Toronto's newest public library is now open at Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street, beside the base of Context Development's Library District Condominiums. The 16,000 square-foot library is a very modern location for Toronto's Public Library system, and the new facility has lots of high-tech offerings for patrons, including 3D printers and rentable DJ equipment. 

Fort York Public Library viewed from Fort York Boulevard, image by Forum contributor Mafaldaboy

Designed by KPMB Architects, the new facility, located to the immediate west of Library District Condos' ground floor, takes the form of an aluminum and glass clad two-storey polygon, accented by striking vertical fins on the building's southern, western and northern facades.

Fort York Public Library viewed from Bathurst Street, image by Forum contributor Mafaldaboy

Inside the new library, modern design and finishes are just as impressive as the exterior. Wood panel ceilings add warmth to the aluminum and glass walls while splashes of colour contribute a playful touch.

Inside the new library, image by Jack Landau

Ample natural light fills the space thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, while harsh morning and evening lighting conditions are prevented by the angle of the vertical fins on the exterior facade.

Brightly coloured furniture inside the new library, image by Jack Landau

Second floor reading spaces at the new library, image by Jack Landau

Following the opening of Canoe Landing Park, the North Linear Park, and Puente de Luz, the pedestrian bridge which links the area to King West, the addition of this library is latest piece of public infrastructure in the new Concord CityPlace/Fort York neighbourhood, which has been undergoing a master planned redevelopment for over a decade now. Proposals are currently in the works for two schools a block to the east, while Mouth of the Creek Park is planned to the immediate north. As new high-rise condominiums continue to populate the area, the Fort York library is expected to see high traffic from residents of the fast-growing neighbourhood.

Looking east on Fort York Boulevard, image by Jack Landau

Additional information and renderings on some of the projects mentioned above of can be found in their dataBase files, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

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