The Port Lands, which have long inhabited the far peripheries of our civic imagination—existing as some place many Torontonians vaguely knew about, or even "went to that one time...maybe"—are now becoming a subject of intense public interest. As new development blankets the much of the city in condos and high-rise offices, and public investment continues to rejuvenate the waterfront, the untapped potential of the Port Lands is coming more to the forefront.

Looking southeast across the Port Lands, image by Marcus Mitanis

Currently housing some active business and industrial properties, car lots, shipping container storage, and vestiges of bygone industry on other lots, the Port Lands—which boast access to the water, beaches, and some of the city's most spectacular views—are becoming increasingly prominent as Toronto's waterfront begins to revive. However, considering how rarely the civic spotlight shone on the area, the Port Lands—which stretch from west of Cherry Street to east of Leslie—always seemed small and (perhaps) insignificant in the collectively imagined landscape. It may come as a surprise then as to how big they actually are. To contextually grasp just how massive the Port Lands are, let's refer to some comparative mapping imagery from a recent Waterfront Toronto-produced environmental assessment report.

London's canary wharf superimposed over the Port Lands, image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto

For example London's famous Canary Wharf (above) would fit easily into the northern half of the Port Lands, taking up not even a quarter of the waterfront district's total area. With Canary Wharf on top of the Port Lands, the huge scale of the area becomes apparent. 

Similarly, the entirety of our own North York City Centre (below) would account for less than a third of the Port Lands' incredible size. With the large cluster of high and mid-rise development superimposed over the area, the strong development potential of the area becomes evident, putting the previously overlooked Port Lands in a new perspective.

North York City Centre superimposed over the Port Lands, image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto

Finally, if the geographical boundaries of the Port Lands are superimposed over Downtown Toronto, the entirety of the financial district and the fringes on both sides are easily engulfed in an area stretching north from Front Street all the way to College Street.

The Port Lands superimposed over Downtown Toronto, image courtesy of Waterfront Toronto

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Special thanks to UrbanToronto Forum contributor 44North for bringing these images to our attention!