16 h. ago Toronto's iconic dog fountain is getting a massive refresh this winter

Toronto's iconic dog fountain is getting a major refresh this winter, as the City prepares to hire a vendor that will repair and repaint the 27 dog sculptures (and the often overlooked but never forgotten, lone cat) that make up the centrepiece of Old Town's Berczy Park.Legendary Canadian landscape architect Claude Cormier (1960-2023) was the mastermind behind the fountain and led the renowned design firm, Claude Cormier + Associés, now known as CCxA, during the overhaul of Berczy Park. The studio is responsible for several major public spaces across Toronto and Montreal, including Sugar Beach and Love Park.Berczy Park's redesign was officially unveiled in June 2017 after extensive consultation with the Old Town Toronto neighbourhood, and quickly became one of Cormier's most recognizable works throughout his illustrious career.However, over time, the sculptures in the park have aged, and the once-vivid four-legged friends that surround the two-t...

Other

69 h. ago HILL and THOMPSON: Mayor Farkas should retain ‘blanket rezoning’ for sake of Calgarian families

Blanket rezoning was always contentious. Debate over the policy back in spring 2024 sparked the longest public hearing in Calgary’s history, with many Calgarians airing concerns about potential impacts on local infrastructure, parking availability and park space — all important issues.

Other

4 d. ago Staple Toronto restaurant closes permanently after over 25 years

A Toronto restaurant that has been a neighbourhood staple for the past 25 years has officially closed for good.There was a time when Little Portugal, the strips of Dundas West and College between Dovercourt and Lansdowne, was, more or less, the only place in the city where you could find great Portuguese food.That was decades ago, mind you, and, in the years since, Portuguese cuisine, much like every other global influence in the city, has outgrown the bounds of its historic enclave and planted roots in nearly every neighbourhood. Now, you don't have to look farther than a few blocks in any given corner of the city to sink your teeth into simmering fish stews or salty sardines; the city is rife with stalwart institutions that do Portuguese cuisine proud.In the case of the Junction Triangle, one such staple, since 1998 anyway, has been Piri Piri Grill.Fittingly named for Portugal's most ubiquitous culinary export, piri piri chicken, the restaurant has been a le...

Other

4 d. ago Local group using AI slop in bid to get Toronto scared about convenience stores

Neighbourhood retail on Toronto side streets has emerged as a hot-button issue putting locals at odds, and controversy surrounding one community organization's AI-generated fear campaign is just the latest flare-up in this heated debate.Controversy swirled in 2024 around a local grocery store that had faced licensing issues, triggering widespread discussion on rules surrounding retail in established residential areas.City Council's November vote on a proposed Neighbourhood Retail plan has been welcomed by many in the city, but one local community group has stood out in vocal opposition to changes that would increase options for businesses like convenience stores to operate on side streets.However, the group's methods have landed them in the crosshairs of online commenters, and the backlash was swift and immediate.The community group known as IntegrityTO — which has previously lobbied campaigns against renaming locations after controversial historical figures and ca...

Transport

5 d. ago This $600K Toronto house is basically a parking spot with a mystery shack on top

Toronto's parking situation is almost as ridiculous as it's housing market. There are parking spots in the downtown core selling for over $100,000. But if you really want a parking spot that also comes with a bedroom, look no further than 587 Craven Rd. The front porch. This detached bungalow in Leslieville has been sitting on the market for months, and it's back with a major price drop. The backyard. 587 Craven Rd. is listed at just $599,000, down from its original $899,000 asking price. The garage with bungalow. The listing boasts a "rare detached raised bungalow with garage and parking," which is technically true... but when a house has more parking spaces than bedrooms or bathrooms, it's more garage than liveable home.I guess you could think of it as an upgrade from sleeping in your car — by, like, one floor.Missing window frames could be a sign of what awaits on the i...

Economics

5 d. ago A Toronto neighbourhood's most iconic restaurant may be gone for good

A Toronto restaurant that defined its neighbourhood may have closed its doors permanently after being kicked out by its landlord.Kensington Market is known for a lot of things: thrifting, colourful community atmosphere, tacos, to name only a few. But, for me and plenty of others, at least, it's always been the scent of jerk chicken getting charred on an outdoor grill drifting up and down Kensington Avenue, embedding itself into my hair and clothes on sticky summer days.The source of the aroma? None other than Rasta Pasta, a stalwart on the strip for over a decade, beloved for its dual concept serving an affordable menu of Caribbean classics, traditional Italian pastas and, best of all, fusion dishes that blend the two.There's nary a soul that has visited Kensington Market and hasn't eaten at Rasta Pasta or, at the very least, been intrigued by its name and enticed by the fragrant air it emits.That's what makes it particularly heartbreaking to deliver t...

Other

6 d. ago Famous Filipino cafe is coming to Toronto this week with the help of a local restaurant

An ultra-popular cafe based in the Philippines is soon setting up shop in Toronto for a limited time with the help of an equally celebrated local restaurant.As far as coffee shops in Makati City (a small city in the Philippines within the Metro Manila area) go, they don't come much cooler than Annex House.Located in the stylish Poblacion neighbourhood — described to me by Annex House's Toronto team as the "Queen West of Manila" — the cafe-by-day, bar-by-night concept comes by its name quite literally, located in a former home.Nowadays, rather than housing locals, the two-storey building houses a bar, coffee shop, design studio and a to-die-for alley patio, cementing it as a home for local creatives to work, play and connect.It's the stuff that urban foodie dreams are made of, hindered only by its location halfway across the world. Until this week, that is.As of Thursday, Nov. 13, people in Toronto will be able to experience the magic of An...

Other

6 d. ago Famous Filipino cafe is comes to Toronto for the first time this week

An ultra-popular cafe based in the Philippines is soon setting up shop in Toronto for a limited time with the help of an equally celebrated local restaurant.As far as coffee shops in Makati City (a small city in the Philippines within the Metro Manila area) go, they don't come much cooler than Annex House.Located in the stylish Poblacion neighbourhood — described to me by Annex House's Toronto team as the "Queen West of Manila" — the cafe-by-day, bar-by-night concept comes by its name quite literally, located in a former home.Nowadays, rather than housing locals, the two-storey building houses a bar, coffee shop, design studio and a to-die-for alley patio, cementing it as a home for local creatives to work, play and connect.It's the stuff that urban foodie dreams are made of, hindered only by its location halfway across the world. Until this week, that is.As of Thursday, Nov. 13, people in Toronto will be able to experience the magic of An...

Other

6 d. ago Famous Filipino cafe comes to Toronto for the first time this week

An ultra-popular cafe based in the Philippines is soon setting up shop in Toronto for a limited time with the help of an equally celebrated local restaurant.As far as coffee shops in Makati City (a small city in the Philippines within the Metro Manila area) go, they don't come much cooler than Annex House.Located in the stylish Poblacion neighbourhood — described to me by Annex House's Toronto team as the "Queen West of Manila" — the cafe-by-day, bar-by-night concept comes by its name quite literally, located in a former home.Nowadays, rather than housing locals, the two-storey building houses a bar, coffee shop, design studio and a to-die-for alley patio, cementing it as a home for local creatives to work, play and connect.It's the stuff that urban foodie dreams are made of, hindered only by its location halfway across the world. Until this week, that is.As of Thursday, Nov. 13, people in Toronto will be able to experience the magic of An...

Other

6 d. ago Toronto's newest park is now open but don't get too attached to it

Toronto's newest park is officially open, but you might not want to get too attached to the freshly debuted public space at 50 Queens Quay East.Menkes Developments and the City of Toronto unveiled the new 10,000 square-metre park on Monday, Nov. 10, delivered as part of Menkes' Sugar Wharf community. The space introduces a new public amenity to the rapidly evolving eastern waterfront, though, in typical Toronto fashion, this park is set to be ripped up in the not-too-distant future to be replaced by… another park.This temporary nature is reflected in the space's name, "Park in Progress," and its minimalist look from landscape architect O2 Planning and Design.With a permanent replacement a few years down the road, this space was never envisioned to be a masterpiece. A few notches above purely utilitarian, it is intended for community use in the interim while plans are forged for a permanent destination for this site.Park features include vast ex...

Other

7 d. ago Toronto neighbourhood wants to stop cheap homes so they can keep parking spaces

A Toronto neighbourhood is pushing back against plans to replace a well-used public parking lot in the community with a massive new housing development. Residents of Toronto's Fairbank neighbourhood are rallying to save a public parking lot at 9 Shortt St., which sits adjacent to a church and a Dollarama store near Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West.The City-owned lot, which provides over 100 parking spaces, is set to be transformed into a mixed-income, transit-oriented housing development — a decision, some locals argue, could have a devastating impact on nearby small businesses and community institutions. A petition, which has already garnered over 340 signatures as of Monday afternoon, has been launched to push back against the lot's redevelopment. "Many small businesses would be forced to close or relocate due to the loss of parking for their clients and customers. Street parking in the surrounding neighbourhood is already extrem...

Other

7 d. ago Toronto coffee shop permanently closing after landlord refuses to renew lease

A neighbourhood coffee shop in Toronto is gearing up to close its doors next year after its landlord decided not to renew its lease. Coco's Neighbourhood Coffee Shop, a cozy café in Little Italy known for staples like espresso-based drinks, matcha lattes, and apple cider, plus a variety of baked treats, will serve its last customers in January.In a heartbreaking announcement shared on Instagram, the coffee shop's owner, Nicole, revealed that Coco's landlord declined to renew their lease. Although they were reassured that they were perfect tenants, the landlord has decided to hand over the space to his sister, who will open a homeopathy clinic in place of the cafe. Unfortunately, the news came after the coffee shop had invested heavily in the space, including adding a new patio. While Nicole shared that the business has been trying to find a new location, working under a limited budget and a short timeline meant that Coco's was ultimately un...

Other

1 week ago Iconic hair salon closing Toronto location after nearly 30 years

A Toronto hair salon that's been a cornerstone of the neighbourhood for nearly 30 years will be closing its doors for good in early 2026.There are few names in Toronto as ubiquitous with the smell of hairspray, the feeling of freshly-cut strands, and stepping out of the salon feeling brand new as Ray Civello.A master hairstylist and beauty industry magnate, Civello has been making his mark on Toronto (and the heads of its residents) for nearly 40 years with his line of Civello salons, which boast three locations in Toronto, on top of Oakville and Vancouver locations.A far cry from your humdrum "just trim the ends off"-type experience, Civello salons have earned a reputation from North Toronto to Queen West for offering the height of luxury in hair styling and other beauty services. Think aromatherapy head-and-neck massages before the haircut even begins. It's that kind of salon.With its flagship resting in the upper-crust Rosedale neighbourhood,...

Other

2 w. ago People in Toronto fighting to keep neighbourhood restaurants and cafes alive

The debate surrounding interior neighbourhood restaurants, cafes, and retail is heating up in Toronto, as people raise their voices in response to a recent video that took aim at a beloved local pizza joint.Few pizzerias in Toronto are as great a point of pride for the city as Dovercourt's Badiali. Widely renowned as one of the top pizza restaurants in the city and resting on a residential corner, it's the definition of an institution.That's why, when it came under fire at a recent Planning and Housing Committee meeting, tensions surrounding it, and similar residentially-located businesses, flared."Definitely, Pizza Badiali is a huge issue, and it's been an issue for the church across the street," one resident stated in a now-infamous video clip from the meeting."They've had to block off their stairs because of garbage issues, and there's lines down the block, and it's definitely had adverse impacts on the neighbours that live clo...

Other

2 w. ago Toronto ice cream shop permanently closing due to rising costs

A neighbourhood Toronto ice cream shop known for its inventive flavours and cake-batter cones is officially closing its doors this fall due to rising costs. Brett's Ice Cream, located at 3148 Kingston Rd. in Scarborough, is set to bid farewell to the community on Nov. 16. Besides its creamy scoops, which come in a variety of classic flavours plus fun additions like cannoli and blueberry cheesecake, the shop sells iced coffees, milkshakes, and even mini donuts. In an announcement shared to its social media page, owner Brett Young revealed that the ice cream shop is gearing up to close its doors at the end of the season. As expected, the heartbreaking post resulted in a flood of reactions from locals, many of whom had made Brett's a summertime tradition.     View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Brett's (@brettsicecream)"Super bummed over here — o...

Economics

2 w. ago This is what an $18 million house in Toronto looks like in 2025

Ah yes, Toronto's sought-after Rosedale neighbourhood — where the average home price hovers around $7 million. So what does $18 million get you in this neck of the woods?It gets you 76 Binscarth Rd.Listed for a casual $18,250,000, this custom-built Toronto home is basically its own private universe — complete with stone walkways, manicured lawns, and enough French doors to make a Parisian jealous.The formal living room. Perfectly perched on one of Toronto's most exclusive, estate-lined streets, this modern-classic mansion is the architectural equivalent of saying, "Oh, we summer in the south of France." A home office with a wet bar. Sitting on a sprawling 100-by-150-foot double lot, this 2003 build has everything you'd expect from a luxury showpiece ... and then some.The gardens. There are three distinct outdoor zones, including a covered loggia beside a sculptural waterfall and stone terraces for your outdoor soir&eacu...

Economics

2 w. ago Someone complained to the City of Toronto about pizza joint being too popular

If you've ever popped by Toronto's Pizzeria Badiali to grab a slice of delicious pie, chances are you're all too familiar with its long lineup that typically extends down Dovercourt Road. While it's rightfully considered a neighbourhood gem and one of the city's most sought-after pizza shops by many, the establishment (and by extension, its popularity) was at the centre of a debate during a meeting of the City's Planning and Housing Committee on Thursday. As with most things Badiali-related, a clip of a resident discussing the pizzeria's impact has gained plenty of attention on social media.The meeting on Oct. 30 considered a staff report outlining recommendations on the third phase of the Neighbourhood Retail and Services (NRS) Study, part of Toronto's larger Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiative.Toronto’s NIMBYs live on another planet than the rest of us.This woman lives in Trinity-Bellwoods, on...

Other

3 w. ago Toronto home with original 1903 features is just begging to be restored at $7 million

Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood is full of stunning old mansions — but finding one that hasn't been completely renovated is getting harder and harder.Enter 74 Chestnut Park Rd., a grand, time-capsule of a home that's hit the market for the first time in more than half a century.With so many original details intact, it's practically begging to be restored to its former glory.The living room with two fireplaces and original stained glass windows. Built in 1903 by the noted architectural duo Langley and Langley, the stately seven-bedroom, five-bathroom home sits on an expansive 8,000-square-foot corner lot at Thornwood and Chestnut Park — one of Rosedale's most iconic, tree-lined stretches.The kitchen. Listed at $7,495,000, realtor Daniel Freeman calls it "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine a grand family home in one of Toronto's most storied neighbourhoods."A funky bathroom with a clawfoot tub. Freeman told blo...

Economics

3 w. ago New 'landmark' park opening in 2028 could end up being one of Toronto's coolest

New parks in Toronto have a history of lacklustre design, but the City is hoping to put that all in the past with the launch of an international design competition for a forthcoming public space set to open in 2028.The City announced the design competition on Thursday for the municipally-owned site at 34 Hanna Ave. in the Liberty Village neighbourhood. Currently home to a Toronto Parking Authority surface lot and a temporary public space set up ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the park is set to be transformed into what the City hails as a "vibrant green space."Before the parking lot can be converted into a park, the two-stage design competition will call on landscape architecture and design firms from across the globe to forge visions for this mostly barren expanse of asphalt.The competition's first stage will see teams submit their qualifications by Friday, Nov. 28, after which, City officials will comb through the qualifications and work experience of the b...

Other

3 w. ago Dated 1960s Toronto bungalow is selling for $3.6M just because of its location

If you've ever wondered what it costs to buy a "location, location, location" house in Toronto, 15 Artinger Crt. is the perfect example of the malarkey of this city's real estate market.This three-bedroom bungalow, tucked on a quiet North York cul-de-sac, is asking $3,600,000.The existing home is described as a "mint-condition" 1960s bungalow. And by mint condition, the realtor meant it still sports the original wallpaper and wood panelling.The foyer. Typically, that price would be laughable for a home of this size — but when your backyard view looks straight across at the Bridle Path, Toronto's most prestigious neighbourhood, apparently that's worth a pretty penny.The basement recreation room with a wet bar. And while the home is in excellent condition for its age, a dated bungalow for $3.6 million might prove to be a tough sell in this sluggish market. The kitchen. Notably, the house has been on and off the ma...

Economics