2150 Lake Shore Drive

The landscape vision for the 2150 Lake Shore Development is to create a unique landscape setting for high-density metropolitan living. The scheme is comprised of an intricate network of public spaces which will provide a vibrant place for a spectrum of public activities and allow for a creative synergy of living, working and cultural entertainment. The landscape will promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle with fantastic opportunities for both active and passive recreation framed by an iconic skyline. The public landscape of the ground plane visually extends with landscaped podium decks of varying heights, blending architecture and nature into a panoramic skyline. Careful consideration has been given to the modification of the micro-climate and sunlight penetration. The view from the Gardiner Expressway will provide an iconic landmark image.

The landscape vision for 2150 Lake Shore is inspired by the City of Toronto’s ambition to increase its tree cover. To achieve this, trees are not only integral to the public realm but also become part of the built development and are fully integrated in the podium, balconies and green roofs. This requires specific technical solution in relation, to loading and provision of soil-depth. To deliver the tree concept, consideration will be given to establish an on-site tree nursery as part of the meanwhile land-use of a phased development. The Lake Shore landscape will be expressed by the concept of a ‘ravine’ woodland in the sky with tree canopies stepped across the multi-level site; visually connecting embankment with various podium gardens and extending onto a multitude of roof gardens, balconies and sky terraces. The aim is to maximize the tree canopy expressing the unique quality of Toronto as city in a forest. Such ‘green skyline’ will be more than sum of its component parts and be composed of an accumulation of public / semi-public and private green spaces. It should become a place for experimenting and pioneering design – including urban food production- exemplary of a greener and more sustainable and resilient Toronto. Sustainability and ‘city-nature’ will be fully integrated and become the backbone of the area’s future identity and urban life.