Toronto Community Housing Announces Architects for First Building in Final Phases of Regent Park Revitalization

Following an international search and its first RFP secured through a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process, Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) announced today that Toronto-based architects—Alliance (a—A), in collaboration with Danish firm Cobe Architects (Cobe), have been selected to design the next building in the ongoing Regent Park revitalization project, bringing to life the community’s vision for Phases 4 and 5.

Together, a—A and Cobe will design the site known as Building 1A on the 69-acre revitalization project. It is a 26-storey mixed-use residential building located on Block 2 of Regent Park’s Phase 4 lands and will provide vibrant, community-centric living with approximately 274 TCHC units, ample community space, and a rooftop farm. All interior and exterior spaces will exceed the Ontario Building Code for accessibility, meeting the standards set by the Responsible Personal Accessibility in Toronto Housing (R-PATH) Committee, a resident-led group. Building 1A will be the first site in the last phases of the Regent Park revitalization. It will be designed to meet the City’s new Toronto Green Standards (Version 4, Tier 2), achieving a near-net zero carbon standard—a first for Regent Park, and for a TCHC building of this scale.

The design collaboration, in consultation with the Regent Park master plan consultant team and TCHC’s developer partner Tridel, will elevate the design of the Regent Park community, and the beautiful and functional architectural features that have come to distinguish the Regent Park revitalization. The building will also set the bar for the design of future buildings in Phases 4 and 5 and deliver on the community vision set by the recent Regent Park rezoning approval.

TCHC worked with a—A on the first project of Phase 1 of the Regent Park revitalization. The LEED Silver-certified Dundas-Sackville Apartments for families and seniors created a benchmark for architectural excellence in succeeding Phases of work. Exceeding contemporary environmental standards, 246-252 Sackville Street embodies TCHC’s commitment to environmental sustainability and accessibility in all new developments and revitalized buildings.

a—A and Cobe are pre-eminent, award-winning architectural firms known for designing beautiful, livable and enduring multi-unit residential buildings. They recently partnered to design apartment buildings in Toronto’s Canary District as part of the award-winning West Don Lands redevelopment project that integrates affordable rental and market housing, resident amenities and services for citizens of all ages and stages of life.

To learn more about the Regent Park revitalization, visit the revitalization website: RP4and5.ca.

Quotes

“We are excited to sign the award-winning team of a—A and Cobe to TCHC’s Regent Park revitalization project. Together, they will build upon TCHC’s track record and clear commitment to best practices in planning, architecture, landscape and urban design, which can be seen in Phases 1-3. As a city builder, TCHC’s partnership with a—A and Cobe will be a strong start to the next phases of the Regent Park revitalization, with a tenant-centric focus and transformative design that sets the tone for Phases 4-5. a—A and Cobe will be working closely with TCHC’s talented Development Division, a team of experts who are bringing to life TCHC’s vision of quality homes in a vibrant community where people are proud to live and work. I’m grateful for this team’s dedication and I look forward to seeing the new Regent Park take shape under their guidance.”

- Jag Sharma, President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing

“Modern architecture is based on the idea that housing is a fundamental right, and the foundation of a healthy city. a—A and Cobe are looking forward to working with Regent Park community members, learning from them, and applying our most creative thinking to writing a fully sustainable, resilient and inclusive new chapter in the revitalization of Regent Park.” 

- Peter Clewes, Founding Partner, architects—Alliance and Dan Stubbergaard, Founder, Cobe Architects