The story of Toronto’s Harbourfront mirrors that of most North American prominent port cities in the 19th and early 20th century. The many piers with their large wooden sheds served as bustling gateways connecting Central Canada to the rest of the world. By the mid 20th century however, shipping goods by sea had become a slow and expensive option and eventually Toronto’s waterfront fell into disrepair and was largely forgotten. Thankfully, being “out of sight and out of mind” meant that many architectural remnants of this urban industrial heritage still remain in tact today.
Our brewery restaurant site, known as Pier 4, is located at 245 Queen’s Quay West. It was originally called the Simcoe Street Slip Freight Shed and was built in spring of 1930 for the Tree Line Navigation Company. The structure stored cargo that was destined for distribution by rail that was located just north of the Pier.
Our team wanted to work with the Amsterdam team to create a very special hospitality experience that would become an important destination for local, national and international visitors and most importantly enhance the quality of life for local residents. We believed that the waterfront is a majorly undeveloped asset for Toronto tourism and the use of local residents. It represents an obvious location for the interpretation and showcasing of Toronto’s historic and archaeological assets. These are assets that can help to differentiate the Toronto experience.
Our design strategy called for the protection, enhancement and promotion of Pier 4’s heritage in an authentic and uncomplicated manner. The interior and exterior concept celebrates the simple style of architecture that dominated the waterfront during the late 19th and 20th centuries and speaks to an important chapter the city’s history.
Photography by David Whittaker
