Royal Bank Plaza
When Iconic Buildings Lead by Example.Â
At Royal Bank Plaza, we transformed an overlooked plaza into a productive edible landscape that invites people to pause, connect, and experience nature in the middle of downtown Toronto.
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Thoughtfully integrated with the plaza's iconic architecture, the gardens produce fresh food, support biodiversity, and create an unexpected sense of calm just steps from Union Station.
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The gardens demonstrate how thoughtfully designed green infrastructure can strengthen tenant experience, showcase environmental leadership, and bring new life to an urban public space. Employees gather here for lunch, meetings, workshops, and seasonal harvests, while thousands of people pass through the plaza each day—discovering that even one of Canada's busiest commercial spaces can be green and alive.
Built Into the Plaza.Â
Working closely with the client, we designed custom 4' × 4' steel-and-wood planters that align seamlessly with the plaza's marble paving. The result is a landscape that feels like it has always belonged-where productive gardens become part of the architecture rather than an addition to it. Seventeen edible gardens, two pollinator gardens, and a pollinator island transformed the mezzanine into a vibrant destination where people, biodiversity, and urban agriculture thrive together.
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From April through November, the gardens become an extension of the workplace. Employees gather for workshops, seasonal harvests, and outdoor learning experiences, while fresh produce is donated to the Avenue Road Food Bank. More than an amenity, the gardens demonstrate how thoughtfully designed green infrastructure can strengthen employee engagement, support habitat, and make Corporate Social Responsibility visible in one of Canada's premier commercial properties.
