Bremner Boulevard links Toronto’s most famous landmarks- the Rogers Center, Ripley’s Aquarium, CN Tower, Metro Convention Centre, and Maple Leaf Square, ending at Union Plaza, which accesses the main train terminal in Toronto. Union Plaza is a large pedestrian plaza in front of the Scotia Bank Arena: a 665,00 square foot sports and entertainment complex, previously known as the Air Canada Centre, and home to several National Sports teams.
The early 2000s saw a significant spike in condominium developments in the downtown core to accommodate the Official Growth Plan, for the approximately 200,000 people per year who were moving to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Several owners, developers, landscape architects, and building architects united to create an inviting, aesthetically cohesive pedestrian plaza connecting Toronto’s attractions to the condos, hotels, bars, and transportation at Union station- the area known as Union Plaza. Bremner Blvd. was planned as the vehicular access- and point of aesthetic convergence. Promenade Plank pavers with Series finish were chosen in stock and custom colors in buff, grey, and black tones. The pavers are laid in an attractive herringbone pattern in the roadway, with contrasting colours and shapes used to delineate lanes for driving, parking and bicycles. The paving design of this street is a great example of effective use of wayfinding and delineation and has been used as a template for other projects in Canada. The unique patternings used on Bremner Blvd. are continued in the pedestrian and plaza spaces to create an eye-catching aesthetic while maintaining visual continuity.
Today the skyline of the downtown core is filled with condominium towers and Bremner Boulevard is known as one of Toronto’s most popular entertainment areas for tourists and residents alike. The pavers installed between 2007 and 2012 remain both aesthetically stunning and functional.
