Skylon Tower Facts for Kids

This page is about the tower in Canada. For the former structure in Britain, see Skylon (Festival of Britain).

Quick facts for kids Skylon Tower

General information
Status	Complete
Type	Observation tower
Location	Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Address	5200 Robinson Street
Coordinates	43°05′07″N 79°04′47″W / 43.08528°N 79.07972°W / 43.08528; -79.07972
Construction started	May 1964
Completed	October 1965
Opening	October 6, 1965
Cost	CA$7,000,000
Height
Antenna spire	160 m (520 ft)
Roof	149 m (489 ft)
Top floor	143 m (469 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	6
Lifts/elevators	3
Design and construction
Architect	Bregman + Hamann Architects
Main contractor	Pigott Construction Company
Other information
Seating capacity	Revolving Dining Room: 276, Summit Suite: 180

The Skylon Tower is a famous observation tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It gives amazing views of both the American Falls and the larger Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side of the Niagara River. It's a popular spot for tourists to see the beautiful waterfalls from high above!

History of the Skylon Tower
Cool Features of the Tower
Images for kids
See also

History of the Skylon Tower

Building the Tower

Building the Skylon Tower started in May 1964. It was officially opened on October 6, 1965. Important people like New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Ontario Premier John Robarts were there for the opening.

The tower cost about $7 million to build back then. It was first owned by a private group called Niagara International Centre. This group was supported by Charles Richard Reese, who had shares in The Hershey Company.

Changing Owners

For a while, a company called Canadian Pacific Hotels managed the tower's restaurants. Then, on October 1, 1975, Canadian Pacific bought the tower for $11 million.

The tower's top has a green copper roof. This roof looks similar to other buildings owned by Canadian Pacific, like the Château Frontenac in Quebec City. Canadian Pacific owned the tower until 1986.

In 1986, two local hotel owners, John Gruyich and George Yerich, bought the tower for $18 million. Later, in 1988, George Yerich bought out John Gruyich's share. However, Milicent Gruyich still owns the land the tower stands on.

Recent Updates

Even though the area around the tower has changed a lot, the Skylon Tower still looks much like it did in the 1970s and 1980s. Recently, new things have been added.

These include a 3D/4D Theatre and popular food places like Starbucks. A bridge now connects the tower complex to the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. In 2008, the copper roof was cleaned and restored to its bright, original color.

At night, the lights shining on the tower used to be white. Now, they change colors, just like the lights that shine on the waterfalls themselves.

Cool Features of the Tower

How It Was Built

The Skylon Tower stands 160 meters (520 feet) tall from the street. From the bottom of the falls, it's 236 meters (775 feet) high. Because it's so close to the border, both Canadian and United States air travel groups had to approve its construction.

The tower was built using a special method called "slipform." This means concrete was poured continuously into a mold that slowly moved up the tower. This method helped build the tower quickly. The same building method was used for the Inco Superstack in Greater Sudbury and the CN Tower in Toronto.

Speedy Elevators

The Skylon Tower has three special "Yellow Bug" elevators on the outside. When they were built, they were the first of their kind in Canada. They can take people to the top of the tower in just 52 seconds!

Unlike most elevators, these have a guide rail only on the back. Special equipment helps stop the cables from getting tangled in the wind. It also protects them from snow and ice in winter.

Dining and Fun

At the very top of the tower, there are two restaurants. One is the Revolving Dining Room, which seats 276 people. This room slowly turns, completing a full circle every hour. It moves on a circular track powered by a small motor.

There's also the Summit Suite Buffet. An observation deck is also at the top, offering amazing views. At the bottom of the tower, you'll find gift shops, fast food places, and a big arcade for games. There's also a floor for meetings, but it's not used very often.

Images for kids

View of the tower from Panoramic Parkway during the blooming of the tulips in springtime.
A view of the upper portion of the tower with dome newly polished back to its original copper.
Observation deck.
View from the outer observation deck.
Skylon Tower as seen from a helicopter.