The RBC Centre—the first LEED Gold Certified office building in Canada—reflects the reinvention of one of Canada’s largest and oldest banking institutions. Located between Toronto’s Central Business District and the Lake Ontario waterfront and across from Roy Thomson Hall, one of the city’s preeminent performing arts centers, and also con...

The RBC Centre—the first LEED Gold Certified office building in Canada—reflects the reinvention of one of Canada’s largest and oldest banking institutions. Located between Toronto’s Central Business District and the Lake Ontario waterfront and across from Roy Thomson Hall, one of the city’s preeminent performing arts centers, and also connected to the KPF-designed Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences Toronto, the building occupies a prominent site at the southwest corner of Wellington and Simcoe Streets.

Rising 41-stories from a 10-story podium, the building features flexible open-plan floorplates of 24,000 square feet. The glazed form of the tower responds directly to its north-south orientation and corner location with a shield-like glass volume on the east-facing Simcoe Street façade. The volume sets back and angles in to mark the building’s main entrance, giving the tower a distinctive profile on the Toronto skyline.

For the past three years, RBC has been on BusinessWeek‘s Global 100 list, which recognizes sustainable business practices. As the first LEED Gold NC certified office building in Canada, the tower is a leader for more reasons than one. The tower has raised floors (with in-floor heating and cooling systems) and flexible HVAC controls that facilitate a more comfortable—and energy efficient—work environment. The building is cooled using Enwave, Toronto’s deep-lake water-cooling system. In addition, floor-to-ceiling windows enhance daylighting, while sun-shading devices and automated blinds tied to exterior light sensors maximize efficiencies and minimize operating expenses. Operable windows are provided up to the building’s 10th floor.

The new development is close to many of the city’s cultural facilities, sports venues, and nightlife destinations and is also linked to the PATH system, Toronto’s underground network of walkways.

Selected Awards:

AIA New York Chapter Citation (2010)

The Chicago Athenaeum - Green Good Design Award (2010)