Following closely on the heels of its announced vision for Parliament Slip, Waterfront Toronto has launched an international competition to secure a development partner for the Quayside lands.

The process, says the organization, will kick off with a request for qualifications to identify proponents with the required experience, portfolio, financial resources and vision to develop the site.

"The people of Toronto have told us that they want to see a bold vision realized on the waterfront that reflects the confident, welcoming, and imaginative civic spirit of our city," said Stephen Diamond, chair of the board for Waterfront Toronto. "We are looking for leaders in the development field that will share our ambition to create a place that fuses Quayside to the water, and provides more beauty, utility, and originality than previously imagined.

Quayside will be a sustainable community for people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes. It will offer opportunities for aging in place, including the supports and amenities that will allow seniors to live independently.

A signature piece of the Quayside project is Parliament Slip. Waterfront Toronto announced its proposed vision for the harbourfront property on March 8.

The plan for the slip builds on Waterfront Toronto's 2020 Marine Use Strategy update—a plan to create an active, safe and accessible harbour. The strategy provides a complete view of harbour activities, with recommendations that encompass the movement of people onto and around the water, mooring opportunities for recreational and commercial vessels, and management that will meet the needs of all users.

"Parliament Slip is our chance to create an exciting experience on the water for all types of marine activity," said Waterfront Toronto CEO George Zegarac. “Our plan promises to deliver new kayak and canoe launches, lakeside pools and open water swimming opportunities, a floating restaurant, new mooring facilities with charging stations for electric marine craft, and a waterfront amphitheatre for people to enjoy views of the harbour activity.”

The Quayside site totals 12 acres, including eight acres of developable land across five development blocks. It is one of the last undeveloped expanses of land steps from Toronto's downtown.

"Quayside is an opportunity to reimagine a stronger economic future and create a post-pandemic landmark community that addresses many of the vulnerabilities that the COVID-19 crisis has exposed," said Zegarac.

After the RFQ stage of this competition, Waterfront Toronto has said it will select a short list of proponents to participate in a request for proposals process to select a winning development team.

The RFQ Submission deadline is May 12. Waterfront Toronto aims to select a winning proponent before the end of the year.

The RFQ is available at waterfrontoronto.bonfirehub.ca.