aerial view of waterfront looking northwest

News

Find the latest news and articles to stay updated on the projects and partnerships that are making the vision for waterfront transformation a reality.

While we work to make our content more accessible, some may be unavailable and can be provided upon request. Please contact info@waterfrontoronto.ca if you require an alternative format, and we will respond as promptly as possible.

A person wearing blue gloves holding a translucent marine organism, above a boat deck.

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What This Jelly Blob Tells Us About Water Quality

In the fall, TRCA monitoring teams found a slimy ball of jelly on some of their equipment: a bryozoan colony. Also called ‘Moss Animals’, these jelly-like blobs are made up of thousands of microscopic invertebrates that live in a colony. Learn more in this blog.

Artist rendering of a city scape and new island community and art trail.

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Governments Invest to Rapidly Build Housing, Create Jobs and New Destinations on Toronto’s Waterfront

January 28, 2025, TORONTO, ON – Today the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto announced $975 million to accelerate the delivery of Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization plan.

Artist's rendering of future long term health care facility in West Don Lands. A rooftop surrounded by greenery and flowers with skyline in the background as elderly people soak in the sunlight.

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Much needed long-term care home coming to West Don Lands

A new long-term care home, called the Rekai Centre at Cherry Place, Campus of Care, is coming to the West Don Lands.

The skyline of Toronto, with Lake Ontario in the foreground and dense downtown buildings beyond.

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Quayside: Meeting today's urgent need for housing

At a time when housing starts have stalled, yet the need for homes is greater than ever, we have worked with the City of Toronto, government partners, and our development partner, Quayside Impact, to make Quayside part of the solution.

A rendering representing walk way beside a lake with images of people walking around. There are trees surrounding the walk way.

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Creating a natural connection to the Lake at Quayside

As a vibrant and affordable complete community that connects the downtown with future homes and greenspace along the waterfront, Quayside is a cornerstone in the City’s and Waterfront Toronto’s broader vision for the waterfront.

A scenery with trees by the side of a water body flowing horizontally across a street. The place is surrounded by people enjoying the waterfront side. A taxi is parked at the right side of the river.

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Yonge Slip Design Refined to Enable Eastern Waterfront Transit

In November 2023, the City of Toronto approved funding to advance above-ground components of the Waterfront East LRT project to detailed design. Yonge Slip was identified as one of two “Early Works” components to prioritize.

A circular art piece with two legs stands at the entry of a building.

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Monumental New Indigenous Permanent Public Artwork Now on View

If you walk along Cherry Street at Mill Street you might just encounter a massive white structure. This is Ludovic Boney’s permanent public art installation, In Equilibrium, part of Waterfront Toronto's public art master plan for the West Don Lands.

A massive crane with scaffolding stands tall on the edge of river in the middle of a construction site.

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Meet the Atlas Crane: An Unusual Park Feature in the Port Lands

The 300-ton Atlas Crane stands tall over the new island, recently named Ookwemin Minising, in Toronto’s Port Lands.

An excavator removing part of the north plug of a river.

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Flood Protection Milestone Puts New Waterfront City Within Reach

November 8, 2024, TORONTO - Today, the three orders of government, through Waterfront Toronto, reached a major milestone in a promise made to protect Toronto residents and businesses from the damages from severe flooding by completing a new mouth for the Don River and a new island.

A modern bridge over a water body with concrete on the sides and sky in the background.

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Our New Waterfront is Coming into View

To deliver on our vision for the waterfront as a connected, accessible and inclusive space, we’re advancing housing, transit and high-quality parks and public spaces.

An individual dressed in black poses for the camera with Toronto's Skyline overlooking CN Tower in the backdrop.

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Kent Monkman to Create Public Art Installation at Lassonde Art Trail

The Lassonde Art Trail has achieved a significant milestone with the selection of internationally renowned artist Kent Monkman for its inaugural permanent public art installation.

Modern office lobby with wooden accents and a variety of seating areas, featuring a large wooden table, sofas, and armchairs. The space includes lush green plants and a staircase with glass railings leading to an upper level. Decorative elements include a hanging wooden slat feature and green wall panels.

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Sustainable Skyline: How Mass Timber is Shaping Toronto’s waterfront

Mass timber construction is becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. Although its contemporary use in building construction is fairly recent, it provides environmental and human health benefits, structural performance, and aesthetic qualities.

Photograph of street with building in the background and trees in the middle. Cyclist passing through the cyclists lane on the left and pedestrian on the right.

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Improvements from Queens Quay West Pilot Project

In 2022, Waterfront Toronto worked with the City of Toronto and the TTC on a pilot project to test ways to improve the intersections along Queens Quay West for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.

The existing old Eastern Avenue Bridge fenced off.

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Why We’ll Soon Say Goodbye to the Old Eastern Avenue Bridge

To achieve flood protection for a section of land on the east side of the Don River, the old Eastern Avenue Bridge needs to be removed. Here’s why.

Two individuals and a dog walking away together through a trail.

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A Complete Community Supporting Olympic Excellence

In July 2024, Waterfront Toronto had the pleasure of speaking with Olympic athlete, Micha Powell. Learn more in this blog.

Rendering: Toronto's future skyline with the proposed Quayside community completed.

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Quayside Milestone: Phase 1 Rezoning Adopted by Council

Housing affordability, and affordability in general, is a significant and growing issue for residents in Toronto, and across the country. The first phase of development at Quayside is poised to deliver 2,811 residential units, including 458 affordable rental homes. Learn more in this blog.

Rendering showing an aerial view of an art trail and urban waterfront.

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Public Art Plan Envisions a Free, Outdoor Museum in the Port Lands

In June, Toronto City Council formally adopted the Villiers Island and Keating West Public Art Master Plan. The plan builds on the success of Waterfront Toronto’s West Don Lands and East Bayfront public art master plans. Learn more in this blog.

A concrete wall next to a bridge separating a new river valley from the lake

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Waterfront Toronto Reaches Construction Milestone in the Port Lands: A Big Step Towards Reconnecting the Don River to Lake Ontario

Toronto, July 8, 2024 – Waterfront Toronto proudly announced a significant milestone in the Port Lands Flood Protection (PLFP) project today: the successful removal of the “west plug,” a concrete wall that was separating the new mouth of the Don River from Lake Ontario. This achievement marks a crucial step towards revitalizing and protecting Toronto's waterfront.

Artists rendering of a neighbourhood made up of buildings of varying heights, surrounded by parks and a river.

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Getting to Work on ‘Villiers Island’

Soon to be Toronto’s newest waterfront destination, the island will offer unforgettable living and experiences. As we continue the process of planning and designing a new community here, we answer your questions about recent updates to the Precinct Plan.

A view of Toronto from Lake Ontario.

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Kiss n’ Sail Pilot Project Beginning Summer 2024 Announced

Waterfront Toronto in partnership with PortsToronto and CreateTO launched a pick-up and drop-off pilot program called Kiss n’ Sail to provide short-term docking opportunities for private vessels in the Inner Harbour. The pilot program will dedicate 30 metres of short-term docking space at Yonge Street Slip to streamline docking activity and improve safety for all users.

people speaking to staff at a waterfront event

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Where to Find Us This Spring and Summer 2024

The best way for us to deliver a world-class waterfront is to hear from the people who live, work and play on the waterfront! Keep your eye out here for updates on where to find us this spring and summer.

Floating public art lit up in the lake at night.

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New Floating Artwork Features Messages About Water

Our 2024 Temporary Floating Artwork is on view now in the Harbour Square Basin through the end of September. Upcycle, by Javid Jah explores our connections to nature through water, investigating environmental and spiritual impacts. Learn more in this blog.

A rendering of a playground with a large owl structure.

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Larger-Than-Life Wildlife Coming to the Port Lands

As we get closer to completing the new mouth for the Don River in the Port Lands, work is underway on new parks that will line the river valley. Opening in Summer 2025, these will be places where people of all ages can play, eat, relax or just enjoy views of the river valley and lake. The park on the north side of the new river valley includes distinctive structures, some of which are being installed this Spring.

Rendering of people and a streetscape

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What’s changing in the Villiers Island Precinct Plan?

We’re working with the City of Toronto and Create TO to update density and massing plans for Villiers Island to accommodate more housing, including affordable housing.