Field Operations and Toronto’s Brook McIlroy will design The Bentway Islands, transforming additional underutilized lands under the Gardiner Expressway into new space for play, shared experiences, and regenerative landscape
The Bentway Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Toronto, is thrilled to announce the continued evolution of its model with the launch of design work on a new site: The Bentway Islands. Field Operations (New York) and Brook McIlroy (Toronto) have been appointed as the design team working to transform three large-scale traffic islands – together spanning 11,500 square metres (125,000 square feet) between Dan Leckie Way and Spadina Avenue – into vibrant public space.
The Bentway Islands will act as a “sister site” to The Bentway’s existing Phase 1 location, one of Toronto’s most cherished public amenities, and will provide additional outdoor space for a rapidly densifying urban population.
“The Bentway Islands marks an exciting next chapter in our ongoing mission to solidify a new future for the Gardiner Expressway. This site will offer new opportunities for recreation, play, culture, and retail, promote biodiversity, and set a benchmark for low-carbon landscape design. Most importantly, it will continue to transform a long-standing barrier into a better connector and gateway.”
- Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director of The Bentway
This marks the first manifestation of the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan, a comprehensive vision for underutilized spaces below and adjacent to the Gardiner, developed by The Bentway with the City of Toronto, and approved by City Council in April 2024.
Field Operations, a renowned landscape architecture and urban design firm known for iconic projects such as Waterfront Seattle and High Line (New York), along with Brook McIlroy, a Canadian expert in planning and architecture, were chosen from a competitive international call for proposals. A distinguished jury, featuring representatives from The Bentway, the City of Toronto, the local community, and an Indigenous engagement advisor, oversaw the selection process.
The Bentway Islands design will integrate learnings from The Bentway’s six years of experience at its Phase 1 site, as well from various off-site demonstration projects along the Gardiner. The design will also incorporate fresh insights from local residents, Indigenous communities, and technical experts from the City of Toronto.
Initial concepts are expected to be unveiled in 2025, with construction following the multi-year rehabilitation of the Expressway planned for the area. Funding for this early design has been provided by the City of Toronto, with additional support of The Bentway from its family of supporters including Manulife. Future financing is expected from a range of public and private sources.
hear from our project partners
The City of Toronto:
“The Bentway’s innovative approach to transforming public spaces is exactly what Toronto needs. Over 100,000 residents within a 10-minute walk will enjoy this future space and new gateway to the waterfront. I’m proud of The Bentway and City of Toronto’s partnership and initiating this exciting phase of work that begins to make our Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan a reality.”
Ausma Malik, Councillor (Ward 10 Spadina – Fort York) and Deputy Mayor, City of Toronto
The newly-appointed design team:
Isabel Castilla, Associate Partner, Field Operations
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with The Bentway, the City of Toronto, and the local community to reimagine this site beneath the Gardiner Expressway. Our goal is to create an iconic, vibrant and sustainable public space that embodies The Bentway’s vision. Partnering with Brook McIlroy, we are excited to combine our firms’ expertise in creating transformative, high-impact public spaces, bringing to life a truly extraordinary new space for Toronto.”
“We are truly excited to embrace the transformation of one of Toronto’s most eccentric orphaned spaces into a place of vitality, experimentation and urban alchemy! It is an honour for Brook McIlroy to be working together with Field Operations, The Bentway, and the City of Toronto as they bring unparalleled experience and a fresh imagination to the challenge of contemporary urban place making. We look forward to working with Toronto’s diverse communities to build on the success of previous phases led by the Bentway Conservancy.”
Calvin Brook, Principal, Brook McIlroy
Manulife, a key Bentway supporter:
Joanna Marcovici, Director of Community Investment, Manulife
“The Bentway and Manulife have shared values and goals when it comes to supporting people and the planet in a sustainable way and helping local communities reach their fullest, healthiest potential. We’re excited to see the expansion of the work The Bentway is doing to transform and reimagine the possibilities of hybrid infrastructure in Toronto.”
More details on additional Bentway expansion plans are forthcoming. Follow @thebentway for ongoing updates!
