The new mixed-income model for neighbourhoods is redefining Toronto's Regent Park, now undergoing a transformation from what was once Canada's largest public housing development into a community that attracts new residents from a mix of demographics and income levels. Accompanying all the new condominium and rental housing going up in the multi-phased redevelopment, new public spaces and community amenities are creating local destinations for area residents.

In recent years, the area has seen new community spaces like the Daniels Spectrum, Regent Park Aquatic Centre, a new Community Centre, and a Central Park. Another space that is in the works for Regent Park is an award-winning plan for an animated laneway that will carve an east-west path to the rear of a pair of market condominium projects currently under construction on blocks 16 and 17 of the community.

Site of Living Lane, image via Google Maps

Dubbed 'Living Lane,' the new mid-block connection will soon be built running from Sumach Street to River Street and intersecting with the new Tubman Avenue. Part of a finer grained street grid designed to foster improved connections to the surrounding neighbourhoods, the project from the team of landscape architect Brook McIlroy working with Toronto Community Housing Corporation and The Daniels Corporation has been designed to function as more than just a service corridor for the condo buildings it will run alongside: its design and planned programming puts the focus on pedestrian and cyclist use.

Eastern stretch of Living Lane behind Artworks Tower, image via The Daniels Corporation

Proposed as a City pilot project, Living Lane is planned to create an inviting environment with streetscape design unconventional of a service lane. A variety of design elements would set the laneway apart from others in the city, including catenary lights, tree clusters, permeable paving, seating areas, and bike storage racks that integrate into the overall aesthetic.

Western stretch of Living Lane behind DuEast, image via The Daniels Corporation

Despite having to provide service and parking entrances, the ground level of adjacent residential buildings have also been designed to include uses like bicycle storage access and bicycle repair shops to animate the laneway. It's meant to bring a sense of security through Jane Jacobs’ “eyes on the street" principle. These were among the many factors that helped land Living Lane the Award of Merit at the 2017 Toronto Urban Design Awards.

DuEast site plan showing location of Living Lane, image via The Daniels Corporation

The Daniels Corporation has used the new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as a selling point for the two condominium complexes it will run behind. DuEast Condominiums and Artworks Tower both include Living Lane in their list of residential amenities, while other outdoor amenities for the complexes overlook the laneway, another implementation of Jacobs' “eyes on the street” principle.

Artworks Tower site plan showing location of Living Lane, image via The Daniels Corporation

You can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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