Ontario Construction News staff writer
Quayside Impact has presented its master plan concept and early-stage designs to Waterfront Toronto’s design review panel.
Waterfront Toronto partnered with developers Dream and Great Gulf Group, together known as Quayside Impact, to develop the land in phases, beginning with three iconic buildings designed by architects Adjaye Associates, Alison Brooks Architects and Henning Larsen, and landscape design created by SLA Architects.
The master plan includes a mix of market rate and affordable housing, including more than 800 affordable housing units – more than half of which will be two-bedroom and larger for families. Importantly, the affordable units will be spread across Quayside and a portion will be included in each phase of development.
The residential space, along with commercial, institutional and retail space, will be built intofive towers and Canada’s largest mass-timber residential building running along the north side of Queens Quay East.
It also includes 3.5 acres of accessible public space across the site, including a 2-acre car-free urban forest and a one-acre urban farm on the rooftop of the mass-timber building that will be accessible to residents and the public, creating an opportunity for community gardens.
An all-electrically powered, zero-carbon community built with sustainability as a first principle. By using more sustainable materials and technologies, promoting biodiversity and creating comfortable and accessible green spaces for all seasons and types of weather, Quayside will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage the effects of extreme weather events.
A Community Care Hub that will promote physical and mental well-being for residents through offering community resources, services and programming, such as daycare, seniors’ services, and medical services.