This photo shows an artist's conception of the new 50-storey condo tower to be build in the heart of Mississauga. (Photo: Ian Robertson, Toronto Sun.)

The eye-popping "Marilyn Monroe Building" will soon bring a sexy new twist to the Mississauga, Ontario skyline.

The revolutionary design, by an award-winning Beijing-born architect, was revealed yesterday at the world's tallest free-standing building -- the CN Tower.

The 152-metre, 50-level condo tower topped 92 global entries in what developers called the GTA's first open international architectural competition in 40 years.

The design got its "Marilyn Monroe" nickname when a competition judge compared its weaving balconies and wasp-like midsection to the film icon's silhouette.

'REAL LANDMARK'

Super-thrilled Mayor Hazel McCallion called the concept by Yansong Ma and teammates from his MAD office in Ann Arbor, Mich., "a dream come true" for Mississauga city centre, which "started 40 years ago ... in a hayfield.

"This is going to be a real landmark," she predicted.

The developers estimate the luxury tower will cost $110 million-$130 million to erect by 2009. It's the fourth landmark in the 1,800-family Absolute Community being developed at Burnhamthorpe Rd. and Hurontario St.

Three conventional towers are under construction. The complex will also have a large indoor recreational facility.

INTERNATIONAL JURY

In a Hollywood-style moment, McCallion compared her opening of an envelope that revealed Ma's winning design as similar to her presenting an Oscar.

She lauded developers Sam Crignano, of Cityzen Development Group in Toronto, and Danny Salvatore, head of Fernbrook Homes of Concord, for the design challenge.

An international jury of architectural experts narrowed choices to six, then Crignano said 6,000 Mississauga residents voted at Square One mall for their favourite. Brokers and realtors were also consulted.

Construction of the newest tower, in which one-bedroom units will sell for $200,000-plus, starts this fall.