untitled Condos

IBI Group was retained by Reserve Properties & Westdale Properties to provide architecture, 3D visualization and project management services for a two-tower residential condo development in Toronto’s vibrant mid-town neighbourhood, designed in collaboration with musician, fashion designer and philanthropist, Pharrell Williams. Alongside interior design firm U31, IBI participated in several design sessions with Pharrell in New York, Los Angeles and London, UK, where the artist consulted on everything from the concept of ‘untitled,’ to the materials that would bring the idea to life.

Inspired by the relationship between music and structures, our design team used parametric design to create the building’s façade, fixing a structural expression of Pharrell’s hit song ‘Gust of Wind’ onto the building’s exterior. When asked about the design concept, Pharrell said, “We were trying to find a poetic way to communicate this wave formation in a vertical construction. It made for something beautiful.” In-step with the neighbourhood’s growing reputation as a cultural hub, the building’s profile will add striking dimension to the growing Yonge and Eglinton skyline.

‘untitled’ will offer residents pared-back living and leisure spaces, designed to challenge the rubric of high-rise development. The project includes two free-standing residential towers containing 751 zero-three bedroom condo units, joined by 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space, including a co-working garden lounge and active fitness centre. The development also includes an adjacent 413-suite rental building that includes 200 affordable housing units and a public park.

Of working with IBI’s Global Director of Buildings, Mansoor Kazerouni, Pharrell said, “[His] ability to see points and lock in on whatever he finds interesting is one thing, but there’s another side where he takes the viewer on his journey. It was a pleasure to watch him think from zero to 100.”