BAY STREET TRANSFORMATION

Toronto, Canada

2007

Architect: Kris Vassilev

City of Toronto Urban Design Awards

This submission for the Toronto Urban Design Awards, Vision and Master Plan category, represents a transformation of Bay Street into pedestrian between Queen Street and Front Street.

There are a few major factors supporting such an idea:

• The Old City Hall acting as a vista to the north and the Waterfront and Lake Ontario to the south;
• The need to improve the pedestrian commute to Union Station, in particular during rush hours;
• The aim to enhance the pedestrian access to Nathan Phillips Square;
• The opportunity to link the existing plazas and public courtyards alongside Bay Street, and to connect them to the City Square;
• The prospect of creating a unique North American pedestrian street framed by skyscrapers with potential connections by bridges and skywalks overlooking the street level.

While we understand the complexity of such a transformation, we believe it is feasible and highly beneficial for Torontonians as it will radically improve the pedestrian comfort, and will contribute to a more vibrant downtown core.