Following in the footsteps of the Spadina and Simcoe WaveDecks, the Rees WaveDeck was the third urban dock built to create more public space along one of the most heavily used parts of the Toronto shoreline. Located just west of Rees Street on the south side of Queens Quay, this 480 square-metre wavedeck is a uniquely Canadian structure made of yellow gluelam cedar and ipe wood.

The Rees WaveDeck is an urban dock that is both a piece of art and a functional gathering space. It is a completely flexible structural space. The stairs act as an informal amphitheatre and the varying heights of the deck allow for different vantage points and ultimately different experiences with the lake.

At Rees, the wavedeck dips gracefully towards the water allowing the public to get so close to the water that they can almost touch it. Small craft boating clubs and programs in the slip also benefit from the new wavedeck which offers an amphitheatre-like space for outdoor education and a unique way to engage with the lake. A portion of the toe rail at the centre of the deck is removable to accommodate boarding of small boats from the wavedeck.

Two 15 metre backless benches act as an elegant barrier to the water while also providing seating for users of the space. In the evening, the deck is lit from below with colourful LED fixtures mounted to the timber structure. The colourful lights cast a glow from beneath the deck creating a beautiful effect on the water.

The Rees WaveDeck is one in a series of wavedecks planned for the downtown waterfront area – three of which are now open including the Simcoe and Spadina WaveDecks. Planning is currently underway on the Parliament WaveDeck, an impressive 3,000m² structure located in East Bayfront.

The Rees WaveDeck makes a perfect venue for live performances. Read media coverage about the official opening.

The wavedeck construction included the creation of 260 square metres of new high quality, diverse fish habitat. Riverstone shoals, tree logs and embankments were installed to provide shelter and increased feeding and forging opportunities for lake fish. Aquatic Habitat Toronto, of which Waterfront Toronto is a partner, has won a Public Sector Quality Fair award for the aquatic habitat enhancement work being done on Toronto’s waterfront. Learn more about our efforts to improve aquatic habitat.

Location: West of Rees Street on the south side of Queens Quay Boulevard

Design Team: West 8 + DTAH

Construction Contractor: Somerville Construction

Size: 480m², 10.7m (length), 45m (width)

Number of deck boards: 2730 deck boards (2275 short deck boards and 455 long deck boards)

Materials: Ipe wood and gluelam Coastal Yellow cedar