The Simcoe WaveDeck, one in a series of uniquely Canadian urban docks, is as artistic as it is functional. Located just west of Simcoe Street next to Harbourfront Centre, the wooden wavedeck features an informal public amphitheatre-style space with impressive curves that soar as high as 2.6 metres above the lake.

Inspired by the Canadian cottage experience and the shorelines of Ontario’s Great Lakes, the Simcoe WaveDeck created new public space at the water’s edge by replacing a narrow sidewalk with a grand waterside gathering place. Its whimsical and dynamic design has made the wavedeck one of the waterfront’s most interesting new public spaces. People of all ages are enjoying views of the harbour from its 30 metre-long backless bench, using its amphitheatre-style steps as a place to eat lunch and taking pictures of themselves on its graceful curves.

Made of yellow gluelam cedar and ipe wood, the 650 square metres structure gives urban dwellers a feel for life at the lake. The wavedeck’s two large swells feature slender stainless steel railings that follow the undulations of the waves in the deck. These railings are designed to differentiate the curved portions of the deck and help wandering visitors negotiate the slopes.

In addition to the railings the Simcoe WaveDeck includes several other health and safety features including antislip components at the edge of each step as well as a visual white band to provide contrast and help mark the edge of steps. To provide traction on the slopes, strips of abrasive material called carborandum inserts were laid into the deck and the deckboards were angled to provide extra traction on the steepest slopes.

In the evening, the deck is lit from below with colourful LED fixtures mounted to the timber structure. These colourful lights cast a glow from beneath the deck creating a beautiful effect on the water and highlight the architecture of the wavedeck.

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

The Simcoe WaveDeck has been honoured with a variety of prestigious awards and was recently nominated for an Innovation and Design Award by Conde Nast Traveller, a renowned travel magazine.  Click here to vote for the Simcoe WaveDeck.

Take a tour of the wavedecks with Christopher Hume of The Star.com

The wavedeck construction included the creation of new 490 square metre of 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 Simcoe Street on the south side of Queens Quay Boulevard

Design Team: West 8 + DTAH

Construction Contractor: Somerville Construction

Size: 650 square metres, 10.7m (length), 60m (width)

Number of deck boards: 3670 deck boards (3050 short deck boards and 620 long deck boards)

Materials: Ipe wood and gluelam Coastal Yellow cedar

Simcoe WaveDeck’s curvy design is a hit with the public – especially kids! Watch the videos and see photos of the wavedeck taken by the public.