CIBC Square Toronto building, South Core offices

CIBC Square Toronto building, South Core

May 19, 2026

Architecture: WilkinsonEyre; Adamson Associates

Location: 141 Bay Street, South Core neighbourhood, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Completion of WilkinsonEyre’s first major commercial project in North America – CIBC SQUARE, Toronto

Photos by doublespace photography

Award-winning architecture practice WilkinsonEyre announces the completion of the second phase of CIBC SQUARE, a high-rise office development in Toronto, Canada. Located in the heart of the city’s financial district, the development comprises two towers: 141 Bay Street, which is now entering initial occupancy, and 81 Bay Street, which was completed in 2021. The two towers are linked by a one-acre elevated public park positioned 25 metres above the active Union Station rail corridor.

WilkinsonEyre was appointed following an international design competition led by Hines and La Caisse in 2014. The scheme is situated on one of Canada’s most technically complex sites, spanning land on either side of the rail corridor and the air rights above it. For decades, the Union Station rail artery separated the downtown area from the waterfront. WilkinsonEyre’s response introduces an elevated ‘skypark’ connecting the two towers and, in turn, the surrounding districts, effectively extending the city’s downtown area southward.

Rising to approximately 250 metres, CIBC SQUARE’s two towers are defined by a subtly folded glazed façade. A repeating diamond pattern, expressed every ten storeys, introduces vertical rhythm and distinguishes the buildings within the skyline. The fold creates diamond-shaped facets which reflect a spectrum of colours throughout the day, creating visual interest, especially at dusk.

Internally, CIBC SQUARE offers large, efficient floorplates which are combined with generous volumes and carefully detailed interiors. The ambition to connect each tower directly to the park resulted in dramatic 25-metre-high lobby spaces, with upper-level access enabling a seamless transition between workplace and landscape. Amenities include a conference centre, sports and wellness facilities, bicycle storage, and a range of places to eat and drink. The interiors are further brought to life by specially-commissioned artworks by Toronto-based painter Steve Driscoll.

At the centre of the scheme is The Park, which is Canada’s first elevated green space to be constructed over active rail infrastructure. Opening later in 2026, it will function as both destination and connection, allowing pedestrians to move between the financial district and the southern core. Year-round programming will include a seasonal ice rink, adding vitality to the downtown area.

Delivered in partnership with the Government of Ontario and transportation agency Metrolinx, the project’s proximity to Union Station is reinforced by a new Union Station Bus Terminal, upgrades to the Union Station East Teamway, expanded PATH connections, and improved links to the subway and future Waterfront East light rail transit network. The result is a highly integrated commuter experience.

141 Bay Street is fully leased ahead of opening, with initial occupancy across its lower and mid-rise floors imminent. As one of Canada’s flagship office developments, CIBC Square stands out for its connectivity and quality of workplace environment. Combining transit integration with high-quality amenity and public space, the scheme has emerged as a significant addition to the city’s evolving skyline.

81 Bay Street, completed in 2021, has established itself as one of Toronto’s leading office properties, receiving a NAIOP Toronto REX Award for Development of the Year alongside multiple sustainability certifications, including LEED® Platinum Core & Shell, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, and ENERGY STAR certification. The 49-storey tower is fully leased to major tenants including CIBC, Microsoft, the Boston Consulting Group and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

Dominic Bettison, Board Director at WilkinsonEyre, said: “We’re thrilled to see the completion of the second tower at CIBC SQUARE. Drawing on our extensive experience, such as at 21 Moorfields above Moorgate’s Elizabeth Line station in London, we approached the site’s existing transport infrastructure as an opportunity, creating Toronto’s first ‘skypark’ and a level of integration between the development and the city’s infrastructure rarely achieved. It is enormously rewarding for the practice to have played an instrumental part in the resulting improvements to the connectivity and urban realm of Toronto’s downtown area.”

About WilkinsonEyre

Headquartered in London, and with offices in Hong Kong and Sydney, WilkinsonEyre’s global portfolio includes Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, Crown Sydney and the spectacularly restored Battersea Power Station, as well as spaces for Dyson, Deutsche Bank, CIBC, Facebook and Apple. Fusing architecture, engineering and culture, with an informed use of technology and materials, WilkinsonEyre’s projects embrace the spirit of the new tempered by an appreciation of context and environment.
wilkinsoneyre.com

Project Credits Architect: WilkinsonEyre Executive Architect: Adamson Associates Architects Client: La Caisse, Hines (with investment support from National Pension Service of Korea) Location: Toronto, Canada Completion: 2021 (Phase I), 2026 (Phase II)

WilkinsonEyre

Photographer: doublespace photography

Previously on e-architect:

May 11, 2024

Architects: WilkinsonEyre; Adamson Associates

Location: Bay St, South Core, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

New Ontario high-rise design

CIBC Square is an office complex in the South Core neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The complex, located on Bay Street south of Front Street, is a joint development of Ivanhoé Cambridge and Hines.

photo © TK Elevator, www.tkelevator.com

Photos by James Brittian

CIBC Square Toronto building, South Core office complex, Ontario

TK Elevator rises to the top of the tallest office building under construction in Canada.

CIBC SQUARE effortlessly blends work and wellness across two-tower campus

Düsseldorf, 8 May, 2024 – As the development of CIBC SQUARE continues, TK Elevator is proud to be a part of the installations at the already-completed 81 Bay Street, as well as the rising tower at 141 Bay Street.

photo © TK Elevator, www.tkelevator.com

CIBC SQUARE is a three million-square-foot, two-tower development in Toronto, Canada. 81 Bay Street is a 49-story office tower that opened in 2022. The development includes a first-of-its-kind elevated public park and pedestrian bridge that connects visitors to nearby Union Station and Scotiabank Arena. TK Elevator supplied 10 escalators and 49 elevators, including 32 gearless passenger cars, four geared high-density passenger cars, four service elevators, and 9 synergy installations for retail and bus terminal access.

Meanwhile, construction continues next door at 141 Bay Street, the tallest office building under construction in Canada. It will rise to 50 stories and feature 44 elevator installations from TK Elevator. That includes 36 gearless passenger cars, four high density cars, four elevators for service paired with AGILE destination dispatch and eight escalators.

photo © TK Elevator, www.tkelevator.com

Together, these projects at CIBC SQUARE will deliver a forward-thinking approach to wellness, green principles, and lifestyle for the city of Toronto. CIBC SQUARE offers incredible access to nature, fine art, and nearby attractions, which is why it won “Development of the Year” at the 2022 REX awards.

“The dual-tower project at CIBC SQUARE is a stunning example of innovation and economic growth in this world-class city,” said Jeremy Rainwater, CEO Americas, TK Elevator. “Our involvement ensures a legacy of effortless mobility for all who experience these facilities in the future.”

In addition to these installations at 141 Bay Street, TK Elevator will continue to provide service to elevators and escalators at both properties.

photo © TK Elevator, www.tkelevator.com

TK Elevator

TK Elevator is a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility. We provide engineering that keeps the world moving, from design to installation and maintenance on any brand of elevators, escalators, walkways, lifts, passenger boarding bridges, stairlifts, platform lifts and home elevators – any place and any time.

With our digital solutions like AGILE and the IoT platform, MAX, there are no longer any limits to urban mobility. TK Elevator became independent following its separation from the thyssenkrupp group in 2020.

The company achieved sales of around €9 billion in fiscal year 2022/2023. With around 50,000 employees, 25,000 service technicians and over 1,000 support centers globally, we are moved by what moves people. TKE – Move Beyond.

WilkinsonEyre

Photos: James Brittian

CIBC Square Toronto building, South Core office complex, Ontario images / information received 080524

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America.

Toronto Property

Contemporary Toronto Buildings – architectural selection from e-architect:

Toronto Architectural Designs – chronological list

Ontario Architecture News on e-architect

New Ontario Properties – recent selection from e-architect:

West Park Healthcare Centre York, western Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
Architect: CannonDesign + Montgomery Sisam Architects

photography : Laura Peters, Younes Bounhar
West Park Healthcare Centre, York, Ontario