Toronto's about to get a subway extension that'll bring Line 1 all the way up to Vaughan and will include six (stunning) new stations. However, some existing stations will also be getting upgrades soon.

On Monday, the TTC unveiled art concepts for seven different stations that are either under construction or are scheduled for improvements at a later date.

This piece by LeuWebb will be at Wilson Station. Photo via the TTC.

A jury chose the artwork and the concepts still need to be approved by the TTC Board. The art will be installed once construction at the stations wraps up, according to a TTC spokesperson.

Woodbine Station will be filled with rainbows thanks to this project by Marmin Borins. Photo via the TTC.

The new pieces will appear at Chester, King, Runnymede, Sherbourne, St. Patrick, Wilson and Woodbine.

The animated canopy at King Station. Photo via the TTC.

Toronto-based artists are behind each of the projects that serve to animate these stations. The work going the staircase at King Station's western entrance, for instance, is a light canopy by Sean Martindale that'll change throughout the day.

Many Little Plans by Barbara Todd. Photo via the TTC.

St. Patrick will get a Jane Jacob's-inspired installation by Barbara Todd that'll include 400 ceramic tiles, some with photographs of nearby residents as well as those who frequent the station.

Rebecca Bayer's The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts will find a home at Sherbourne Station. Photo via the TTC.

These projects won't be here for a while, but they'll hopefully liven up the spaces you move through daily when they do.

Parks for a picnic in Toronto don't need to be huge spaces with lots of tables, but there are a few criteria that they should meet. In addition to plenty of grassy space to set up a blanket, you'll want to ensure there's some shade and possibly even a bit of privacy if romance is on the menu.

These are my choices for picnic-friendly parks in Toronto by neighbourhood.

The Annex

Despite being filled with mature trees, this neighbourhood isn't flush with wide open parks ideal for picnicking. The exception is Jean Sibelius Square, which has a dedicated picnic site as well as a grassy area to lay out a blanket.

Bayview & Leaside

As one of the premier picnic destinations in the the city, ET Seton Park is often filled with large groups out to enjoy the picturesque setting on summer weekends. There's even a picnic shelter if you're worried about rain.

The Beaches

Lakeside picnics have been a summer pastime in Toronto for well over a century, and one of the nicest places to participate in this tradition is Beaches Park, located just north of the sandy beach area, where you can pick a quiet spot in the grass or hunt down a full shelter for a big group.

Bloordale

While Dufferin Grove might be on the east side of the dividing line between Bloorcourt and Bloordale, this green space has been claimed by the latter neighbourhood as its own. This sprawling park has lots of picnic tables, a community oven and even fire pits for an evening picnic.

Bloor West Village

Just a short walk to the west of the main retail drag is a gorgeous series of green spaces that hug the Humber River. For the purposes of a picnic, Etienne Brule is the best bet, with a designated site and a nice view of the river.

Cabbagetown

Those looking for a little escape from the urban grind head to Riverdale Park West for picnics. While it lacks the skyline view if its sister park, it tends to be quieter, which will suit those looking for a bit of privacy.

Alongside the numerous walking paths, Corktown Common also has a nice grassy area for a picnic. Photo by Randy Hoffmann.

Corktown

Not so long ago, prospective picnickers in Corktown didn't have many enviable options for outdoor eating and lounging, but now the neighbourhood boasts one of the best parks in the city for such activities in the form of Corktown Common.

Corso Italia

The best spot to lay out a blanket at enjoy some fresh air in this neighbourhood is Earlscourt Park. Despite being a busy hub of activity for various sports throughout the summer, there are plenty of spots away from the main fields where you can have quiet picnic. 

The Danforth

Withrow Park offers a nice sanctuary for a picnic just south of the Danforth. There are two designated picnic areas plus a community kitchen and fire pit.

Docercourt Village

Dovercourt Park is the central outdoor gathering spot for Bloorcourt residences, with a baseball diamond, tennis courts, a playground and a nice grassy area with picnic tables at the southeast end for a more relaxing and stomach-filling experience.

East Chinatown

You won't find a place to picnic with a better view of the city than Riverdale Park East. It can be tricky to find a good spot on the slope that overlooks the city, but if you're patient, flatter spots do exist that offer the best ground for picnicking and skyline-watching.

East Danforth

Perhaps better known for the neighbouring golf course of the same name, Dentonia Park is actually a lovely place to duck away for a picnic near the East Danforth. There's a dedicated picnic area here, though there's plenty of grassland to use as well. 

East York

Surrounding one of the Don River's many tributaries, Taylor Creek Park is bucolic place for a picnic and it's dotted with many tables to set up shop. As is the case with a few other parks, there are also fire pits for evening gatherings. 

Humber Bay Park West offers stunning views for picnickers. Photo by Marcus Mitanis.

Etobicoke

This former borough has plenty of parks suitable for a picnic, but none quiet so nice as Humber Bay Park West, where you can set up your provisions within a few metres of the shore and a stunning view of Toronto in the distance.

Financial District

Dominated by skyscrapers, the heart of the Financial District has few options for picnicking, but just to the east, the new Berczy Park has been designed to encourage office workers to eat outdoors on the grassy knoll or one of the many benches.

Harbourfront

The central waterfront can be a tricky spot to set up an elaborate picnic as places like HTO Park and the Toronto Music Garden are often busy, but one spot that's sure to work is Coronation Park, which is just far enough west to offer ample space and a picturesque view of sailboats docked at the harbour. 

High Park

The choice of park is obvious here. What's so great about High Park is the variety of locations on offer. You can picnic on the hill overlooking Grenadier Pond, opt for a more secluded spot at the northern end, or hunt down a more wooded area.

The Junction

It might surprise some that this neighbourhood doesn't have more picnic options, but outside of its proximity to High Park, the majority of green spaces here are quite small. Your best bet is Baird Park, which has ample shady areas to set up an outdoor lunch.

Junction Triangle

Picnickers in the Junction Triangle have a few options, but chief among them is Perth Square Park, which is a bit less busy than nearby Campbell Park and thus better suited to a quiet outdoor meal.

King East

There's only one go-to spot for a picnic in and around King East, but it happens to be one of the nicer spots in the city. St. James Park has plenty of quiet spots where you can eat in peace. 

King West

Clarence Square might be a bit nicer in general, but Victoria Memorial Square Park gets the nod for picnicking in this neighbourhood because it's quieter and there are more places to spread out a blanket without worry that your food will be nabbed by a four legged friend.

The gentle slopes of Christie Pits can make for a great picnic spot. Photo by Bobcatnorth.

Koreatown

The sprawling grounds of Christie Pits are the best place to have a picnic in this neighbourhood, though the wisest know that the south and east sides of the park trump the northern end, which is the domain of baseball players. 

Leslieville

Greenwood Park is a bustling place during all four seasons, but thanks to its large size (it's roughly 15 acres), you're sure to find a secluded spot for an outdoor meal, whether that's in the dedicated area with tables or in one of the many grassy areas away from the action. 

Little Italy

Travel north of the main College Street corridor to Art Eggleton Park for a green space that's just made for a sunny day picnic. This well-treed park has shade everywhere, which might not be great for sunbathing, but sure helps when you're trying to enjoy a meal.

Mount Pleasant

You won't do much better than Sherwood Park for a picnic, which is surrounded by lush ravine walls, but features lots of grassy space and tables where you can set up your culinary delights. 

North York

Windfields Park is one of the quietest places you'll find in Toronto to have a picnic. The middle section is parkland surrounded by tall trees where there's plenty of space to spread out a blanket and enjoy an outdoor meal.

Parkdale

It's always good to remember just how well linked Parkdale is to the waterfront. Simply cross the pedestrian bridge at Jameson and you're at Marilyn Bell Park, where you can picnic on the large lawn area in view of Lake Ontario.

The wooded area at Cherry Beach is a great spot for a picnic or barbecue. Photo by Ilona.

Port Lands

Cherry Beach is more than just a beach, you know. The wooded area to the north is an ideal spot for a picnic and many people seek it out for all day barbecue sessions during the summer. You can watch the action on the beach while you chow down.

Queen West

Looking for a quiet place to picnic near Queen West? Look no further than the revamped Grange Park, which has plenty of shaded areas to take advantage of. There are also select tables, but the competition can be fierce.

Roncesvalles Village

Sorauren Park is the go-to spot for a picnic near Roncesvalles. The key here is to stick to the perimeter of the green space where there's considerably more shade than the centre.

Rosedale

Craigleigh Gardens is a quiet park that makes a perfect spot for a secluded picnic. You might get some snooty looks from rich dog walkers, but places like this were meant to be enjoyed by everybody, so be sure to enjoy!

Scarborough

Guild Park is one of the most beautiful places in Toronto. You dine al fesco amidst the architectural remains of early Toronto and explore the lovely grounds of one of the city's true hidden gems.

St. Clair West

If you like people-watching, the park of choice in this neighbourhood has to be Wychwood Barns. The grass can get a bit burnt out, and it's notorious for its lack of shade, but there's plenty of action to take in.

West Queen West

The city's busiest picnic destination is still one of its best thanks to the sheer carnivalesque atmosphere that erupts at Trinity Bellwoods Park on sunny summer weekends. Make sure to arrive early to secure a good spot.

Yonge & St. Clair

Just a short walk away from this busy intersection is the lovely David A. Balfour Park, which has tons of space for picnicking on the grassy area above the ravine. There's an underrated view of the skyline here, and there are even a few spots to try out in the ravine below.

There's lots of changes in store for the area around OCAD U over the next few years with plans to revamp the campus and to add an impressive new pavilion at the corner of Dundas and McCaul street.

But the street is already looking very different today as other developments take shape.

For the past three-odd years, OCAD's been using the brick buildings at 52 and 60 McCaul Street as a student gallery and studio space, respectively. The structures were also home to some of the most striking street art murals in the city.

But all that remains now are bricks because the two buildings are in the process of being demolished. Condos will soon move in.

I don't think this was the space in mind when this was written pic.twitter.com/ur7XVNvfuU

— Jocelyn Squires (@JocelynSquires) June 5, 2017

The architectsAlliance-designed Form Condo Development, from Tridel and Osmington, is slated to rise to 14-storeys high. This will likely alter the stunning south-facing views from the top of the Sharp Centre.

Before OCAD  moved its gallery from Dundas to 52 McCaul, there was some pushback from students. However, the school's media officer Christine Crosbie said the developers gave OCAD free access to the space - the university was responsible only for paying utilities.

The new student gallery will be located at 165 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market. It's called Ignite and its first exhibition is happening in collaboration with the all-night queer art and performance event Nuit Rose on June 16 to 17.

A post shared by Gui Caetano (@guicaetano) on Apr 18, 2016 at 3:11pm PDT

While OCAD will maintain its student gallery, the real loss at 52 McCaul is the art that adorned its walls, including the mural Brazilian artist Nunca painted during the 2009 Manifesto Festival.

The multi-hued Ultra Rare mural at 60 McCaul by Julia Dickens, Tara Dorey, Alexandra Mackenzie, Lido Pimienta, Peter Rahul and Diana VanderMeulen, is also now rubble.

Some neighbourhoods are notorious for steep rent in Toronto. For the most part, the Annex fits this description. Along with all the bachelor apartments that line St. George Street, there are plenty of larger, more expensive units spread throughout the area.

This space at 217 Borden Street is one such apartment, which carries a hefty price tag, though you'd probably categorize it on the cusp of luxury status. It's an upper level two bedroom that features a beautiful living room, a brand new kitchen, and amenities like a gas fireplace. 

Not all is precisely what it seems, though. If you're curious why there's only three photos that accompany the listing, it's because the space has been reconfigured since the property was sold in 2015. You can get a sense for this by comparing the old listings photos with the new floor plan.

The massive master bedroom in the photos here appears to have been split into two rooms in order to accommodate the addition of the kitchen. That means less drooling should be in store when it comes to the bedroom set up, but if you look at the floor plan, both rooms are still a decent size. 

This listing has been on the market for a while, which might speak to the price or the low number of photos included or (most likely) both. There are good bones here, to be sure — the question is merely whether or not someone will think it's worth $2,800.

Specs

• Address: 217 Borden St.
• Apartment type: Triplex
• Rent: $2,800
• Utilities: Heat and water included
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 1
• Parking: Garage (extra cost)
• Laundry? On site
• Outdoor space? Yes
• Pet friendly? Yes

Good For

I get the sense that the ideal tenants here are professionally employed roommates who like the Annex and the idea of nice space but are more comfortable splitting the rent. 

Move On If

You'd rather 1) rent a luxury downtown condo at this price or 2) save some money towards a down payment for the eventual purchase of a condo or house. 

It's finally heating up in Toronto, meaning patio season is upon us. Thankfully, this city is flush with options if you're looking to eat, drink, or lounge around in the great outdoors.

Those on the city's east side will be happy to note that even though McGugan's at Gerrard and Jones closed, it'll soon be transformed into Chula, a Mexican restaurant with not one, but two tiki bars including one on a rooftop patio.

Adam Dolley, who runs Loaded Pierogi, posted an announcement about his latest project on Facebook, writing that it would open in the first week of July. Dolley has yet to provide us with further details, but two patios always sounds like a good idea.

Get warmed up for the weekend today in Toronto with a hotel-wide dance party, a night market, a film festival, and even a mermaid ball. Summer isn't quite here, but spring is still giving us lots to do and think about.

Access to the Scarborough Bluffs has been restricted due to a risk of landslides. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is now working on a plan to protect this natural feature and 11 kilometres of shoreline between Bluffer's Park and East Point Park.

However, as Inside Toronto reports, local surfers are worried that the Scarborough Waterfront Project will destroy the best surf spot in the city, known as the Lighthouse surf break.

We need your help to save one of the best surf breaks in Toronto. Please sign the petition at https://t.co/U24S8RJief and share it. pic.twitter.com/PI847CjbB1

— Surf the Greats (@surfthegreats) June 4, 2017

The surfing community is particularly concerned with the western portion of project, which runs from Cudia to Bluffer's Park. Some of the conservation efforts could include extending the beach into the lake by 60 metres or building a retaining wall, writes the Toronto Star.

While the surfing community says it supports the protection efforts, it has started an online petition, which has garnered more than 200 signatures, to try to save its beloved surf break. 

A post shared by Surf Ontario (@surfontario) on Feb 28, 2017 at 7:36am PST

"The proposed changes to the Western Segment of the Scarborough Waterfront Project will destroy the most unique, high quality... surf break in the City of Toronto which we call Lighthouse," reads the petition. 

"This piece of the development will also stand to eliminate the.. swell in the Bluffers East Main Beach which is often surfed by the growing numbers of beginner surfers and SUP [stand up paddle board] enthusiasts."

Yesterday, Toronto surfers held a paddle out to protest the potential changes.

Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest restaurant openings and closings in Toronto and also gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.

Open now

• Kū-kŭm, an Indigenous restaurant from the owners of Snakes & Lattes and chef Joseph Shawana, is now open at 581 Mount Pleasant Rd. in Davisville.
• Bunny's, chef Rodney Bowers' new restaurant that replaces his previous Hey Meatball at 912 Queen St. E. should be opening today, offering another brunch, lunch and dinner option in Leslieville.
• Wilder has opened at 382 Keele St. in the Junction, with healthy baked goods, açai and rice bowls, salads, smoothies and cold-pressed juices.
• The Gelato Shop—affiliated with Coco Espresso Bar, which was formerly Zaza Espresso Bar—is now open at 75 Yorkville Ave.
• Godfather Shawarma, Kabab Grill and Shisha Lounge has opened at 531 Yonge St. just south of Wellesley.

Recently reviewed

• Victorian Monkey
• Sala Modern Thai
• The Rolling Pin
• Brett's Ice Cream
• Dineen Coffee (Commerce Court)

Opening soon

• Alchemy Food & Drink will be replacing Fat City Blues at 890 College St. and is set to open next month.
• Amsterdam BrewHouse will be opening a second location in Leaside, taking over the shuttered Against the Grain at 87 Laird Dr.
• Basil Box already has two locations in the city, and will soon expand even more: The Quad at York University shall have one this summer, with Yonge & Finch to follow in the fall, plus three others (Sheppard Centre, Bathurst College Centre, Royal Bank Plaza) next year.
• Calii Love is opening its third location (its second is in Yorkville at 1235 Bay St.) in the Concourse Level of First Canadian Place in the Financial District this August.
• Copper Branch, a 100% plant-based food outlet that originated in Montreal, will also be opening soon in the Financial District at Commerce Court West.
• Home of Hot Taste, a KFC (as in Korean Fried Chicken) joint, will be taking over the space that was previously Pho Rex at 658 Bloor St. W. in Koreatown.
• Another Kinton Ramen should be opening very soon (possibly mid-June) at Yonge & Eg, at 90 Eglinton Ave. E.
• A cocktail bar called Mulberry Bar will be replacing the former location of Mexitaco at 828 Bloor St. W. by Christie Pits.
• Tabriz Persian Cookhouse opens tomorrow at 995 Bay St. just north of Wellesley.
• Grant van Gameren's Eastern European-inspired resto-bar, Tennessee Tavern, opens in Parkdale tomorrow.

Closed

• Noodle-lovers no longer get to pit hand-pulled/human-made against robot-sliced, as Super Noodle Express is no more.
• Mexican spot Frida has closed on Eglinton West.
• Mediterranean resto Red Castle on the Danforth is no more.
• Resto-lounge Seven44, at Mt. Pleasant just south of Eglinton, had its lease terminated by the landlord.

Other news

• Toronto Market Co., the group behind Adelaide Eats and other markets, is launching a monthly (until Sept.) Yonge & St. Clair Midtown Market behind 40 St. Clair Ave. W. on June 20 that will feature vendors selling local produce, preserves, baked goods and more.

Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com

The Toronto Zoo might not stay closed for the whole summer, so you'll finally get a chance to see all the adorable baby animals that now call the zoo home.

The Zoo has been closed to the public since May 11 after around 400 employees, who are members of CUPE Local 1600, walked off the job. However, a tentative deal has finally been reached with zoo management. 

The Toronto Zoo and @cupe1600 Have reached a tentative agreement. I look forward to the Zoo reopening shortly. #TOPoli

— Paul Ainslie (@cllrainslie) June 8, 2017

As CP24 reports, this comes after 24 hours of negotiation. There will be a meeting and vote to ratify the deal this weekend. Once staff are officially back on the job, the zoo could open in a matter of days.

Zoo employees have been on strike for nearly a month and their animal pun-riddled picket signs have made headlines around the world.

With so many open air film series happening this summer in Toronto, it can be hard to decide where to sit under the stars. One film festival, however, combines movies, music and beer to stand out from the pack.

The Open Roof Festival, now back for its eight season, will screen movies outdoors at 99 Sudbury every Tuesday from June 27 to August 29. 

There will be food from the Toben Food by Design food truck and beer from Amsterdam Brewery for sale at this ticketed movie series that begins with a live concert at 8 p.m., then a movie at 9 p.m. 

Tickets are $15 a pop and are available online. Here are the films and music you can see at this year's Open Roof Fest.

June 27

Film: Colossal
Music: Stacey Renee

July 4

Film: Free Fire
Music: Tomi Swick

July 11

Film: The Bad Watch
Music: Blonde Elvis

July 18

Film: Get Out
Music: Park Eddy

July 25

Film: Brimstone & Glory
Music: TBA

August 1

Film: TBA
Music: The Sinners Choir

August 8

Film: TBA
Music: TBA

August 5

Film: Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World
Music: Liam Titcomb

August 22

Film: It Comes at Night
Music: Language Arts

August 29

Film: Sundowners
Music: Luke Lalonde (of Born Ruffians)

Free events at Luminato range from block parties and cabarets to ice skating parties and big concerts happening all over Toronto. There are free lunchtime shows from noon to 1:30 p.m. and general art-based tomfoolery around David Pecaut Square (homebase for the fest) every day. 

If you're heading out of Toronto to drink your way through Niagara-on-the-Lake this summer, there's a new winery and distillery open for you to check out.

That's because the Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery is now open. The Grape  Great One's new 23,000 square foot space will make both wine and whisky on site.

A post shared by MichelleDHatt (@michelledhatt) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:40pm PDT

Along with production facilities, which you can tour, the winery includes tasting bars, a retail store, lots of hockey memorabilia and a restaurant - with a patio - called The Whisky Bar.

In the wintertime, the water feature next to the great lawn will become an ice rink because this is Wayne Gretzky's winery after all.

A post shared by Mark Bylok (@markbylok) on Jun 7, 2017 at 7:15pm PDT

The grand opening is this weekend, and there will be Toronto food trucks on site to celebrate as well as live music and of course, lots and lots of booze. 

Many in Toronto are still reeling from the loss of the Chinatown institution Lee Garden, which suddenly closed at the beginning of May.

Now, another beloved local spot has joined the deadpool, breaking hearts once again.

A post shared by Morris Lum (@molumphoto) on May 20, 2017 at 7:27am PDT

Noble Seafood Restaurant near Dundas and Spadina closed its doors for good on May 20. The restaurant, which was popular for its well priced dim sum, posted a brief notice on its door before quietly ceasing operations. 

 The empty restaurant now bears a for rent sign in its window.

Canada Day fireworks are always a sight to behold, but this year's going to be particularly special given the various Canada 150 celebrations around Toronto, which now include four consecutive pyrotechnic shows at Nathan Phillips Square in addition to the CN Tower.

There will also be entertainment in front of City Hall for four days, from June 30 to July 3, with the massive fireworks shows capping off every night at 10:55 p.m.

1 month from today! Celebrate Canada's 150th @ #CanadaDays! 130+ FREE performances, food, fireworks & more! https://t.co/Lga8Wm0l4k#C150TOpic.twitter.com/r6OepC3nno

— Special Events T.O. (@specialeventsTO) June 1, 2017

The free four day festival is packed with programming from afternoon to night, including dance, music, circus and street art performances scattered around the Toronto sign. 

The two stages will see big, Canadian names like the Barenaked Ladies, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Charlotte Day Wilson, Belly and DVSN, making it easy to celebrate this year. 

As summer temperatures are about to grip Toronto, there's another TTC subway closure to slog through once the heat arrives. The central portion of Line 2 will be closed for maintenance on June 10 and 11.

There will be no subway service between St. George and Broadview stations as crews complete track work. Shuttle buses will operate between stations during the shutdown. 

While Bay Station will be completely closed over the weekend, other stations will remain open to sell fares and connect to surface routes.

According to the TTC, there will also be a series of parking restrictions in place to ensure safe and smooth bus operations through the closure. Outside of permit holders, there will be no parking on Erindale Avenue between Broadview and Ellerbeck from 3:30 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday.

Additionally, "street parking on Prince Edward Avenue between St George Street and Bedford Road will be temporarily restricted for safe bus operations," reads a note on the TTC website.

The TTC recommends that riders headed downtown from the east side consider taking the 504 streetcar from Broadview as a way to bypass the closure.

There are also a host of diversions on surface routes this weekend thanks to various events throughout the city. The big one is the Portugal Day Parade, which will close Lansdowne Ave. on Saturday, June 10, but do check to the TTC's roundup of other routes affected this weekend.

Regularly scheduled subway service will resume when the system opens on Monday, June 12. 

In the sea of cookie cutter condos in Toronto, it's always nice to see a brick and beam loft that does justice to its industrial roots. Such is the case at 189 Queen Street East, a.k.a. The Boiler Factory. 

This multi-level unit has an array of unique features, from the centrepiece bath tub in the master bedroom, to the private rooftop terrace accessed from a rather nice looking set of stairs. The hardwood and brick throughout the rest of the unit is also a nice touch.

This isn't the first time we've gotten a look inside this boutique collection of lofts. Unit #5 was listed in 2013 for $469,900, which seems like an absolute steal given today's real estate prices. It too was a fine space, which speaks to the what the building has on offer. 

There are drawbacks to condos like this, though. Since it's spread across two levels (plus a third if you count the rooftop) and defined by an open concept design, it's not a good fit for anyone with young kids.

For that matter, it's not the most friendly setup for anyone who needs more than one main bedroom. The listing reads as 1 + 1 bedrooms, but you'd have to do some work to actually realize the second sleeping space.

Specs

• Address: #3 189 Queen St. East
• Price: $1,100,000
• Bedrooms: 1 + 1
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: 1
• Walk Score: 97
• Transit Score: 100
• Maintenance Fees: $1,049.44
• Listing agent: Brandon Ware / PSR
• Listing ID: C3811573

Good For

Someone who's always wanted a loft space that reveals its industrial past with a quirky floor plan and plenty of exposed brick. You'll have to climb the stairs often (particularly to get to the deck), but who will complain about that given how nice the space looks?

Move On If

You'd rather a one floor setup in a newer building with a better view. There's lots to like here, but $1.1 million goes pretty far when it comes to Toronto condos, so there are plenty of other options out there.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our condo of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.

Weekend events in Toronto will make your head spin. There are some massive concerts, food festivals, naked bike rides and wild dance parties as well as film screenings for those who need to sit back and get lost in a movie. Hurry up and take it all in!

Music store chain HMV closed up shop all over the country, leaving a slew of empty storefronts (where Sunrise Records didn't move in). But the HMV location at Toronto's Dufferin Mall has a temporary new tenant.

Of course it's a fidget spinner store, as Instagram user @grgptrvc pointed out. The Dufferin Mall parody account @thedirtyduff re-posted their photo and commenters were less than pleased with the evolution of the HMV space. 

HMV IS SPINNING IN ITS GRAVE! 👻 This is the world we live in. Fidget Spinner Pop Up in the Dirty Duff. 🔄 @grgptrvc

A post shared by The Mall With It All. (@thedirtyduff) on Jun 8, 2017 at 7:19am PDT

Because, as Joni once sang, don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

Heavy on the Spin Cycle. Fidget Spinner POP UP is actually poppin in the Duff! (NOT A JOKE) @stupidamygarbageface / @cottagedad

A post shared by The Mall With It All. (@thedirtyduff) on Jun 7, 2017 at 9:55am PDT

Toronto's favourite summer pastime just got a whole lot more exciting thanks to a series of pre-game parties the Blue Jays are throwing before select games on a patio outside the Rogers Centre.

Friday Fan Festivals will kick off before four different games throughout the season and will run until just after the first pitch. The outdoor patio, with music, food and drinks will open at 4:30 p.m.

We’re excited to reveal our musical headliners for this summer’s Friday Fan Festivals pres. by @BacardiCanada! https://t.co/sXwXMFS9DWpic.twitter.com/gcPJHvCnlz

— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 8, 2017

The parties, which are accessible only to ticket holders, will run on July 7, July 28, August 11 and August 25, weather permitting.

Each date will feature a musical performance, and bands such as Dear Rouge and Bros are on the roster. 

Toronto restaurant openings always seem to ramp up in the summertime, and you might want to put this new spot on your list of places to try.

Soufi's, which is opening in the former Come and Get It space at 676 Queen St. W. later this month, says it's Toronto's first Syrian resto-cafe.

A post shared by Soufi's Restaurant (@soufis_to) on May 31, 2017 at 10:34am PDT

It'll serve made-in-house manaeesh, knaffeh and awwameh as well as coffee from Toronto roasters Hale Coffee and tea.

While Soufi's might be Toronto's first Syrian restaurant/cafe hybrid, the GTA is already home to plenty of other places for Syrian food, including Crown Pastries and the Newcomer Kitchen at the Depanneur.