Aqualuna is a bold and elegant residential development located on Toronto’s waterfront at the eastern edge of the Bayside community. The building draws inspiration from the movement of water, with a sculptural form that echoes the waves of Lake Ontario.
The architecture challenges the conventional tower-on-podium model by treating the building as a living landscape. Rather than a uniform slab, Aqualuna is characterised by two peaks positioned at the northwest and southeast corners which connect at the lower levels to form a “central valley”. This massing strategy opens up views to the lake, improves daylight access for neighbouring buildings, and enhances the pedestrian experience along Edgewater Drive and Merchants’ Wharf.
The façade is expressive and dynamic, composed of angled balconies and terraces that vary in rhythm and depth. This geometry improves privacy between units, enhances water views, and creates a wave-like visual effect that brings texture and movement to the building’s exterior.
Aqualuna offers 215 residential units, each designed with access to outdoor space, both private and communal. The building employs a modular 7.2m x 7.2m structural grid that accommodates a variety of unit types, from studios to townhouses.
At the heart of the design is a commitment to community, one imported from traditional Danish courtyard apartments. Shared amenities are located in the central valley between the two towers, including indoor gathering spaces and a landscaped deck with an outdoor pool. These elements act as social hubs and encourage interaction among residents.
The base of the building is designed to engage with the surrounding neighbourhood. A continuous, double-height podium activates the Water’s Edge Promenade with ground-level retail, public amenities, and a prominent community centre.
Aqualuna exemplifies the live-work-play vision of the Bayside masterplan, blending striking architecture with thoughtful urban design.