Tannery Hill Observation Deck

Location: 5 Walker Street, Oakville

Client: Town of Oakville

Project Start Date: 2015

Project End Date: 2016

Project Type:

  • Civic

  • Heritage

  • Public Realm Master Plans

  • Parks, Recreation and Open Space

  • Waterfronts

Construction Cost: $1,125,000.00

 

About the Project

This distinctive landmark along the Lake Ontario Shoreline provides waterfront visitors with a place to take in views of the water, shoreline and horizon from a unique and memorable perspective.

In 2013, MBTW was retained by the Town of Oakville to develop detailed design for a series of park spaces along the west shores of the downtown Oakville Harbour at Sixteen Mile Creek. The Tannery Hill area, located high upon a pre-existing municipal landfill site, was a popular spot for admiring views to Lake Ontario. The design team recognized the uniqueness of the site and its elevation and proposed to enhance the viewing and observation experience by cantilevering a viewing platform over the edge of the hill facing Lake Ontario. This design move also opened up an area at the top of the hill to provide much-needed flexible use and event space.

The Observation Deck provides visitors with an expansive 270-degree panoramic view of Sixteen Mile Creek and Lake Ontario, with views of the Toronto skyline and beyond.  The innovative materials utilized in the deck’s construction (steel sandwich panels) resulted in a thin deck profile with a solid feel and distinctive shape. Anchoring the Deck is a 40 foot (12 metre) high Corten steel beacon that serves as a landmark along the Lake Ontario waterfront. Designed by team member Figuregound Studio, the Beacon aligns with the cardinal directions and is perforated by shapes of dappled sunlight reflected on the Lake’s surface. Site and Beacon lighting was carefully coordinated to create a beautiful and safe nighttime atmosphere.

Park area improvements included seating and site furnishings, custom railings, viewing binoculars, heritage interpretive and wayfinding signage, native slope stabilization and seasonal planting areas, flexible events/gathering area and barrier-free walkways.

 

Services:

  • Accessibility and Risk Assessment

  • Arboriculture

  • Contract Administration

  • Constructability

  • Graphic Art & Interpretive Signage Design

  • Landscape Architecture

  • Project Management

  • Public & Stakeholder Consultation

  • 3D Modelling

  • Visualization

  • Public Art Coordination

  • Special Event Planning

Contractors:

  • LOMCO (Contractor)

  • Blackwell (Structural Engineering)

  • MJS Consultants (Lighting and Electrical Engineering)

  • Figureground Studio (Public Art)

Lesia Design Inc.

Lesia Design is

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