The Toronto waterfront is heading into 2026 with fresh momentum. The Ontario Science Centre has confirmed that its interim home will be at Harbourfront Centre by summer 2026, a move that is already boosting confidence among local stakeholders and brokers. The announcement arrives just as the Toronto Waterfront BIA releases a new broker package that outlines visitor traffic, resident demographics and current leasing opportunities. Together, the developments reinforce an optimistic outlook for Toronto waterfront retail.
For Dorsa Alizadeh–Shabani, Manager of Operations at the Toronto Waterfront BIA, the timing could not be better. The district has seen a wave of new experiential operators, successful food and beverage concepts and steady improvements to the public realm. Although some retailers have closed, the Science Centre news adds a powerful cultural anchor to a neighbourhood that is already gaining ground.
The Ontario Science Centre will expand its existing Harbourfront footprint into an interim 86,000 square foot facility by summer 2026. The site will include exhibition zones, classrooms, outdoor programming areas and room for hands-on science experiences for families and school groups.
“By establishing the Ontario Science Centre’s interim location at the Harbourfront Centre, we’re helping Ontario families access world class science programming even as we continue building a new, expanded and state-of-the-art Ontario Science Centre just steps away at Ontario Place,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho. CEO Paul Kortenaar added that the expanded Harbourfront location “will offer even more opportunities for visitors to enjoy hands-on science experiences as we build our future home at Ontario Place.”
Toronto Waterfront BIA Executive Director Tim Kocur said the announcement reflects both cultural momentum and long-term destination building along the lake. “The waterfront’s growth as a destination attracting visitors to Toronto will be driven by two major factors this news helps to highlight. The waterfront will need to have four-season attractions and experiences along its entire route, and this is a great four-season expansion. And true destination neighbourhoods need to have support from both business investments combined with all levels of governments as well as civic institutions seeing the opportunity. It’s fantastic news to see the Province of Ontario and the Ontario Science Centre are happy with their current activation at Harbourfront Centre and want to expand their presence on Queens Quay.”
The consolidation of the Science Centre’s satellite location at CF Sherway Gardens into Harbourfront Centre is expected to channel more families, tourists and students directly into the district. The added foot traffic will benefit restaurants, experiential operators and everyday services throughout the area, giving retailers stronger weekday and weekend demand while supporting future leasing decisions along one of the city’s most dynamic corridors.
Data-Driven Case for a Growing Retail District
The Waterfront BIA’s updated broker package presents a district with both scale and potential. In 2024, approximately 2.9 million unique visitors generated more than 61 million total visits. The resident population of nearly 29,000 people has a strong spending profile with an average household income of $146,710 and high levels of disposable income.
Visitor profiles show a mix of young professionals, multigenerational families and diverse urban renters, a combination well suited to food, beverage, experience-based retail and cultural attractions. Strong walkability, cycling connections and public transit enhance accessibility. New rapid bus lanes along Queens Quay East have already increased travel speeds and ridership, supporting continued development in East Bayfront. The cumulative effect gives retailers confidence that Toronto waterfront retail has the year-round density and visibility required for long-term investment.
Experiential Concepts Reshape the Year-Round Offer
Both Alizadeh–Shabani and Kocur emphasized the rise of experiential operators as a turning point for the district. Ethos Climbing Gym has become a major indoor draw at 130 Queens Quay East and reported a strong first season. The floating sauna experience by Löyly, open in a slip near the Rogers Centre, has already built significant attention. With warm timber cabins overlooking the lake and a cold plunge pool set into the docks, the concept captures the growing interest in health, wellness and unique waterfront experiences.
Many of these operators remain open through winter, which helps shift outdated perceptions of the waterfront as a strictly seasonal area. Alizadeh–Shabani noted that the BIA has encouraged more lake-oriented experiences to reinforce the district’s identity. The arrival of new recreational amenities and immersive entertainment concepts indicates that message is resonating with operators seeking differentiation.
Food, Drink and a Growing Evening Economy
Food and beverage continue to anchor the neighbourhood’s evolution. Queens Harbour Restaurant at 245 Queens Quay West has become a popular venue with strong early performance. Partner and general manager Mihai said the team selected the waterfront because it offered “the perfect mix of beauty, energy and community,” adding that their first summer surpassed expectations.
For winter, the restaurant has introduced a Winter Garden concept in its southern retractable-roof area, incorporating seasonal décor designed to attract repeat visits. Alizadeh–Shabani said the transformation has helped keep the venue top-of-mind as temperatures drop.
Grocery-anchored retail is also expanding its reach. Marché Leo’s on the east side includes a compact Hugo Boss clothing boutique within the store. The format, unusual in Canada, adds needed apparel options to the district and brings a new dimension to everyday convenience shopping.
Major sporting events continue to deliver strong returns for local operators. Moneris spending data from the broker package shows that restaurant transactions near the stadium jumped significantly during the 2025 World Series. With terraces and patios positioned between the stadiums and the lake, the waterfront benefits from some of the strongest event-related traffic in the city.
East Bayfront Fills In Around New Amenities
East Bayfront remains one of Toronto’s most active development zones. Several ground-floor retail opportunities are now available, including spaces at 110 Merchants’ Wharf beside the Water’s Edge Promenade and a large-format opportunity at the base of the T3 Bayside timber office building.
World Swing, a virtual golf bar preparing to open in T3 Bayside, is among the most anticipated new concepts. Alizadeh–Shabani described it as “another destination business” that will draw visitors during colder months while supporting a diversified nightlife offer.
New public amenities continue to shape everyday quality of life. A temporary park near Marché Leo’s features two pickleball courts and a busy dog run. Even with its late fall launch, the park is frequently active. The East Bayfront Community Recreation Centre, connected to the expanded promenade, has become another hub. A recent Halloween-themed movie night hosted by the BIA drew about 350 people, demonstrating growing engagement from families and residents.
Managing Vacancies While Supporting Retailers
The waterfront has experienced some closures, including a cannabis store and a fast-food chicken restaurant. Kocur emphasized that these reflect broader corporate issues rather than local performance, noting that similar closures have occurred in neighbourhoods. He stressed that on balance, new openings and replacements outpace closures, especially in the spring leasing cycle.
The BIA maintains a hands-on role in supporting the retail mix. Businesses often reach out directly describing the type of space they need. Alizadeh–Shabani and her team cross-reference requirements with available spaces in their database and connect operators with landlords or brokers. She described this as part of the organization’s commitment “to keep the area vibrant all year round,” highlighting the importance of direct collaboration with property managers.
