There have been several attempts to build a residential building at No. 1 Bloor Street East. In 2005, a 60-storey tower was proposed by Young and Wright. The site was sold to Bazis International and then to Great Gulf Homes. The site was formerly a two storey retail building with a Harvey's and City Optical on the ground floor, which was demolished once the One Bloor project proceeded.
Bazis proposal
In 2007, an 80-storey proposal was announced with much fanfare by Bazis International. The existing two-storey buildings located on the site were demolished in December 2008. It was to be approximately tall and was designed by Rosario Varacalli. The proposal called for a semi-transparent metal and glass tower with environmentally friendly and efficient technology. The building planned to include 189 hotel rooms and 612 condominium units. In July 2009, both the final scope and the eventual fate of the project were called into question. News reports stated that the height would be reduced to 67 storeys to reduce the construction costs. The Toronto Star also reported that a group of lenders sought to have their $46 million loan be repaid, or that the court allow them to buy the vacant land. The lenders reportedly made a failed bid of $50.5 million to Bazis for the land. Bazis purchased the site for $63 million in 2007, and cited the global lending crisis as a reason for the height reduction and the loan being in default.
Sale to Great Gulf
On July 22, 2009, the Toronto Star reported that Bazis has sold the property to privately held Great Gulf Homes, who have expressed interest in building a skyscraper on the site. The Bazis proposal died as a result of the sale. Great Gulf Homes relaunched the plans to build a condo tower there with a new design, reduced height, and a new name. Buoyed by strong sales, One Bloor grew from the downsized 65 floors to 70 floors and again to 75 floors. The skyscraper's final height is, making it the second tallest residential tower in Toronto and Canada, after Aura. The building is designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, overseen by David Pontarini. Number One Bloor features over of resort-inspired amenities on the sixth and seventh floors designed by Cecconi Simone. On the seventh floor terrace, there is of outdoor amenity space designed by Janet Rosenberg + Associates, Landscape Architecture/Urban Design. The six-storey podium includes of retail space. One major tenant, the Seattle-based Nordstrom Rack chain opened a store in May 2018. It is the chain's first Canadian location.
The final scheme comprises a 76-storey condominium tower built by Great Gulf Homes. The two-storey buildings located on the site were demolished in December 2008. Construction began in August 2011, and the tower topped out in late 2015.
