It wasn’t too long ago that Archie Comics’ Kevin Keller celebrated his same sex union in an issue that sold out, and now Marvel Comics is continuing this new comic book tradition by wedding its gay character, Canadian superhero Northstar. Northstar, who came out in 1992, was the first openly gay caped avenger, and he’ll marry in an upcoming issue of Astonishing X-Men. We can’t wait to see what the decor will be like. Read the entire story [Globe and Mail] »
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Marvel Comics’ Canadian superhero Northstar is going to get married—to a man
The Weekender: Doors Open Toronto, Bonnie Raitt and six other items on our to-do list
Odysseo (Image: Odysseo)
1. DOORS OPEN TORONTO
This long-running design event is really the architectural equivalent of a peep show. For one weekend of every year, buildings like Havergal College, TIFF Bell Lightbox and Steam Whistle Brewery allow visitors to explore their normally private spaces. May 26 and 27, Various locations, toronto.ca/doorsopen. Check out The Weekender »
Introducing: Hoof Raw Bar, the new seafood addition to the Hoof family
The sign that greets passersby on Dundas West was designed by David Glantz (Image: Renée Suen)
For many Toronto food lovers, Hoof Raw Bar, the latest eatery in Jen Agg’s burgeoning Dundas West mini-empire, came out of left field when it opened a couple weeks back. But Agg tells us that she’d long wanted to open a space to serve oysters, and had been throwing around the idea for a seafood-focused restaurant since last September. She and her husband began the DIY construction work on the former Ferreira photography studio in November, but didn’t get down to the heavy lifting until January of this year—all while Agg was running the neighbouring Black Hoof and Cocktail Bar.
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Tower power: Scotia Plaza sells for a record $1.27 billion
(Image: Andrew Rivett)
In a much-hyped sale, the red granite Scotiabank tower at King and Bay has sold for $1.27-billion, which is—by far—the highest price ever paid for an office building in Canada. Toronto-based Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust teamed up with H&R Real Estate Investment Trust to jointly pick up the two million square feet of space (and Canada’s deepest basement). The building only went on the market in January, and the relatively quick sale confirms the strength of Toronto’s office market—we bet the developers building all those office towers downtown are feeling pretty optimistic about now. [Globe and Mail]
Meet the Torontonian who is transforming Madison Square Garden
(Image: Marlon E)
The latest entry in our file of Torontonians making it big in the Big Apple will leave his mark on one of New York’s most famous landmarks: Madison Square Garden. This weekend, the Globe and Mail ran a short profile of Waterloo-born architect Murray Beynon, who is responsible for the stadium’s nearly $1-billion redesign. Beynon is a principal at Toronto- and Ottawa-based BBB Architects, which beat out 20 U.S. companies for the contract (reportedly, the firm’s expertise in designing and managing luxury suites such as those in the Air Canada Centre and Vancouver’s GM Place helped net them the job). It’s a complex-sounding project: unlike Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, which were both built from scratch on land next to the old venues, the new Madison Square Garden is being constructed within the existing building—and while the New York Rangers continue to play there. Beynon said the “Herculean task” of remaking the venue will be the crowning highlight of his career (and this from a man who worked on the then-SkyDome back in the ’80s). [Globe and Mail]
Today in Toronto: Brad Turner
Brad Turner The multi-tasker (trumpeter, pianist, drummer, composer) and multiple-award winner gets to show off during a week-long stint featuring appearances by many of his jazz buddies. Metalwood kicks off the week, followed by the Brad Turner Acoustic Quintet and, finally, Turner’s piano trio. Find out more »
Way Off Broadway, episode 11: I can barely hear my heart beating!
In this week’s episode of Way Off Broadway, a tense mood is making certain cast members varying degrees of crazy. Rebecca, the Good Witch, is super-anxious, and Jon isn’t helping her much when he shares his own neuroses. Elaine Overholt is back for a final boot camp session before the cast performs for friends and family, which is certainly causing some, if not all, of the stress. And, wouldn’t you know it, Elaine isn’t happy—and her arrow is pointing directly at the chorus.
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Introducing: Arcadian, the classic event space at The Bay, revamped by Oliver and Bonacini
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As part of its ongoing reinvention as a higher-end department store, The Bay has renovated and relaunched the historic Arcadian Court, now known simply as Arcadian, with its food service-providing partners Oliver and Bonacini Restaurants and Compass Group Canada. The reinvented space hints at the 83-year-old site’s art deco charm, but updates it with modern amenities, splitting the space into two distinct venues: the Arcadian Court and the Arcadian Loft, with a combined capacity of more than 800 seated, or 1,500 standing.
Single ladies are driving Toronto’s condo market
All the single ladies now put your hands up are a force in the booming housing market—they’re even changing the ways condos get built. Moneyville reports single women represent about 20 per cent of all real estate purchases and over 30 per cent of condo purchases in the city. And it’s not just a Toronto thing, either: a recent RBC Homeownership poll suggests that among Canadians eager to buy in the next two years, 49 per cent are women and 35 per cent are men. (On a more morbid note, men tend to die younger, so ladies will probably be a big part of the downsizing market too). Companies like development kingpin Tridel have noticed the uptick, pointing out that women’s preferences are now shaping buildings: to cater to female buyers, developers have boosted security features and focused on things like designer kitchens, bathroom storage, lighting, and durable and low-maintenance finishes. Which we imagine men are into too. [Moneyville]
Rob Ford will privatize the east end’s garbage collection—as soon as he’s re-elected
Rob Ford: eternally on the campaign trail? (Image: Shaun Merritt)
On his Newstalk 1010 show this week, Rob Ford signalled that he intends to fulfill his campaign pledge to outsource garbage collection across the city—but only if he is elected for another term. Ford gave himself kudos for contracting out garbage pick-up between Yonge Street and the Humber River last fall, but said privatizing the service for areas east of Yonge will be “part of the next part of my platform.” With more than two years to go before the 2014 election, Ford’s campaign platform is already remarkably well-defined—and, given his promises to revive the subway debate, and now to privatize garbage pick-up, it sounds like his run in 2014 will be a carbon copy of his first campaign (though hopefully minus the fake Twitter account). [Toronto Star]
Buca to launch second location at the new Four Seasons in Yorkville
Buca chef Rob Gentile at last year’s Toronto Taste (Image: Renée Suen)
Yorkville dwellers, already smug over the impending arrival of Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud, will soon have another reason to boast: the much-lauded Buca will also be setting up shop at the new Four Seasons development at Bay and Yorkville. While the ink is still drying on the agreement, Peter Tsebelis, managing director of The King Street Food Company and partner at Buca, confirmed that the new restaurant is projected to open this fall, likely by October. Although the 3,500-square-foot space is slightly smaller than the King Street flagship, it will seat around 70 and have a patio.
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Tension between taxi drivers and other road users grows after longboarder Ralph Bissonette’s death
(Image: Tom Purves)
The battle for space and safety on city streets is making headlines again in light of the death of Ralph Bissonette, the longboarder who was struck and killed by a taxi on May 14. The cab driver involved, Adib Ibraham, has been charged with second-degree murder, and police say road rage may have been a contributing factor—emphasizing once again the acrimonious relations between the motorists, cyclists and skateboarders who share the roads (and who all accuse one another of rampant rule-breaking). Yesterday, the Toronto Sun talked to cab drivers, who attempted to repair the damage to their poor public image. They said that pedestrians, cyclists and boarders ignore traffic laws—making it more difficult than ever to navigate the streets safely. Cabbies also said that skateboarders should stay off the roads (while longboarders are technically supposed to remain on sidewalks, police rarely enforce that rule, and the difficulty of navigating around pedestrians often means longboarders opt to ride on the street instead). Several taxi drivers voiced concern that most Torontonians—including police—are biased against them, rarely siding with drivers during accidents or other incidents. Thomas Tuah, who’s been behind the wheel of a Toronto taxi for 37 years, told the paper, “We go through hell. The police don’t back us, no one does.” Along with their stated complaints, the xenophobic remarks from commentators on the article underscore just how much cabbies are contending with. Read the entire story [Toronto Sun] »
Is Sarah Gadon one of Toronto’s most beautiful women?
Sarah Gadon is young, her skin is like porcelain, and when she’s on a film festival red carpet, she almost never makes a mistake. She looked perfect at the Venice Film Festival last year; she showed us that TIFF can be glamorous (and that people do get dressed up for it); and now she’s knocking it out of the park at Cannes. Drinking the Cronenberg Kool-Aid has been working out for her just fine. (And wearing Jason Wu certainly doesn’t hurt.) Check out Gadon’s outfits from this past weekend at Cannes »
Top Chef Canada recap, episode 11: Italian stallions and KD virginity
A bevy of guest judges showed up for an Italian feast at Fabbrica: Lorenzo Loseto, Carlo Rota, Rick Campanelli, Lidia Bastianich and Franco Stalteri (Image: Top Chef Canada)
Last night’s episode of Top Chef Canada kicked off with a little sentimental reflection by the chefs at their digs—the condo that is finally living up to its “luxury” billing now that there are only five occupants (cramming the original 16 contestants in there probably violated some kind of occupancy regulation). Trevor Bird hoped to God that he wouldn’t have to do dessert again (foreshadowing alert!), while David Chrystian announced to all of Canada that he was set to go home and propose to his girlfriend (good luck, David!). This week’s twists and turns, including guest spots from an R&B star, a former MuchMusic VJ and a legend of Italian cooking, in our recap below.
Cottage of the Week: $2.6 million for a 12-acre retreat just north of Parry Sound
ADDRESS: 47/48 Pointe Au Baril Point
NEIGHBOURHOOD: The Archipelago, Parry Sound
AGENT: Erica Reddy, Royal LePage Signature Realty, Brokerage
PRICE: $2,580,000
THE PLACE: A 12-acre property with a main cottage, a separate secondary guest cottage, a private sandy beach, a boathouse, outdoor showers and 360-degree views.
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