as the tower crane soon delivered a bucket of concrete to the platform, carefully lowering it down while shouldering most of its immense weight for the duration of the ceremony. According to a construction manager on site, the bucket contained approximately 2 meters of concrete, weighing in at a whopping 11,000 lbs.  

Ceremonial last bucket of concrete arrives at site of loading platform. Image by Dumitru Onceanu.

Executives gathered for another round of photos, each with a Toonie in hand, followed by a ceremonial coin toss into the bucket for good luck.  The bucket was than slowly hoisted back up the tower for what would be the final concrete pour of the project, bringing to completion the construction of the towers rooftop mechanical room.  

Executives gather around concrete bucket for photos and ceremonial good luck coin toss. Image by Craig Whilte.

Executives gather around concrete bucket for photos and ceremonial good luck coin toss. Image by Craig Whilte.

On the 46th storey. Image by Craig White.

Executives were available throughout the ceremony to answer questions, and plenty of time was given to snap photos and to take in the stunning views.  Here is some more of what we saw from the 47th floor. 

Looking at Yonge and Bloor from the 46th storey. Image by Craig White.

Looking South from the 46th storey. Image by Craig White.

Looking South from the 46th storey. Image by Dumitru Onceanu.


Looking South from the 46th storey. Image by Craig White.

Looking South West from the 46th storey. Image by Dumitru Onceanu.

Looking North from the 46th storey. Image by Dumitru Onceanu.

Looking North from the 46th storey. Image by Craig White.

Following the ceremony we climbed up to the 52nd storey to experience the views from the penthouse suite. While the floor may not look like much right now, within the year this 9038 sq ft space will be transformed into one of the most luxurious residential estates in Toronto, along with its recently announced $28 Million purchase price that reflects both the towers location in the city and impact on the skyline.  Here is what the view will look like when you step off the elevator and walk into the suites galleria. 

Looking South from the penthouse suite. Image by Craig White.

Looking South down Bay Street from the penthouse suite. Image by Craig White.

Looking West from the penthouse suite. Image by Craig White.

Looking West from the penthouse suite. Image by Craig White.

The stunning views will only be matched by the luxurious interior when complete, but for now, this is what the suite looks like under construction. 

What the penthouse suite looks like right now - looking at the future kitchen/family room. Image by Dumitru Onceanu

What the penthouse suite looks like right now - looking at the future dining room, terrace to right. Image by Dumitru Onceanu

When finished, it will look like the following renders provided by Four Seasons. The residence will have 12 to 14 foot ceilings, four corner terraces, three bedrooms, two study rooms, a theatre, as well as its own wine cellar.  

Four Seasons penthouse residence: Kitchen + Family Room. Image courtesy of Menkes and Lifetime Developments.

Four Seasons penthouse residence: Master bath + fireplace. Image courtesy of Menkes and Lifetime Developments.

Four Seasons penthouse residence: Master bath window view. Image courtesy of Menkes and Lifetime Developments.

Four Seasons penthouse residence: Master bedroom, sitting room + terrace. Image courtesy of Menkes and Lifetime Developments.

Four Seasons penthouse residence: Master bedroom. Image courtesy of Menkes and Lifetime Developments.

Four Seasons penthouse residence: Wine cellar. Image courtesy of Menkes and Lifetime Developments.

The penthouse floorplan. Image courtesy of Four Seasons.

Much work still has to be done before the complex is complete.  Curtain wall glass has to be installed on the top 12 floors, the cladding around the base has to be finished, and interior fittings have to be installed and decorated. Four Seasons expects that around this time next year, the building will be ready for its grand opening and the beginning of a new chapter for the company in its home city.  

The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences is being developed by Menkes, Lifetime Developments, and Alcion Ventures, and was designed by architectsAlliance and Page + Steele Architects

Technical note: We referred to the penthouse suite as being on the 52nd storey, which is true. That floor is numbered 55 however, due to the usual skipping of the 13th... but otherwise, we just are not sure which two other floor numbers are being skipped, or why. We will find out someday!

To continue the conversation, leave a comment below, or visit Urban Toronto's thread for the Four Seasons project

Related Companies:  architects—Alliance, CCxA, L.A. Inc., Menkes Developments, NAK Design Group