The Bentway Appoints New Design Team Ahead of Major Expansion
Field Operations and Brook McIlroy to lead design of The Bentway Islands
The Bentway is growing once again. As one of Toronto’s most dynamic urban spaces, the public arts and culture hub continues its mission of transforming neglected areas into vital public assets. The latest expansion, titled The Bentway Islands, will see three large traffic islands between Dan Leckie Way and Spadina Avenue converted into 125,000 square feet of new public space, designed for year-round programming and recreation.
The project is part of a continued partnership between The Bentway Conservancy and the City of Toronto, with design leadership from New York’s Field Operations and Toronto-based firm Brook McIlroy.
The Bentway Islands map. Image courtesy of The Bentway.
“The Bentway Islands marks an exciting next chapter in our ongoing mission to solidify a new future for the Gardiner Expressway,” said Ilana Altman, co-executive director of The Bentway. The new space will not only offer more recreational and cultural activities but will also foster environmental sustainability and improve connections to the waterfront.
This project will function as a “sister site” to The Bentway’s existing Phase 1, a beloved cultural hub under the Gardiner Expressway that has welcomed over 1.4 million visitors since its opening in 2018. With a focus on expanding community spaces in the rapidly densifying city, The Bentway Islands will further enrich Toronto’s urban fabric by offering new opportunities for play, relaxation and connection. Its design will reflect The Bentway’s commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive public realms.
Field Operations, known for iconic projects like New York’s High Line and Waterfront Seattle, will collaborate with Brook McIlroy, an expert in urban planning and architecture. Both firms were chosen through an international competition, overseen by a jury that included representatives from the local community and Indigenous engagement advisors. The project, which forms the first step in the ambitious Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan, is expected to unveil initial designs in 2025.
“We’re thrilled to work on this exciting project that will transform underutilized land into a space that celebrates Toronto’s culture and diversity,” said Isabel Castilla, associate partner at Field Operations. Her sentiments were echoed by Calvin Brook, principal of Brook McIlroy, who emphasized the importance of embracing Toronto’s eccentric spaces and creating environments for experimentation and shared experiences.
As Toronto continues to grow, The Bentway Islands offers a promising glimpse of what the city’s future public spaces could look like. Expanding on The Bentway’s role as a cultural and social hub, we’re excited to see how the project further reimagines Toronto’s underused spaces and how they can become vibrant areas for communities to gather and thrive.
