Celebrating History and Modernity in Public Space Design

Bathurst Quay Common opened to the public on October 4th, 2024, transforming a formerly gritty industrial site into a vibrant public space. This 4,000 square meter (1-acre) waterfront park offers expansive views of the inner harbor and downtown skyline. Located directly across the Western Gap from Billy Bishop City Centre Airport, this project is a key component of the City of Toronto’s Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan, designed to reconnect the community with its waterfront.

The park is a thoughtful convergence of design, heritage, and community spirit. Designed by landscape architects PFS Studio, in close collaboration with the City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, Somerville Construction, and the local community, the layout balances active and passive spaces, with two distinct “rooms” for quiet reflection and social interaction. Planting beds and pathways weave in native plants and freshly planted elm and maple trees, creating pockets of green that soften the industrial edges. And when the sun sets, architectural lighting turns the Canada Malting Silos into glowing beacons of Toronto’s history and future.

Maglin FORO Chairs and Battery Collection Tables in bold, maple-leaf red create the perfect gathering spot for work, leisure or enjoying a quiet coffee on the waterfront. Adding to the comfort are Maglin’s 720 Chairs, designed with just the right lean for a relaxing pause mid-bike ride. All Maglin elements—the café chairs, tables, and even the heftier 720 Chairs—are movable, allowing visitors to catch the shade, follow the sun, and dictate their own views of the harbor and city skyline.

We were honored to attend the opening of this inspiring new park and thrilled to see visitors already enjoying the space in the days since.