High rise condominiums are a bit of a paradox. Even though there may be hundreds of units in a single tower, these developments are synonymous with exclusivity. Only those who can afford luxury and decadence can become members of these architectural marvels.
The architect responsible for the work always tries to do something to make their creation stand out. Sometimes they take a subtle approach. Other times, you can tell that they wanted people to say “ooh” when they see the building.
Either way, there will always be a demand for these statuesque buildings as they cater to the unit owners’ status and character just as much as their desire for comfort and convenience.
It was very difficult to choose just 10 high rise buildings that make a lasting impression (there are literally 100s), but we decided to start with these North American condominiums.
High rise condos that make a lasting impression
- Waldorf Astoria Miami
- The One
- TEN50
- The Signature at MGM Grand
- 15 Central Park West
- The Butterfly
- One Uptown
- The Parker Fulton Market
- Park and Shore Condominiums
- The Concord
1. Waldorf Astoria Miami (Miami, Florida)
Full disclosure. This high rise is nowhere close to complete. The Waldorf Astoria Miami is expected to be finished in 2027, but as of the end of 2022, 87% of the units had already been sold.
The plan is to build 360 private residences and 205 hotel rooms. The famous architect Carlos Ott, with the help of Sieger Suarez, designed the building to resemble a pile of unevenly stacked glass cubes. Owners will have clear views of Biscayne Bay, the Port of Miami, Brickell Avenue, Downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, and South Beach.
Units come with 1 to 4 bedrooms, and are fully furnished. The interiors are ultramodern, light, and take advantage of all the beautiful Florida sunshine. There is also smart technology integrated into each home, providing an elevated living experience.
The Waldorf Astoria Miami is expected to be 1,049 feet tall which would make it Miami’s tallest tower and first super-tall skyscraper.
2. The One (Toronto, Ontario)
This slender tower, located at a busy Toronto intersection, stretches 1,005 feet into the sky. It is Canada’s tallest residential tower (for now). The One is 94 storeys high and has 416 units. The building is topped with its very own crown, and wrapped in a distinctive lattice-like exoskeleton structure. It looks solid, but also warm. It is an ideal blend of form and function.
There is retail at the base of the building, a hotel and event space up to the 18th floor, and condo units on the remaining floors. Some of the amenities include concierge, an infinity pool and a garden terrace.
3. TEN50 (Los Angeles, California)
Ten50 is a 151-unit high rise located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. There are 22 floors with units ranging from 686 to 4,170 square feet.
Ten50 is not afraid of bold prints or bright colours. In fact, the building designer, Douglas Hanson, used the term “thoughtful randomness” to describe the condominium.
The location of the building is perfect as owners can walk to supermarkets, shopping and entertainment. Some of the amenities available at Ten50 include outdoor firepits and little oases that are perfect for entertaining, a conference room, a screening room, an outdoor pool, and a jacuzzi.
4. The Signature at MGM Grand (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Even if you don’t know it by name, you’ve probably seen these 3 iconic towers before. The Signature at MGM doesn’t have to try too hard to stand out on the Vegas strip. There are 576 units in each building, and they are all 38 floors high.
Units feature spacious floor plans with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, providing some of the most enviable views of the city. Floor plans range from 550 to 900 square feet.
The Signature is technically a condotel, meaning you can rent your space out through the hotel, or other platforms, to guests. This makes The Signature one of the best high-rise condo buildings in Las Vegas for those also looking for an investment property.
Owners can expect all of the amenities associated with luxury living. There are multiple private pools, restaurants, and fitness centers. There are also whirlpool spa tubs in the units. The development is secured 24/7.
5. 15 Central Park West (New York, New York)
15 Central Park West is a regal development that will never go out of style. It is comprised of two limestone towers and features 202 units. “The House,” is a 19-story structure, and “The Tower” stands 35 storeys high.
The units offer multi-directional views. The duplex penthouses are extremely spacious, with some ranging between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet. Kitchens have top-of-the-line appliances, and the bathrooms are equipped with deluxe fixtures and finishes.
In addition to the main residences, 15 Central Park West has 29 suites that can serve as living quarters for domestic employees, guest apartments, extra storage areas, or home offices.
Amenities include a 24-hour doorman, a private dining room and library, a screening room and a health club and pool. Many units also have their own wine cellars.
6. The Butterfly (Vancouver, British Columbia)
The Butterfly stretches 57 storeys. The condo has 331 units, and aims to seamlessly blend nature with urban living. It is minutes from parks, transit, and multiple restaurants and retailers.
The tower is curvy, delicate, and bright. The units are very spacious and range from 1073 to 4282 square feet.
Amenities include a sauna, a dog wash area, a parkade pool, and bike and car share services. Owners get the best of both worlds with The Butterfly.
7. One Uptown (Dallas, Texas)
One Uptown is a remarkable work of art. The 20 storey tower is elegantly curved and has made luxury living look a little cooler. The high-contrast design scheme makes a statement, and compliments the uniquely shaped units.
The amenities are equally progressive and include a glass bottom pool, skydeck with cabanas, a dog park and a pet care facility on the premises.
8. The Parker Fulton Market (Chicago, Illinois)
Channelling energy and stature from its iconic Restaurant Row location, The Parker Fulton Market brings owners grand-scale luxury with a bit of edge. The condominium is a cylinder with 29 picture-perfect floors.
This dynamic development is described as a “microcosm” of Chicago, blending elegance and practicality. The units in this building are much more affordable than some other luxury towers, however, they are also a bit smaller.
Amenities include a sun terrace with a pool, daybed and a fire pit, a private parking garage with electric vehicle charging stations, and smart home technology like the Nest learning thermostat.
9. Park and Shore Condominiums (New Jersey, New York)
The Park and Shore Condominiums is a new development in New Jersey. It has a total of 429 units with unit sizes ranging from 709 to 1808 square feet. The views are spectacular, to say the least.
Park units are purposeful, modern and clean. Shore units have a laidback energy, but features and finishes are equally stunning.
Amenities include a junior Olympic lap pool, a gorgeous fitness centre, a wine-tasting lounge, and a children’s play area.
10. The Concord (Calgary, Alberta)
Though it isn’t the tallest high rise around, The Concord has become a standout development in Calgary’s prestigious Eau Claire neighbourhood. With premium riverfront views, this relatively new, move-in ready structure features 2- and 3-bedroom condos and townhomes.
The east tower is 17 storeys with 113 units. The west tower is 14 storeys with 105 units. Suites range from 1,060 square feet to 6,200 square feet.
One thing that makes this condo stand out is its concern for car care. Alberta experiences extreme heat and cold, so the condo has installed an automated undercarriage and tire wash near the entrance of the parkade, along with a heated entrance ramp to keep the area slip-free. A four-cycle automated touchless warm water car wash is also available at their disposal.
Other amenities include a ballroom, fitness centre, and a water garden that converts into a private ice rink during winter.