Regent Park Phase 1 (Daniels, various)

April 2010 was a milestone month for The Daniels Corporation which along with its partner Toronto Community Housing was honoured with two prestigious “Green” awards for the company’s accomplishments in the Regent Park revitalization in Toronto’s Downtown East. Daniels has a long history of building homes to high-energy performance standards, and is partnering with Toronto Community Housing for the entire 69-acre redevelopment of Regent Park - the largest revitalization of a city core in North America. 2010 BILD Awards

Image by BILD

On April 30, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) hosted the 30th Annual BILD Awards, which celebrate the year’s most outstanding builders, communities, projects and people. Daniels and Toronto Community Housing were awarded top honours in the “Places to Grow Community of the Year High-Rise” category for the Regent Park revitalization. This award highlights the community development that is most reflective of Ontario’s Places to Grow legislation goals. The revitalization of Regent Park is a six-phase, 15-year, $1 billion strategy that is transforming Canada’s largest publicly funded community into a mixed-use, mixed-income residential community for approximately 12,500 people over 5000 units. The new Regent Park offers affordable residential opportunities plus open recreational spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets with landscaped walkways, and retail and commercial space. With phases one and two currently underway, almost 50% of the total revitalization is either complete, under construction or undergoing demolition. Regent Park’s metamorphosis is so innovative that in 2009, the redevelopment received the “Best International Neighbourhood Renewal Program” award from The International Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal. “An initiative of this scale is only possible when government and the private sector work hand in hand to achieve a common goal,” said Daniels’ Vice President Martin Blake. “This diverse new neighbourhood will bring together people of various backgrounds, and is serving as a world-leading model for sustainability and community integration.” Green Toronto Award 

Image by City of Toronto

Earlier in the month at the Green Toronto Awards on April 23, Daniels and Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. were presented with the “Green Design” Award for OneCole Condominiums. Built to the LEED® Gold Certification Standard – OneCole is the first (now completed and occupied) condominium within the revitalization of Regent Park. The city’s annual Green Awards recognize the people, organizations and companies helping to lead the way by providing real alternatives and sustainable solutions for a cleaner, greener Toronto. The Green Design designation rewards the efforts of a company, project or group working with infrastructure, architecture or industrial design. In Regent Park, OneCole Condominiums is helping to set a new benchmark for environmental sustainability. “We are honoured to have been singled out for this meaningful award” says Martin Blake. “Environmental responsibility and sustainability are key components of the new Regent Park community design. OneCole Condominiums is a striking example of that commitment, and we applaud Diamond + Schmitt for their part in combining green elements and architectural excellence.” Other Green Toronto Award categories include water efficiency, green roofs, community projects, energy conservation, environmental awareness, local food, youth and leadership. Founded in 1982, The Daniels Corporation is one of Canada’s leading and most diversified residential builder and developer. Daniels has built more than 18,000 homes and apartments in a diverse range of award-winning communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto Community Housing is Canada’s largest social provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants with low and moderate incomes. Toronto Community Housing employs 1,400 staff in a broad range of jobs who deliver Toronto Community Housing’s mandate to provide quality housing and build great neighbourhoods.

 2010-05-11 02:26:12

Related Companies:  Diamond Schmitt Architects, NAK Design Strategies