Cityzen Development Group and Fernbrook Homes' four-building project Waterlink at Pier 27 welcomed its first residents last year, while other aspects of the development were still to be completed. Although landscaping was executed several months ago on the Queens Quay-facing portion of the site, activity closer to the harbour was in evidence this week between the towers and along the Water's Edge Promenade when we dropped by.

Landscape work is quickly evolving along the water at Waterlink at Pier 27, picture by Craig White

The areas between the east and west buildings of each pair will be private, landscaped amenity space for the Waterlink residents, but the area between the two pairs will provide public access to this coming extension to the Water's Edge Promenade. While public access will be down the middle of the The MBTW Group / Watchorn Architect-designed space, private gardens and patios for the townhomes at the base of the buildings are now being planted outside their windows.

In the picture below we have a glimpse of the various greenery and trees being planted here, promising a very diverse and lush landscape, not only highly contrasting with the futuristic and strong urban nature of the development, but also providing a sense of connection with the nearby Toronto Island, faintly visible in the background.

Landscape work is quickly evolving at Waterlink at Pier 27, picture by Craig White

Landscaping in the middle will also include water features to emphasize the site's connection to lake Ontario, and more trees to fill in the space with greenery and provide shade on the hot summer months.

Landscaping is progressing in between buildings, picture by Craig White 

Landscaping is progressing in between buildings, picture by Craig White

At the water, what was mainly a strip of dirt until a short time ago is gradually being converted into a more lush landscape, as trees are being planted to form a future canopy along the south edge of the architectsAlliance-designed development. Meanwhile, granite pavers are being installed along the promenade, resembling the portion now open near Canada's Sugar Beach to the east, with the walkway now about a half of its eventual width. 

Landscape work is quickly evolving along the water at Waterlink at Pier 27, picture by Craig White

This section will connect with walkways to the public and private spaces of the Pier 27 development, and will eventually turn the corner at the Yonge Street Slip and continue up to Queens Quay. The next phase of development at the site—the 35-storey high Tower at Pier 27—will mean what it will still be a few years before the new park alongside the Yonge Street Slip can be completed. Until then, residents and Torontonians will be able to enjoy the new waterfront green space via the access through the middle of the site once it opens. 

Tower at Pier 27 condos will be the next phase of the development, courtesy of Cityzen Development Group

A comprehensive collection of project facts, floor plans and renderings can be found linked below in our dataBase file for both Waterlink at Pier 27 and the Tower at Pier 27. 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.