AQUABELLA, TORONTO

The family home is the heart and inspiration for the architecture of Aquabella. The project creates a vertical neighbourhood by stacking multiple family homes in a complex yet elegant sculptural form. Terracing down to Lake Ontario, the building sets the stage for a green, livable, and vibrant community; puts people first; and pays particular attention to the quality of views, space, and lifestyle. Aquabella will contain approximately 174 residential units, a day care, and ground-floor retail space. Located on Merchants’ Wharf facing the Water’s Edge Promenade and Lake Ontario in the East Bayfront precinct, the building is completely clad in generous balconies and outdoor terraces comprising the ”5th” facade or roof. These outdoor living spaces will become an integral part of the Bayside neighborhood.

The building’s dynamic form steps from its highest point at the northern edge of Edgewater Drive down to the outdoor amenity spaces on the south side of the L-shaped form. It then rises to meet the height of the development site to the east. This design maximizes the number of units that have Lake Ontario or Aitken Place Park views while respecting the intent of the East Bayfront Precinct Plan. Its distinctive shape also enhances the views from the residential building located behind it on the R6 site while optimizing daylight cover on Aitken Place Park and Edgewater Drive. Extraordinary garden terraces are the hallmark of the design. These generous outdoor spaces connect residents to nature with plants, fresh air, and beautiful lake and city views.

The terraces also activate the facade, enlivening it with texture, color, depth, and variety, as well as imbuing it with a human scale. Generous amenity spaces available to all residents include an outdoor terrace and pool that will encourage entertaining and foster a sense of community within the building. Aquabella includes two residential lobbies – one at the northwest corner and the main lobby at the southeast corner at the intersection of Edgewater Drive and Merchants’ Wharf. The main lobby will be glass-enclosed with interesting architectural features that will provide additional pedestrian interest.

Neel Kaul was part of the design and construction team while in the employ of G+C Architects and played a significant role in bringing the project to completion.