Four designs for Nathan Phillips Square revealed

Toronto unveiledthe four finalists of a design competition to revamp Nathan Phillips Square.

Since the square opened in 1965, it has become a popular civic space that plays host to concerts, festivals and other public events, but it has fallen into disrepair over the years.

Late Finnish architect Viljo Revell designed Toronto City Hall and the square, which is named after the man who was the city's mayor from 1955 to 1962.

The four visions for what one architect called the "theatre of public life" were quite different, but all kept the original design's key elements intact.

Three of the four design teams are from Toronto, with the fourth from New York.

The design by New York's Rogers Marvel team called for an elevated garden area full of trees and flowers that would form the roof of a glass-enclosed public room; outdoor features includechairs, walkways anda fire pit.

Undulating gardens are the key feature of the plans presented by Toronto's Zeidler Partnership. The proposal also features a two-storey glass-enclosed restaurant.

The Baird Sampson Neuert team presented an environmentally focused plan that includes a water garden promenade, wind turbines and lots of greenery.

The fourth plan by Plant Architects includes a permanent stage, an outdoor café overlooking the square and a tree canopy along Bay Street.

'It just needs sprucing up'

Dozens of people gathered on the main floor of city hall Wednesday to get a sneak peak at the models and blueprints on display, but not everyone liked what they saw.

James Huctwith said he'd like to see the square cleaned up, but notdrastically altered.

"We regard Nathan Phillips Square, despite its concrete greyness, with a great deal of affection but it just needs a sprucing up," he said.

Another criticism lobbed at the proposals is that the Peace Park has been largely overlooked.

"It's becoming invisible and we don't want it to become invisible," said Erin Harris, of the Hiroshima Day Coalition, which comprisesvarious peace organizations. "If it's taken and removed and put to the back of the square then that speaks for itself. Out of sight, out of mind."

The city has earmarked $16 million for the restoration project, with hopes of raising another $24 million from other levels of government, the private sector and thebusiness community.

Models and panels of the four proposals will be on display at city hall until Feb. 26.

A winner will be announced March 8 and construction is expected to begin next year.