East of Downtown Toronto, the multi-year, multi-phase revitalization of Regent Park by The Daniels Corporation and Toronto Community Housing is an ongoing process, where something is always starting up while other work is coming to completion. That's true in the community's Phase 2 area right now where construction recently began on a new condominium development while work is wrapping up on another one nearby.

Shoring work is now under way at the site of The Bartholomew, a 13-storey, Quadrangle Architects-designed development offering 159 condo suites and 30 townhomes, while residents have replaced construction workers in the 24 and 28-storey, Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed towers of One Park Place. Today we will take a look at both of these Phase 2 developments for some insight into both the early and late stages of a building's journey from blueprints to brick and mortar.

Shoring work under way at the site of The Bartholomew, image by Jack Landau

At the intersection of Sackville and St. Bartholomew Streets, shoring work is now under way at the site of The Bartholomew. Though the project only recently hit the market, The Daniels Corporation has already begun construction on it, removing the uncertainty that accompanies some projects as to whether they will go ahead or not. Purchasers here will know not only that the building will be built, but they'll also have a family firm idea of when they can expect to move in.

Shoring work under way at the site of The Bartholomew, image by Jack Landau

Once purchaser have moved in to The Bartholomew, they will enjoy a selection of amenities, including a party room with a kitchen/bar, a 24/7 lounge, pet spa, and a landscaped courtyard with gardening plots. Other amenity spaces in the development will help to promote an active lifestyle, including a multi-purpose room offering WELLBEATS™, an interactive tool that uses a large-screen projector to provide virtual programs such as Zumba, yoga, Pilates, dance-based exercise, weight training, cardio, cycling and classes for kids.

One Park Place's South Tower (right) and North Tower (left), image by Jack Landau

A block to the east, work has been progressing smoothly on One Park Place's interior spaces, while only a few finishing touches remain for the exterior. The development is now mostly occupied, with a scattering of remaining suites still to sell. The complex's large podium, with its striking red brick with white precast accents, will soon be home to a new Shoppers Drug Mart location, as evidenced by the signage visible in the image below. More retailers will open to the east and to the south of the Shoppers.

One Park Place's podium, viewed from the northwest, image by Jack Landau

The west-facing retailers front an impressive public plaza along Regent Park Boulevard which features landscaping and places to sit. Across Dundas Street to the north is the green space of Regent Park itself along with its playground, community oven, greenhouse, and award winning aquatic centre, while to the west is the Daniels Spectrum, a multi-award-winning arts and business incubator hub for the community.

Public plaza on the western side of One Park Place, image by Jack Landau

While the north and west sides of the podium will be lined with retail, the south and east sides, fronting St. David and Sumach Streets, are home to urban townhomes, many of which are already occupied. To the southeast of these homes the new Athletic Grounds will soon open, as will the new Regent Park South Community Centre to the southwest.

Townhouses on the east side of one Park Place, fronting Sumach, image by Jack Landau

Looking for more information on One Park Place or The Bartholomew? Our dataBase files for the projects, linked below, include official website links and contact info, more details, as well as plenty of renderings. If you want to talk about the project, join the conversation in one of the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Related Companies:  BDP Quadrangle, Cecconi Simone, Counterpoint Engineering, Diamond Schmitt Architects, Hariri Pontarini Architects, NAK Design Strategies, RJC Engineers, U31