Back in the 1920’s the Toronto Harbour Commission (the building in the centre of this picture, now known as the Harbour Sixty restaurant) introduced the Toronto Waterfront Development plan. 2000 acres of the deteriorating waterfront were filled and reclaimed along the central harbour.

This photograph was taken from the Royal York Hotel looking south down Bay street at Queens Quay. Visualize where our building would be. If you guessed in the water, you are right!

In 1972 the City of Toronto made a deal with Campeau Corp. to develop our harbour area provided that they include a complete makeover for the Toronto Island Ferry Docks. First came the Castle Harbour Hotel then on September 22 1973 an advertisement appeared in the Toronto Star: HARBOUR SQUARE APARTMENTS, model suites now open.

At the time the rental market was saturated therefore, YCC 288 was incorporated and the building was converted to a condominium complex. In 1978, a typical 2-bedroom sold for $80,000, with maintenance fees of $150.

Before 1972 the waterfront was a wasteland of warehouses, now it is a residential and cultural neighborhood. Many of the new condominiums are obstructed by vehicular corridors and high-rise developments, however; many of our units have unobstructed lake views. The sights and sounds stimulate and relax the senses.

The photograph below - taken around 1980 - confirms Harbour Square as being the first residential high-rise on the Toronto Waterfront.

Did you know?

• Our building was nick-named Apartelle like the Passerelle.
• The original plan was to link all the towers with elevated pedestrian walk-ways, similar to the ones found in Calgary.
• Campeau planned to build another tower where the south parking lot is. Also, the empty common area on the third floor was to be the opening for the south Passerelle.
• The hotel side of the passerelle has a dumb-waiter, and food-carts were to be ferried across the passerelle. The plug was eventually pulled on Harbour Square room-service due to carts being marooned in the hallways.
• There is a seventh elevator in the building.