Weekend events in Toronto include the first FNL ROM party of the year, tons of great concerts across the city, a bizarre kilt wearing skate party at Nathan Phillips Square, and the official kickoff for Winterlicious 2018.

You can add Luke's Lobster to the growing list of U.S. brands with Torontonian aspirations - just as soon as they can find the right location in this city of exploding world class restaurants.

Founded in Manhattan's East Village almost 10 years ago, Luke's Lobster prides itself on serving "seafood straight from the source, prepared pure and simple, without the filler."

Luke Holden, a third generation lobstermanfrom Cape Elizabeth, Maine, created the restaurant with his partner Ben Conniff after realizing that he couldn't find a proper Maine-style lobster roll anywhere in New York City.

A post shared by 👫Have u fed ur girlfriend yet? (@feedyourgirlfriend) on Sep 21, 2017 at 10:33am PDT

"It doesn't take a master chef to make a great lobster roll," reads a tenant package describing the business. "It takes great lobster. Luke Holden knows where to get the best stuff around."

Holden is said to buy 100% of his lobster from the best fisheries in Maine and Canada, where lobstermen are "bound by strict fishing regulations that keep the lobster population healthy and robust."

All of the chain's seafood products are traceable and sustainable, which customers seem to love.

A post shared by Angela Wu (@travelling.rph) on Jan 23, 2018 at 3:40pm PST

It's either that or the famously fresh lobster rolls served on toasted, buttered buns with mayo, lemon butter and Luke's "secret seasoning."

The chain now has nearly 30 locations across the U.S., with six more in Japan, and people really seem to dig their food.

Lineups outside the brand's restaurants and "nauti fleet" food trucks are not uncommon. 

A post shared by @rakueni on Sep 17, 2017 at 8:13am PDT

Now, with their sights set on Toronto, Holden and Conniff have enlisted the help of The Behar Group, a local commercial real estate brokerage that represents brands like Jollibee, Ihop and Baskin Robbins, to find the right space.

Luke's Lobster is seeking a "high traffic, high density" location in downtown Toronto with a suggested size of 1,000 - 2,000 square feet, according to a listing on The Behar Group's website.

Once the real estate deal is in motion, look out. "Ocean to plate" could very well be the new "farm to tail" trend - and we all know how much Toronto likes food trends.

The super blue blood moon will grace Toronto skies in less than a week on January 31. As one of the most exciting celestial happenings of the year, now's high time to start planning where you're going to watch an event that hasn't happened since 1866. 

There are a few crucial bits of information to bear in mind when viewing this supermoon-eclipse combo. Most importantly, it takes place in the morning as the moon is setting. The partial eclipse begins at 6:48 a.m., so you'll want to head out early if you want to catch a glimpse.

Alas, the moon will actually set before the eclipse is full in Toronto, but it'll get progressively more red until it dips below the horizon at 7:34 a.m. Assuming the weather cooperates, the most interesting photos ops will likely come between 7:15 a.m. and moonset.

Given that the moon will be low on the horizon during this prime period, it'll be key to select a viewing spot that offers an unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Ideally you'd also watch from an elevated position, but that might not be possible for everybody.

Get ready for a lunar trifecta on Jan. 31

1⃣ The Moon will be full, near its closest point to Earth
2⃣ A lunar eclipse will be visible in parts of North America, Asia, & Oceania
3⃣ It will be the 2nd full Moon this month

A super blue blood Moon! https://t.co/A1aH2Ze5qapic.twitter.com/BD9jLXi9DN

— NASA Moon (@NASAMoon) January 18, 2018

As far as actual locations go, the view from Broadview across Riverdale Park might be a good bet, though the towers of St. James Town could get in the way as the moon gets lower and lower in the sky. 

Hanlan's Point would also be a good perch from which to view the eclipse, but it's obviously tricky to get there so early in the morning (the first ferry departs for Ward's Island at 6:35 a.m. at this time of the year). 

To scout locations, you can use this Google maps compass plug-in to get a sense of where the moon will be in relation to viewing spots. When the eclipse starts, the moon will be at 286 degrees. By the time it sets, its position will be 293 degrees. 

For those who just want to take a peek as they head out to work, just remember to look to the west-northwest before sunrise, which takes place at 7:35 a.m. 

DING DANG DONG! The TTC is finally putting an end to garbled, unintelligible service announcements within Toronto's subway system.

You know the ones; they start with "Attention, passengers: we are currently experiencing -" followed by some crackly static and a whole bunch of people around you going "What? What did they say? What? Did you hear that?" 

It's one of the transit agency's most common customer service complaints, according to the TTC's newly-unveiled Corporate Plan for 2018-2022, and one that it hopes to fix in the coming months.

"Attention customers there is *inaudible static noise* delayed from *more static*, sorry!" -every TTC announcement ever.

— Alvin K Y (@alvinkaywhy) May 6, 2013

The corporate plan, which was presented to the TTC board in a meeting today, identifies "subway radio and PA upgrades" as one of its priorities for 2018.

"We're undertaking a comprehensive upgrade of our subway communications infrastructure," it reads, "including digitizing the public address system in stations and rolling out new state-of-the-art radios for all station staff and operators." 

"The result will be clearer, more audible announcements that are better targeted to our customers."

Replacing the 20-year-old analogue radio system with a new, state-of-the-art digital system will reportedly cost the TTC about $16.6 million.

When it's installed, though, TTC employees and crews will be able to communicate effectively, and clearly, with each other and customers, across multiple channels.

Only one announcer working from inside the agency's transit control centre can announce delays to passengers right now, and because there are only a few channels for the entire team to use, they must speak quickly.

One of these days, i'll understand what they say over the TTC intercom

— ♡janet♡ (@_janetmalik) July 13, 2016

The transit agency is also planning to test out "self-serve touchscreens" near station entrances, according to The Star. These screens will include community information and tools to help with TTC trip planning

Eventually, the TTC wants to deliver realtime information to customers via their smartphones. It will also launch an app called "One TTC" for workers and management to communicate internally, wherever they happen to be.

"When a bus doesn't arrive on schedule or a subway train comes to a halt between stations, communication can be the difference between a smooth trip and an anxious one," reads the 2018-2022 corporate plan.

"The coming years will see a leap forward in our ability to keep customers informed during their trip."

Dropbike will be getting some serious competition in Toronto if Beijing's Ofo bike-sharing service has anything to do with it.

Billing itself as "the world's first and largest station-free bike sharing platform," Ofo has already raised more than $1.3 billion in venture capital and is available now in more than 180 major cities across the world.

Like Dropbike, the Chinese company offers dockless bicycle rentals – you just pick up a registered, bright yellow bike where you find it and go, for as little as $1 an hour.

Unlike Dropbike, it's not available in Canada just yet.

It's true! Every ofo ride in January is FREE! 😎🚲
Tag a friend who you want to ride with this week 👇#sundayfunday#freerides#ofo#bikesharingpic.twitter.com/iVxIbmO4yc

— ofo US (@ofo_bicycle) January 7, 2018

In a news article published today, however, Ofo's head of communications for North America let it slip that his company is keen.

"Ofo is also preparing to offer its by-the hour rental service in Canada," reads the Reuters article about Ofo's expansion into Mexico, "with Toronto as its top choice."

If the success of Toronto's own Bike Share program is any indication, Ofo won't be the last dockless transportation service we see sniffing around The 6ix.

Pikto, one of the Distillery District's oldest art haunts, has announced that it will soon be leaving its location at 55 Mill Street for bigger digs in North York.

The small exhibition space and premium photo lab announced this week that it will be leaving the popular tourist area on Feb. 8, 2018. It had previously moved within the Distillery, but the upcoming relocation marks a major shift for the company.

"We are very excited to announce that Pikto will be investing in a new state-of-the-art facility nearly four times the size of our current home," reads a message on the company's website.

"The new facility will allow us to provide faster service and offer additional products to more people than ever before, throughout Canada and the US."  

Exciting news- Pikto is moving! As of February 9th, we will be leaving our current location in the Distillery District for a bigger facility that will allow for faster service at better quality! Check the link in our bio for more details about this exciting change.

A post shared by PIKTO (@pikto) on Jan 23, 2018 at 1:48pm PST

Pikto's new location at 382 Canarctic Dr., near Keele and Steeles, will officially open for business on Feb. 9, 218. The company's website will remain open 24/7 throughout the transition.

While this clearly means good things for Pikto, business wise, some local customers are sad to be losing their photo processing centre of choice.

"So disappointed about the loss of in-store pickup," wrote one commenter on Instagram. "I beg you to reconsider this!"

"Saw the news via email. That’s going to disappoint so many in the downtown core," wrote another, "but it won’t really affect those of us (probably the majority?) who do everything via the website now. Good luck with the move!"

A red rubber pole on the average Toronto subway train isn't too much dirtier than your smartphone, according to tests by sanitization professionals.

This doesn't mean those poles are "clean," though – or anything even close.

CleanSlate UV is a Toronto-based firm that uses UV light technology to kill dangerous bacteria at hospitals, food processing facilities and in similarly delicate environments.

Because they hate me and all other germophobes, the company recently sent out a team of experts to swab "common rider 'grab' locations" in subway trains between St. George and Union Station.

What they found was disease-causing bacteria. Everywhere. 

The average TTC rider's smartphone alone was found to have as many as 2300 relative light units (RLUs) on its surface, placing it clearly in the category of "filthy."

"Danger," reads the description for that category on CleanSlate's website. "Surface needs cleaning and has high risk of contamination from disease causing bacteria."

Only the aforementioned red rubber subway pole ranked higher in terms of "bio-load reading per swab." It joins smartphones and metal subway poles in the "filthy" category, while metal upper rails, presto refill screens, monthly pass screens and flexible pull down handles are ranked one category lower as "very dirty."

The subway's solid, round pull down handles were the most hygienic surface tested, with only about ⅓ of the bacteria of rubber poles. They would still be classified as "dirty," however, indicating a medium risk of contamination.

Good morning #Toronto!

Want to know the dirtiest surfaces on your TTC commute? We swabbed subways cars to find out...#fluseasonhttps://t.co/M5RMAnHiHW

— CleanSlate UV (@cleanslateuv) January 25, 2018

It's important to note that, with only 56 swap samples, this wasn't a controlled or thoroughly scientific study. CleanSlate UV doesn't recommend avoiding public transit or risking a fall by not holding on to subway handles.

Instead, you should wash your hands after leaving the subway system (especially before touching your face or eating food) and consider wearing gloves (especially if you have a weakened immune system.)

"This bacteria is often harmless," wrote the company in its report, "but it can include bacteria like staphylococcus aureus,  E. Coli – which, yes, often comes from poop – and viruses like influenza."

So there you have it. Poop is everywhere. Sweet dreams and happy glove shopping, Toronto.

Completed in 2009, Pure Spirit Lofts helped to usher in major changes in the Distillery District that continue today as more and more developments are proposed for the area. For the most part, the building has been quite well received from architecture critics and unit owners.

This west-facing three bedroom suite on the 30th floor shows off some of the attributes that account for its good reputation. You won't find many views of the skyline to rival the ones on offer here. It's just far enough away from downtown, that you get a true panoramic effect.

Unsurprisingly, this feature is played up with floor-to-ceiling windows in the main rooms. All that light might be a bit annoying when you want to nap on the couch, but it sure must be nice to feel surrounded by the city's built landscape in this manner. 

The other main benefit of this particular unit is its size. It's set up as a two-bedroom, but it's been built as a three-bedroom. The current TV room could also serve as a den or an office/guest room hybrid. In any case, suites of this size are unfortunately rare in this city.

Specs

• Address: 33 Mill St.#3004
• Price: $1,469,000
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Parking: 1
• Maintenance Fees: $942.98
• Walk Score: 95
• Transit Score: 99
• Listing Agent: Diane Marie Tobia
• Listing ID: C4022682

Good For

Someone who thinks a great view is worth more than a backyard. There's outdoor space here, of course, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in sweeping sight lines.

Move On If

You can't stand tourists. With events like the Christmas Market and the annual Light Fest, the Distillery can get downright packed. Not everyone wants to live in the middle of that.

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

Toronto Food Events rounds up the most delicious festivals, pop-ups, one-off dinners, supper clubs and other food-related happenings in Toronto this week and next. Find us here every Friday morning.

Winterlicious is back for another action packed year. The popular prix fixe program will run from January 26 to February 8, featuring lunch and dinner options at price points lower than usual at restaurants around the city. 

Wondering where to eat? We have some suggestions.

If you're planning on partaking in the delicious fun this year make sure to submit all of your food photos to our photo challenge by tagging them with the #blogTOlicious hashtag on Instagram.

We'll be selecting our favourite photos before letting you vote for three lucky winners. Prizes for the top three vote-getters will receive gift cards to Henry's Camera. 

The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. on February 11, 2018.

Have you ever wondered why Ticketmaster doesn't just add those mandatory "service fees" into the prices listed on its website upfront?

Canada's Competition Bureau thinks its a shady marketing tactic designed to trick consumers – one that, according to the independent law enforcement agency, shouldn't be allowed in our country.

The competition regulator announced on Thursday that it is suing Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, for "misleading consumers on the prices for sports and other entertainment tickets."

The bureau wants Ticketmaster to do away with what it feels are deceptive marketing practices like "drip pricing," in which customers are hit with additional, mandatory fees at checkout and pay more than what's been advertised.

Is there any bigger scam than Ticketmaster fees? 2 $35 Kendrick tickets turn into $101 total. No thanks b.

— Dave Wells (@WellsIAm) January 25, 2018

Drip pricing can inflate the price of tickets by up to 65 per cent (though its usually closer to 20 per cent) according to the regulator. It wants Ticketmaster to stop adding on surprise fees to the cost of tickets at checkout, and pay a financial penalty for ever having engaged in the practice.

"In July, we called on ticket vendors to review their marketing practices. Today, we are filing an application with the [Competition] Tribunal to stop Ticketmaster from making deceptive claims to consumers," said John Pecman, Commissioner of Competition, in a statement on Thursday.

"Together, these actions send a strong signal to online retailers: consumers must have confidence that advertised prices are the ones they will pay."

The best nightclubs in Toronto are the perfect antidote to a stressful week of work. Fun vibes, scoping out the crowd, hitting the dance floor with your crew, possibly some bottle service– this is the epitome of living it up.

Here are the best nightclubs in Toronto.

More evidence is mounting this week to show that 2017 was very much indeed "the year of the condo" in Toronto.

Sales of new condominiums skyrocketed last year to a record high of 36,429, according to the data insights firm Altus Group. The previous record had been set just one year earlier in 2016, when builders sold 29,132 units across the GTA.

Approximately 60 per cent of new condo sales in were within the City of Toronto itself last year, though York Region and Peel Region both saw an increase in the number of condos sold on average.

The market for houses, on the other hand, was slow and cold in 2017.

Pre-construction sales of single-family homes fell a whopping 58 per cent last year, according to Altus, which started tracking construction trends more than a decade ago.

Record high condo apartment sales @boukallm#AltusTorontopic.twitter.com/QkqiXjRSq6

— Altus_Group (@Altus_Group) January 26, 2018

Builders sold just 7,700 new townhouses, detached and semi-detached homes in the GTA in 2017 – a significant drop from 2016's count of 18,365.

In fact, the Altus group says that 2017 saw the lowest number of new single-family homes sold ever on record.

Part of the reason for this was a lack of supply.

"The inventory levels of new single-family homes have risen from the low point in April 2017," wrote The Altus Group in a press release on Friday, "Although there were still relatively few available to purchase on average in 2017."

Cost may also have been a factor. Asking prices for single-family homes averaged just over $1.2 million at the end of 2017 – 23% ahead of a year earlier.

Condos cost just over $716,000, on average, during the same period of time.

The hills are alive with the sound of two-hour transfers as the TTC has finally approved a plan for widespread roll out of this feature as part of its overall goal to increase ridership numbers. 

This feature was previously available on the 512 St. Clair streetcar route as part of an extended pilot project, but ultimately cancelled late last summer. 

Now, the TTC has approved a five-year strategy that will see Presto cardholders given more freedom to pop on and off transit within a two hour timeframe, a move that's designed to encourage more people to take transit.

The $11.1 million annual initiative, approved by the city's budget committee, is part of the Ridership Growth Strategy meant to challenge stagnation in ridership and get the TTC back on track and in the green over the next few years.

imo, it's overcrowding and poor service that is causing the slump in ridership growth. People avoid taking the TTC cause they don't want to be squished like a sardine with other commuters.

— Brett Willemsen (@BzmWillemsen) January 22, 2018

Two-hour transfers are just one of the options on the table to boost ridership. Other initiatives include strategies to address overcrowding, system-wide growth, and recently implemented discounts for Presto/UP/GO combined users.

"A multitude of mobility options, including cycling , walking, bike and car sharing in Toronto have been growing rapidly and are becoming more and more tailored to the individual and trip type," the plan reads.

"People are choosing the best (based on trip time, cost, comfort, convenience, etc.) mobility option based on the trip they need to make at any given time."

The TTC is aware of the need to adapt, but the ridership plan has been questioned by both transit advocates and city councillors for being light on aggressive ideas to increase growth. The two-hour transfers and a discounted pass for university students are two concrete initiatives expected to materialize in the near term.

Riders can't wait another year for better #TTC service, and an unfunded Ridership Growth Strategy won't attract new riders. Join us on Jan. 30 to call for more TTC funding in 2018. #CantGetOn

— TTCriders (@ttcriders) January 25, 2018

Expect time-based transfers to start rolling out this August.

The Toronto Police announced today they're investigating the Barry and Honey Sherman deaths as a double homicide. They believe the two were the victims of targeting killings.

The announcement largely confirms the theory put forward by private investigators earlier this month.

That investigation suggested the billionaire couple were murdered by multiple killers. The Shermans were found dead in a seated position in their Toronto home next to their pool. The police confirmed today the cause of death was ligature neck compression.

Also today the CEO of Apotex, the company founded by Barry Sherman, resigned effective immediately. There has been no indication that the resignation is related to the police investigation.

After a series of public ticket sales for Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors exhibition in Toronto that witnessed huge demand, now it's time to watch after-market offers flood local buy and sell sites.

Tickets have cropped up on Kijiji and Craigslist over the past few days for up to $100, which is way higher than the original price tag of $30. Given that AGO members were able to secure tickets without a charge, it seems some people could make decent coin from these sales.

@agotoronto Can you share how you're preventing the secondary market sales of #infiniteKUSAMA tickets? I, like many others couldn't get tickets, but see a ton being sold for a very large mark up.

— Travis B (@travisb31) January 24, 2018

News of unofficial ticket availability might feel like a proverbial slap in the face (or a huge relief, depending on one's disposition) to the thousands of dedicated patrons who waited in the online cue for up to half a day in an effort to get tickets for the highly anticipated event.

Infinity Mirrors has caused a frenzy with many clamouring for their chance to catch a glimpse—literally, as each person is only allowed 20 to 30 seconds in each room—of the internationally famed exhibit.

With regards to the markups, the AGO has said that since they are the only authorized ticket sellers, "unauthorized duplication or sale of a ticket may prevent admittance."

"Visitors may be asked to provide photo ID to enter the exhibition, and people who buy resale tickets risk being disappointed by ticket scams and being denied admittance."

Thankfully the next block of (reasonably priced) public tickets goes on sale March 6 at 10 a.m., three days after the exhibit begins.

So yes, there's still another chance. Members can even have another kick at the can on February 13. 

The exhibit will be in Toronto from March 3 to May 27.

For this weekend only, there's a unique theatrical experience happening at The Great Hall that's not to be missed.

Transcendance Project, a Toronto-based contemporary dance company, is putting on five performances of Eve of St. George, an immersive and at times interactive production that’s an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

What makes it so special? Unlike a typical night at the theatre, the audience at this event doesn’t just sit passively in seats. 

Instead, it’s more of a choose-your-own-adventure experience, where you get to roam four levels of the building and are encouraged to explore the various rooms and spaces as the performance takes place all around.

If you’ve heard of Punchdrunk’sSleep No More, which currently has productions running in Manhattan and Shanghai, then this kind of premise should sound familiar – this show was inspired by that smash hit.

My friend and I had both experienced Sleep No More in NYC and were blown away by it, so we were understandably excited by the prospect of having something similar in Toronto.

The historic Great Hall is an apt venue for a production like this, as it’s not such a stretch to transform it into an eerie, gothic Victorian setting for the story.

Upon arriving, we’re handed black masquerade masks to wear and small paper invitations sealed with wax. We check our coats and have a drink at the bar in the main hall as we wait for the night to begin.

A helpful tip to those who wear glasses: don’t, if you can help it. Audience members must wear their masks during the performance (to help distinguish between performer and non-performer, but also to allow the audience to feel more anonymous and emboldened to wander around), and trying to fit glasses over the mask isn’t really ideal.

I don’t want to spoil the rest of the experience so I won’t go into too much detail, but at the start, a master of ceremonies will explain – in character – how the night will proceed, and then depending on what your sealed invitation says, you’ll begin your adventure either in the main hall or in the basement.

From there, you can choose to go wherever you want; whether you decide to follow a character as they move throughout the building or stay in one place for a while to see what happens there is up to you.

Occasionally, a masked staff member will encourage you to go in the direction they indicate – or they’ll gesture for you to keep the path clear because a performer’s coming through.

If you’re lucky, a performer might even approach you and interact with you in character. It can be jarring when someone like Dracula (chillingly played by Matt Alfano) grabs you and begins to speak directly to you, or scarier yet, invites you to dance with him, but it’s thrilling as well.

This production was directed and choreographed by Julia Cratchley (plus fight choreography by Colleen Snell) with music composed by Owen Belton, and the cast of 16 dancers (including Marc Cardarelli, a Sleep No More cast member who plays Jonathan Harker in this show) manages to pull off some impressive choreography, making great use of the space.

The sparse set design by Jennifer Goodman and Kyle Purves is enough to set each scene, and some detailed props, like letters and journal entries on the desks in the bedrooms, are meant to encourage nosiness.

You can totally read them – a staff member will stop you if you're doing something you're not supposed to do, so feel free to browse.

At first, everything is a little disorienting, but it doesn’t take long to figure out what’s happening, and who’s who (particularly if you know the Dracula story).

Some more advice: the show runs for about two hours and the dancers cycle through the same story twice, so you can try to catch scenes or rooms you may have missed the first time around once you notice that you’ve seen a certain sequence already (about an hour into the show).

However, the (dramatic, slightly traumatizing) final scene in the main hall is different from the one in the first cycle, so make sure you catch that.

When it’s over, everybody has had a different experience, and you can share and compare what you saw and who you may have interacted with when everyone congregates at the bar at the end.

Of course, it’s a lot easier to catch almost everything in this production compared to Sleep No More’s – the budget of this show is only a small fraction of that gargantuan production’s.

Although Eve of St. George is working on a much smaller scale in comparison, the quality of the choreography and performances is just as high, and makes for entertaining and engaging immersive theatre.

If you haven’t seen Sleep No More before experiencing this, you're in for a treat and your mind will be blown.

But even if you have, you'll still have a good time, as my friend and I did. It’s also a great idea for a date, if your date is into adventurous gothic dance theatre. It's a shame it's only around for such a short run (this is its second; there was an even shorter run here back in 2015).

Here's hoping it'll return again.

While there might not be natural hot springs to be found near Toronto, judging by the popularity of the closest Nordic spa to the city, any chance to unwind outdoors in heated pools seems to be a very attractive thing for city folk accustomed to taking refuge in the PATH all winter.

Mercifully, you don't have to drive for hours and hours to enjoy this experience. Located in Caledon about an hour northwest of Toronto, the Millcroft Inn offers a number of hot spring pools as part of its on-site spa facilities. 

A post shared by Georgina Abella (@georginabella) on Jan 16, 2018 at 8:35pm PST

The outdoor area at Millcroft isn't quite as scenic as the more wooded grounds at Scandinave, but it's also closer to the city and pretty enough in its own right. The hot springs are at their best following a snowfall, when the contrast is starkest between the landscape and pools. 

A post shared by Marta Picken (@inyogamama) on Jan 13, 2018 at 1:15pm PST

As far as the outdoor offerings go, Millcroft has two hot springs that hover at 40C, one polar plunge pool at 7C, and more neutral pool that's heated to 30C (which still feels blissfully warm when it's -10C outside)

A post shared by | ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇᴏʙᴇᴇ117 | (@matteobee117) on Jan 7, 2018 at 2:06pm PST

Inside, there's an indoor pool, steam room, a Finnish sauna, as well as a fitness facility. Access to the spa facilities is complimentary for hotel guests, but rings in at $70 for day trippers. It's $35 if you spend more than $100 on spa treatments. 

A post shared by Vintage Hotels (@vintage_hotels) on Dec 23, 2017 at 8:24am PST

I'm not going to wax on about the health benefits of contrast hydrotherapy, but rotating between hot and cold baths is unbelievably relaxing if you've never tried it, and somehow the experience feels all the more special when it's outdoors.  

It's hard to come by green spaces downtown, and until many of the proposed ones sprout up, another is looking to grow.

A bold new plan has been put forth to city council for to improve the 160 year old Allan Gardens site in the hopes of adapting the park to the changing needs of the downtown landscape.

Headed in part by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, the vision for the park "aims to lay the ground work for a holistic revitalization of Allan Gardens­ bringing new governance, programming, design excellence, and visitors."

The revitalization proposal seeks to breath new life into Allan Gardens via a variety of methods like better connections to Jarvis Street, expanded facilities (and uses for those facilities), plus the overall improvement of the park's functionality and design.

The park hopes to create more pedestrian pathways connecting to nearby streets like Jarvis and improve overall accessibility within the grounds. Photo courtesy the Friends of Allan Gardens.

It also seeks to create more volunteer opportunities and performance and temporary public arts programming in the park, and introduce a new cafe for patrons.

The park wants to introduce seasonal night light displays throughout the grounds. Photo courtesy of the Friends of Allan Gardens.

Taking inspiration from famed gardens like the City Hall Victory Garden in San Francisco, Bethesda Terrace in New York City, and Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburg, the park wants to enhance its outdoor gathering spaces and child-friendly horticulture areas.

New and improved species-identifying signs will help encourage patrons to learn about horticulture within the park. Photo courtesy of Allen Gardens.

Named after former Toronto mayor George William Allan, the park was founded in 1885 and once served as Toronto's first civic park. It's also home to many rare tropical plants housed in five massive greenhouses and has more than 75 varieties of Chrysanthemum alone. 

Plans will go in front of the council for consideration on January 31, after which design planning could begin. 

Toronto's early visual record is best known for the set of photographs taken by the firm of Armstrong, Beere, and Hime in 1856. They were taken to help showcase the city to Queen Victoria, who was set to choose the national capital.

While she ultimately decided upon Ottawa, the photographs remain one of the most important pieces of our visual legacy.

They are not, however, entirely alone in depicting early colonial Toronto. One of the other key documentarians of Toronto in the 19th century was Ocatvius Thompson, a photographer who operated a studio in the city between 1864 and 1868.

His book "Toronto in the Camera: a series of photographic views of the principal buildings in the city of Toronto" contains over 40 images of the fledging metropolis.

Octavius Thompson, Great Western Railway Station at Yonge and Esplanade, 1867

The book is primarily interested in capturing the city's architectural monuments of the time, most of which are churches and banks, schools, and government buildings. Collectively, they provide a superb view of what Toronto looked like 150 years ago.

You'll notice a lack of people in the images. This was both intentional (the focus is one the buildings) and a result of the long shutter speeds required by early cameras and film. People who were moving along the street would disappear or "ghost" on the exposed film.

Many of the buildings depicted in these photos have been lost over the years, but some important ones remain, like Osgoode Hall and University College at U of T.

If you squint your eyes, the streetcapes of Yonge, King and Wellington seem vaguely recognizable thanks to the few buildings that do remain.

Toronto in the Camera is not readily available, though copies of it are held by the Toronto Public Library, the Archives of Ontario, and the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library, who has taken the time to digitize the whole book on its Flickr page. 

Behold, the Toronto of the 1860s.

Octavius Thompson, St. Lawrence Hall at King and Jarvis streets, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Osgoode Hall, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Trinity College, 1867

Octavius Thompson, University Buildings, 1867

Octavius Thompson, City Bank of Montreal at Bay and Wellington, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Rossin House Hotel at King and York streets, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Provincial Lunatic Asylum at 999 Queen St. West, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Richmond St. Methodist Church, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Wellington St. looking east from Leader Lane, 1867

Octavius Thompson, King St. looking east toward Victoria St., 1867

Octavius Thompson, College Gates at Queen and University, 1867

Octavius Thompson, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1867

Octavius Thompson, Upper Canada College, 1867