Harbourfront Centre Community Square

Social Good Award Winner

MJMA Architecture & Design

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Client: Harbourfront Centre

For over 50 years, Harbourfront Centre’s cultural programs and outdoor spaces have drawn Torontonians and visitors to the city’s waterfront. The development of a new plaza was spurred by the need to renew an existing pond and ice rink, which had reached the end of their life and posed safety concerns. The project scope soon broadened to include a full renovation of the public square, transforming it into a more versatile, four-season destination.

The updated plaza’s custom-designed slabs create a pattern of abstract ‘H’ shapes, supporting Harbourfront Centre’s rebranding efforts—visible at ground level and from above, notably from the CN Tower and along the flight paths of the nearby airport. The goal of this graphic identity application was to strengthen Harbourfront Centre’s visibility by giving it a recognizable lakefront address. An integrated fog feature of 617 nozzles creates a dense, cooling cloud that drifts along the shoreline, encouraging people to slow down, wander and play. Creating an ever-changing spectacle along the harbour, the fog’s rolling movement draws people into the Community Square. Since its completion, the plaza has hosted salsa nights, food truck festivals, winter markets and impromptu musical performances, showcasing its flexibility and accessibility as a public stage for Harbourfront Centre.