The iconic CN Tower celebrates its 48th birthday today, marking nearly five decades as an integral part of Canada’s history and its people.
From greeting visitors and lighting up Toronto’s nights, to being a beloved New Year’s Eve destination for thousands, the CN Tower has woven itself into the fabric of Canadian life.
Toronto resident Lisa Janeiro shared a cherished memory of taking her friend visiting from Australia to the CN Tower: “It was great fun because they’re a little afraid of heights. It’s always a spectacular experience to look down through the glass floor and enjoy the view.”
Janeiro added that she has a fantastic view of the tower from her place and plans to celebrate its birthday tonight by watching it.
Toronto’s skyline was forever changed when the Canadian National Railway Company began construction of the CN Tower in 1973.
Built to address an issue created during the 1960s unprecedented construction boom, the tower was designed to address the issue of existing transmission towers being too short to broadcast radio and television signals over the city’s rapidly growing skyline.
History in the making
Construction began in Feb. 1973 with a 335-meter (1,100-foot) concrete shaft, featuring a hexagonal core supported by three curved arms. Within a year, the CN Tower was already the tallest structure in Canada.
It took more than 1,500 workers and 40 months to build what would become the tallest tower in the world upon its completion, standing at 553 meters (1,815 feet) tall. A record which was held until 2009, when the Burj Khalifa became the world’s tallest free-standing, human-made structure.
In August 1974, work began on the seven-story sphere that would house the observation decks and the revolving 360 Restaurant.
Finally, Olga, a giant Sikorsky helicopter, arrived in the city to lift the 39 pieces of the antenna into place in March 1975.
CN Tower officially opens to the public
By April 2, 1975, the CN Tower was fully constructed and officially opened to residents and tourists on June 26, 1976.
Since its inauguration, it featured three observation points: the SkyPod at 447 meters (1,467 feet), the Indoor Observation Level at 346 meters (1,135 feet), and the Outdoor Observation Terrace at 342 meters (1,122 feet).
Over the years, the CN Tower has undergone several changes while remaining a significant part of many Canadians’ memories.
Additions over the years
Many residents fondly recall the Pepsi logo that once appeared on the tower’s radome, a fact confirmed by a photo archive at the Toronto Public Library.
In 1994, a glass floor was added to the tower. In 1995, the Canadian National Railway sold the tower to Canada Lands Company, and the tower’s name and wordmark were adjusted to remove the CN Railways logo, officially renaming it from the Canadian National Tower to Canada’s National Tower. In 1997, two new elevators were installed, bringing the total to six.
A decade later, in 2007, light-emitting diode (LED) lights that change colors replaced the white lights that lit the CN Tower at night.
In 2008, the CN tower held another world record but this time for having the highest glass-floor-paneled elevator in the world.
Finally, the adventurous EdgeWalk was introduced to the tower in August 2011 which provides visitors the opportunity to walk on and around the roof of the main pod above the 360 Restaurant.
What’s to come
Currently, the tower’s Main and Lower Observation Levels are partially closed for renovations.
The newest additions includes an immersive and interactive showcase called Artmosphere, that features animated visuals of original works by Canadian artists, including Indigenous artists from across the country.
“We’re putting final touches on the renovation of our Lower Observation Level, maximizing year-round indoor viewing capacity and extending indoor observation, ultimately improving accessibility for our guests,” CN Tower’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter George, told Now Toronto on Wednesday.
“This second phase of the CN Tower’s renovation plan builds upon the stunning Main Observation Level renovation in 2018. The Main Observation Level now features floor-to-ceiling glass that provides near seamless and unobstructed panoramic views of Toronto,” he added.
As someone who has recently visited the CN Tower for the first time, I can safely say that the newest addition might be the coolest one yet!
