Following a design competition, real estate firm Hines and developer Tridel have selected Danish firm 3XN as the design architect of their latest waterfront residential project at Bayside Toronto. Joined by 3XN principal and senior partner Kim Herforth Nielsen, the development partners and architect released initial renderings of the proposed condominium last week.
Architect Kim Herforth Nielsen described his firm’s intention to create a vertical neighbourhood, with the family home as its inspiration. “The design puts people first, paying particular attention to the quality of views, space and lifestyle,” he said. “The development will command extraordinary views of the water, neighbouring parks, and the city skyline.”
Located along the water’s edge on Queens Quay East in the developing East Bayfront neighbourhood, the new condominium will be defined by an L-shape design that ensures views out across the water for residents, and also provides ample natural light to the public areas at ground level. Featuring a dynamic and distinctive architectural form, the building steps down from its highest point at its north-western edge where it faces the city, to an amenity space on the 7th floor, before rising back up towards its eastern façade.
“While the stepped L-shape form provides a sculptural quality to the building, the large garden terraces are the hallmark of the design,” explains Nielson. He adds that the terraces will “activate the façade, enlivening it with texture, colour, depth and variety, while imbuing it with a human scale.”
3XN will be working with Toronto-based firm Kirkor Architects, which will serve as the project’s architect of record.
“The design competition resulted in some truly inspiring visions from some of the world’s leading architecture firms,” says Hines Bayside program director, Michael Gross. “It was quickly clear to the selection committee that 3XN had not only presented a compelling design, but also one that understood the site’s importance to the city and the revitalization of the waterfront; the singular opportunities created by its location along the water’s edge; and the market demands of Toronto’s sophisticated condominium consumer.”
3XN’s building is one of six residential buildings planned for the new Bayside community on Toronto’s waterfront, which will also include two office buildings. The development covers a 5.3 hectare site and will include approximately 190,000 square metres of residential, employment, commercial and cultural space. The development aims to be Toronto’s first LEED-ND Gold Neighbourhood.