About the new branch
A library branch is coming to Quayside, a new waterfront community, creating a vital community hub to support a rapidly growing neighbourhood.
The new branch will be located at Queens Quay East and Small Street, part of a two-building, affordable rental complex. The two-floor neighbourhood branch will occupy the centre section of the ground floor and the full front facade of the second floor. At approximately 20,000 square feet, the branch will feature a flexible, multipurpose floor plan – a welcoming, inclusive space that brings people together and helps transform a growing neighbourhood into a true community.
The design will also include options for study, work, and collaborative/community spaces for all residents with ample seating, along with programming spaces for branch and community use. There will also be zoned areas for teens, as well as areas for children, adults and seniors, access to public computers, wifi and washrooms.
Quayside is a new mixed-use, mixed-income community being planned and built on Toronto’s eastern waterfront by Waterfront Toronto. The project will be delivered in two phases. When complete, Quayside will be an inclusive and vibrant waterfront community with about 4,700 homes, parks and public spaces, community spaces and amenities. Quayside is part of the East Bayfront neighbourhood and is destined to become a vibrant hub, linking nearby neighbourhoods like St. Lawrence, the West Don Lands, the Distillery District, Bayside, and the new island, Ookwemin Minising
The complex and the library shell is designed by architectural firms Architects-Alliance and Teeple Architect. The project is being led by Waterfront Toronto.
Next steps
Once the timing of the overall development has been finalized, TPL will move ahead with hiring an architect to design the interior layout of the branch.
Community members will have opportunities to share input on programming, services and collections as the project moves forward, ensuring the space reflects the needs, interests and aspirations of the residents it will serve. Consultation will launch once an architectural firm has been selected to lead the interior fit-out, with that process anticipated to begin in 2028.
For more information and a look at the project renderings, visit the Quayside Project webpage.
We want to hear from you
We are interested in your ideas and opinions about the new Quayside neighbourhood branch. Tell us what you think!