Bayside Toronto: A Complete Guide to the Waterfront’s Most Exciting Master Planned Condo Community: Bayside by Trudel

What is the most exciting master planned condo community in Toronto right now?

If you are looking for brand new luxury right on the water, the answer might just be Bayside Toronto. It is not huge. There are only four buildings, all by Tridel, but this little pocket on the East Waterfront is absolutely gorgeous. A lot of people have been asking our team to review this area. It is still a bit too new to rank against the classic downtown buildings we usually talk about, but today, we are doing a deep dive into the general area, the vibe, and what exactly is being built down here.

What is Bayside Toronto and who is the developer?

Bayside Toronto is a 13-acre master planned community located on the East Waterfront, with over 2 million square feet of mixed-use space planned for residential, office, retail, and public uses. Tridel, partnered with global real estate firm Hines, is the developer behind all four condo buildings. The entire community has achieved Stage 1 LEED ND Gold Certification, and it features community-wide high-speed fibre internet through Beanfield MetroConnect.

We have been very vocal about the fact that we think Tridel is a great developer. Are they cheap? No. But the quality of these buildings is amazing, and that makes them a pretty safe bet in the Toronto real estate landscape.

The neighbourhood itself has a great community vibe with local events, cool art installations, and a very relaxing atmosphere right by Lake Ontario. Whenever we take clients down there to show properties, they love it.

What are the four condo buildings in Bayside Toronto?

The four phases of Bayside Toronto, in order of completion, are Aqualina, Aquavista, Aquabella, and Aqualuna. All four were built by Tridel and Hines, with interiors designed by Canadian firm II BY IV Design.

What is it like living in Aqualina (Phase 1)?

Aqualina was completed in 2018 and is located at 15 and 55 Merchants’ Wharf. It is a 13-storey building with 362 units across two linked towers, designed by New York-based architects Arquitectonica with Kirkor. The two buildings connect from the 3rd to the 6th floor, and the main concierge desk and amenities are at 15 Merchants’ Wharf. Suite sizes range from about 550 to 1,500 square feet, making it a good fit for everyone from single professionals to couples wanting a little more space. Aqualina won the 2014 BILD Award for Best High-Rise in the GTA.

The standout feature? The rooftop pool. It might honestly be the nicest rooftop pool looking over the water that I have seen in any Toronto building. The 13th-floor terrace features an outdoor infinity pool, indoor lounge, sundeck, BBQ dining alcoves, and stunning views over the lake. It feels like a beach club up there on a nice day. Other amenities include a fitness centre, party room, movie/screening room, billiards and games room, business centre, sauna, 24-hour concierge, guest suites, and visitor parking.

If you are looking at 55 Merchants’ Wharf, you are getting more of those direct, right on the water views, which is why that side sells for a little bit more per square foot.

Why are maintenance fees slightly higher at Aquavista (Phase 2)?

Finished in 2019 at 1 Edgewater Drive, Aquavista is a 12-storey building with 227 units, with suite sizes ranging from 465 square feet up to just over 3,700 square feet. It was also designed by Arquitectonica and is the only building in Bayside to achieve LEED Platinum certification. It typically sells for a slightly higher price per square foot than Aqualina.

If you are looking here, keep in mind that the maintenance fees are slightly higher. Why? Because there are fewer units sharing the cost of the amenities, and the amenities here are humongous. The central second-level Aquavista Club Amenity Terrace features an infinity pool with sundeck, fire pits, multiple lounge areas, and shading canopies. Inside you also get a fitness centre, yoga studio, whirlpool, sauna, billiards lounge, party room, screening theatre, 24-hour concierge, guest suites, and visitor parking. Remember, more amenities come with a cost, but the build is solid.

What makes Aquabella (Phase 3) stand out?

Aquabella is located at 118 Merchants’ Wharf and was completed in 2021. It is a 12-storey building with 173 units, and this is where the architect changes. Aquabella was designed by Danish firm 3XN with Kirkor, and it features a really nice L-shaped design with expansive private terraces. Suite sizes range from 562 square feet all the way up to 4,326 square feet for the largest penthouses.

The amenity level here is a step up. The 7th-floor rooftop features an outdoor pool, cabanas, and lake views. Inside, residents get a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, private theatre, billiards lounge, rooftop party room, 24-hour concierge, guest suites, visitor parking, and bike storage. It maintains the exact same high quality feel as the first two phases but brings a slightly different architectural flair to the waterfront.

Is Aqualuna (Phase 4) the coolest looking condo in Toronto?

Aqualuna is completing right now at 155 Merchants’ Wharf, and people are just starting to slowly move in. It is a 16-storey building with around 240 units, also designed by 3XN and Kirkor, with landscape architecture by Janet Rosenberg + Studio. The building has a signature wave composition with two peaks at either end and a dip at the centre, with cascading private balconies designed to maximize lake views.

I drive by it every day, and honestly, the outside of this building might be the most beautiful architecture I have seen in a Toronto condo in a long, long time. It stands out in a sea of condos that all look exactly the same. Stepping inside feels like walking into a top notch, five star hotel. The building has two luxurious lobbies and a 6th-floor indoor/outdoor amenity terrace with an outdoor pool, fully equipped gym, theatre room, party lounge, private resident dining room, games room, and whirlpool spa, all overlooking Lake Ontario.

Suite sizes range from about 800 square feet up to 4,622 square feet, organized into three collections: Urban, Lakeside, and Terrace. Of course, that luxury comes with a price. Assignment sales are starting at around a million bucks and going all the way up to over $3 million for the larger units. But the views are going to be amazing, and what you get is very high end.

What are the pros and cons of the Bayside neighbourhood?

Why buy in Bayside over a detached home?

We are seeing buyers with budgets of $2 million or more choosing to buy a condo here rather than buying a detached house 10 minutes east in Leslieville. It comes down to lifestyle. A lot of downsizers want simple, luxury condo living in a beautiful building right on the water. Usually, the Toronto condos with the best waterfront locations are older buildings, so getting a brand new, luxury build directly on the lake is extremely rare.

What is the biggest drawback to living in Bayside right now?

The main feedback we get right now is about transit connectivity. Currently, you rely on a bus that goes back and forth, and there is no direct subway access. Bayside is roughly a 15-minute walk from Union Station, but there is no immediate streetcar or subway access from the pocket itself. Because the community is still finding itself, I think it is probably going to take about five years for more restaurants and retail to fully open down there. You are a little bit secluded by the water.

However, the Portlands development is coming to the east side of this neighbourhood, and once that is finished, it is going to be an absolute game changer for the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bayside Toronto located?

Bayside Toronto is a 13-acre master planned condo community on the East Waterfront of downtown Toronto, situated along Queens Quay East right on the edge of Lake Ontario, between Lower Sherbourne and Parliament Street.

Who built the Bayside Toronto condos?

All four condo buildings in Bayside Toronto (Aqualina, Aquavista, Aquabella, and Aqualuna) were developed by Tridel in partnership with Hines, with interiors by II BY IV Design. The first two buildings were designed by Arquitectonica, and the final two were designed by Danish firm 3XN, both working with Kirkor Architects and Planners.

How many units are in Bayside Toronto in total?

Across the four buildings, Bayside Toronto contains just over 1,000 condo suites. Aqualina has 362 units, Aquavista has 227 units, Aquabella has 173 units, and Aqualuna has approximately 240 units.

Are the condos in Bayside Toronto expensive?

While they are not cheap, they offer a wide range of options. You can find everything from a standard one bedroom to a 2,500 square foot penthouse with a massive terrace for $3 million plus. Buyers pay a premium for the Tridel quality and the direct waterfront location, but it remains a solid investment.

Is transit accessible from Bayside Toronto?

Transit accessibility is currently developing. As of right now, residents rely primarily on bus routes to connect to the broader downtown core, as there is no immediate subway connectivity in the pocket. Union Station is about a 15-minute walk away, and the Gardiner Expressway is easily accessible via Sherbourne Street for drivers.

Which Bayside building has the best amenities?

Each building has standout amenities, but Aqualuna offers the most luxurious package as the final phase, with a 6th-floor indoor/outdoor amenity terrace featuring an outdoor pool, private resident dining room, theatre, and games room. Aqualina’s 13th-floor rooftop infinity pool is the most iconic, and Aquavista has the most extensive amenity terrace with fire pits, cabanas, and an infinity pool with jacuzzi.

Which Bayside building has the best architecture?

Architectural opinions vary, but Aqualuna’s wave-composition design by Danish firm 3XN, with two peaks and cascading balconies, is widely considered the most visually striking of the four buildings.

When will the Bayside community be fully developed?

While the residential buildings are nearing full completion with Aqualuna opening now, the surrounding retail, restaurants, and transit connectivity are expected to mature over the next five years, especially as the nearby Portlands development is completed.