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)
