wilkinson eyre selected for toronto transit-hub development

the scheme includes an 250,000 square meter office complex, an enlarged bus terminal, and an elevated public park offering a variety of green spaces.

philip stevens October 1, 2014 2 min

wilkinson eyre selected for toronto transit-hub development
all images courtesy of ivanhoé cambridge

following an international design competition, british-based architecture practice wilkinson eyre has been chosen to complete an office tower complex at the heart of toronto’s financial district. the project sees real estate company ivanhoé cambridge and metrolinx – the regional transportation agency for greater toronto – collaborating on the vast transit-oriented scheme.

wilkinson eyre ivanhoe cambridge metrolinx bay street toronto designboom
the development includes an 250,000 square meter office complex spread across different towers

the development includes an 250,000 square meter office complex, a larger GO bus terminal intended to reinforce union station’s transit capabilities, and an elevated public park offering a variety of green spaces. subject to pre-leasing progress, construction could get underway as early as spring 2015, with the bus station set to open three years later. the first office tower will then be completed with the months following the opening of the terminal.

wilkinson eyre ivanhoe cambridge metrolinx bay street toronto designboom
the development is located at the heart of toronto’s financial district

‘we want this project to be iconic for toronto through inspired design and intelligent integration of public transit with green spaces,’ said daniel fournier, chairman and chief executive officer, ivanhoé cambridge. ‘our partnership with metrolinx strongly reinforces the attractiveness of our office development project. by working with public authorities on finding smart transit solutions for downtown toronto, we demonstrate how sustainable development can create value for the community and for our future tenants.’

wilkinson eyre ivanhoe cambridge metrolinx bay street toronto designboom
the GO bus terminal is set to open in 2018

metrolinx chair robert prichard remarked: ‘we are pleased to be working with ivanhoé cambridge to build a new downtown toronto bus terminal to bring bus and train services to a centralized location, allowing for improved transit options and an improved customer experience. an integrated development that provides transit, improved public space and connects communities is an example of metrolinx’s regional transportation plan to provide travelers with improved connections to more transit.‘

wilkinson eyre ivanhoe cambridge metrolinx bay street toronto designboom
the development forms part of the city’s distinctive skyline