Bathurst Quay Common opened to the public on October 4th, 2024, transforming a formerly gritty industrial site into a vibrant public space. This 4,000 square meter (1-acre) waterfront park offers expansive views of the inner harbor and downtown skyline. Located directly across the Western Gap from Billy Bishop City Centre Airport, this project is a key component of the City of Toronto’s Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan, designed to reconnect the community with its waterfront.
Designing for Connection
The park is a thoughtful convergence of design, heritage, and community spirit. Designed by landscape architects PFS Studio, in close collaboration with the City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, Somerville Construction, and community members, the layout balances active and passive spaces, with two distinct “rooms” for quiet reflection and social interaction. Planting beds and pathways weave in native plants and freshly planted elm and maple trees, creating pockets of green that soften the industrial edges. After dark, architectural lighting transforms the heritage-listed Canada Malting Silos into glowing markers of the city’s industrial history and ongoing transformation.
Furniture That Moves with the Moment
Site furnishings by Maglin contribute flexibility and comfort to the site’s evolving use. Maple-red FORO Chairs and Battery Collection Café Tables provide flexible spots for work, rest, or a quiet moment by the harbor. The 720 Chair—a lounge-style seat designed for relaxed comfort—offers an ideal pause for cyclists and sunseekers alike. All pieces are movable, encouraging visitors to choose their own vantage point, shift with the light, and engage with the landscape on their own terms.
A Piece of a Larger Whole
As part of Toronto’s broader waterfront revitalization, Bathurst Quay Common reflects a shift toward inclusive, human-scaled public spaces that serve both local neighborhoods and the wider city. Thoughtfully designed and highly adaptable, the park invites everyday use, quiet reflection, and shared moments within a landscape that continues to evolve alongside urban life.
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Maglin elements: 720 Chair, Battery Café Table, FORO Chair, 210 Cluster Seating
Landscape Architecture: PFS Studio
Client: Parks, Forestry and Recreation – City of Toronto
General Contractor: Somerville Construction