Pedestrian bridge Eaton Centre Bridge in Toronto with connection to the Hudson shopping centre with a sandstone façade. The bridge consists of alternating transparent glass panes and brass plates with circular engravings, which increase in size towards the right. Under the pedestrian bridge is a busy street with cars, a tram and several pedestrians. In the background of the pedestrian bridge is the street canyon.

pedestrian bridge made of steel, glass and brass

connecting element: eaton centre bridge

This pedestrian bridge spans over Queen Street in Toronto, connecting two major shopping centres. One of the buildings features a 19th-century sandstone façade, while the other is a 1970s structure with large glass surfaces. The design of the pedestrian bridge entwines brass and glass, with the initially twisted brass portal frames gradually transitioning into a more formally structured glass aesthetic.
 

unique brass elements

The surface texture of the brass portal frames in particular showcases seele’s manufacturing expertise: circular ornamentation was first milled into the brass plates. The plates were then given their bronze-coloured patina in an acid bath. In Toronto, the brass plates were mounted onto the steel portal frames. Due to the complex shape of the steel-and-glass structure, each brass element is unique in both geometry and milled pattern.

Façade type
Steel-and-glass design
Client
Cadillac Fairview
Contractor
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Architect
Wilkinson Eyre / Zeidler Partnership Architects
Interior view of the pedestrian bridge Eaton Centre Bridge at night, steel frame with glass panes, illuminated baseboard, tapering tunnel, black and white stripes, metal handrails Detail of the Eaton Centre Bridge pedestrian bridge with white portal frame, illuminated baseboard and metal handrail
Detail of the Eaton Centre Bridge pedestrian bridge with white portal frame, illuminated baseboard and metal handrail
Asymmetrical component of the Eaton Centre Bridge pedestrian bridge made of glass and metal on a frame on seele's test railing with green bushes and a red wind generator under scaffolding in the background
Close-up of a drill cutting a pattern of round circles into a golden metal plate for the cladding of the Eaton Centre Bridge footbridge
Drawing of the installation of the Eaton Centre Bridge pedestrian bridge in Toronto between two shopping centres with pre-assembly in a side street, blue pedestrian route through the bridge

efficient installation: new pedestrian bridge erected in just two weekends

The installation of the pedestrian bridge took place in two phases. First, the old bridge was dismantled and the new bridge was pre-assembled on nearby James Street. The completed structure, consisting of a steel frame, glass laminates, and brass plates, was then hydraulically lifted and transported to its final position. This complex assembly was completed in just two weekends to minimise traffic disruption in downtown Toronto.
 

Awards for the pedestrian bridge

National Urban Design Award of Merit 2022
Surface Design Award - Public Realm 2020
The International Architecture Award 2020
ENR Global Best Projects Award 2018
Best of the Best Project Achievement Award 2017

#madebyseele

Design, manufacturing and installation of grey and white fritted glass laminates, and interwoven bronze-coloured brass plates, stainless steel handrails, 150 t of steel construction, and building connections

300 sqm
fritted glass laminates
190
brass plates
120 sqm
white fritted glass laminates
35 m
steel-and-glass bridge
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