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development

200 Queens Quay West Redux

by YQNA January 21, 2022
New design for 200 Queens Quay West, at Harbour St. and Lower Simcoe St. Image: Diamondcorp.

What a difference a year can make!

On January 12, 2021, the City held a (virtual) community consultation meeting about this project. At that time the 8 storey parking garage, with frontage on Harbour and Lower Simcoe Streets, was going to be demolished and replaced by a 12 storey podium on much the same footprint, topped by two residential condominium towers of 41 and 71 storeys. Vehicular access was to be taken from the existing driveways serving the Waterclub complex.

Now we are learning that the developers, Diamondcorp and Lifetime Developments, have responded to input from City staff, the Waterfront Design Review Panel, and the community, to come up with a revised proposal.

As the rendering (right) shows, the idea now is for one tower towards the east end of the site. The height is 59 storeys on a 5 storey podium, yielding 1002 units and 400 sq m of commercial space close to Lower Simcoe Street. 10% of the units are still to be affordable. The green space at the intersection of Lower Simcoe and Harbour Streets is increased slightly to 500 sq m and is now intended to be a public park rather than publicly-accessible private land.

The access for parking, loading and drop-off is to be from Harbour Street. They are planning for 340 parking spots on 4 levels underground, 150 for the residents and 190 for paying customers. Parking and storage is proposed for 1003 bicycles.

A second community information meeting was held on February 9, 2022 via Webex. Click here to see a presentation by Toronto city planner Sue McAlpine on recent developments at 270 Queens Quay West.

January 21, 2022 0 comments
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development

New GO Bus Station is Open

by YQNA April 15, 2021

An attractive new GO bus station has opened inside the first phase of the CIBC Square on Bay St. across from Union Station. This ambitious development will have two office towers with a distinctive glass diamond pattern, rising 49 and 50 storeys. Connecting the two will be an elevated park across the railroad tracks, which is bound to become a popular meeting place.

The GO bus station replaces the sketchy old bus station just south of Front St. It used to send buses rumbling through city streets and had people lined up outside. Now, the buses enter from the Gardiner Expressway via Lakeshore Boulevard and no longer clog city streets. Passengers use the well-marked entrance on the north side of Lakeshore between Bay St. and Yonge St. When CIBC Square is completed in 2024 there will be more entrances added.

Arriving buses drop their passengers at ground level, then take the ramp upstairs to the departure level. Passengers can find their platform on travel screens in the comfortable hall, while waiting to hop onboard their GO bus. Clear signage makes it easy to navigate the levels via escalators, find washrooms and even a vending machine offering masks.

This is an excellent example of how a public facility can be completely integrated into an office tower. International developers Ivanhoe Cambridge and Hines deserve high praise for their vision, not only for the bus station, but also the elevated park, retail and other public amenities in CIBC Square. They are adding vibrancy to both their buildings and the city.

The work of three international architectural firms—WilkinsonEyre, Adamson Associates and EVOQ Architecture—will make CIBC Square a Toronto landmark. The first tower is near completion at 81 Bay St. The second tower began recently with the excavation north of the tracks. Urban Toronto offers more information.

April 15, 2021 0 comments
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developmentparkstrees

Save the trees!

by YQNA July 16, 2013

IMG_4838

The access ramps in our neighbourhood to the Gardiner will be redesigned. The circular ramp at York and Queens Quay is coming down and a new park will be created from the green space inside.  YQNA has saved this parkland from various proposed  developments — from sewage treatment plant to roadways for parking. Because of our long fight to keep this park on the Waterfront, we are taking stock of the many trees on the site. They are fully grown and some appear very healthy. It is our wish to get a green park that is not dominated by hard surfaces, and to keep as many trees as possible. Here is a beautiful maple tree, ready to shade the centre of our new green entryway to the Waterfront.

July 16, 2013 3 comments
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See Minutes from our last meeting here.

Enjoy summer events backed by the Waterfront BIA.

Attend a police charity BBQ at 52 Division, June 11 from 11am to “whenever the food runs out.” 255 Dundas St. W.

Sign this petition against a 49-storey condo on Queens Quay.

Read the minutes of our January meeting on ultrafine particle pollution or see it on YouTube.

YQNA writes urgent letter to the City on municipal autonomy.

Ed Hore’s report and appendix on the state of dock walls in the harbour.

Learn about Gerstein Crisis Centre’s free services.

See new map of YQNA’s catchment area.

YQNA deputed at City Hall about the Island Airport, Tues. Oct. 1. Watch on YouTube or read the deputation.

Read YQNA’s letter to the City about RESA extensions at the Island Airport.

Save Ontario Place—join public outrage.

Waterfront BIA events this winter.

Does Toronto need two airports? Read facts and analysis by Ed Hore.

Cruise ships in Toronto Bay?

Learn about the grassroots volunteer group Repair Café Toronto.

Learn about traffic improvements on Queens Quay West.

YQNA’s history with Love Park, by Braz Menezes.

Take a look at the fascinating history of Toronto's Waterfront.

Fill out a Waterfront BIA survey to help shape our public spaces.

Big Waterfront park can transform Toronto.

City Planner Tommy Karapalevski on development at 390-396 Queens Quay West.

Recent Posts

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    May 6, 2025
  • News from the Water’s Edge

    March 29, 2025
  • Streetcar Disruptions on Queens Quay

    February 15, 2025
  • New Waterfront Tower Opposed

    February 9, 2025
  • Urgent Need for YQNA Volunteers

    January 5, 2025

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YQNA
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