Fantastic news for Torontonians!

I am happy to provide a link to some wonderful news! Here: http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/070514toronto.asp

News: "Van Valkenburgh to Remake 2,400 Acres in Toronto"

Why does this news please me?


Reason 1: I studied architecture at Ryerson for a year, before I went back to art college where I had already attended for two years (I was really eager to go back, and anticipated that I'd return to arch. school, which it looks like is potentially in the works). Basically, I have a deep appreciation for sound design, and both good landscape design and urban planning. I am critical of architectural, urban planning, and landscaping 'mistakes', like the Toronto waterfront.


Reason 2: I grew up in a city that is a 45 mins. drive from downtown Toronto. When I started studying at art college (I went to OCAD, but there was no "D" when I began my studies there, heh) I moved to Toronto. First I lived just off Queen and Dufferin (the nicer part of it, which was not exactly dingy Parkdale, but near enough), then moved slightly east of Dufferin onto Queen (which is now an extremely 'hip' area with progressive galleries/restaurants/etc. Afterwards, I moved to the heart of Little Italy and adopted two cats Toni and Cleo (btw, hello Sneaky Dees! I spent a lot of time there), and then moved eastward to the Beaches neighbourhood, and then after that, just south of the gay village of Church St. Then, I found a place with my then boyfriend (now husband) in a house that was immediately beside Trinity Park. After a few years, we bought a house in East York (close to my beloved Beaches) and lived there for about 2 years before we moved to BC.

I moved around a lot within the city, I wanted to experience each neighbourhood, I guess. This has left me with a deep connection with the city as I spent my 20s there studying, working, partying, exploring, and socializing.

Hopefully, I will be able to visit Toronto when the waterfront project is completed. I'll be keeping a close eye on how it's development progresses.