Legendary Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry dies at 96

Toronto-born 'starchitect' Frank Gehry has passed away at the age of 96.

The world-renowned Canadian-American architect passed away at his California home Friday morning, Gehry's chief of staff confirmed, saying that the hometown legend died after "a brief respiratory illness."

Despite Gehry growing up in Toronto, it wasn't until late in his career — after establishing himself as a leader in the deconstructivist style — that he would finally take a commission in his hometown with the 2008-completed renovation and expansion of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).

Andres Garcia Martin/Shutterstock

Gehry's next move for the city was revealed following the leak of a plan for a three-tower megaproject on King St. W. in 2012. Already in his mid-80s when the plan was conceived, Gehry and his firm guided the project through numerous planning hurdles and even an ownership change.

Forma's 73-storey first phase tower, pictured on the right. Great Gulf/Dream Unlimited/Westdale Properties

Thirteen years later, the vision is proceeding as a two-tower complex known as Forma. The initial phase of Gehry's second and final contribution to Toronto's urban fabric is steadily rising towards a 73-storey height just next door to the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Fareen Karim

And while the project is nowhere near the ambitious game-changer tabled all those years ago, it will prove one last hometown legacy for one of the most accomplished architects in modern history.