Rendering – Revitalized Queens Quay at Simcoe WaveDeck

Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen, has cleared the way for the revitalization of Queens Quay Boulevard to proceed. This formally concludes the planning and approval process for the Queens Quay Revitalization Environmental Assessment undertaken by Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto.

Waterfront Toronto may now proceed with the transformation of Queens Quay from an uninviting traffic corridor into a beautiful, world-class street that links major destinations along the water’s edge, creates pedestrian and cycling-friendly promenades and encourages an economically vibrant area for locals and visitors alike.

When complete, the revitalization of Queens Quay will see two lanes of traffic on the south side of the street replaced with a linear park. The park will feature a generous tree-lined granite pedestrian promenade as well as a continuous, off-street Martin Goodman Trail. A dedicated Light Rail Transit (LRT) line will run along the centre of the street with two lanes of east-west traffic north of the tracks. Landscaping and other improvements to the public space on the north side of the street will provide the kind of atmosphere conducive to economic vitality, ground floor retail activity and urban vibrancy.

“After more than two years of detailed planning, study and consultation, we now have the green light to turn the vision for Queens Quay into reality,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “It’s time to act upon what we’ve heard from countless residents, businesses, civic leaders and the general public — that  Queens Quay must live up to its remarkable potential.”

Construction of the approximately three kilometre stretch of Queens Quay Boulevard will rollout in phases as funding permits.  The first phase of work, which is funded in Waterfront Toronto’s long term plan, includes schematic design from Spadina Ave. to Parliament St. and the construction of an 800-metre section of the street.

During schematic design which is now underway, a comprehensive layout of the street from end to end including traffic management and construction phasing strategies will be produced. The location of the first phase of construction will also be determined. Schematic design is expected to take about three months to complete and will be followed by detailed design for the first 800 metre section of the street.

Construction of the first 800 metre stretch of Queens Quay is expected to begin early next year and will take about 18 months to build. Phase one is budgeted at approximately $48 million.

Once schematic design is in place for the entire corridor, future phases of construction will move quickly as additional funding is secured.

As we move from planning into implementation, public consultation will continue to be an integral part of the project with opportunities for the public to be actively engaged in the process. Waterfront Toronto is currently working with key stakeholders to develop a public engagement strategy that will document appropriate opportunities to share information and seek public input throughout the process.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media contact:
Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto, 416-271-1316

Queens Quay Revitalization EA Backgrounder

Illustration by Brett Lamb (Courtesy of Torontoist)

The votes are in and ‘Waterfront Development’ was named a semi-finalist in Torontoist’s Heroes and Villains of 2009 competition. Launched by popular website Torontoist in late December, the contest asked readers to vote for the very best and worst people, places and things in Toronto during 2009. The ‘Waterfront Development’ category, which featured a wonderful illustration of the Simcoe WaveDeck, was nominated thanks to what Torontoist called the “palpable turning point” in waterfront development during 2009. Torontoist highlighted the opening of the Simcoe and Rees wavedecks, groundbreakings at Sherbourne Park and Canada’s Sugar Beach, and Toronto’s winning PanAm bid as evidence of momentum on the waterfront.

Of the twenty four Heroes selected by Torontoist for the competition, Waterfront Development easily moved on to the second round of voting after earning more votes than The Power Plant Gallery in the first round of voting. In the second round, Waterfront Development surpassed Scramble Intersections to make it to the semi-finalist round where after a close battle, Wildlife triumphed and moved on to the finals. More than 30,000 votes were cast during the competition whose ultimate winner was the Toronto Public Library.

2010 promises even more activity on the waterfront with groundbreakings for Don River Park and Underpass Park in the West Don Lands planned for this spring. Canada’s Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Park will open later this summer and both parks will be connected by a new 19 metre wide stretch of water’s edge promenade. Construction is also about to start in the Central Waterfront where Waterfront Toronto and Harbourfront Centre are replacing a 1.4 hectare surface parking lot with an underground parking garage — this will free up the surface area for future public space and a thriving cultural/retail village.

Aerial view of Parkside

Great Gulf Group to develop remarkable Moshe Safdie-designed building

Toronto, December 7, 2009 – Toronto City Council has overwhelmingly approved the sale of a parcel of waterfront land to the Great Gulf Group of Companies for the first private sector development in the emerging East Bayfront neighbourhood.  The agreements for the Parkside site were brought to City Council on the recommendation of Waterfront Toronto following a competitive two-stage bidding process. 

Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, Parkside will be a premier residential and commercial complex within Waterfront Toronto’s new waterfront community of East Bayfront. Known for its design-driven philosophy and award-winning projects, the Great Gulf Group of Companies will construct an innovative mixed-use project that will enhance the new community taking shape on Toronto’s eastern waterfront. Ultimately, the project is expected to deliver a $200 million private sector investment in the community.

Offering stunning views of Lake Ontario, the building will be a dramatic new addition to Toronto’s skyline with green, plant-covered roofs and lush, stepped gardens.  In addition to residential units, the development will feature ground floor retail, a daycare centre and potential office and cultural space.  It will also be the first residential project by Safdie in Canada since his landmark Habitat ’67 in Montreal.

“With Moshe Safdie and Great Gulf Group on board, Parkside will be a trailblazer in re-developing Toronto’s waterfront,” said Mayor David Miller. “This project is a clear indication that imagination and creativity are key to our vision for a green, 21st century urban waterfront.”

“We welcome today’s announcement and are pleased to see private sector investment in waterfront revitalization that compliments the public investment made by the Government of Canada,” said Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

Facing Sherbourne Park, which is scheduled to open in summer 2010, the Parkside site is bounded by Lower Sherbourne Street in the west, Bonnycastle Street in the east, Queens Quay East in the south and Lake Shore Boulevard in the north.

This project represents the latest milestone in Waterfront Toronto’s transformation of the lakefront lands from a fading reminder of our city’s industrial past, into a series of beautiful and sustainable 21st century communities.  Today East Bayfront is a busy work site, with Waterfront Toronto completing the basic infrastructure, such as water, hydro, sanitation and gas facilities, to support the major development already in progress.  Construction is well underway on Corus Quay, the future headquarters of Corus Entertainment, and George Brown College will soon break ground for its new lakefront campus.

“Great Gulf’s outstanding proposal captures the very spirit of the East Bayfront precinct plan, with an overall design concept that supports our vision for fostering a vibrant and diverse community in the area,” said Waterfront Toronto President and CEO John Campbell.  “With an impressive breadth of experience, a track record of award-winning developments, and the world-class design team it brought together for this project, I have no doubt Great Gulf will deliver a landmark building that raises the bar for all future waterfront developments.”

The Great Gulf proposal supports Waterfront Toronto’s mandate for mixed-use buildings, and will significantly enhance the area’s ability to attract residents, businesses and visitors.  It encourages downtown family living by offering a daycare centre onsite and by designing at least five per cent of all units to be three or more bedrooms. From a sustainability perspective, the proposal demonstrates compliance with Waterfront Toronto’s Mandatory Green Building Requirements and LEED Gold certification, and may even exceed these requirements.  Great Gulf will explore a variety of environmentally-progressive design initiatives, including a plant-covered wall in the building’s atrium that will contribute to improved indoor air quality, and the use of recycled and locally sourced building materials.

“The vision for the project is ‘gardens in the sky’,” said Mr. Safdie, who has designed some of the most iconic buildings in Canada and around the world. “Rejuvenation of the waterfront is a noble task for Toronto, and I trust that this building will set the standard for an exciting new kind of urban living.”

The building will be a 120-metre high (approximately 36-storey) tower anchored by a 38-metre high podium and will extend from Queens Quay in the south to Lake Shore Boulevard in the north. Parkside will be comprised primarily of residential units with a daycare centre on the ground floor.  The podium will feature a variety of uses including residential, retail and potential office/employment, and institutional space.

“We are proud to have been selected as the developer of the Parkside site, and look forward to playing an integral role in the renewal of our city’s waterfront,” said David Gerofsky, president and COO of Great Gulf Group. “For this project, we have assembled a team of the most creative and talented Canadian professionals, each with a world-class portfolio. We are confident that we will deliver a magnificent building that will enhance the beautiful new neighbourhood where it will stand.”

In addition to Moshe Safdie and Associates, the project design team includes: Quadrangle Architects Limited, Janet Rosenberg + Associates Landscape Architects, and Cecconi Simone Inc.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For more information, please contact:

Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto – 416.271.1316 or sgileno@waterfrontoronto.ca

Beth Shropshire, Shropshire Communications, PR for Great Gulf Group – 416.466.7044

Sarah Perz, Director of Communications, Moshe Safdie and Associates – 617.629.2100

Media Kit

Parkside Backgrounder

East Bayfront Backgrounder

Parkside Development and Design Team Biographies

Moshe Safdie and Associates – Profile

Great Group of Companies Corporate Profile

East Bayfront Parkside Aerial

Parkside Image Gallery

Selected from among 15 submissions during a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, MVVA was chosen to lead the design of the York Quay Revitalization Project (phase two) for Waterfront Toronto and Harbourfront Centre.

Plans for this prime waterfront location in the heart of Harbourfront Centre, include replacing the 1.4 hectare surface parking lot currently on the site with an underground parking garage that includes qualities of the outdoors such as sunlight, air, water and plantings as part of its design.

“After 35 years of offering cutting edge cultural programming on the waterfront, it’s fitting that Harbourfront Centre is once again on the forefront of innovation — this time in the type of infrastructure and public space we are building on our site,” said William Boyle, CEO of Harbourfront Centre.

This important piece of parking infrastructure will free up the surface area for future public space and a thriving cultural/retail village. The underground garage imagined by the MVVA team will create a space where sunlight and air are directed from above grade down into the garage through openings, as well as innovative uses of glass and lighting. There may also be opportunities for integrated sustainable technologies, such as the reuse of collected rain water for a summer fountain or winter ice display.

“By choosing MVVA’s proposal, Waterfront Toronto’s commitment to design excellence and sustainability is clear,” said John Campbell, Waterfront Toronto President and CEO. “We’re taking an untapped and virtually hidden piece of functional infrastructure and building it in a uniquely beautiful and sustainable way.”

In addition to the underground parking garage, phase two work will also include the planning and design of the overall York Quay cultural/retail village site and any necessary applications and zoning amendments, as well as the design and construction of a waterfront plaza called Canada Square and interim treatments for the remainder of the site.

MVVA has put together an impressive team to work on the project including designer/artist James Carpenter, winner of the 2004 MacArthur Grant for his work with glass and reflected light, and three-time winner of the prestigious Presidential Design Award, Beyer Blinder Belle architects.  The team will be supported by Toronto engineering firm, ARUP and GHK International for zoning and planning approvals.

“By linking the design of the surface landscape with that of the parking garage, we will keenly focus on improving the experience users have when moving from the car to the city,” said Michael Van Valkenburgh, Principal, MVVA. “Bringing sunlight and nature into the garage are critical to creating a beguiling urban experience.”

With the RFP process now complete, phase two work will move forward quickly as the team begins with conceptual/preliminary design work, followed by schematic/detailed design early next winter. An accelerated project timeline will ensure that the parking garage is completed by spring 2011.

Phase one of the project, completed by Waterfront Toronto and Harbourfront Centre in 2006, improved public access to the lake around York and John Quays by including a widened promenade, the addition of a five-metre wide wooden boardwalk at the water’s edge and two 60-metre finger piers.

In addition to the improvements at York and John Quays, Waterfront Toronto has opened three new wavedecks and a new and improved Martin Goodman Trail at Ontario Place. Two major waterfront parks — Sherbourne Park and Canada’s Sugar Beach — will open next summer. Construction is also underway to support new communities including the Athletes’ Village for the 2015 Pan Am Games in the West Don Lands.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

Harbourfront Centre is an innovative non-profit cultural organization which creates events and activities of excellence that enliven, educate and entertain a diverse public on its 10 acre site on Toronto’s waterfront.

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For background information about Waterfront Toronto, please visit www.waterfrontoronto.ca.

For more information about the design team, please visit  http://www.mvvainc.com/ and http://www.beyerblinderbelle.com/  and http://www.jcdainc.com.

Media Contacts:
Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto 416-271-1316 or sgileno@waterfrontoronto.ca

Additional Information:
Central Waterfront Backgrounder

Aerial view of Parkside

Toronto, November 30, 2009 – Following a competitive two-stage bidding process, Waterfront Toronto has selected prominent Toronto real estate developer Great Gulf Group of Companies to lead the first private sector development in the emerging East Bayfront neighbourhood.  The agreement, which includes the sale of the Parkside development site, is now before Toronto City Council for approval.

Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, Parkside will be a premier residential and commercial complex within Waterfront Toronto’s new waterfront community of East Bayfront. Known for its design-driven philosophy and award-winning projects, Great Gulf Group will construct an innovative mixed-use project that will enhance the new community taking shape on Toronto’s eastern waterfront.

Offering stunning views of Lake Ontario, the building will be a dramatic new addition to Toronto’s skyline with green, plant-covered roofs and lush, stepped gardens.  In addition to residential units, the development will feature ground floor retail, a daycare centre and potential office and cultural space.  Ultimately, the project is expected to deliver a $200 million private sector investment in the community.

“With Moshe Safdie and Great Gulf Group on board, Parkside will be a trailblazer in re-developing Toronto’s waterfront,” said Mayor David Miller. “This project is a clear indication that imagination and creativity are key to our vision for a green, 21st century urban waterfront.”

“We welcome today’s announcement and are pleased to see private sector investment in waterfront revitalization that compliments the public investment made by the Government of Canada,” said Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

“This project represents another exciting initiative on the waterfront and demonstrates the McGuinty government’s commitment to the redevelopment of Toronto’s waterfront through both private and public sector investment,” said Gerry Phillips, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Facing Sherbourne Park, which is scheduled to open in summer 2010, the Parkside site is bounded by Lower Sherbourne Street in the west, Bonnycastle Street in the east, Queens Quay East in the south and Lake Shore Boulevard in the north.

This project represents the latest milestone in Waterfront Toronto’s transformation of the lakefront lands from a fading reminder of our city’s industrial past into a series of beautiful and sustainable 21st century communities.  Today East Bayfront is a busy work site, with Waterfront Toronto completing the basic infrastructure, such as water, hydro, sanitation and gas facilities, to support the major development already in progress.  Construction is well underway on Corus Quay, the future headquarters of Corus Entertainment, and George Brown College will soon break ground for its new lakefront campus.

“Great Gulf’s outstanding proposal captures the very spirit of the East Bayfront precinct plan, with an overall design concept that supports our vision for fostering a vibrant and diverse community in the area,” said Waterfront Toronto President and CEO John Campbell.  “With an impressive breadth of experience, a track record of award-winning developments, and the world-class design team it brought together for this project, I have no doubt Great Gulf will deliver a landmark building that raises the bar for all future waterfront developments.”

The Great Gulf proposal supports Waterfront Toronto’s mandate for mixed-use buildings, and will significantly enhance the area’s ability to attract residents, businesses and visitors.  It encourages downtown family living by offering a daycare centre onsite and by designing at least five per cent of all units to be three or more bedrooms. From a sustainability perspective, the proposal demonstrates compliance with Waterfront Toronto’s Mandatory Green Building Requirements and LEED Gold certification, and may even exceed these requirements.  Great Gulf will explore a variety of environmentally-progressive design initiatives, including a plant-covered wall in the building’s atrium that will contribute to improved indoor air quality, and the use of recycled and locally- sourced building materials.

“The vision for the project is ‘gardens in the sky’,” said Mr. Safdie, who has designed some of the most iconic buildings in Canada and around the world. “Rejuvenation of the waterfront is a noble task for Toronto, and I trust that this building will set the standard for an exciting new kind of urban living.”

The building will be a 120-metre high (approximately 36-storey) tower anchored by a 38-metre high podium and will extend from Queens Quay in the south to Lake Shore Boulevard in the north. Parkside will be comprised primarily of residential units with a daycare centre on the ground floor.  The podium will feature a variety of uses including residential, retail and potential office/employment, and institutional space.

“We are proud to have been selected as the developer of the Parkside site, and look forward to playing an integral role in the renewal of our city’s waterfront,” said David Gerofsky, president and COO of Great Gulf Group. “For this project, we have assembled a team of the most creative and talented Canadian professionals, each with a world-class portfolio. We are confident that we will deliver a magnificent building that will enhance the beautiful new neighbourhood where it will stand.”

In addition to Moshe Safdie and Associates, the project design team includes: Quadrangle Architects Limited, Janet Rosenberg + Associates Landscape Architects, and Cecconi Simone Inc.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For more information, please contact:

Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto – 416.271.1316 or sgileno@waterfrontoronto.ca

Beth Shropshire, Shropshire Communications, PR for Great Gulf Group – 416.466.7044

Sarah Perz, Director of Communications, Moshe Safdie and Associates – 617.629.2100

Media Kit

Parkside Backgrounder

East Bayfront Backgrounder

Parkside Development and Design Team Biographies

Moshe Safdie and Associates – Profile

Great Group of Companies Corporate Profile

East Bayfront Parkside Aerial

Parkside Image Gallery

Under the recommended plan, Queens Quay will become a two lane street with east/west traffic on the north side and streetcars running in a dedicated right-of-way south of the street.

“Today’s decision will help put Toronto’s waterfront on the map,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “Queens Quay is now poised to become one of the most beautiful waterfront streets in the world.”

Transforming Queens Quay by creating open public space along the south side of the street with a generous new pedestrian promenade and expanded Martin Goodman Trail was part of the 2006 winning design for revitalizing the central waterfront. The design, by renowned landscape architects and urban planners West 8 + DTAH, was selected by Waterfront Toronto after an international design competition.

Prior to making any changes to Queens Quay, Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto undertook an EA to study the feasibility and impact of the design as well as possible alternatives to it. In addition, a second EA was undertaken in conjunction with Toronto Transit Committee and the City of Toronto to focus on planning transit services for the new waterfront development underway in East Bayfront and future communities in the Lower Don Lands and Port Lands.

During the EA, several design alternatives for Queens Quay were examined. Each alternative presented a different configuration for a revitalized Queens Quay that was analyzed and rated against a series of city planning and environmental criteria. The process also featured a strong public consultation component with opportunities for the public to participate through site walks and tours, information sessions and public meetings.

Results of the EA clearly demonstrate that Waterfront Toronto’s recommendation for Queens Quay provides the greatest opportunity for creating a world-class waterfront street. Rigorous traffic analysis confirms that reducing traffic to two lanes on the north side of Queens Quay is not only feasible in the short term but can also accommodate future traffic demands.

Today’s approval from City Council allows Waterfront Toronto to move forward with submitting the recommendation, part of the full Environmental Screening Report for the project, to the Ontario Ministry of Environment for approval. Once submitted, the public will have a 30-day comment period during which they can review the report and provide feedback to the MOE. At the end of the 30-day comment period, the MOE will either approve the EA or may request additional information from the project team.

If the EA is approved, the project will rollout in phases beginning with schematic design from Spadina Avenue to Parliament Street. Schematic design is the first phase of design for the project and will result in a comprehensive layout of the street from end to end including traffic management and construction phasing strategies. Schematic design is expected to take four months to complete and will be followed by detailed design.

The first phase of construction, which will begin in the Central Waterfront, will be determined during schematic design. Phase one construction is expected to begin about one year after the completion of the EA and will take 12 to 18 months to build.

The construction of the revitalized Queens Quay will occur in phases based on funding availability. The project is expected to cost approximately $192 million which includes all new services and public realm improvements plus an additional $150 million for new transit along Queens Quay in the East Bayfront area. Schematic and detailed design from Spadina Avenue to Parliament Street and a first phase of construction in the Central Waterfront is expected to cost approximately $63 million and is included in Waterfront Toronto’s current long term plan.

As detailed design begins, public consultation will continue to be an integral part of the project with opportunities for the public to be actively engaged in the process. Waterfront Toronto will share information and seek public feedback and input at all key project milestones.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media contact:
Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto, 416-271-1316

News release (pdf)

Rendering – Revitalized Queens Quay at Simcoe WaveDeck (jpg)

The Simcoe WaveDeck, one of four uniquely Canadian wavedecks planned for the area, is as artistic as it is functional. Located just west of Simcoe Street at the water’s edge, the wooden wavedeck features an informal public amphitheatre-style space with impressive curves that soar as high as 2.6 metres above the lake.

Inspired by the Canadian cottage experience and the shorelines of Ontario’s great lakes, the wavedeck is meant to give urban dwellers a feel for life at the lake. Providing access to Lake Ontario is a key priority for Waterfront Toronto and is an important public goal supported by all of our government partners.

“It is a pleasure to work with other levels of government to support the projects initiated by Waterfront Toronto to improve access to Lake Ontario’s promenades, recreational facilities and parks,” said Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. “The federal government is pleased to have contributed all of the construction costs, in the amount of more than $5 million to make this project a reality. Our government will continue to contribute to innovative infrastructure projects such as the Simcoe WaveDeck, underlining our commitment to the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront.”

Built in less than eight months, the Simcoe WaveDeck joins the Spadina WaveDeck which opened last year in creating more public space along one of the most heavily used parts of the Toronto shoreline. Construction of the third wavedeck at Rees Street is well underway and will open in August.

“Our government is committed to creating waterfront community spaces such as this one to improve the way Ontarians live, work and play” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “Improved access to the waterfront means that residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy a stroll along the water’s edge or use it as a place to gather with family and friends.”

The wavedecks are just one part of Waterfront Toronto’s award-winning design for the central waterfront. The plan also includes a continuous water’s edge promenade and boardwalk; a series of pedestrian footbridges connecting major attractions on the waterfront, and the transformation of Queens Quay into a pedestrian-friendly, grand boulevard.

“The completion of this project marks the ongoing transformation of our waterfront into a series of beautiful and functional civic spaces,” said Toronto Mayor David Miller. “It provides a glimpse of things to come for the many other projects along Toronto’s waterfront that will be completed shortly.”

The revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront includes the creation of more than 300 hectares of new and improved parks and public spaces – the equivalent of 575 football fields.

“Today’s opening is another indication that waterfront revitalization is in full swing,” said Mark Wilson, Chair of Waterfront Toronto. “Construction projects are underway all along the waterfront as we work to create one of the most beautiful and sustainable waterfronts in the world.”

In addition to the installation of the wavedeck at Simcoe Street, construction activities included dockwall repairs, in-water fisheries habitat construction and landscape improvements.

Other parts of the revitalization of the central waterfront project are also taking shape. Planning for the first of five pedestrian footbridges along the waterfront is currently underway.

Furthermore, after a two-year Environmental Assessment process, Waterfront Toronto will present the technically recommended alternative for revitalizing Queens Quay Blvd to City Council for approval in July followed by the Minister of the Environment this fall. If approved, the plan will turn Queens Quay into a grand lakefront boulevard with two lanes of traffic on the north side of the street, streetcars in the middle, and a new tree-lined park along the south side of the street with space for the Martin Goodman Trail for pedestrians and cyclists.

Waterfront Toronto
Construction projects are currently underway to support new communities in West Don Lands and East Bayfront. In addition, since 2005, Waterfront Toronto has completed several parks and public spaces projects, including the Western Beaches Watercourse, York and John Quay promenades, phase one of Port Union and Mimico Waterfront Parks, Cherry Beach Sports Fields and the Marilyn Bell Park promenade and trail.

This summer, Waterfront Toronto will open the Rees WaveDeck and will unveil an improved Martin Goodman Trail at Ontario Place . We will also begin construction of Sherbourne Park and Sugar Beach — two signature parks in East Bayfront.

For a tour of the Central Waterfront with Adriaan Geuze, Principal, West 8 and Waterfront Toronto Vice-President of Planning and Design, Chris Glaisek, log on to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hr-ujDmrMk

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media Contacts:
Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 x264 or 416-271-1316
Chisholm Pothier, Finance Canada, Office of the Minister of Finance 613-996-7861
Amy Tang, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Minister’s Office 416-327-6747

Video – Building Our New Blue Edge: Central Waterfront

Media Kit

News Release (pdf)
News Release – French (pdf)
Simcoe WaveDeck Key Facts (pdf)
Central Waterfront Backgrounder (pdf)
Aquatic Habitat Toronto Fact Sheet (pdf)
Image – Simcoe WaveDeck (jpg)
Image – Simcoe WaveDeck Opening Celebration (jpg)
Image – Simcoe WaveDeck Sign Unveiling (jpg)
Image – Queens Quay at Simcoe Street (jpg)
Image – Rees WaveDeck (jpg)
Image – Simcoe 1 (jpg)
Image – Simcoe 2 (jpg)
Image – Simcoe 3 (jpg)
Image – Simcoe 4 (jpg)
Image – Simcoe Before (jpg)
Central Waterfront Image Gallery

Each year, the ASLA honours the best in landscape architecture and urban design from around the globe. The 2009 competition featured over 600 entries from around the world.

Since opening eight months ago, the Spadina WaveDeck, designed by West 8 and du Toit Allsopp Hillier (DTAH) has received two leading design awards and was the first Canadian project ever to be short-listed for the world-acclaimed Brit Insurance Design Awards.

“We’re so pleased that the Spadina WaveDeck has been honoured again,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “This project exemplifies what Waterfront Toronto means when we say that design excellence is part of everything we do. It’s a public gathering place that is also a stunning piece of art.”

The Spadina WaveDeck is the first of four dynamic wavedecks planned for the end of major waterfront streets. Two more dramatic wavedecks will open at Rees and Simcoe Streets this summer.

“The design for the wavedecks is inspired in part by Ontario’s Great Lake shoreline and the cottage experience,” said Adriaan Geuze, Principal, West 8. “They’re meant to give urban dwellers the illusion of an authentic Canadian landscape and a feel for life at the lake.”

To construct this urban deck, West 8 + DTAH chose timber to create a flexible gathering place that curves playfully like a wave along the shoreline. The stairs act as an informal amphitheatre while the deck itself provides different vantage points and experiences with the lake. In the evenings, the space is kept alive with 24 underwater LED lights.

The wavedecks are just one part of West 8 + DTAH’s comprehensive design to convert Toronto’s central waterfront into a dynamic public area with continuous access to the lake. The design also includes a water’s edge promenade and boardwalk with a series of bridges that allow pedestrians to stroll over slips and inlets. The transformation of Queens Quay into a grand boulevard that will rival the world’s best streets is also an integral part of the design.

This bold and innovative design for the central waterfront has also received important awards recognition. It has been honoured with two Toronto Urban Design Awards, as well as a National Merit Award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects.

Design excellence is a core priority and differentiator for Waterfront Toronto. Everything we build on the waterfront — from buildings to streets to parks and public art — will set new standards for architecture and public space.

To help achieve and uphold our standards for design excellence, Waterfront Toronto hosts international design competitions, works with some of world’s top architects and landscape designers and incorporates urban design as an important component in our environmental assessment process. The Waterfront Design Review Panel, an independent body comprised of some of Canada’s most prestigious architects and planners also guides and informs our projects.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For background information on the Spadina WaveDeck and construction updates for the Simcoe and Rees WaveDecks, please visit www.waterfrontoronto.ca.

For more information about the 2009 American Society of Landscape Architects Awards, please visit www.asla.org.

Media Contact – Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 x264 or 416-271-1316

Waterfront Toronto will officially present the technically recommended alternative and two options for the traffic lanes, one which would have two-way traffic and the other one-way traffic, for public discussion and input tonight. While Waterfront Toronto has a slight preference for the two-way option at this time, further analysis and public input are required before a final option is presented to City Council.“Today we are one step closer to our goal of revitalizing Toronto’s central waterfront area,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “From east to west, Queens Quay is the backbone of our waterfront and it will soon become a revered destination not only for Torontonians but the world.”

Transforming Queens Quay by creating a beautiful linear park on the south side of the street that would include a generous new pedestrian promenade and an expanded Martin Goodman Trail was part of the winning design for revitalizing the central waterfront selected by Waterfront Toronto in 2006 after an international design competition.

Prior to making any changes to Queens Quay, Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto began a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process to study the feasibility, impact, and alternatives to the idea. In fact, Queens Quay has been subject to two EAs, one on the revitalization itself and another, done in conjunction with Toronto Transit Committee and the City of Toronto, focusing on planning transit services for the new waterfront development underway in East Bayfront and future communities in the West Don Lands and Port Lands.

The EA process, which has been ongoing for the past two years, has included the examination of several alternative planning solutions for Queens Quay. Each alternative presents a different configuration for a revitalized Queens Quay that has been analyzed and rated against a series of city planning and environmental criteria.

The EA process also includes a thorough and continuing public consultation component and extensive in-depth technical analysis.

Furthermore, rigorous traffic and transit modeling were undertaken to test the feasibility of all of the alternative design solutions.

Results of the EA show that the technically recommended alternative provides the greatest opportunity for creating a world-class waterfront street. Traffic analysis confirms that reducing traffic to two lanes on the north side of Queens Quay is not only feasible in the short term but can also accommodate future traffic demands.

The Class Environmental Assessment process is ongoing and public input is still being sought. The recommended plan incorporating the Preferred Alternative will be identified after we have taken into account public and stakeholder input. It will go to City Council for approval in July.

The revitalization of Queens Quay is budgeted at approximately $192 million which includes all new services and public realm improvements and $150 million for new transit along Queens Quay in the new East Bayfront area.

The first phase of construction from York to Spadina is expected to begin about one year after the completion of the EA. Waterfront Toronto’s goal is to finish construction along Queens Quay by 2012.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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Media Contact:

Samantha Gileno, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 x264

Media Kit

News Release (pdf)
Queens Quay Backgrounder (pdf)
Central Waterfront Backgrounder (pdf)
Image – Aerial View at Simcoe Slip (jpg)
Image – Winter Aerial View at Simcoe Slip (jpg)
Image – Queens Quay Winter Night Festival (jpg)
Image – Queens Quay Vendors (jpg)
Image – View of Martin Goodman Trail (jpg)
Image – TTC Stop (jpg)

The Brit Insurance Design Awards are the Design Museum of London’s annual exploration of the most innovative and forward-looking new work in design. One hundred projects from around the world are nominated in seven categories, which include architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive, product and transport.

The Design Museum of London selects projects from the last 12 months nominated by a group of internationally distinguished design and architecture writers, critics and curators.

“We are thrilled to be nominated among such an esteemed and internationally renowned group,” said John Campbell, Waterfront Toronto President and CEO. “Excellence in design is a priority for us and being recognized for excellence in the architecture category is a tremendous honour.”

Opened in September 2008, the Spadina WaveDeck is the first in a series of spectacular new public spaces being built along Toronto’s waterfront. Designed by the internationally recognized and award-winning team of West 8 from Rotterdam and du Toit Allsopp Hillier (DTAH) from Toronto, the new wavedeck is a gateway to the lakefront at a site that previously lacked public access.

The geometry of the 630 square-metre timber deck uses playful curves that are constantly changing to provide for a flexible gathering space. The stairs act as an informal amphitheatre and the varying heights of the deck allow for different vantage points and ultimately different experiences with the lake. In the evenings, the space is kept animated with 24 underwater LED lights.

The Spadina WaveDeck is the first step towards the implementation of the highly anticipated West 8 + DTAH design for the central waterfront, which spans 3km’s from Bathurst Street to Parliament Street. Construction also began on the Rees and Simcoe WaveDecks in the fall of 2008. These will both be open for public enjoyment this summer.

An exhibit showcasing the nominated projects will be on display at The Design Museum of London from February 12 – June 14, 2009 and the winners will be announced on February 24, 2009. This year, in addition to an international jury reviewing the nominees, the public is also able to vote for their favourites at www.designsoftheyear.com.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For further background information on the Spadina WaveDeck, please visit www.waterfrontoronto.ca

Media Contact:

Tanya Bevington, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 x239 or tbevington@waterfrontoronto.ca

News Release (pdf)