Though the weather has been warmer as of late, we’re sure to see some colder days in Toronto sooner than later. If you’re a fan of winter weather, here are some great ways to spend those chilly days in the city

OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINKS

Nathan Phillips Square used to take the brunt of the outdoor ice-skating community but there are tonnes of options now. Just be sure to see if they operate in the warmer weather as some rinks shut down when the temps are on the plus side. Here are 3 of our favourite ice-skating rinks in the city. Check the City of Toronto website for rinks in your area.

Nathan Phillips Square

Open 9am-10pm daily with a rink guard always on duty. Offers skate and helmet rental and skate sharpening.

Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre

Open for more than 30 years, the Natrel rink at Harbourfront Centre offers a view of Lake Ontario, a local DJ soundtrack and indoor heated change and washrooms. Open Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 10pm, Friday to Sunday 9am - 11pm

Evergreen Brickworks

The Evergreen Brickworks offers free skating at their Koerner Gardens rinks on weekends. From January 3rd to February 14th, you can check out Winter Fridays; skate under the stars on the outdoor skating rink, grab a hot chocolate (or something stronger) at the Sipping Station and cozy up around the fire with some street fare from our food trucks.  Bring your own skates or rent a pair of ours. Skating is free, and skate rentals are available for $5 a pair. Check here for dates/times

TOBOGGANING HILLS

Though we’ve yet to see a lot of snowfall this winter, it’s likely some is on the way before spring. When those lovely snowy days do come, be sure to grab your sled, crazy carpet or toboggan to whip down some of Toronto’s urban slopes. Here are 3 great hills in the downtown area…

Christie Pits Park

The name really says it all, a park that’s mostly below street level means lots of spots to whoosh down snowy slopes.

Trinity Bellwoods Park

You may need to dodge a few dogs here and there as the best hills in Trinity Bellwoods Park are around the dog walking area but the grading is sure to keep a smile on even the oldest kid’s face.

Riverdale Park

Likely one of the city’s favourite spots, Riverdale Park offers great city views and longer than average slopes.

INDOOR ESCAPES

If you’re not a fan of the cold, we’ve got you covered… literally. Here are a few spots we love to keep you warm in winter…

Allan Gardens

If you’re feeling a bit cold and bland, get a splash of colour at Moss Park’s amazing Allan Gardens Conservatory. 5 different green houses feature plants and flowers unique to a particular climate in an amazing space. Check here for hours of operation.

Ripley’s Aquarium

Relatively new to the city, Ripley’s Aquarium features amazing exhibits of both National and International marine life and includes features like the petting ponds, stingray experience and moving sidewalk under the “dangerous lagoon”. They also offer Friday night jazz nights if you’re looking for some great music in an otherworldly atmosphere.

The Rec Room

When you’re done at the aquarium, you can walk across the street for some fun and games at The Rec Room. With a wide array of old and new games to play; next generation driving simulation, virtual reality, shuffleboard, ping pong and pool tables. They also have over 80 games such as Pac Man, Kung Fu Panda and Mario Kart.

Whether you’re headed out or staying in, be safe and have a great winter Toronto!

Photo by Johannes Plenio

The Toronto real estate market saw a continuation of the upward trend built off the confusing market of 2017. Having bounced back to similar numbers (albeit via a summer dip) since 2016’s outrageous market highs, it’s looking like Toronto’s in for another crazy run in 2020 due to continued pressure from immigration and a lack of supply overall.

Coming Full Semi-Circle

Despite average price gains across the board for all property types in Toronto, 2019 was the year that semi-detached properties saw some serious increases. Coming as close as 16% from the average for detached homes, semi-detached properties have been the holy grail for families and others trying to notch their way from condos to freehold property. We expect this trend to continue in 2020.

Condo-minimum

Condos in 2019 were no different than semi-detached properties. With a whopping 10.3% increase year over year in December, condominiums prices were driven by lack of supply as well as demand for the most affordable property on the market; a laughable stat for some no doubt as the average reached over $650K in many of 2019’s months. That being said, we may be reaching a saturation point in the average condo price. As many of the GTA’s new condominium builds are finally beginning to take occupancy, many analysts feel the ceiling on condo pricing has been reached. We’re undecided on that result as much of the supply being introduced is small and not suitable for young families; one of the key drivers in condo sales in the city.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Surprisingly, the areas of the city that have seen the greatest increase have been outlying areas in the city’s East and West-ends. This is likely due to their long-held undervaluation as investors and city-dwellers alike tried to attain prime Toronto real estate over the last few years. In some cases, neighbourhoods like West Hill and Centennial, Scarborough Village annd Guildwood, Malvern and Rouge and Willowridge, Martingrove and Richview saw increases of over 100% in the average sale price according to this Zoocasa report , proving that buyers are having to go further afield to get their piece of Toronto land.

2020 Predictions

Expect more of the same upward trends for 2020 across all property types. We’re not convinced that condos have hit their ceiling just yet and anecdotally, more and more clients and friends have decided to stay put and renovation or expand their existing homes in leu of higher interest rates, land transfer taxes and a limited supply of homes to choose from. Couple that with increased immigration pressure and investment in new developments and we have a perfect storm for a bull market going forward.

Of course there are outward pressures and variables like U.S. presidential races, the new Iranian conflict and the China/U.S. trade negotiations that could throw the entire world economy into chaos or potentially recession but barring a major war or negotiations going completely south, we feel this is the direction Toronto’s housing market is heading.

If you’d like to share your own viewpoint on the situation, we’d love to here from you! Leave a comment, send an email or give us a call. We love discussing market dynamics and the factors at play. All the best for 2020!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You (or your child) has graduated high school! Where to throw an amazing shindig? Here’s 5 venues that will transport you from those hallowed halls in style…

THE APERTURE ROOM

Aperture Room is a stylish event space located on the third floor of The Thornton-Smith Building in downtown Toronto. The name is derived from one of the building’s most prominent tenants, Toronto Camera, which occupied all four floors in 1966. The space features original exposed brick walls, three magnificent skylights, hardwood floors, plaster ceilings, LED lighting throughout and a refined heritage flare. Aperture Room also offers built-in AV equipment including state-of-the-art screens, projectors and architectural lighting, lending itself to all types of social and corporate events. The space can accommodate 120 guests for a seated event and 180 guests for a standing reception.

DISTRICT 28

District 28 is a boutique events company located in Toronto's iconic studio district. You can choose from three unique studios, an in-house screening room, restaurant, and reception area. The white, blank canvas of the event venue allows for your own creative input into hosting your own corporate event, high-end fundraiser, and more. 

GEARY LANE

Toronto’s hub for culture and creativity. Nestled away on a seemingly industrial stretch of Geary Avenue at Dufferin & Dupont, the Geary Lane studio is centrally located in an area of the city that is ripe with creative drive and youthful energy.

Housed in a 3000 square foot professional film studio and former recording studio, Geary Lane is a multi-purpose space that can magically transform to suit the needs of your creative projects. Whether you are looking for a state of the art location to shoot film or photography projects, a comfortable and accommodating space for intimate music or theatre rehearsals, or to educate the community through workshops, exhibits, or screenings, Geary Lane is the ideal space to let your creative ideas run wild.

THE COSTUME HOUSE

The Costume House is another venue situated in the Geary Avenue arts district. Originally built in the early 1900's by the Eaton family as a horse stable, this newly restored, turn of the century hard loft features a 13ft ceiling, original post and beam construction, textured brick, east-facing windows, and original oak flooring. This epic blank canvas provides the ultimate space for bringing your bespoke event creations to life. 

LONGBOAT HALL

Located in the uber hip West Queen West area, LongBoat Hall is part of The Great Hall. This lower level space offers over 5000 sq. ft of event space with 20 foot ceilings and cast iron beams. Grand, modern and classic all at once, this is a great venue for those who need to accommodate a larger crowd.