A Brief Look at The CN Tower
By Thean Sargeant
Published on: September 13th, 2024
Standing at 553.3 metres (1815 feet) high in the Toronto skyline is the iconic Canadian National Tower or, as it’s most commonly known, the CN Tower. Located in downtown Toronto, the freestanding tower has become a tourist hotspot. The CN Tower stood as the tallest freestanding structure in the world for 34 years (1975-2009) until the Burj Khalifa was built in Dubai.
History
The Canadian National Railway owned the tower for 19 years after its public opening on June 26, 1976 (this is where the Canadian National part of its name comes from). It took around $52 million to construct the tower. Construction began in February of 1973 with over 1,500 workers. The need for this tower and its antenna emerged when tall buildings were blocking broadcast and microwave signals — signals used for TVs, radios, and telephones.
The tower was completed by February of the following year, in 1974. The antenna attachment was finished in April 1975. Over 17 Canadian television and FM radio stations use the tower’s signals. The government company Canada Lands Company has been using the tower’s signals since1995.
Inside the Tower
In 2011, Edgewalk was opened. Secured by a harness, people can pay to walk on the edge of the CN Tower’s central pod 116 storeys (356 metres) in the air. The ledge is five feet wide. Thrill seekers are sure to get a kick out of walking along the highest external walk on a building, according to Guinness World Records.
The full-rotation restaurant, 360 The Restaurant, and the world’s highest wine cellar are also located in the CN Tower. At 351 metres (1,151 ft) high, guests enjoy a full rotation every 72 minutes and get a great (possibly the best) view of Toronto. Customers of the restaurant also get access to the Main Observation Level.
Just under the restaurant, at 346 metres (1,136 feet) high, is the Main Observation Level where visitors are surrounded by a glass wall that allows them to see outside. Fun facts from the websites: there is a capsule on this level meant to be opened in 2076 (the CN Tower’s 100th birthday) and the glass in the glass wall is made from material that allows for great pictures at any time.
The Lower Observation Level consists of a glass floor. Visitors can look down and see the city from 342 metres (1,122 feet) in the air. The elevators also have glass floors (installed in 2008). On the ground floor of the building is a gift shop where visitors (whether they are going up the tower or not) can buy souvenirs.
Be sure to check out this interactive website for more facts about the CN Tower.
Outside the Tower
June of 2007 saw another immense change for the CN Tower: the change from incandescent lights to LED lights. The Chief Operating Officer at the time, Jack Robinson, said that it was necessary for the tower to have an “energy-efficient, sustainable lighting installation.” Partnered with Color Kinetics, a company that lights buildings and structures, the tower was given lights from its elevator shaft right up to its antenna. The lights are designed to not disturb any nearby places like offices and homes. They are programmable and are set to different colours whenever there is a celebration. Check out the lighting schedule here.
What began as a way for Torontonians to get more signals to their TV screens and radios has blossomed into an astounding landmark in Toronto. Even if you aren’t able to go up to the top, just standing outside and looking up (and even taking pictures of it) is enough to grasp the greatness that this Tower holds.