3XN wins competition to build 'the waves at bayside' in toronto

copenhagen-based firm 3XN has won a competition to complete a waterfront condominium building in canada. located on toronto’s formerly industrial east bayfront area, ‘the waves’ will be sited next to ‘aquabella’, another residential project designed by 3XN. anchoring the eastern edge of the development, the scheme has been named after its lakeside setting with a façade that references the undulating surface of lake ontario.

all images courtesy of 3XN

commissioned by development firms tridel and hines, the 3XN-designed building has just been through its second design review panel and is expected to start construction before the end of 2018. the complex is shaped as a landscape with two high peaks flanking a valley — a configuration designed to maximize waterfront views from each unit. as the building steps back on higher floors, a large percentage of the suites include outdoor terraces. the building’s shared amenities are found within the valley, which contains both indoor spaces such as community rooms, along with an expansive deck space and an outdoor pool.

‘the waves’ will be sited next to ‘aquabella’, another residential project designed by 3XN

a key aspect of the project was finding ways to activate the waterfront. ‘toronto’s waterfront is undergoing tremendous change, and the bayside development is a central role in its revitalization,’ explains 3XN. the building’s podium will feature a continuous double height façade facing the promenade, with a through-block connection as an extension of edgewater drive. the design team has suggested that the podium includes a range of public functions, such as restaurants, cafés, and even a rowing club.

a pedestrian passage is planned opposite the end of edgewater drive

‘waves at bayside’ will be located on the edge of alphabet’s (google’s parent company) newly announced smart community project named ‘quayside’, driven by its subsidiary sidewalk labs. once completed, the district will span the entire 3,200,000 square meter (800-acre) waterfront area. as part of the plans, sidewalk labs and waterfront toronto have imagined a neighborhood that seeks to incorporate high-tech systems to help solve issues such as a lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and safety, and environmental impact. a completion date for the project has been slated for 2022.

angled balconies and terraces give all suites lake views

looking down across the multi-tired decks onto the amenity terrace

the openable façade allows the living room to spill out onto the terrace during warmer weather

the playful façade is a reflection of the waves across lake ontario

site plan illustrating the project’s waterfront location

UPDATE: this project has been shortlisted in the ‘future projects – residential’ category at the 2019 world architecture festival.

project info:

name: waves at bayside
location: toronto, canada
typology: residential, retail, community space
size: 40,000 sqm / 430,556 sqf
height: 60 meters (197 feet)
architect: 3XN
team: kim herforth nielsen, audun opdal, marie hesseldahl larsen, oskar nordstrom, marc-antoine chartier primeau, frank muller, dora lin jiabao, andrew le, zi shin low, sang yeun lee, aleksandre andghuladze
client: tridel/hines
executive architect: kirkor architetcs
construction start: 2019
expected completion: 2022