Public spaces revitalize downtown Thunder Bay and reflect the region’s deep culture and history
The redevelopment at Prince Arthur’s Landing has transformed a formerly industrial section of Thunder Bay’s waterfront into a hybrid mixed-use village and animated waterfront park that reconnects the downtown to the shores of Lake Superior. With a focus on Indigenous placemaking, the project incorporates a range of landscapes, activities, park elements, and public art that represent the deep cultural and historic roots of the Thunder Bay region and acknowledge the ten thousand year history of the site. In recognition of the design excellence at all scales, from master plan to the craftsmanship of details, the redevelopment has won an unprecedented 21 professional awards.
Initially retained in 2006 to design the waterfront master plan, Brook McIlroy subsequently designed and managed construction for a cumulative $120M of landscape, buildings, and public art. The redevelopment includes a new community centre (the Water Garden Pavilion), a restoration of the historic Baggage Building into a new arts centre, a four-star hotel, a condominium development, a 276-slip public marina, an extensive waterfront park, and a dedicated public garden and performance space to honour Thunder Bay’s Indigenous heritage.
The waterfront park opened to the public in 2011 and quickly became a favourite year-round destination for residents and tourists alike – and a central space in the city for festivals, celebrations, performances, and family fun. Brook McIlroy continues to be involved in successive phases of the redevelopment, which will soon include the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the Market Square, and an extension of public park lands.
Awards
- Canadian Architect, Award of Merit, 2019
- Ontario Association of Architects, Design Excellence Award, 2016
- International Olympic Committee/IAKS, Silver Medal for Architecture, 2015
- Royal Architectural Institute of Canada National Urban Design Awards, Medal, Urban Fragments Category, Jiigew (By the Water), 2014
- Ontario Association of Architects: Concepts Award, Jiigew (By the Water), 2014
- Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Awards of Excellence, Communications, Designing Thunder Bay’s Image Routes: An Innovative Approach to Large-Scale Streetscape Redevelopment, 2014
- International Architecture Award, The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design & The European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies, Celebration Circle, 2013
- Canadian Urban Institute Brownfields Awards, Best Small Scale Project, 2013
- Lake Superior Magazine, Best of the Lake Award, 2013
- Thunder Bay Clean, Green and Beautiful Awards, Diamond, 2013
- Ontario Wood WORKS! Northern Ontario Excellence Award, 2012
- Ontario Wood WORKS! Jury’s Choice Award, 2012
- Waterfront Center (Washington D.C.), Excellence on the Waterfront Honor Award, 2012
- International Downtown Association, Pinnacle Award, Public Space Category, 2012
- Royal Architectural Institute of Canada National Urban Design Awards, Medal, Urban Fragments Category, Celebration Circle, 2012
- Canadian Institute of Planners, Award for Planning Excellence, Aboriginal Community Planning and Development Category, 2012
- Ontario Association of Architects Award, Artifact Category, 2012
- Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Award for Service to the Environment, 2012
- North American Wood Design Council, Award of Merit, 2011
- Canadian Urban Institute Brownfields Awards, Best Large Scale Project, 2010
- Parks and Recreation Ontario, Excellence in Design Award, 2010
