Toronto: lovely, even when it rains🍁
Exploring pistachios, the ROM, Stackt Market, The Well, Yorkville and TTC's streetcar and subway
Hello and welcome. We are continuing this series we started last week on Toronto. Let’s jump in!
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Exploring Toronto
If you are just joining us, you might enjoy reading the first issue in this series before continuing:
Day Two
Pistachios
I mentioned last week that pistachio would become a recurring theme during our time in Toronto. Here are some pistachio pancakes for breakfast. If you’ve ever had Nutella, it is kind of like that, except pistachio flavor and green instead of hazelnut and brown.
Agriculture Canada thinks pistachios may be able to grow in the Okanagan region in British Columbia in a few decades, according to this CBC article.
But, seriously, what is it with all the pistachios in Toronto? Can someone please help me understand? (And I say this as someone who likes pistachios).
The Well
After breakfast, we went exploring and stumbled upon The Well, a mixed-use development comprised of multiple residential towers and office space above a multi-block retail podium. Based on their website, it includes:
320,000 SF of retail and food experiences
1.2 million SF of office
1,700 residential units
What struck me was the amount of variety in the architecture and materials used. Also, how it felt like you were outside — lots of natural light, even on a cloudy day, and fresh air — but also somewhat protected from the elements by a glass roof four stories above.
I liked their garbage cans, which were both space efficient and inclusive. (Not pictured: they even had a separate one labeled “Pizza box collection.”)
Inside, this lovely wooden bench warms up and softens what could otherwise feel like a cold office lobby due to its expansive volumes, marble walls and hard surfaces. (The bench was also surprisingly comfortable!)
We paused to enjoy some coffee from De Mello Coffee (in the same lobby and one of the best coffees we had during our visit).
When we turned to leave, the rain had arrived — and we were not prepared. It came down quick and hard. Within a block, my hair was dripping. My clothes were drenched. I jumped a wide puddle and started sprinting home, grateful I had worn running shoes that morning.
Subway
After a change to dry clothes, we decided it was time to embrace the subway. Toronto’s subway system is functional. First built in 1954, its stations, platforms and trains felt like a generic subway. That said, two things struck me on the platforms:
At some stations, the columns colors had been painted different shades of color in a way that created gradients as you looked down the platform (see example below). It’s a cool visual effect.
There was no advertising. Often, the walls are lined with advertisements. Here there were none. It was refreshing.
Inside the train cars, the TTC has simple, straightforward route maps above the doors (like many do). The small detail that I thought was nice is that the stops change from green to red as they are visited so it’s always obvious which stations are yet to come (the ones that are green). Simple. Helpful.
ROM
A rainy day was perfect to explore the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), which is an amazing museum (highly recommended). It has a little bit of everything, but not so much of any one thing that it’s overwhelming. Here is where we entered.
Here’s the ceiling you see as you enter.
I often say, “be curious.” This quote — on a wall outside the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the ROM spoke to me:
(As an aside, if you have an opportunity to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, do. Some of the photographs were absolutely amazing! Here’s a sampling.)
On another floor of the ROM, I was struck by how they had thoughtfully provided stroller parking next to a children’s play area.
As we moved through a science exhibit that started with the beginnings of life and moved into dinosaurs and beyond, this red “Mass Extinction” wall made sure you didn’t miss the point as you walked through.
To actually see these in real life is awe inspiring.
Back on the main level, this subtle signage for restrooms was effective and did not overpower the ROM’s classic architecture.
Outside, parts of the ROM are very modern. (Here’s an overview of the ROM’s architecture through the years.)
Yorkville
Across the street from the ROM is this building. I don’t love it but found its design interesting. We just don’t have buildings like this at home.
The neighborhood nearby is fully of luxury stores. What made me smile more, though, were these playful bird sculptures along Bloor St.
The flowers were even color coordinated!
Just one block north, the vibe changed noticeably. This is the Village of Yorkville. Originally its own community, today it is part of Toronto but continues to have its own charm.
I’ve not seen a water fountain like this used as a screen or divider in a park before. I like how it creates some separation and also elevates the scene, almost like you’re watching a movie.
Zooming out, this is what it looks like:
We paused for a midday treat at Delysees in Yorkville:
We leisurely strolled the Philospher’s Walk and by the University of Toronto.
Walking back towards the city, we passed through this porte-cochère.
And this lovely building, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
It took six years to build from 1886 until 1892, and was officially opened in 1893. It was designed in the Richardson Romanesque style of architecture, which typically features elements from northern Italian structures such as heavy stonework, rounded archways, domed towers, and detailed carvings. The exterior walls were made of pink sandstone quarried from the Credit Valley near Orangeville, Ontario. Large pieces of stone were brought to Queen’s Park and carved on the grounds by English stonecutters. The roof was covered in slate from Vermont, and copper was used over the roof domes. (source)
Continuing on, here is the view from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
While less ambitious than the ROM addition or the TD tower we highlighted on day one, these buildings still demonstrate an interesting use of positive and negative space. And, all the while, something green is always nearby.
Come evening, the buildings light up.
Streetcar
We took a streetcar. Compared to the ones in Portland, they are frequent and fast. I also like how you can just tap when you enter - with a stored-value transit card (TTC’s Presto card) or a credit card. That’s easy.
Speaking of Portland, when I realized we were crossing Portland Street, I had to quickly capture it.
(What I didn’t notice until later was the person on the right….!).
Stackt
Our destination was Stackt Market, built out of shipping containers. Have you heard of it? Proposed in 2017 and opened in 2019, it first hit my radar some years ago and I was curious to see it in real life.
A brightly painted shipping container encourages you to keep going.
To the right were various shipping containers turned into small retail shops. This was the view looking ahead.
Turning around, this is the view east towards the city. Pretty spectacular.
In the middle there were some teeter-totters and people having fun.
Another courtyard. You can see the doors and windows cut into the sides of the shipping containers to create little spaces.
Stackt has a several different open spaces. These little buildings were wrapped in knotty pine and looked out onto a lawn.
This is my perhaps my favorite picture of the night.
Leaving Stackt, we returned to the sidewalk….
More about Stackt Market:
Temporary Shipping Container Market Proposed Near Fort York (Urban Toronto)
Toronto shipping container market Stackt provides a break from downtown condos (CTV News)
Everything in this shopping mall is temporary. And that’s the point (Fast Company)
Stackt (Jacq West)
The story behind Toronto’s shipping container market Stackt (Now Toronto)
Inside ‘stackt’, Canada’s Largest Shipping Container Marketplace [Photos] (Retail Insider)
How stackt is Creating Community and Commerce with…Shipping Containers? (Retail Touchpoints)
Stackt Market: Bold Urban Intervention (urbanNext)
Night
It was a Friday night and people were going out. In many cities, the nightlife district and the central business district are separate areas. Here, offices and nightlife seem to coexist.
Have you ever seen a pair of illuminated legs hanging off the side of a building before?
The night ends with one last look towards the ever-present CN Tower.
Coming up
Next week we will explore the dynamic waterfront and more of what makes Toronto so unique. I hope you’re enjoying this series. Please share below, in the chat or via email.
Thanks for reading.
Continue in this series
I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are.
Be well,
-Bryce
As a someone who comes from Ontario (technically) I absolutely love this review of Toronto. People give it a lot of hate. Especially in the beach towns near the lakes. But it's such a beautiful city and offers the city vibe in a different way that many large cities do not.
Much Love, Taylor Cecelia Brook Bayfield, ON
Bryce
I lived and worked in TO from 1988- 2001.
Was so busy working I didn't notice how unique, diverse and captivating the city is.
I've never seen a clearer or more insightful perspective on what makes Toronto so wonderful as your Blog post and splendid photos.
Your deep real estate knowledge showcases the practical, and the whimsical side of the city's architecture.
Thank you for sharing your experience and love of visiting the city.
Peter N- Tualatin OR