Waterfront Toronto announced the opening of Corktown Commons over the Canada Day long weekend. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, this dual-purpose public park by the foothills of River Street will function both as a recreational, natural-living space as well as a storm-water management system. In light of recent natural disasters, Corktown Commons is an important development for Toronto’s safe keeping. While last Friday’s temporary road closures on Lake Shore Blvd. were incomparable to the flooding currently overwhelming Western Canada, this year’s temperamental weather is a threat to our city nonetheless, which is why this $135-million project is a well-rounded …

It may be hard to follow-up some of the great events that were held over Canada Day long weekend, but between the Cabbagetown BIA workshops, festivals, and the Riverdale Farm Fundraiser, July looks pretty promising: Cabbagetown BIA Workshops Club Ovahi Thursday, July 11th, from 2-4pm, visit the Cabbagetown BIA Office for this valuable workshop concerning Club Ovahi, a mobile app for local businesses to manage and distribute their loyalty programs and promotions. If you wish to attend, please RSVP  cabbagetownbia@gmail.com. Employment Services for Business Owners Fred Victor is an employment centre dedicated to assisting business owners on the hunt for the …

Cabbagetown is renowned for its diverse architecture, remaining the “largest continuous area of Victorian housing” in the country. Although most homes in the neighbourhood are over a century old, not all heritage properties are from the 1900s. In fact, there are multiple examples of Post-Modern architecture from as late as 1997 in Cabbagetown, sitting with elders in the Metacalfe Heritage Conservation District. The Robert N. Wertheimer House and the J.A. Maclean House are two notable examples of Post-Modern architecture in the community, just as the eclectic rowhouses of auburn, grey, and brown roof-tops on Sumach Street capture the essence of …

Prepare for an incredible Cabbagetown summer, both inside and out, with this wide selection of activities continuing through to September:   Out-and-About Division 51 Safety Walk Sadly, a few days ago two women were held at gun-point in Cabbagetown during a robbery. Although no one was harmed, it goes to show how important safety is in our community. This Tuesday (today) and Wednesday, we urge you to join police officers from Division 51 on a safety walk around the neighbourhood: Gordon Sinclair Lane — On June 25th, residents will explore an area where individuals involved in the drug trade often …

In Ontario, Arts and Crafts architecture may be referred to as English Domestic Revival, English Cottage, or Cotswold Cottage. Many other terms may be in common use, reflecting pastoral ideals or country influence on a particular design, but most commonly architects and home owners are familiar with the term Arts and Crafts. In Cabbagetown, among many other old architectural forms, the Arts and Crafts style can be found on two streets in the Cabbagetown South Heritage District: Nasmith Avenue and Gifford Street.    The Arts and Crafts Movement Arts and Crafts originates back to the Industrial Revolution, when a social …

What a better way to end the month than with some sizzling summer festivals and events! Cabbagetown, get ready for an eventful few weeks as we accompany neighbouring communities in the following seasonal activities: Canada Day Celebration Our nation’s birthday is right around the corner, which is why Bob Rae, MP and Glen Murray, MPP have joined forces with the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood to bring to you the Canada Day Community Picnic at the Toronto Centre. Monday, July 1st from 11:30am to 1:30pm, swing by 95 Front Street East and celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday. Music’s In the Air Cabbagetown Community …

The Cabbagetown Northwest Conservation District is abundant with cherished Victorian homes. This neighbourhood’s rich diversity of 19th-century properties coalesce into one distinct identity for Toronto. Architectural styles such as the Bay and Gable, Gothic Revival, Second Empire, Georgian, and Worker’s Cottage are common in this area; however, there are three properties in the heritage district that stand-out from the rest: 29 Aberdeen Avenue, 216 Carlton Street, and 5-7 Millington Street. What’s so special about these homes is that they are examples of contemporary architecture; they mark the turn of the 20th-century in Cabbagetown. Contemporary Architecture Characteristics Defining contemporary architecture is …

Earlier this week, we discussed a few Cabbagetown events carrying into the first few weeks of June. As if there’s not a lot going on already, it appears as if there are more things to look out for this month: The Annual General Meeting of the Cabbagetown Residents Association Thursday, June 13th, 7pm  at the Stout Irish Pub (221 Carlton Street), CRA members — past and present — are invited to attend this year’s AGM and Wine Tasting event, hosted by Lifford Wine Agency.  If you are interested in this event, please RSVP to Lindsay at info@cabbagetowner.com by June 10th. For …

A large portion of the properties on Amelia Street are either influenced by or are strict forms of the worker’s cottage (some times referred to as the working man’s cottage). We’ve reviewed many of these homes before — so it is now time to turn our attention on the comely blue-trimmed, white-walled rowhouses of Wellesley Cottages laneway, located north-east of the Sackville St. and Wellesley St. East crossing. Dating back to 1887, the homes on Wellsey Cottages emit vibes of a small Victorian village, hidden off the main path, both beautiful and undisturbed. Each property is an idealistic example of …

There are only a few more weeks until summer. Until then, there are a few things going on in our community to pass the time. Here’s a list of Cabbagetown events and sales you won’t want to miss: The 8th Annual InspiraTO Festival This year’s InspiraTO Festival will consist of 28 ten-minute plays, performed in four differently colour-coded groups: The Red Show – All plays begin with the line “I see a rabbit” The Blue Show – One character leaves home The Orange Show – The play’s setting is a tunnel The Yellow Show – Rope is used as a …