Mississauga will soon have its own signature structure, a new 50-plus storey condominum tower that will be the city's tallest building when it is completed in the summer of 2009.

Chinese architect Yansong Ma, 30, and his MAD office team from Beijing designed a contemporary building with curves to stray away from conventional box-like high-rises.

Ma's design defeated concepts from five other international architects in the finals of the Absolute Design Competition, sponsored by builders Fernbrook Homes and the Cityzen Development Group.

Ma's concept was announced as winner yesterday in the Horizons Cafe atop the CN Tower.

The competition originally attracted 600 architects from around the world who submitted designs for Mississauga's soon-to-be-built landmark. The final six entries were selected in late January.

A public display of the finalists in Square One saw more than 6,000 people register their opinion.

However, the final decision was made by a panel of six judges that included architects, academics and planners.

Mayor Hazel McCallion, who was at the CN Tower to announce the winner, joked that: "This is what you call the Oscars of residential developing."

She said the design was exactly what she wanted in the city's core.

"People like to look at attractive buildings and not only live in them. To me, (the Beijing team's design) does both," said McCallion. "Many people will come to see it because of its unique design. It's going to be a great asset to Mississauga."

Ma, who holds a Master's degree from Yale University and has won many design awards, said he wanted to give the condo tower an attitude, with sex appeal, to reflect today's society.

"All of metropolitan places are like boxes," said Ma. "We gave it its own character to build an economic image."

"We're trying to build a unique city centre," agreed McCallion. "It's going to stand out as a landmark and it will encourage others to design and do something different."

Construction is set to begin in 2007 on the condo tower that will mark the entryway to downtown Mississauga at Hurontario St. and Burnhamthorpe Rd.

Ma and his team will be paid $125,000 to act as architectural consultants on the project.

"This is a milestone for us," said Ma, after winning his first international competition. "We will take this forward, make it happen and make a landmark building."

The Absolute condominum tower will be the latest edition to Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Development's fastest selling condominium project in Mississauga. When completed, the condo will be home to 1,800 families in five towers, plus townhouses.

The condominium will include a recreational facility.