The CN Tower, one of WZMH Architects’ most celebrated and iconic designs, is the 2017 recipient of the Prix du XXe siècle, joining a short list of just 17 structures to ever receive this honour.

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and National Trust for Canada bestow the award to promote public awareness of outstanding Canadian architecture and landmark buildings of the 20th century. The CN Tower is recognized for its enduring excellence and national significance to the country’s architectural legacy.

Piercing the Toronto skyline at 553.33 metres, the CN Tower held the title of the world’s tallest free-standing structure for more than 30 years. Completed in 1976, the Tower was originally conceived as a telecommunications facility to serve Toronto and the surrounding region. WZMH Architects (then named Webb Zerafa Menkes Housden Architects) and John Andrews Architects International worked with engineers and contractors to design and build the structure.

According to the written jury citation, “the CN Tower is an incredible achievement of Canadian engineering and construction that pushed the boundaries of concrete technology.”

The Prix will be presented at the RAIC/OAA Festival of Architecture taking place May 24 to 27 in Ottawa. Recipients will also be acknowledged at the National Trust for Canada’s national conference and awards in Ottawa on October 13.