River City is a master planned residential development that brings a unique, bold response to a former brownfield site along Toronto’s Don River. It successfully engages the city, linking a public realm of pedestrian friendly streets and exceptional parks with an architecture inspired by flow, movement and continuity. Phase 1 & 2 are interpreted through faceted building forms, a stark black and white colour palette, and a combination of aluminum panels, various glass systems and board formed concrete. It’s playful and sculptural modernism is an excellent example of mid-rise architecture and unique suite types that achieves an urban development balance.
Jury Comments
The jury commented that this project is “large-scale city building at its best.” The project has transformed a raw and difficult site, alongside a flood-protection berm in a very positive way: addressing the adjacent, but often forgotten, Don River. It is also a reflection of considerable investment in the public realm, by Waterfront Toronto, and a concerted effort to bring this in line with new built form. It represents 1-1/2 decades of collective work and effort coming to fruition.
The larger West Don Lands plan, of which this is a part, pays attention to important urban details, such as street widths, sidewalks and courtyards, etc. There is also a cohesive public art program. Moreover the initiative includes important new regional infrastructure.
The jury felt it was important to acknowledge this developer-built project, as it raises the bar for other developers. Unfortunately, much of what developers are now building is of inferior design quality and does not reflect a sense of responsibility to contribute to the city. . This project, although of the same genre, is ambitious highly resolved in its architecture and urban design. It shows how profit and innovation can go hand-in-hand. In a city where the bulk of new construction is condominiums,
It speaks to the role of developers as the builder of cities, and emphasizes the important and necessary role of architects in the development/design process.
Publish Date : 2022/Jul/13