Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Waterfront Toronto has chosen Quayside Impact Limited Partnership to develop the massive waterfront Quayside site in downtown Toronto.
Quayside Impact Limited Partnership includes Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf acting as Lead Developers. The team also includes Adjaye Associates, Alison Brooks Architects and Henning Larsen as Lead Architects. They were chosen from four teams vying for the opportunity to transform the 12-acre site.
“Dream Unlimited and Great Gulf, together with their team of architects and local partners have a strong proposal to make Quayside and Toronto’s waterfront among the best in the world,” said Jack Winberg, chair of Waterfront Toronto’s investment and real estate committee.
“As we begin negotiations on a project agreement, we are more confident than ever in the transformative power of the Quayside project to the economic and social recovery of Toronto, Ontario, and Canada.”
The team includes The Bentway, Centre for Social Innovation, Crow’s Theatre, George Brown College, Rekai Centres and WoodGreen Community Services.
Five towers and one of Canada’s largest residential mass timber buildings are included in the development. Highlights of the winning submission also include:
- 800+ affordable housing units, more than doubling the affordable housing Waterfront Toronto.
- New public spaces, including a two-acre forested green space, andan urban farm atop one of Canada’s largest residential mass timber buildings.
- Multi-use arts venue
- Low-carbon features making Quayside the first all-electric, zero-carbon community at this scale.
- Visionary architecturethat will create a visually striking focal point on Toronto’s waterfront.
“The opportunity to develop Quayside with Waterfront Toronto is the perfect development at the perfect time,” said Michael Cooper, chair, Quayside Impact Limited Partnership.
“Dream and Great Gulf regard our activities in real estate as a canvas on which we can make our communities more inclusive, sustainable and healthier. With Quayside, Waterfront Toronto has created the greatest opportunity for impact development in the country, and we believe that the Partnership is ideally suited to deliver on this opportunity.”
Waterfront Toronto and Quayside Impact Limited Partnership will now negotiate a project agreement expected by fall 2022.
“The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation is excited to continue our work with Waterfront Toronto in helping shape the vision for Quayside and look forward to working with Dream and Great Gulf on this new and important phase of Toronto’s future. Toronto and its waters are a significant place to our People and all the people of Ontario. As Host First Nation, we will continue to work to ensure that Quayside will be a place that celebrates Indigenous history and presence and lays the foundation for a good future based on inclusion, respect and reconciliation. We are confident that Dream and Great Gulf will be a strong partner in making this goal a reality,” said Chief Stacey LaForme.