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The bridges connecting Cityzen and Fernbrook Homes' Waterlink at Pier 27 are being installed as the development's towers reach their 14-storey height. Designed by architectsAlliance, Waterlink at Pier 27 is located at the foot of Yonge Street at 25 Queens Quay East, and is comprised of four towers. Each tower is connected by two three-storey bridges that link tower one to tower two and tower three to tower four. The bridges offer a dramatic design feature to the complex and will contain penthouse residential units.
Waterlink at Pier 27 is one of several redevelopment projects on Toronto's waterfront. This area (particularly along the waterfront east of Yonge Street) is being transformed from industrial uses to a more residential and mixed-use character. The development potential of this part of the city has only recently gained attention, as municipal and development focus has shifted to the importance of turning Toronto's waterfront into a destination.
Those who are familiar with this part of town are aware of the vast tracts of surface parking lots and large plots of industrial land that can be redeveloped to make a contribution to the city. Directly across the street from Waterlink at Pier 27 lie the Toronto Star tower at 1 Yonge Street and the LCBO headquarters and distribution centre at 2 Cooper Street. Rumours on the future of 1 Yonge Street have been active since last year and there is temendous potential for this plot of land which includes not only the Toronto Star tower but the enormous parking lot behind it that spans an entire city block. The Government of Ontario has announced plans to sell its LCBO properties on the waterfront, so expect to see redevelopment of that site in the future.
Waterlink at Pier 27's neighbour is the Redpath Sugar Museum and Refinery, a functioning industrial site and Toronto landmark that will escape any redevelopment (at least for the time being). Next to Redpath is the appropriately named Sugar Beach, a new public space opened last year by Waterfront Toronto. Other brand new additions to Queens Quay East include Corus Quay and George Brown College's Watefront Campus.
Residential spaces form an important part of any large scale redevelopment effort. Sustainable communities are a mixture of residential, employment, recreational and institutional uses. Waterlink at Pier 27 brings livable space to a valuable and long neglected part of the city.
| Related Companies: | architects—Alliance, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., Jablonsky, Ast and Partners, Walters Group |
