Elton John’s new Toronto penthouse is ‘a sanctuary in the sky’ – take the tour

Iconic singer and all-around entertainer Elton John has snagged one of Toronto’s most exciting new penthouses inspired by nature’s grand foliage and treehouse living – and it takes apartment decor ideas to a whole new level. 

Built by developer King Toronto, the penthouses in the Canadian city were designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and are expected to reach completion in 2023. 

Juxtaposed against Toronto’s downtown cityscape, John’s most recent addition to his property portfolio incorporates an abundance of greenery at each terrace with its high-rise construction mimicking a mountaintop home amid views of urban sprawl. The price John paid for the penthouse has yet to be disclosed. 

Visually from the outside, the new build draws direct inspiration from renowned architect Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67 in Montreal with its cubist forms making up the exterior structure of the penthouses. The developers also cite Pierre Chareau’s Maison de Verre in Paris, France as a major influence in the Toronto building’s distinct architecture. 

The penthouses are, as we said, still under construction and will not be ready for move-ins until next year, but renderings (above and below) reveal a futuristic blueprint for incoming residents. 

According to the developers, the project is centered around the 'the deep integration of nature through the integration of trees, foliage and outdoor terraces, meaningful sustainability, a commitment to artistry and stunning, panoramic views of the city'.

Furthermore, the innovative  approach to urban living also drew from the concept of a 'sanctuary in the sky' and the 'exploration of Gesamtkunstwerk, the total work of art', says Ian Gillespie, founder of King Toronto’s parent company, Westbank. 

From the renderings, the buildings look like stacked blocks, one on top of each other, with greenery peering from each level and growing wildly from one tier to the next. Almost like the literal translation of a concrete jungle, the building weaves trees, shrubs and vines with reflective glass arranged in a grid-like pattern lining the outside walls. The massive new building will be divided into sections, each facing a different direction and offering a unique view of the city. 

Elton John and his family will reportedly be occupying a penthouse appropriately dubbed 'The Treehouse', which measures at 2,602 square feet inside and 597.2 square feet on the outside balcony. The space has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 

Adding on to the luxury feel of the penthouse, the developers describe how the sunlight is an active player in the property’s design: 'A multitude of outdoor terraces allow residents to soak up the setting sun in the evenings and watch as the sumac trees create dancing shadows on the curved and arched interior walls.' 

Moreover, the interiors also feature a wine cellar and a two-story library that comes stocked with Taschen titles. 

Elton, together with Canadian-born husband David Furnish and their two children, plans to set down some roots in Furnish’s native Toronto as the family maintains residences across the U.S., in Beverly Hills, and Europe, in the south of France, to name just a few. 

Elton John maintains an active presence in the headlines. Currently, the legendary musician is performing in several cities in the U.S. and is planning the final leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. 

Its run is set to conclude next June 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. In terms of new music, he collaborated with pop star Britney Spears on a track, released in August 2022, titled 'Hold Me Closer', which interpolates some of his hits, such as 'Tiny Dancer' from 1971 and 'Don’t Go Breaking My Heart' from 1976.