Forma Condos

Forma Condos Toronto: Acoustical Consulting for Frank Gehry’s Landmark Twin‑Tower Residential Development

Forma Condos was one of the final design projects of “starchitect” Frank Gehry, completed shortly before he passed away at age 96. Gehry was born and raised in Toronto before going on to a long and celebrated career designing many of the world’s most iconic landmark buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Gehry returned to his hometown one last time to create Forma Condos, located at 266 King Street West in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District. The development features two towers—73 and 84 stories—each composed of stacked, cantilevered, and twisted blocks clad in faceted glass and shimmering steel. At 84 stories, the taller of the two towers will be the tallest building Gehry ever designed, surpassing by eight floors a New York skyscraper he completed in his 80s.

In addition to the residential towers, the project includes retail and commercial spaces as well as a new campus for OCAD University, to be known as the Princess of Wales Centre for Visual Arts.

The original design proposal, released in 2012, envisioned three towers featuring Gehry’s signature sculptural folds and curves. Although the architecture received widespread praise, the plan was criticized for its scale and for proposing the demolition of the Princess of Wales Theatre and several early‑1900s-era buildings. Following consultations with the City, the project was revised to two more subdued towers, with the theatre and elements of the heritage buildings preserved.

Construction of the first tower began in 2023, with completion expected in 2028. Construction of the second tower has not yet started—a decision influenced “completely” by current condo market conditions.

HGC’s Acoustical Consulting Role

HGC has been providing comprehensive acoustical consulting services for the project, including during the planning, design and construction phases, as well as construction vibration monitoring focused on ensuring that site activities do not acoustically impact performances at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre next door.

In addition, HGC conducted mockup testing of a custom curtain wall vent slot in the hemi‑anechoic‑ chamber at Ontario Tech University. This testing examined potential noise generated by airflow through the custom vent slot, including possible flow interactions with associated ductwork and the plenum behind the slot.

HGC Noise, Vibration, and Acoustics Consulting Services Delivered

• Building Acoustical Review
• Building Services Noise and Vibration Control (HVAC systems, pumps, compactors, generators, etc.)
• Acoustical Privacy Between Suites
• Noise and Vibration Control of Amenity Spaces
• Noise and Vibration Feasibility Study
• Window Acoustical Review
• Façade and Glazing Specification
• Construction Vibration Assessment and Monitoring
• Tarion Bulletin 19 Compliance Reviews and Certification
• Hemi-anechoic chamber custom vent ‑mockup‑ noise testing