The redevelopment of Regent Park has re-connected and re-activated the urban fabric of this area in Toronto, nourishing the community and establishing a socially integrated neighbourhood. Daniels Spectrum—a community-focused arts centre—contributes as a centrepiece of this $1.7 billion-dollar redevelopment effort for Canada’s largest public housing project in downtown Toronto. It brings together arts and cultural groups while housing professional performance, rehearsal, learning, and social enterprise spaces where none previously existed.

The seven grassroots artistic groups that are tenants in the centre were all involved in the design of their customized space. The building’s multi-coloured facade panels take inspiration from the cultural richness and diversity of its community. A new venue for performance, the patrons spill out onto the wide terrace and adjacent sidewalks, animating the neighbourhood with social activities.

As an amenity space for the community, Daniels Spectrum has become a cultural hub for the new Regent Park with a 310-seat main theatre, a 120-seat black box theatre, multi-purpose spaces, and arts and education spaces for seven community arts organizations. In bringing these groups together under the same roof, new collaborations are fostered, which, ultimately, translate into inspired performances and significant learnings as well as social and cultural change.