Touted as the first purpose-built high-rise rental project constructed in the Forest Hill South/Casa Loma area in over four decades, Morguard Corporation's The Heathview has come a long way since construction of the project began in 2010, a year after being approved by City Council. Now around 90% occupied and home to approximately 1,000 residents, the Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects-designed twin-tower development celebrated one last milestone yesterday afternoon, with the official unveiling of the project's public art by noted Canadian artist Marlene Hilton Moore.

The Heathview viewed from the south on Tweedsmuir, image by Jack Landau

Dubbed 'Flowers at Our Feet, Moon and Stars Above', the installation consists of laser-cut aluminum panels, finished in a dark powder coat. The installation is divided into two parts; one large display facing the development's Tweedsmuir Avenue motor court, while a series of five smaller panels graces the north tower's Heath Street frontage. The installation is similar in nature to a couple of Marlene Hilton Moore’s previous public art projects, including ‘Return’ (2003) at Minto Yorkville on Bay, and ‘Flow Blue’ (2007,08) at The Met on Carlton east of Yonge.

The installation as seen at dusk, image by Craig White

As the name 'Flowers at Our Feet, Moon and Stars Above' implies, the installation depicts a collection of garden motifs that gradually transition to cutouts of the heavens above. Hilton Moore told the crowd on hand that she took her cues for the piece from the beautifully manicured yards found outside homes throughout the area.

The motor court panel by evening, image courtesy of Morguard

Attended by Toronto Ward 21 City Councillor Joe Mihevc and Brian Athey, Morguard's VP of Development, the art unveiling touched on the surrounding community's connection to arts and culture. “From the outset, we wanted to integrate public art that was relevant, visually rich and suitable for our tenants and neighbours”, said Brian Athey, Vice President, Development at Morguard., “We embraced the City’s public art program and took the opportunity to showcase Canadian talent to the highest degree possible.”

Mihevc thanked the many people who worked to bring the art component about, from planning and urban design staff at the City, to Public Art Management Ltd. who coordinated efforts for the developer, to the fabricators, to artist Hilton Moore herself. 

L-R: Brian Athey, Marlene Hilton Moore, Joe Mihevc, image by Jack Landau

Hilton Moore described the aesthetic range of the installation, specifically its ability to exhibit different qualities between day and night. “With integrated lighting, the piece expresses both day and nighttime views, animating the forecourt and the street edge in a poetic and beautiful way. It encapsulates the interplay of the virtual and the real to complement the elegant architecture of The Heathview”, said Hilton Moore.

Views of the installation after dark help to drive this point home, with backlighting adding a vibrance and warmth absent during daylight hours. Along Heath Street to the north, a group of five laser-cut panels of varying heights surround the north tower's Heath Street entrance. The differing heights on this component of the installation are a response to the sloping grade of Heath Street, with the three western panels gradually increasing in size from east to west as the street's elevation changes.

The installation as seen at dusk, image by Craig White

Following the unveiling, guests were treated to a catered reception in the south tower's U31-appointed party room and attached rooftop terrace.

Reception on the roof terrace amenity, image by Jack Landau

Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for The Heathview, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads (more images can be found in the Projects & Construction thread), or leave a comment using the field provided at the bottom of this page.