You are correct that the early rendering (which Filip so kindly described as a "wonderful, warm design") was from a precinct planning study- the master plan. But, the conceptual building design was a bit more than a massing placeholder. Cesar Pelli had a keen interest in the design of the...

any supporting materials? Were any images (plans, elevations, renderings) presented? Are those on file for view? I'd love to get a sense of the design in this late phase....

steveve: the Bayside sight is bounded by Queens Quay on the north. It does not extend to Gardner. Those buildings are part of the original masterplan image. For comparison, so the original masterplan rendering on Waterfront Toronto's site here...

I think the zoning of the plan makes a lot of sense. Retail will probably not do very well on the waterfront because it will be a quieter place in general without auto-convenience (on-street parking) and as a time-tested rule of thumb, the most successful retail zones are double-loaded (both...