Adrian Gueuze's West 8 project was unanimously voted the best by the jury as it offers a large-scale and original vision of Toronto's downtown waterfront, centered on the needs of the city's residents, meaning pedestrians and cyclists who will rest in this recreational area. … Also in favor of this proposal was the use of "West 8" simple and environmentally friendly materials.
Queens Key Street, which runs along the shores of Lake Ontario, will be reduced from four lanes to two lanes, and the part adjacent to the water will be converted into a pedestrian alley separated from the city by tramways. The model for "West 8" in their work was the famous Ramblas in Barcelona. Thousands of trees will be planted along the water line (Göse admitted to reporters that Toronto impressed him with the lack of greenery). A boardwalk with a width of 18 m will be arranged above the water, from which wooden berths for yachts will depart. With a project budget of only C $ 20 million, Dutch architects' proposals such as a new urban development for the entire Toronto area between the lake and the famous CN Tower will have to be left out of the box, although they set a new level for future projects.
Among the finalists of the competition was Norman Foster. His project was a series of piers extending far from the coast, culminating in glass "lanterns" - eight-story buildings resembling yacht sails and intended for commercial use: as hotels, restaurants or shopping centers.
The workshop TWBTA Tod Williams Billy Tsen, which also reached the final, proposed to decorate the embankment with a series of wide canopies made of solar panels, under which various socially useful establishments should be located: bicycle rentals, transfer stations of public transport, newsstands … next to the coast, the architects proposed to create an artificial island connected to the city by several pedestrian bridges.
A group of WASAW architects (Stan Allen Architect, WW - Sarah Whiting and Ron Witte and WASAW Brain Trust (including Buro Happold)) envisioned the future of the Ontario coast in a series of colorful pavilions and gazebos raised above street level that can be used as cultural centers.
The PORT association, led by the Norwegian firm Snohetta, has proposed a series of 100-meter "light masts" that will sway slightly above the water and change color depending on the temperature. The project includes wooden platforms along the water and a new ferry pier.
