Daniels is an immensely diverse homebuilder that has many layers to it.

Over the past three weeks, the Toronto Star’s NewInHomes.com has been looking at those layers in depth, with our three part series on the Daniels Corporation. In part three of our three-part look at Daniels, we take a look at Daniels involvement with the Regent Park revitalization.

Over the past few decades, Regent Park has gained notoriety in Toronto for all the wrong reasons. Ill-planned housing and a lack of vision for this neighbourhood, has created a host of socio-economic challenges over generations.

Daniels is changing that.

“The thing that I like the most about our involvement in Regent Park is that we are not doing anything new. We are repeating things that have worked for 1,000’s of years. We are doing all the things that people need,” commented Martin Blake, Vice President at Daniels.

Mr. Blake is one of the top minds behind the revitalization of Regent Park. In 2003, the City of Toronto decided it was time to rebuild and revitalize the neighbourhood. The goal was to take the area from its current form and build it into a strong and vibrant community.

To do so, the City brought Toronto’s top minds to help take this plan to the next level. Although not the original builder, Daniels finds itself at the forefront of this rebuild.

“It started by us responding by a request for proposals from the City. Interestingly, we were not the first builders selected. However after issues with the original builder, Toronto Community Housing came back to us. After 5 years, it has been a great partnership”

The Regent Park revitalization will take between 10 to 15 years to complete, and will be released over six distinct phases. Phase one has seen the roll out of One Cole and One Park West, unique Condominium residences that bring affordable living to the heart of the Toronto.

There are also three new rental buildings along Sackville St. and Oak St. Daniels’ vision throughout this process has been to allow the new residents to enjoy a new, fresh Regent Park, while catering to the needs of the existing residents.

“It’s an amazing story on so many levels, working with tenants’ groups and watching them come back in with a high level of trust and commitment “ Added Niall Haggart, Executive Vice President at the Daniels Corporation.

Other key aspects to Phase One include bringing in key retailers and commercial office buildings.

“We are bringing in commercial and office spaces. People will be coming to Regent Park to work during the day. Take a look at what we will present in 10 years against where we are today, and it is an amazing transformation.” Blake Continued.

The new Regent Park Children and Youth Hub also opened its doors for residents. Phase two is well underway, and will raise the bar with a new community centre, an art and cultural centre and more rental and condominium units.

“With the demolition that has started and been completed, over 50% of the land at Regent Park is currently under development. It is a 6-phase process, and we are now into phase 2. Construction is already started on a number of buildings in phase 2, and we proud to have previous rental tenants who have come back and are absolutely thrilled with what they see. They were the people who were taking the biggest risk because it was their backyard.”

Next on the list for Daniels is Paintbox, a 26-storey condominium that will sit on the Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre.

“It is an interesting project because it’s two buildings in one. You have a 26-storey condominium development on one side, and on the East side you have the new arts and cultural centre. “ Blake said. “We want to make sure that the people who live in Paintbox will be able to experience the arts and culture centre and be a part of it. If you are a condo resident you will want to involve yourself with it, and be a part of it.”

Another great feature to ‘Paintbox’ is that it will be right in the centre of the revitalization.

“This will be the heart of the Regent Park development. This is where residents will be able to welcome Toronto inside. It will be the spot that allows Toronto to see what the new Regent Park is all about. This will be a magnet for activity”.

One of the biggest questions will be what we – as a city – think about Regent Park in 5-10 years? What will the legacy of the new Regent Park be?

“I actually think that you will have a real hard time identifying Regent Park. If you take a look at Regent Park now it has no internal streets. In ten years time, all the connections to Corktown and Cabbagetown will be in place. Someone who is new to Toronto will drive by this great area with these immaculate buildings and amazing architecture that is so diverse, they won’t be able to tell what was once here,” Blake continued.

“I think it really is going to be the model of social revitalization for North America. We are getting people from around the world to see what we are doing at Regent Park. It’s quite rewarding.”