Daniels Spectrum wins global awards for excellence

The Daniels Corp., together with Artscape and development partners Toronto Community Housing, and the Regent Park Community, and project architect Diamond Schmitt Architects, were honoured with the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2016 Global Awards for Excellence announced October 27 at the ULI Fall Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

The award recognizes responsible real estate development and a dedication to building thriving, livable communities. The criteria for the international award include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnerships, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability.

On Nov. 3, Artscape CEO Tim Jones, Vincent Tong, Development Director at Toronto Community Housing and Farid Jalil, Outreach and Marketing Co-ordinator at Daniels Spectrum, were in Dallas to accept the prestigious award.

“We are elated that Daniels Spectrum, an arts and cultural facility rooted in the Regent Park community, has been recognized internationally in this way,” said Jones. “We strongly believe in the power of collaboration, and in the powerful impacts that can result when the private sector engages in city-building projects alongside communities and non-profit organizations.”

“Congratulations to Diamond Schmitt Architects and to our development partners in this project, Toronto Community Housing, The Daniels Corporation and to the Regent Park community,” Jones added, “without whom, Daniels Spectrum would not be the thriving, vibrant community cultural hub it is today.”

“Toronto Community Housing is honoured that our partnership has been recognized for Daniels Spectrum, one of the focal points of the transformation of Regent Park,” said Leslie Gash, Vice President, Development (Acting), Toronto Community Housing. “Over the past 10 years we’ve seen a complete transformation of this neighbourhood through new homes, amenities, retail space and economic opportunities for residents. Daniels Spectrum is a state-of-the-art cultural facility the whole city can enjoy.”

From amongst 26 finalists, Daniels Spectrum, operated by Artscape, was one of eleven real estate development projects from around the globe – and the only Canadian development – selected for the prestigious award.

“The Regent Park revitalization is being looked at on an international scale as the new gold standard by which challenged urban neighborhoods can be reimagined and recreated as healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities,” said Martin Blake, Vice-President, The Daniels Corporation. “Daniels Spectrum serves as the heartbeat of the community, providing opportunities for arts, culture and creativity. We are thrilled that Daniels Spectrum has been recognized for a ULI award.”

“This continued acknowledgement further validates the objective from the outset to have community engagement at the table and to design a facility that meets their needs,” said Jennifer Mallard, Senior Associate, Diamond Schmitt Architects.

The ULI recognition is the fourth international award for Daniels Spectrum.

ULI released its official press release announcing the award winners on Oct. 27 with background information on the award and the complete list of 2016 award recipients.