Client
Waterfront Toronto

Year Completed
2021-2022

Type of Work
Cultural Advisory Leadership & Spatial Planning

Cultural Advisory Leadership & Spatial Planning

In 2021, in the midst of a pandemic, Bespoke was engaged by Waterfront Toronto to be cultural advisors on work related to the Quayside precinct, an ambitious 12-acre site that is going to be home to a landmark 200,000 square foot cultural destination in the downtown core that brings together space for the performing arts, Indigenous-centred cultural celebrations, flexible education spaces, outdoor animations and community festivals. Bespoke was hired as advisors and subject matter experts to develop the parameters for the cultural destination and public animation component to support an RFP process for a private development partner. We worked in close collaboration with the client on submission requirements, criteria for the overall concept, preliminary implementation plan, proposed business model, and economic impact assessment. 

Bespoke researched and delivered a ‘State of the Arts’ presentation to guide key decision-makers, senior leadership, and shortlisted proponents through best practice within creative placemaking and the specific needs of the Toronto arts communities. We identified concept development considerations and spatial parameters to guide submissions. We also reviewed and provided feedback on the cultural component of submissions, acting as an ongoing conversation partner throughout the RFP process. Our role was to ensure that the cultural destination and outdoor activations reflected best practice on a global scale and integrated well with the city’s surrounding cultural infrastructure.