Last year we launched the Gardiner Corridor Alliance (GCA), a new Bentway community made up of developers, designers, planners, and other professionals working to transform the 6.5km stretch of land along and adjacent to the Gardiner.
Together, our shared impact falls in the fastest-growing area in the country. With 44 active and recently-completed projects, the corridor is also anticipating completion of the Ontario line, redevelopment of the Port Lands, and major construction to repair the Gardiner. Daniel Winberg, a new Bentway Board member, recently connected with Dave Carey (Co-Executive Director) to reflect on the GCA and what he’s looking forward to as we continue to grow.
Dave (DC): Daniel, tell us about your work at Rockport, and maybe highlight 1 special project that you’re bringing to life there.
Daniel (DW): At Rockport, we’re focused on creating thoughtful, community-oriented developments that respond to the evolving needs of our city. One project I’m especially excited about is Base31 in Prince Edward County – a bold reimagining of a former WWII airbase into a cultural and creative destination. It’s a great example of how we can breathe new life into underutilized spaces, much like what we’re doing with The Bentway.
DC: With your background in real estate and urban development, what inspired you to get involved with The Bentway?
DW: The Bentway represents everything I believe in as a city builder. It’s about reclaiming overlooked infrastructure and transforming it into something vibrant, inclusive, and future focused. I was inspired by The Bentway’s bold vision and the opportunity to help shape a corridor that connects communities and sparks new possibilities for public life.
DC: And why launch the Gardiner Corridor Alliance (GCA), and why now?
DW: We’re at a pivotal moment in Toronto’s evolution. The Gardiner corridor is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, with over 44 active and recently completed private developments, major civic projects like the Ontario Line and Port Lands redevelopment, and the City-approved Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan. The GCA was launched to bring together the people shaping this future — across sectors — to collaborate, share ideas, and ensure we’re building something truly impactful, and building that together.
DC: What sort of companies are part of the Alliance, and where are they having impact?
DW: Alliance partners represent a huge range of fields with impact from Dufferin to the DVP, from Liberty Village to the Port Lands, including: real estate; finance; architecture, design, and planning; law; engineering; construction; and public agencies. Collectively, our shared impact falls into the fastest-growing area in the country.
DC: We kicked off the GCA with an incredible launch event earlier in 2025. Tell us about that.
DW: The launch was a powerful moment: not just a celebration, but a statement of intent. We heard from incredible speakers like Jason Thorne (Toronto’s new Chief Planner), Saad Usmani from the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Mary Rowe from Canadian Urban Institute, and your colleague Ilana Altman (from The Bentway), each offering a unique perspective on the corridor’s potential. It was inspiring to see so many leaders come together around a common cause, and to feel the energy of a new alliance forming.
DC: We’ve got a wonderful set of inaugural GCA partners, including Choice Properties, Aird Berlis, Ellis Don, Wallman Architects, and of course your own Rockport Group. If someone wanted to support or get involved with The Bentway – as a GCA member or otherwise – what would you say to them?
DW: I would say – “let’s go”! The Bentway is more than a public space, it’s a movement. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or simply someone who cares about the future of Toronto, there’s a place for you here. The GCA offers access to a network of like-minded city-builders, professional development, exclusive events, and the chance to help shape one of the most exciting urban transformations in Canada.
DC: Anything we missed that you want to touch on?
DW: Just a heartfelt thank you. To our partners, affiliates, and the incredible team at The Bentway – creativity and commitment are what make this work possible. The Gardiner Corridor Alliance is about people — about all of us — coming together to imagine and build a better city.
