The Great Toronto Crane Count: Counting Cranes Without Getting Cranaversaries
Ah, Toronto. City of soaring ambitions, delicious peameal bacon sandwiches, and...a frankly ridiculous number of tower cranes.
Those majestic metal giants dotting the skyline have become a bit of a local obsession. They're like construction-themed pigeons, except way cooler (and hopefully less likely to poop on your car). But just how many of these caw-less c????? (pronounced 'rah-vees' for those fancy folks) are there, exactly?
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| How Many Tower Cranes In Toronto |
Cracking the Crane Code: How Many Cranes Lurk in the 6ix?
The official count, as reported by the esteemed Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index (yes, that's a real thing), stands at 221 as of the first quarter of 2024. That's a slight dip from the previous high of 238, but still enough to make Toronto the undisputed crane capital of North America. Los Angeles, our nearest competitor, comes in at a distant second with a measly 50 cranes. We're basically the Usain Bolt of urban construction, leaving everyone else in the dust (or should we say, concrete?).
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
Where are all these Cranes Coming From? (And More Importantly, Where are They Going?)
Most of these industrious birds (okay, we'll stop with the bird metaphors now) are busy building the future of Toronto. A whopping 146 are dedicated to residential projects, which means the condo boom is still very much in swing. There are also 35 working on commercial spaces, 31 on mixed-use developments, and a handful even contributing to public projects.
As for where they're going? Well, hopefully not on a permanent vacation to another city. Ideally, they'll finish their construction duties and gracefully depart, leaving behind shiny new buildings for us to enjoy.
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
Fun Facts About Toronto's Towering Titans
- Toronto has more cranes than New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. combined. That's right, we're basically the crane king (or queen) of the continent.
- The first official crane count in Toronto was conducted in 2018. Back then, the city boasted a respectable 225 cranes. We've come a long way, baby!
- Counting cranes can be a surprisingly stressful activity. Just try looking up at the sky without getting a crick in your neck.
How To Get Your Toronto Crane Fix: A FAQ
How to count cranes yourself?
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- Grab a lawn chair, a refreshing beverage, and head to a high point with a clear view of the city.
- Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and meticulously record your findings.
- Bonus points for creating a spreadsheet or elaborate crane-themed bingo card.
How to avoid crane-related neck strain?
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
- Invest in some comfy binoculars.
- Recruit a friend to be your official crane counter while you relax with your beverage of choice.
- Stretch regularly and take breaks to admire the other architectural wonders of Toronto.
How to tell the difference between a crane and a really tall bird?
- Birds tend to be smaller and less noisy.
- Cranes usually have a giant hook hanging from them (kind of a giveaway).
- If it's metal and moving heavy objects, it's probably a crane.
How to impress your friends with your newfound crane knowledge?
Tip: Write down what you learned.
- Casually drop the fact that Toronto has more cranes than most major US cities combined.
- Organize a "Crane Appreciation Day" complete with crane-shaped cookies and crane-themed trivia.
- Become the neighborhood authority on all things crane-related.
How to get a job operating a crane?
- This one requires a bit more effort than crane spotting. Research crane operator training programs and get ready to put your skills to the test!
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