70 York Public Space

A public seating bench is more than just a place to rest. It invites individuals to inhabit a space either alone or together. It allows you to sit and observe the city and society around you. It is free and accessible for 24-hour use. During the day, it serves as a working, relaxing, or eating spot. At night, it becomes an illuminated artifact providing sanctuary, allowing one to take in the quieting and calming of a bustling city. A public seating bench celebrates our democratic right to public space and the freedom we experience when we use it.

A public seating bench is especially welcome beneath the towering skyline of Toronto’s Financial District. Here, among the fortified columns of steel and concrete, there is rarely a place to pause. This is why DS Studio was commissioned to develop a Privately Owned Public Space (POPS) in the North Alley outdoor space of 70 York Street in downtown Toronto. Our mandate was to activate the underutilized Financial District alley with public seating, workspaces, and ample area for potential programming to engage the community through art. Our design features a custom concrete bench that travels the length of the site and recalls the historic arches of nearby 70 York. This custom bench includes integrated lighting, tray tables, and pergola shading. These interventions work together to create a destination with an immediate impact in a once-forgotten part of the city.