Toronto Life October 2025

CREATED FOR A though new developments offer the allure of modern living, the customization options can fee restrictive, forcing a choice between a handful of pre-set layouts and finishes For those accustomed to a lifestyle of thoughtful design and personal expression, this can feel like a compromise. But at 110 Avenue Road—a new boutique residential development by Sierra—there is no such compromise. Located where Yorkville meets the Annex, the project offers a rare opportunity for personalization, inviting residents to shape their living space into a true reflection of themselves Designed by renowned architect Richard Wengle, 110 Avenue Road is a prominent yet balanced addition to the streetscape, seamlessly integrating a striking new modern structure into a restored historic building. The result is a bold presence that feels both timeless and…

Paradise Lost Caitlin Walsh Miller’s exposé on the short-term rental ruckus in cottage country generated fiery responses from both sides of the property line. “The article describes one owner who rents out his five-bedroom cottage to help cover his mortgage, and he claims to be mentally and emotionally exhausted? Good. Nobody wants to live beside a party house with strangers coming and going nonstop. Can’t afford your $6,000 mortgage? Sell! I hope his hairline recedes and his property taxes go up.” —@Muffinzzztop, X “Neighbours need to mind their own business. Without those short-term rentals, their local businesses would suffer.” —@StrategicMove1, X “Good read from @torontolife—an eye-opening article that describes what’s really going on in cottage country, highlighting racism, NIMBYism, classism and the lengths that residents will go to maintain the…

In This City, the House Tells All A few days after my wife and I moved into our first house, we were startled to learn that our new neighbours were already well acquainted with us. They knew our names and occupations and that we had a baby on the way. Having toured our place during the open house, they were aware of the interior layout. Most shocking was that they knew, to the dollar, how much we had paid. When it comes to the fishbowl world of Toronto real estate, we quickly realized, there are no secrets. Our neighbours weren’t unusual. Toron-tonians of all stripes are obsessed with real estate. Gossiping about it—Who? How much? Did they overpay?—is our favourite pastime. And like a civic mood ring, real estate also…

In recent years, Toronto’s Main-Danforth area has been experiencing a groundswell of change. Scores of trendy new restaurants, cafés, microbreweries and more are popping up in and around the established community. Already teeming with green space and, of course, the vibrant Danforth Avenue streetscape, the east-end destination has only improved over time. Until now, new rental developments of any meaningful scale were sorely missing from the equation—something that’s finally beginning to change with the arrival of Bela Square. The new two-tower purpose-built rental community, which was completed by DBS Developments this spring and is now leasing, is adding nearly 500 quality residences to the neighbourhood. These will not only allow more people to call one of Toronto’s great neighbourhoods home, but they also help solve the city’s broader need for…

“I wanted to live near a subway station so I could travel with our customers”—TTC CEO MANDEEP LALI, P. 20 THE BIG PICTURE Medical Miracle TMU’s new school in Brampton is a beacon of hope in a health care crisis IN JUNE, the Ford government assigned itself an Everest-like task: connect all Ontarians to primary care by 2029. The system has been in free fall since before the pandemic. Today, there are more than 2.5 million patients in the province without a family doctor, and estimates suggest that by next year, that number will balloon to 4.4 million. But, now, a beacon of hope out of Brampton. TMU’s new school of medicine in the former Bramalea Civic Centre is finally open. It’s the GTA’s first new med school in 100…

You moved to Toronto without ever having visited to run the biggest and busiest transit network in Canada. How go the early days? I officially started in June, and I’m enjoying it! I had read about Canadians being welcoming, and it’s proved correct. Where are you living? And how’s the commute? I’m right downtown, close to subway and streetcar stations. The commute to my office at Yonge and Davisville is only about 25 minutes when taking the TTC. Not to nitpick, but we call those streetcar stops. When you started, you pledged not to use a car. Have you caved? No, and it’s working fine. It’s been fun to just jump on the bus and find out how long it’s going to take me to get someplace. Well, there’s the…