Mississauga’s Architectural Landmarks

Driving through the Mississauga area, one can’t help but notice the most prominent feature of the skyline: those curvy twin condo towers that seem to undulate into one another, rising from the midst of Mississauga’s downtown core. Officially, they are called Absolute World Towers, but locally they are better known as Marilyn Monroe, in reference to their voluptuous shape. Designed by Beijing based architect Ma Yansong, the groundbreaking design was chosen from over six hundred entries in an international competition that was hosted by the project’s developers, Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen. The result is hands-down one of the most unique residential buildings in the entire country, not just the greater Toronto area. Inside and out, it’s a work of art. Instantly recognizable from a distance, it’s just as stunning on the inside, with no two floors exactly the same, and each unit featuring stunning views of the city, Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. The development itself was meant to be self-contained, and residents can enjoy almost thirty thousand square feet of amenities that include a billiard room, a two-story fitness center complete with an indoor running track and a full time personal trainer, activity director, on-site concierge, racquet courts, a sauna, indoor pools, hot tub and an outdoor swimming pool complete with a fireplace for lounging on cool autumn nights, three party rooms, meeting rooms, board rooms, a private cinema, a car wash and six levels of underground parking … and the list goes on. Most definitely Mississauga’s slickest address, Absolute Towers offers residents convenience at its finest, but it’s not hard on the eyes, either.

One Park Tower

One Park Tower is yet another luxury condo building, and at thirty eight stories, it held the honor of being Mississauga’s tallest residential structure until Absolute Towers (aka Marilyn Monroe) was built. Its design is classic, sophisticated, and not dissimilar to the gothic style of Manhattan’s Empire State Building, with striking architectural features that include massive stone gargoyles that look out over the eighth and thirty-second floors. Packed with high-end amenities, residents can enjoy the Club 38 penthouse lounge, complete with library, plasma screens, gaming tables and an Internet café. There is an aquatic center on the main floor, a virtual golf center on the second floor, a third floor terrace garden, several meeting rooms, party rooms and much, much more. It’s currently the third tallest building in Mississauga, and easily one of the city’s most prestigious addresses.

Mississauga Living Arts Centre

The Mississauga Living Arts Centre is a combination gallery and performing arts facility, its two buildings featuring the best of live theatre, musical performances, art installations and more. The building itself was designed by renowned German architect Eberhardt Zeidler: Zeidler is well known in the architectural community for his groundbreaking designs of Ontario Place and the Toronto Eaton Centre, Queen’s Quay Terminal, and many more iconic buildings in the greater Toronto area. The exterior of the building is striking, and features exterior sections composed of exposed concrete as well as glass and steel facades. Several permanent built-in installations can be seen here as well, such as a three-story high stained glass creation that serves as the centerpiece of the building’s main atrium. Though it’s not scraping the Mississauga sky, the Living Arts Centre stands as one of the city’s most outstanding landmarks and is as much a part of its identity and culture as any of the aforementioned structures. Located just a stone’s throw from One Park Tower, it’s a marvel of design that plays host to some of Canada’s most respected talent, as beautiful to behold as it is a joy to experience.

Mississauga City Hall

Mississauga City Hall has won more awards for design and architecture than any other building in the area, though many local residents might not agree of its design worthiness. Its postmodern aesthetic is meant to reflect the region’s agricultural past: the main building represents the farmhouses that were common to the area a century ago. The clock tower represents a windmill, the cylindrical building which houses the council chamber symbolizes a silo, and the sprawling main building a barn. Inside you’ll find a wedding chapel, banquet facilities, meeting rooms and a conservatory, as well as all of Mississauga’s public offices. Outside is Celebration Square, the meeting point for all of the city’s grandest events, and where Mississauga residents come to enjoy concerts, festivals and observe holidays such as Canada Day and New Year’s Eve.

Tour Mississauga’s landmarks and discover something new today! Call Mississauga Taxi to book your ride, and enjoy the utmost in comfort and convenience while you tour the city in style.