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The Redevelopment of Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square

The Redevelopment of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares
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A Design Team, led by a architectural firm, will be selected to spearhead the design and contract administration services for the redevelopment of the two-squares.​​ To ensure that these spaces serve the needs and desires of our residents, the City is initiating a comprehensive engagement process, inviting r​esidents to help define the design criteria.

Community Engagement Part 2: Exploring Design Concepts​

​How​ t​o Par​ticipate

There are several ways for you to get involved and help​ shape the future of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares. Share your feedback by completing the online survey, attend the Jane’s Walk for a guided tour and discussi​on or drop b​y the Public Open House.

Explore the Design Concepts

The following designs have been submitted by the shortlisted teams and are under consideration by the City of Brampton. As the City evaluates these options, your feedback is essential—help shape the future of these important civic spaces by exploring the de​signs and sharing your thoughts. ​

Design 1

Design A

Learn More
Design 2

Design B

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Design 3

Design C

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Design 4

Design D

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Complete the Online Survey

​Complete th​e survey to h​ave your feedback included as part of the evaluation process guiding the final design direction.

​​Take the Survey
​​

Join an In-Person Event​

Design Competition Open House – Design Concepts for Ken Whillans and Garden Squares’ Redevelopment.

  • Time: 6:00 – 8:00 ​PM
  • Date: May 27th 2025
  • Location: City Hall, 1st Flo​or - Conservatory
  • Drop in to explore the proposed design concepts, hear a presentation from City staff, and take part in interactive feedback sessions. This is your chance to engage directly with the project team, share your thoughts, and help shape the future of Brampton’s civic and cultural heart.

Jane’s Walk- Guided walking tour of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares

  • Time: 5:00 – 5:40 PM
  • Date: May 27th 2025
  • Meeting Location: Brampton City Hall (2 Wellington Street West).​
  • Join Jane’s Walk a guided walking tour when we will explore the redevelopment of Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square — two prominent civic spaces in the heart of Down​town Brampton.
  • Jane's Walk is an annual, global festival celebrating City walking tours inspired by urbanist and writer Jane Jacobs.

This year’s Jane’s Walk is themed “Public Spaces for a Vibr​ant Downtown.” The tour will examine the historical evolution, current role, and future potential of these public spaces.

Help shape the future of Downtown Brampton - your input counts! ​

What Happens Next?

Following the Public Open House and online survey, all community feedback will be reviewed and summarized. This input will be shared with the Competition Evaluation Team, who will consider it alongside technical assessments and other key criteria to select the winning design. The selected concept will guide the detailed design and redevelopment of Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square - bringing us one step closer to realizing vibrant, inclusive, and resilient public spaces in the heart of Downtown Brampton. ​​​

Communication and engagement with the public is a fundamental aspect of the Design Competition. Brampton residents will have the opportunity to express their thoughts and share their ideas for how they would like these spaces to be redeveloped.

The City will collaborate with the public and stakeholders at every stage of the design process, including the development of the final design vision, objectives, and concepts.

The opportunities for the community to get involved in the squares design process are:​

  • Community Engagement Part 1: Towards a Vision
  • ​Community Engagement Part 2: Exploring Design Concepts​

As part of the community engagement and visioning phase, community members were invited to participate in a conversation about the redevelopment of Ken Whillans and Garden Square. This exchange of ideas took place between September 12 and October 22 2024 and received a total of 250 responses from participants of various ages and backgrounds.

The community's insights were thoroughly analyzed and compiled to inform the vision, objectives, character, design, and programming of the squares.

Ken Whillans and Garden Squares Vision and Objectives

Vision

Ken Whillans Square

An open and captivating civic courtyard leading to City Hall, celebrating Brampton’s culture with connections to Gage Park, PAMA, and Downtown. It will host major events and foster civic pride.

Garden Square

Downtown Brampton’s vibrant cultural heart. Inspired by Brampton’s Flower City identity, the design will be sleek, minimal, and practical, supporting community life and artistic expression in a space that reflects local character and complements the Rose Theatre.

Design Objectives

The proposed designs for Ken Whillans and Garden Squares aim to achieve aesthetic cohesion, year-round functionality, and inclusivity through high-quality materials, accessible features, and strong connections to Brampton’s heritage and identity. Ken Whillans Square will serve as a formal civic space anchored by City Hall, while Garden Square will complement the Rose Theatre’s character with a vibrant, floral-inspired sleek design. Both spaces will support diverse events and celebrate Brampton’s multicultural community.

Phase One: Request for Prequalification (RFPQ) (COMPLETED)

Phase 1 of the Request for Prequalification (RFPQ) has concluded with the evaluation completed. The City proudly received submissions from some of the most renowned local and international design firms globally.

The shortlisted design teams were notified and advanced to Phase 2 (RFP) of the design competition.

Phase Two: Request for Proposal (RFP):

In Phase Two of the design competition, shortlisted Bidders were invited to submit proposals for the redevelopment of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares, including conceptual designs.

The submitted design concepts are featured on this page for public viewing and feedback.

Competition Evaluation Team

The design competition will be evaluated by the Competition Evaluation Team. The Competition Evaluation Team includes architects and landscape architects who are credible and recognized in their fields, in addition to City staff members from the Downtown Revitalization team and Community Services.

The Competition Evaluation Team consists of:

External Evaluation Team Members: 
1. Eric Terricott - Architect, Partner at Urban Strategies, Brampton UDRP Chair 
2. Fadi Masoud - Landscape Architect, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Landscape Research at UOT 
3. Khaldoon Ahmad - Urban Designer, Manager, Urban Design at Regional Municipality of Niagara, Brampton UDRP 
4. Jessica Hutcheon - ​Landscape Architect, Principal at Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Toronto DRP

Internal Evaluation Team Members: 
5. Dr. Dalia Bahy - Strategic Leader, Downtown Revitalization 
6. Jocelyn Johnston -Manager, Theatres, Performing Arts 
7. Anthony Obtinario - Manager, Downtown Revitalization

Project Timeline

Item Status: Current

  • Community Engagement phase 2​

Item Status: Future

  • Design development

Item Status: Future

  • ​Undertake Detailed design and hire a construction team
  • Construction starts (Ken Whillans Square)

Item Status: Future

  • Construction complete (Ken Whillans Square)
  • Construction starts (Garden Square)

Item Status: Future

  • ​Construction complete (Garden Square)

Related Links

Contact Us

For ​more information on the Redev​elo​pment of Ken Whillans Square​ and Garden Square project or to provide comments, please contact the project lead ​​through email at:

Dalia Bahy, Ph.D., MCIP, RPP, OAA, LEED AP. BD+C
Strategic Leader
Downtown Re​vitalization

RKGSP@brampton.ca
​