TORONTO — The winning submissions for the York Street Park and Rees Street Park design competition in Toronto were recently announced by Waterfront Toronto, in partnership with the City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.
Love Park by Claude Cormier et Associes has been selected for York Street Park, and Rees Ridge by wHY Architecture and Brook Mcllroy has been selected for Rees Street Park.
Construction of York Street Park is expected to commence in 2019 with a budget of approximately $7 million. Construction of Rees Street Park expected to commence in 2020 with a budget of approximately $10 million.
The goal of the design competition, which was launched in February, was to solicit plans for the two parks from leading international design firms that would integrate with the existing public spaces along Toronto’s waterfront. In total, more than 40 design teams from 18 cities internationally submitted proposals during the pre-qualification stage of the competition.
“The jury unanimously selected Love Park as the winning design for York Street Park. The jury appreciated the simple and timeless nature of the design and agreed that its natural elements and elegant forms created a contemporary and inviting space for visitors,” indicates a release by the City of Toronto.
“(For Rees Ridge) the jury was impressed with its bold and thoughtful design, which includes a large ridge that changes the relationship of the waterfront to the downtown. The team’s multi-functional design allows for year-round activity and includes exciting potential for future programming and events that will meet the needs of local residents.”
Members of the jury included Michael Van Valkenburgh, principal, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (chair of the jury); Neil Hrushowy, principal urban designer, City and County of San Francisco; Jane Hutton, assistant professor, University of Waterloo; Matthew Hyland, director/curator of Oakville Galleries; and Janna Levitt, principal, LGA Architectural Partners.
In May, five teams were shortlisted for each park and invited to participate in the design competition, which included an intensive six-week design exercise to develop conceptual proposals. In July, all 10 design proposals were put on public exhibition at Toronto City Hall and online, giving Torontonians an opportunity to review the proposals and provide feedback, the release indicates. A Public Feedback Report was given to the competition jury for consideration, along with reports from the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee.
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