Toronto Star

Cities are a messy business; trying to bring together their various elements is one of the urban architect's most difficult tasks. Some respond better than others, but few have answered the challenge more convincingly than Toronto's Tom Payne. His latest project, a 16-storey tower at 180 Queen St. W., is a brilliant example of architectural reconciliation. Though the $60 million building doesn't open until June 16, it's already brought a new sense of elegance and harmony to a part of the city known for its wonderful but awkward vitality. On one side of 180 is the start of Queen St. W., which retains a bit of the Bohemian flavour that has made it a popular destination since the late '70s. To the east is the civic precinct — University Ave., Osgoode Hall, City Hall and the new opera house. Payne's building knits the two strands into a more coherent whole.