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This past Friday, October 4, Bathurst Quay Common officially opened to the public, transforming a once-industrial site into a new public park on Toronto's waterfront. Rainfall did not deter attendees as crowds gathered at 1 Eireann Quay, directly across the Western Gap from Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, to celebrate the park’s debut. The new space offers sweeping views of Toronto’s harbour and downtown, surrounded by restored heritage buildings, Ireland Park, and the Canada Malting Silos, which date back to the 1920s.
The grand opening drew notable figures, including Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York) and representatives from PFS Studio, the landscape architectural firm behind the park's design. Also present was Bryan Bowen of the City of Toronto, who acted as Project Manager for Bathurst Quay Common. The event featured live music, dance performances, and children's activity booths, offering a lively atmosphere.
Deputy Mayor Malik emphasized the collective effort to transform Bathurst Quay Common into a welcoming public space. She acknowledged the contributions of City staff, architects, contractors, and the community in bringing this project to life, calling the park a “shared effort” and a new destination for all to enjoy. “Thanks to their passion and dedication,” she said, “we’ve transformed this previously industrial place into a spectacular destination on our waterfront for everyone to enjoy.”
Bathurst Quay Common spans approximately 4,000m², providing plenty of public seating and native landscaping. The park features over 2,000 drought-resistant plants alongside elm and maple trees. A walkway and multi-purpose plaza serve as a flexible space for cultural programming and events, while at night, the Canada Malting silos are illuminated with architectural accent lighting. The park's design includes a sun deck finished with thermal ash, an eco-friendly treated wood, and a variety of paving stones laid in patterns to emphasize key site features like the silos.
PFS Studio designed the park with two distinct outdoor “rooms.” One area offers a quiet, introspective space for visitors to relax and enjoy views of the lake, while the other is more social, providing space for larger gatherings. This design helps balance both active and passive uses of the park. Red tables and chairs provide a pop of colour.
Jennifer Nagai, Director and Principal at PFS Studio, recalled how the site was once empty and disconnected, dominated by the towering silos. Nagai spoke about the importance of creating physical and cultural connections, linking the park to the lake, promenade, and surrounding neighbourhood. “The park is about cultural and historical connections, bringing new life to part of the city's industrial heritage,” she shared.
Bathurst Quay Common, part of the City of Toronto's Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan, is just one step in the revitalization efforts for the area. In 2025, the Corleck Building — the heritage buff brick building seen in these images — will debut as a year-round arts and culture centre managed by the Canada Ireland Foundation. Additionally, Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD) intends to repurpose some of the interior of the Canada Malting silos, converting them into a unique exhibition space for art installations, with details still to come.
The park also played a role in Nuit Blanche, which took place the night after the opening. On the night of the opening (above), test patterns were displayed on the silos, giving attendees a hint of the visuals, but for Nuiy Blanche iself (below) the silos were illuminated with a large-scale video projection by New York-based artist Mark Dorf.
A multi-phase revitalization, the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan is transforming three acres of this waterfront area. The park aims to reconnect the community to the surrounding area, improving access to nearby landmarks and connections to the surrounding parks and promenades.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow further progress on adjoining areas, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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