Quayside is a 4.9 hectare (12 acre) area of underused waterfront within walking distance of Toronto’s downtown. Located at the foot of Parliament Street, Quayside is an important connector between communities to the north, the water’s edge to the south, new waterfront communities to the west and future development in the reclaimed Port Lands. Quayside presents an important opportunity to address some of the growing challenges facing our city, including: economic inequality, affordable housing, aging infrastructure and an over-burdened transit system. Our aim is to build a neighbourhood that is inclusive, resilient and dynamic.
Quayside is largely owned by Waterfront Toronto (4.2 hectares or 10.4 acres) but also includes lands owned by the City of Toronto (0.6 hectares or 1.5 acres), Ports Toronto, and private landowners.
Quayside is made up of five (5) different development blocks, one of which will result from the future extension of Queens Quay East and realignment of Parliament Street.
Planning for Quayside is grounded in the objectives of the 2003 Central Waterfront Secondary Plan, which lays the groundwork for planning and development on the waterfront. Quayside straddles two precincts—East Bayfront and Keating Channel—both of which have approved precinct plans that direct planning in the area.
The East Bayfront Precinct Plan (2005) and Keating Channel Precinct Plan (2010) establish the planning context for development in Quayside, which includes a mix of residential and non-residential uses. The precinct plans also imagined spectacular parks and open spaces: Silo Park, Parliament Slip and the extension of the Waters’ Edge Promenade will be added to the existing network of parks and open spaces in the area, such as Sugar Beach, Sherbourne Common, and Aitken Place Park.
The Precinct Plans both support the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan, which sets out these “Big Moves“:
Removing Barriers and Making Connection
- Future waterfront development will feel like, and function as, a part of the city fabric
Building a Network of Spectacular Waterfront Parks and Public Spaces
- Recognize the significance of the public realm and encourage active, publicly-engaging ground floor uses along Queens Quay and the Water’s Edge Promenade
Promoting a Clean and Green Environment
- Ensure transit-oriented development and promote active transportation
Creating Dynamic and Diverse New Communities
- Create a mix of uses, targeting 75% residential and 25% non-residential uses
- Build new affordable housing in addition to market housing
- Integrate a day-care and school within the community
There are also two approved municipal zoning by-laws that implement the direction of the precinct plans. These by-laws allow for about 3.2 million square feet of development, including permissions for up to approximately 95% residential development, which is approximately 3,000 units. We anticipate that a minimum of 20% of these will be affordable units.
