5 h. ago Iconic Toronto Star building to be transformed into new hotel

The former Toronto Star building at 1 Yonge St. has been spared from demolition, at least for now.The 1970-built office tower that has been without an anchor tenant for three years will be converted into a hotel as part of a transformative redevelopment currently taking over the skyline.Developer Pinnacle International announced on Monday that it had filed plans with the City of Toronto to convert the 25-storey office tower into a hotel, with 468 guest rooms, a new grand lobby, and a ballroom.The Toronto Star building was home to its namesake newspaper for 50 years, vacating in 2022 for new digs a few kilometres to the west at The Well.Pinnacle notes that a designer and hotel operator have not yet been selected, but intends to "bring the building's existing character into dialogue with the new Pinnacle One Yonge towers."Previously targeted for demolition — with permits even filed ahead of its widely-anticipated teardown — the building is now targeted for a ...

Other

9 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

4 d. ago ‘Naked’ Cheetos and Doritos ditch iconic colours in health push

Snacks designed to taste the same as the original, but with a novel appearance

Science

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 Toronto holiday tradition is officially dead but here are 5 fun replacements

Toronto's iconic holiday windows at Hudson's Bay are officially a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean you can't fill that hole in your holiday to-do list with another fun tradition.The themed window vignettes at the former department store's flagship location at Queen and Yonge were a beloved seasonal tradition, first halted by transit investment.What began as a temporary interruption — Ontario Line construction halted the displays in 2023 — quickly became permanent after the retail giant filed for credit protection and officially closed its Toronto flagship store earlier this year.With these beloved vignettes no longer part of Toronto's festive season, you may be looking for other traditions to fill the gap. Luckily, the city has plenty to offer this time of year.Here are five seasonal attractions to help you move on from the loss of the holiday windows at Hudson's Bay.Holiday at The WellThe Well's Nordic-inspired holiday m...

Society

1 week ago Toronto's St. Lawrence Market transforming into magical winter destination this month

One of Toronto's most iconic landmarks is transforming into a whimsical winter wonderland just in time for the holidays.The Distillery District Winter Village tends to get all the credit when it comes to Toronto's holiday traditions, and it's not without good reason, but another one of the city's historic landmarks has been quietly climbing up the ranks in terms of holiday cheer, too.For a second year running, St. Lawrence Market is gearing up to unleash whimsical winter magic on the city with the return of its Winter Market.Taking over Market Street for an entire month this holiday season, the market will see the pedestrian street turned into a winter village plucked straight from your most festive fantasies, with a slew of local vendors, live performances, seasonal food and drinks, and maybe even an appearance from Santa Claus or two.    View this post on Instagram           A post...

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

1 week ago MLB players whose iconic mustaches will supercharge your Movember game

Toronto Blue Jays' Davis Schneider, Shane Bieber, Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Paul Skenes known for legendary facial hair

Other

2 w. ago A beloved Toronto amphitheatre is entering an exciting new era thanks to RBC

The future of live entertainment is bright in Toronto thanks to an exciting new partnership between RBC and Live Nation Canada.Now officially renamed RBC Amphitheatre, the iconic live music and entertainment venue at Toronto’s waterfront is being reimagined into a year-round venue for fans to experience more artists and more shows in a new-and-improved space.An expansion for the agesSupporting the future of live entertainment in Toronto is important to the city and to music fans, which is why RBC is helping to transform RBC Amphitheatre into an expanded year-round venue by 2030.These changes are expected to significantly increase the number of shows each year, hosting more than 1.5 million fans annually. This includes an expanded capacity for the venue’s famous summer season, with the ability to host approximately 9,000 fans in the winter, featuring both seated and open-air lawn options from May to October.Inspired by fan feedback, the reimagined venue will include a new...

Culture

3 w. ago A massive Jeff Wall exhibition has taken over all three floors of MOCA Toronto

A major moment unfolded in Toronto’s art scene this past weekend as MOCA Toronto unveiled its latest and most ambitious exhibition to date: Jeff Wall Photographs 1984-2023.This isn’t just another art show. It’s the first time in 35 years that Jeff Wall, one of Canada’s most iconic and internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, is exhibiting in Toronto. It's also his first Canadian retrospective in nearly three decades.Jeff Wall, Boy falls from tree, 2010/MOCA TorontoNaturally, MOCA is going all in. The museum has handed over all three floors to Wall’s work for a show that’s just as epic in scale as it is in substance.You’ll find over 50 works spanning four decades, from the luminous light box images for which he is so well known to large scale colour prints and moody black-and-whites.Jeff Wall, Passerby, 1996/MOCA TorontoExpect his signature cinematographic “near documentary” works alongside rare...

Other

3 w. ago Team behind Toronto's beloved Early Mercy launching new club this week

A new Toronto nightclub from the team behind King West's iconic Early Mercy is about to open for business, and it might just be their best yet.By the time Early Mercy was forced to close permanently in early 2025, owner Albert Rishes had already set the wheels in motion for his latest venture.Initially slated to open in mid-2025, he didn't expect the roadblocks that would eventually delay it, but on the precipice of Halloween weekend, it couldn't be a better time to debut his new baby.At long last, nearly a year after Early Mercy closed its doors, the new club is primed to open for business this weekend, and it has all the trappings of a new staple in the nightlife-heavy neighbourhood.Meet Sunrise Forgives. If you were among Early Mercy's evangelical fanbase, you'll be glad to hear it's just a stone's throw from the old place, and it maintains the same tongue-in-cheek, low-key charm of its forebearer.Taking over the space that was formerly home to the sho...

Other

3 w. ago Joe Carter thrilled for George Springer, now knows how everyone felt watching him in 1993

'It was like poetic justice,' Carter told USA Today of Springer's big hit after being hit by a pitch and booed by Mariners fans.

Culture