The CN Tower, located in Toronto, Canada, is a well-known landmark and a symbol of the city. The tower is one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world, with a height of 553.3 meters (1,815 feet, 5 inches). It held the record for the world’s tallest freestanding structure for 34 years, from 1975 until 2010.
The Construction of the CN Tower
Construction of the CN Tower began in 1973 and was completed in 1976. The tower was built by Canadian National, a railway company, as a means of improving communication and television transmission in the area. The tower was designed by John Andrews Architects and was built by Dominion Construction.
The CN tower was built using a combination of steel and concrete. The steel structure was built first and then the concrete was poured around it. The tower’s foundation is a mix of solid rock and clay, which was excavated to a depth of 15 meters (49 feet).
The CN Tower’s Height
The CN Tower stands at a height of 553.3 meters (1,815 feet, 5 inches) and is one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world. It held the record for the world’s tallest freestanding structure for 34 years, from 1975 until 2010.
The CN Tower’s Observation Deck
The CN Tower has an observation deck located at a height of 346 meters (1,136 feet). The deck offers a 360-degree view of the city and on a clear day, visitors can see up to 160km (100 miles) away. The observation deck also features a glass floor, allowing visitors to look straight down at the city below.
The CN Tower’s Glass Floor
The CN Tower’s glass floor, located at the observation deck, is made of tempered glass that is four times stronger than regular glass. The glass is able to support the weight of 14 hippos or an elephant. The glass floor is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) thick and can withstand the weight of up to 891,000 pounds (405,000 kg).
The CN Tower’s Communications
The CN Tower is not only a tourist attraction but also a functional telecommunications structure. The tower has several antennae and dishes located on top of the tower, used for television and radio transmission, as well as mobile phone and data networks. The CN Tower’s antennae and dishes are used by several major Canadian telecommunications companies.
The CN Tower’s Rank
As of 2021, the CN Tower is no longer considered one of the tallest buildings in the world, but it still holds the title of the Tallest freestanding structure on land. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the CN Tower ranks as the 15th tallest freestanding structure in the world and the 5th tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
