After losing its 32-year-old world record for being the tallest freestanding structure on the planet, Toronto's famed CN Tower is looking to set a new benchmark — but people afraid of heights or elevators should probably avoid what's being billed the world's highest glass-floor elevator.

Dubbed a North American first and the highest in the world, the recently completed elevator gives visitors a thrilling new perspective on the city — 346 metres straight down — through two glass-floor panels.

"At the tower, we continually do upgrades to all of our equipment, including elevators and it was time to do an upgrade to this elevator," Jack Robinson, the tower's chief operating officer, said — insisting it has nothing to do with losing its claim to fame.

"We took the opportunity to not just upgrade the elevator, but to put in a world-class attraction, if you want to call it that, in the form of a glass-panel floor."

The 553-metre building was knocked out of the top spot by the Burj Dubai — a 160-storey hotel, residential and commercial building in the United Arab Emirates. The glitzy $4.1-billion building, which is still under construction, is already 629 metres and counting.

Despite a steady flow of some two million visitors a year, Robinson said the CN Tower is always trying to reinvent itself.

"We started off with six glass-faced elevators.… We added a glass floor (on an observation deck) about 10 years ago. We added a world-class wine cellar, the world's tallest wine cellar," he said.

"Last year was the pinnacle in getting the tower lit and now we have a new face in Toronto on the skyline and, this year, the elevator.

"Every year we like to think we add something of value for our visitors."