Toronto house prices continue to grow steadily, and they hit a record high this May, according to a report by the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB). Not even the cool and rainy weather managed to put the price rise on hold, as the average price reached $542,174 — a 5.4 per cent increase compared to 2012. The growth was especially fuelled by the tight low-rise segment, with the prices of semi-detached houses in the City of Toronto going up by almost 8 per cent. The average transaction price for detached houses increased by 5 per cent, to $676,797 in a year-over-year comparison. Even condos experienced slight price gains of 1.2 per cent in the City of Toronto and 0.9 per cent in the 905 region, reaching $372,768 and $293,398, respectively. Townhouses in the City of Toronto saw the slightest price growth of all segments. Their value rose only by 0.2 per cent, to $463,772.

Orange Clouds over Toronto by Andrew Rivett

TREB’s senior manager of market analysis, Jason Mercer, commented on the report:

The annual rate of price growth in May was not surprising given the competition that still exists between buyers, particularly for low-rise home types such as single-detached and semi-detached houses. We remain on track for a three-and-a-half per cent increase in the average selling price for 2013 as a whole.

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark — which provides an apple-to-apple analysis and neutralizes the influence of non-comparable home sales that would otherwise skew the average and median price by mixing different housing segments — was up by 2.8 per cent year over year.

While the prices keep rising, the TorontoMLS system reported a 3.4 per cent dip in the number of transactions recorded compared to May 2012, as the total sales fell to 10,182 from 10,544. The drop is largely caused by condos and townhouses, which saw the steepest fall. Condo sales in the City of Toronto decreased by 6.4 per cent, and they were down 16 per cent in the GTA. Even though these numbers do not seem too optimistic, note that this is the first time since August 2012 that the decrease in Toronto proper is not in double digits. Townhouse sales fell 18.3 per cent in the City of Toronto and 3 per cent in the 905 region. The detached houses segment showed moderate growth, though, as the number of transactions in Toronto proper went up by 3 per cent, to 1,475. In the GTA, detached sales rose by 0.9 per cent, to 3,731. When discussing the sales figures, it's important to add that the average days on the market was up year over year, as May 2013 included 23 working days compared to the 21 working days in May 2012.

Ann Hannah, TREB president, provides her explanation of the data:

The sales picture in the GTA has improved markedly over the past two months. While the number of transactions in April and May remained below last year’s levels, the rate of decline has been much smaller. A growing number of households who put their decision to purchase on hold as a result of stricter lending guidelines are starting to become active again in the ownership market.

Buildings on Ossington Street Toronto by Jason Baker

The number of new listings rose slightly, increasing to 19,216 from the 19,075 listings recorded in May 2012. Active listings increased by 10.8 per cent, to 22,677, creating at least some maneuvering space for future moderation in price growth, since new listings can't satisfy strong demand for homes at the moment.

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We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of Roland Shainidze!

The Old City Hall

New City Hall: A City's Landmark

Our next stop on our history walks around Toronto is one of its main tourist attractions that always makes it to the top 10 Sightseeing Spots, New City Hall. This modern building with an impressive futuristic design took over the function of housing government offices from Old City Hall in 1965. You don't have to walk too much to have a look at both; they are located just steps away from each other on Nathan Phillips Square.

New City Hall was designed by the Finnish architect Viljo Revell, who won the international competition announced by the city's mayor at the time, Nathan Phillips. The decision to choose his proposal from the long list of 520 projects from 42 different countries was met with mixed feelings at first, since this European artist created a daring design that was quite different from the original building with a beautiful clock tower designed by the city's famous architect E.J. Lennox. Unfortunately, Viljo didn't live long enough to see his masterpiece finished; he died of heart attack just a couple months before the grand opening in 1965. Nevertheless, his work has gained a lot of fame ever since. It was featured in many Hollywood blockbusters such as Resident Evil and RED and undoubtedly is a lasting part of the face of the city now. Located in the very heart of Toronto, the dynamic silhouette of its two towers seems to be "cradling" the disk-like council chamber in the middle. Have you ever heard someone call it "The Eye of the Government"? This name does not come just from the many big decisions affecting residents' lives that are made inside these walls. If you ever find yourself in a plane flying over the building, you'll see a white, lidless eye staring back at you from the bottom and understand the nickname. Just over 30 years after its completion, the iconic New City Hall was designated a property of historical and architectural significance under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1991.

When you enter New City Hall from Nathan Phillips Square, you walk into a large rotunda with Carrara marble floors and high ceilings. The massive concrete white column in the middle supports the Council Chamber located above your head and extends 16 metres deep into the foundations. At the building's base, you'll find The Hall of Memory, carrying the "Golden Book of Remembrance" remembering 3,500 Torontonians who died during World War II. White plaques on the walls bear the insignia of the Canadian Armed Forces units that have been headquartered in Toronto since 1793. Another special feature you'll find is the scale model of Toronto's downtown, where you can see all the historic landmarks and pick your next destination.

The Council Chamber is 46 metres wide and 12 metres high, and it took an incredible 40 days for the concrete ceiling to dry. Each month, the chamber welcomes members of Toronto City Council for regular meetings — and you can attend as well, as these are open to general public! During days when the chamber's full, it seats 44 city councillors (occupying the horseshoe-shaped seating area) and up to 250 visitors in the audience.

Have you ever visited New City Hall, and which part of it made the biggest impression on you? Let us know in the comments below. If you're interested in historical landmarks of Toronto, have a look at our other photo essays: Osgoode Hall, Black Creek Pioneer Village or Spadina Museum.

Toronto City Council Chamber

The Hall of Memory

Nathan Phillips Square is a popular meeting point in the city

All visual content is licensed by Creative Commons - you may use individual photos but you need to link them back to this original page properly and clearly attribute them to us.

Meet the Photographer

Roland Shainidze

Roland Shainidze is an amateur photographer in Toronto. He is a graduate student in humanities at York University and his photography is focused primarily on architecture, both interiors and exteriors. He has taken photographs in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa as well as his native Georgia. Roland uses HDR tools to transform the presentation of the imagery of architectural elements. Self-taught, he takes every opportunity to take pictures and experiment with them; playing with lines, patterns, light and selective colour.

Looking for something to do this June? The start of the summer in Toronto is always packed with amazing events that will prevent you from lazing at home. Check out our list filled with ideas that will make this June memorable!

1. A Century of Chinese Cinema (June 5 to August 11)

Farewell My Concubine

Join TIFF and celebrate Chinese cinema with more than 80 films that document the development of cinematography in China. The film showcase will be supplemented by a free visual arts exhibition and "Conversation With…" sessions featuring directors and artists, including the most famous Chinese actor of all time, Jackie Chan. The series is divided into five subsections: the Golden Age (Shanghai pre-war classics), a New China (films from the revolutionary era), Chinese Genre Cinema Evolution, New Waves (art films of the '80s) and New Directions (a section on innovative new films).

2. Arts & Crafts Field Trip (June 8)

Bloc Party

The Arts & Crafts music label based in Toronto decided to throw a party to celebrate their tenth anniversary — and the best way to honour the music label is to go big and organize a festival! The very first Field Trip festival showcases the artists who are or who used to be affiliated with the label, including such stars as Feist, Broken Social Scene, Block Party, Ra Ra Riot, and Stars. The concert is particularly special for hosting Broken Social Scene, who are returning from hiatus just for the show. The event takes place in Fort York: Garrison Common and tickets cost $93.50, while kids enter free.

3. NXNE — North by Northeast (June 10 to June 16)

NXNE Comedy

If you're an independent music and film fan, NXNE is a must for you. The 19^th annual year of the festival brings a full week of innovative artistic achievements that will rock our city to the core. More than 800 bands, 30 films, 80 interactive sessions, and 75 comedians are scheduled to appear in venues all over Toronto. Organizers confirmed some big names this year, including melancholic The National, hardcore rockers F*cked Up, and Outkast’s Big Boi. Over the years, NXNE has become known as an important launch pad for emerging artists — Wild Nothing, Japandroids, and Grimes have all played here in the past.

4. Woofstock (June 8 to 9)

Woofstock's "Stupid Dog Trick Contest"

All dog lovers in Toronto know Woofstock already — the two-day event dedicated to our four-legged friends and everything connected to them has become an institution over the years. Visitors will have a chance to catch up with the latest trends in canine fashion and furnishings, shop for top products and foods, and participate in fun contests for every size, breed, and pedigree. Besides the "serious" contests, there will be plenty of entertaining programs to choose from, including a doggie fashion show, a costume contest, and everybody’s favourite, a stupid trick contest. Woofstock takes place in the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood and is free.

5. Northern Ink Exposure (June14 to 16)

NIX Tattoo

Tattoo enthusiasts will flock to the Toronto Hilton to see the top tattoo artists from all around the world showing off their skills all weekend. The convention that originally started as a small gathering of tattoo fans has grown into an amazing showcase of the best of the best in the tattoo world over the years. The organizers try to link the event with local art galleries, fashion designers, and painters to introduce the whole lifestyle connected to tattoo culture. The great thing about Northern Ink Exposure is that if you’re lucky, you might get the chance to be tattooed by the exhibiting artists themselves.

6. Luminato 2013 (June 14 to 23)

Bunnies at Luminato 2009

Luminato 2013 brings ten days packed with events that include art, film, dance, literary events, and music from both local and international artists. The main festival hub is placed on David Pecaut Square, and the audience can look forward to nightly free concerts and events. Some of the listed events include talks with Marina Abramovic and Willem Dafoe, a performance of Danse Lhasa Danse and a Feng Yi Ting theatre performance. As you can see, the organizers prepared an amazingly varied program that will please anyone interested in art. Luminato ticket prices vary according to different events, so check their website for more info.

7. Toronto Jazz Festival (June 20 to 29)

People at Toronto Jazz Festival

The Toronto Jazz Festival is one of the top jazz celebrations in North America, having hosted such names as Dave Brubeck, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, and Ray Charles. Since its establishment in 1987, the festival has been steadily growing and getting better. This year, it attracts more than 500,000 visitors and introduces about 350 performances with over 1,500 musicians. The festival venues can be found all around the city, but the heart of the festival is located at Nathan Philips Square, where the spectacular, 1,200-seat Mainstage Marquee and popular outdoor stage can be found.

This year, festival organizers prepared something special for the opening marquee concert and will delight the audience with a line-up heavy on R&B and pop jazz artists (Mavis Stapes with Dr. John or Boz Scaggs), and they have confirmed the trend of providing space for music that is only loosely connected to jazz. The program also features some country and bluegrass artists, represented by Willie Nelson, who will be one of the festival openers, and Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. The true jazz programming focuses on singers and pianists. Among the performers are such names as Nikki Yanofsky, Eliane Elias, and Gregory Porter.

Besides the ticketed events (with varying prices), there are plenty of free outdoor concerts planned for the Toronto audience. Actually, the free show's line-up expanded for 2013: it gained extra funds, as the festival’s innovative, avant-garde "incubator" series was terminated. Check the website for more info about the program and pricing; it would be quite a pity to miss such a unique jazz celebration that turns Toronto into a jazz hotspot!

8. Pride Week 2013 (June 21 to 30)

Pride Week 2013

Pride Week is a 10-day celebration of diverse sexual and gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, pansexual, asexual, and other communities and their lives. Just like every year, the festival full of arts and culture is scattered in various venues around Toronto, and it eventually leads up to the major event of Pride Week, the Pride Parade. The 33^rd annual Pride Parade starts at 2:00 at Bloor and Church, and it surely is event that shouldn’t be missed! We can all look forward to seeing colourful costume and dance creations, as this year’s theme, Superqueer!, invites all participants to show off their creativity.

9. Leslieville Tree Festival (June 22)

Leslieville Tree Festival

Don’t miss the annual Leslieville Tree Festival and celebrate the urban forest in Toronto. The festival takes place in Leslie Grove Park (corner of Queen Street and Jones Avenue) and has something to offer for the whole family. Kids are welcome join in the various games prepared for them, and adults might shop for the best pieces for their garden in a native plant sale or to buy beautiful, eco-friendly products. Everyone can enjoy the local and organic food sold at the vendor stalls. The event will be accompanied by local musicians, dancers, and youth groups .

10. Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival (June 22 and 23)

Girls Dancing at the Dragon Boat Race Festival

Toronto will once again become the world’s Dragon Boat Racing capital. In 2013, almost 200 teams with over 5,000 boating athletes from all around the world participated in the event that is traditionally sponsored by the Toronto Chinese Business Association. In addition to the dragon boat racing, visitors can expect a rich cultural program, including dance and musical performances, as the event strives to present the communities and promote values and social responsibility, as several charity organizations benefit from the proceeds of the event. Visitors can come and enjoy the weekend free of charge.

Click individual photos to enlarge and enter the full Lightbox Gallery.

We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of Roland Shainidze!

Spadina House Museum: Historic House & Gardens

Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens

The Spadina Museum is a must-see location in Toronto for all who are interested in how people used to live decades ago. The museum was home to three generations of the Austin family, and almost all of the original furnishings have been left untouched since this historic manor was generously donated to the City of Toronto and turned into a historic museum in 1978. Spadina Home is often overlooked by the large groups of tourists who flock to the magnificent Gothic Revival castle, Casa Loma, that's also located on top of Davenport Hill, just around the corner, and takes all the fame. However, this museum's significance lies in its preservation of a complete and unique collection of one notable Toronto family's belongings, reflecting the styles of the 1860s through to the 1930s. The eclectic mix of architectural and decorative features from Victorian, Edwardian, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Colonial Revival styles reflects the passing time and tastes of the three generations of the Austin family that lived here. Crystal chandeliers, grand stairs connecting the 55 rooms spreading across three floors, and Asian carpets in the halls reflect the luxurious lifestyle of Toronto's upper middle class. Most of these rooms' furnishings were made in Toronto, making them a very valuable collection. Besides the opulently furnished rooms, you'll see also smaller servant rooms; Spadina House had a small staff including two maids, a cook, a chauffeur, a gardener, a part-time laundress, and a seamstress.

Let's look at a little bit of Spadina House's history. The house you see today is actually not the first or only building on this property. A magnificent estate called Spadina was built on the 200-acre property of Dr. William Warren Baldwin in 1818. The original name was inspired by the native word espadinong, meaning "hill." But after this house burnt down with a devastating fire in 1835, Baldwin decided to build a smaller country estate in its place, which was then acquired by financier James Austin (founder of The Dominion Bank and president of Consumers Gas) in 1866. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, this part of the city dubbed with the name Millionaires Row attracted the rich and wealthy, soon brimming with large estates of Toronto's most prominent families. When Baldwin died, his son, Albert William Austin, inherited the house. After that, Spadina House belonged to the third generation of the family, represented by Austin's daughter, Anna Kathleen Thompson, who was the last member of the family to live there, from 1942 to 1982. After her donation to the city, the museum opened its doors in 1984 and is now operated by the City of Toronto Cultural Services. The mansion has been restored, recreating the chosen period of the lives of Albert and Mary Austin during the 1920s amongst the family's timeline in this estate. Spadina House is also famous for the beautiful Victorian-Edwardian gardens surrounding the property; stroll down the large orchard, visit the grape arbour, or picture the perfect family afternoon in 1913 spent in the kitchen garden.

The newest feature at Spadina House reflects the world-wide success of the highly popular British period drama TV series Downton Abbey, which follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family. For those who were also enchanted by the grandeur of the 1920s and impressive interiors reflecting the wealth of their owners, Spadina Museum is launching the very special Toronto’s Downton Abbey tours. The tours are run Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. For the total experience, bring some Downton Abbey period clothing!

Location: 285 Spadina Road
Contact: (416) 392-6910

Check out their website for more information about admission, group bookings, or renting for special occasions. If you have a passion for the past or want to learn about Toronto's history, have a look at our previous photo essay about Toronto's other historic landmarks; Black Creek Pioneer Village & Osgoode Hall.

  The Bedroom with Original Furnishings

The Servant's Bathroom

1920's had a tendency to be a little theatrical

The grand stairs and oriental carpets in halls

The Common Room

All visual content is licensed by Creative Commons - you may use individual photos but you need to link them back to this original page properly and clearly attribute them to us.

Meet the Photographer

Roland Shainidze

Roland Shainidze is an amateur photographer in Toronto. He is a graduate student in humanities at York University and his photography is focused primarily on architecture, both interiors and exteriors. He has taken photographs in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa as well as his native Georgia. Roland uses HDR tools to transform the presentation of the imagery of architectural elements. Self-taught, he takes every opportunity to take pictures and experiment with them; playing with lines, patterns, light and selective colour.

Click individual photos to enlarge and enter the full Lightbox Gallery.

We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of Roland Shainidze!

  The beautiful front porch inviting for an afternoon tea

Black Creek Pioneer Village: Travel Back in Time to the 1800's

Black Creek Pioneer Village is one of the most interesting sites in Ontario and definitely should not be missed — especially if you're fascinated by the past and the way people used to live before all the technologies we have today became available. This heritage museum — an authentic recreation of an Ontario village from the mid-19th century — is located just west of York University in Toronto. But it's not just your usual museum full of artifacts; Black Creek is a lively community where you'll meet historical interpreters and craftspeople dressed in authentic period clothes who will gladly guide you through the Village and answer all your questions regarding the lifestyle and customs of its early residents who helped establish Toronto.

Black Creek Pioneer Village was opened in 1960 and shows the pioneer way of life in rural parts of Ontario. It's a popular destination for school field trips from near and far to educate children about Canadian history. What will you find when you decide to visit? A living history experience, the pioneer village is composed of more than forty heritage buildings that have been skillfully restored and faithfully furnished under the supervision of B. Napier Simpson, an architect who devoted his whole life to preserving heritage buildings. The trimmed gardens and farmyards of these picturesque homes spread across 30 acres of land. Once you step inside one of the homes, you'll feel that time really does stand still here. All the rooms are furnished in the fashion of the 1860s and carry the original equipment and decorations that would be found in a home during that time period. Of course, no village would be complete without barns full of farm animals, a water-powered grist mill, a general store, a blacksmith's store, a school, and a small church – and you can find all this and more at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

In 2009, the Black Creek Historic Brewery opened its doors for the first time, recreating a brewery from the mid-1800s, offering tastings of freshly brewed ales. Try on pioneer clothes in the Photographer's Shop and take your very special family portrait just like in the old times before Confederation. Walk across the green landscapes and historic gardens and enjoy the slower pace of rural serenity — which is in fact not too far from the middle of the city!

The site is operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and run by the historians and artisans who actually live in these buildings. They regularly organize guided tours, workshops, and special events such as farmer's markets and the annual Christmas market with its long tradition. Probably the most popular of all Black Creek's activities are its many historical re-enactments put together by volunteers, when the whole village comes alive!

Check out their website for the upcoming events held in the Village. If you have a passion for the old times or want to learn something about Toronto's history, have a look at our previous photo essay on Toronto's other historic landmarks, Osgoode Hall and Spadina Museum.

The kitchen of The Halfway House Inn

The original furnishings help visitors imagine the old times

Best time to visit is a sunny day, ideal for an afternoon walk between homes and barns

The old craftsmanship still alive with preserved items and tools

All visual content is licensed by Creative Commons - you may use individual photos but you need to link them back to this original page properly and clearly attribute them to us.

Meet the Photographer

Roland Shainidze

Roland Shainidze is an amateur photographer in Toronto. He is a graduate student in humanities at York University and his photography is focused primarily on architecture, both interiors and exteriors. He has taken photographs in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa as well as his native Georgia. Roland uses HDR tools to transform the presentation of the imagery of architectural elements. Self-taught, he takes every opportunity to take pictures and experiment with them; playing with lines, patterns, light and selective colour.

The Greater Toronto Area REALTORS association has released the real estate market report for April 2013, showing a moderate decline of sales in a year-to-year comparison. The 9,811 sales recorded through the Toronto MLS system last month meant a 2 per cent drop compared to the 10,021 transactions recorded in April 2012.

Toronto Market Report for April Infographic

Detached and semi-detached houses in suburban areas were the strongest segment, as they showed 2.5 and 1.3 per cent growth, respectively. On the other hand, detached houses in the inner city experienced the steepest fall, at 11.8 per cent. Toronto Real Estate Board president Ann Hannah commented on the findings:

“Despite the headwinds we have experienced in the housing market this year, April sales came in quite strong in comparison to last year. As we move through the spring and into the second half of 2013, the demand for home ownership should continue to firm-up relative to last year.”

She also said that it seems that a year after the introduction of stricter mortgage lending guidelines, some of the households that were initially put off by the new rules are reconsidering.

However, while some experts hail the data as the sign of a strong market, others remark April 2013 included two extra working days longer; it had 22 days instead of the 20 in April last year. This prolonged the period during which contracts are usually sealed, skewing the data. Economist Will Dunning believes that if the figures were adjusted to this fact, the real downturn would be somewhere around 14 per cent, as The Toronto Star reported.

Townhouses by MsAnthea

Even though the number of transactions continues to shrink, prices keep growing. The average selling price for last month was $526,335, up 2 per cent compared to the $515,888 recorded in April 2012. The MLS HPI Composite Benchmark, an apples-to-apples comparison, recorded a 2.9 per cent increase. The strongest 5.6 per cent price growth was recorded in the City of Toronto condo segment. Interestingly enough, condos in suburban areas were on the opposite side of the spectrum and fell by almost 6 per cent.

“The condominium apartment segment in the City of Toronto was a key driver of price growth in April, with both the average selling price and the MLS HPI apartment index up on a year-over-year basis. The improved condo sales picture, with Toronto sales down by only one per cent compared to last year, suggests that interest in condo ownership may be improving," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Both new and active listings were up on a year-to-year basis, by 10.9 per cent and 13.5 per cent, respectively. Experts believe that the increasing number of listings might lower or eliminate the price growth in a mid-term perspective. The time it takes to sell a property went up to 23 days compared to 21 days last year. It's also interesting to note that condos remain on the market for 32 days on average.

Hunting for some event tips to fill your May days? Well, look no further, as ILT has prepared a list of the top ten events that shouldn’t be missed this upcoming month. Spend the weekend with your kids at the International Circus Festival, explore the city’s architecture at Doors Open Toronto, or check out the newest trends in contemporary photography — and that’s just a start. Have a look at the list and choose events that suit your taste.

CONTACT Photography Festival

1. Contact Photography Festival (May 1 to 31)

Contact Photography Festival kicks off with its 2013 theme “Field of Vision” that encourages artists to explore sight and the power hidden in creative imagination. The annually organized month-long festival brings photography and its beauty closer to the public. Last year, the festival spread to more than 200 venues around the city, and over 500 Canadian and international visitors took part in the exhibitions and supporting events across Ontario. Actually, even if you’re not a photography fan, you will certainly notice the festival, as organizers plan to introduce several public installations at TTC stations and billboards throughout the downtown..

Mayworks Festival

2. Mayworks (May 1 to 15)

The Mayworks festival follows the decades-long tradition of artists’ solidarity with the trade unions, community groups, and organizations dealing with social work. It celebrates working class culture. Many of the exhibited works reflect creators’ support for social causes such as affordable housing, migrant rights, improvement of the welfare system, and the Idle No More movement. As well as the multidisciplinary arts exhibitions and events, the program also features several workshops and forums, such as discussions with Filipino migrant workers and a Theatre of the Oppressed workshop. Venues and ticket prices vary for each event, so check the website for more information.

Jane's Walk in Toronto

3. Jane’s Walk (May 4 to 5)

Jane’s Walk refers to free walking tours that focus on presenting the urban landscape in a new way, emphasizing urban literacy and walkable neighbourhoods, and generally promoting people-friendly cities. The movement originated in Toronto when a couple friends of writer and activist Jane Jacobs decided to continue spreading her message after she passed away. Throughout her life, Jacobs promoted livable and fresh, community-based neighbourhoods and spent much time campaigning for her ideas. Since 2006, when the first walk took place, the initiative has been growing, and now there are Jane’s walks all around the world.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival

4. Toronto Comic Arts Festival (May 11 to 12)

All comic arts fans can look forward to two days full of comic-related events, including readings, exhibitions, presentations, and workshops with artists as well as several panel discussions. The Comic Arts Festival welcomes both established comic authors and emerging artists to exhibit their works in extensive gallery areas. The list of confirmed artists includes such names as Art Spiegelman (Pulitzer Prize winner for his Maus), Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim), and Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets). The festival is free to attend, and it takes place at the Toronto Reference Library.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

5. Mother’s Day Tea at Black Creek (May 12)

Black Creek Pioneer Village has prepared special programming to celebrate the day dedicated to one of the most important people in ours lives — our moms. Join your whole family and enjoy the day full of delicious food and drinks and a tour of the historic village. Visitors will enjoy a chance to recreate the Victorian ceremony of taking afternoon tea and savour some exquisitely prepared sandwiches and scones. Reservations are required to ensure enough spaces and food for everyone.

Vampire Weekend

6. Vampire Weekend concert (May 16)

Vampire Weekend returns to Toronto in support of their anticipated release Modern Vampires of the City. The third album of the American indie rock band is scheduled to be presented to the public on May 6. If you want to hear some of the band’s biggest hits like “Giving Up the Gun” or “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” and many more performed live, don’t miss the show this spring. The concert will be held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, and the doors open at 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $45.23 to $58.48 excluding fees.

Spring Art & Craft Show

7. Artfest at the Distillery (May 18 to 20)

Artfest Toronto celebrates the upcoming summer season with Spring Art & Craft Show featuring more than 85 artists and artisans from all over Canada. Exhibits of the participants will showcase unique and one-of-a-kind pottery, jewellery, paintings, glass, wood carvings, and clothes. Visitors can also look forward to tasting delicious gourmet food prepared at the site or enjoying live music performances by Toronto artists. The event is free, so don’t miss your chance to hunt for beautiful pieces to brighten your home in the cobblestone lanes of the Distillery District.

HarbourKIDS Circus

8. HarbourKIDS: Circus (May 19 to 21)

Kids aged 5 to 12 and their parents are all welcome to join a free weekend with Harbourfront Centre and Zero Gravity Circus. The weekend features the Toronto International Circus Festival buzzing with incredible acrobats, dazzling daredevils, and buskers that know how to deliver children’s smiles. The aim of the weekend is to inspire kids to explore their creativity and imagination by getting in touch with contemporary arts.

Inside Out

9. Inside Out (May 23 to June 2)

Toronto hosts the 23rd annual Inside Out Gay and Lesbian Film and Video Festival in May. What started as a small showcase of film and video created by and dealing with LGBTQ experiences has evolved into the largest event of its kind in Canada with more than 35,000 people attending the screenings. This year, the program features more than 200 films and videos from around the world. Festival organizers have managed to turn the film festival into an extensive celebration of LGBTQ cultures, including discussions with artists and producers, panel discussions, exhibitions, installations, and parties. Kids can look forward to Morro & Jasp and their failed attempt to host a cooking show and an acrobat nicknamed Vague de Cirque coming to say hi from Quebec.

Doors Open Toronto

10. Doors Open Toronto (May 25 to 26)

Accept the invitation to explore some of the greatest buildings in our city during the 14th annual Doors Open Toronto. In 2013, almost 150 buildings of historical, architectural, cultural, or social significance will welcome Torontonians to take a peek behind their doors — including many structures that remain closed for the general public for most of the year. This season focuses on the theme “Creators, Makers and Innovators.” The event includes many projects featuring older buildings that have been converted into modern spaces, while the spirit and the architectural beauty of the older designs have been preserved and re-converted in imaginative and innovative ways.

The City of Toronto started the Doors Open Toronto festival in 2000, clearly inspired by similar initiatives in Europe. Ever since its first year, the event has gained great popularity among the public and has attracted more than two million people. During Doors Open’s history, more than 600 buildings and locations across the city have been part of the project—– and we are still impatiently awaiting the start of the 2013 program.

Concerning your own visit, always make sure to check the program properly to avoid disappointment, as some of the buildings will only be open at certain times, or their access might be limited to guided tours. In addition, every year, some queues tend to form at the sites, so be prepared to wait a bit before your visit.

Click individual photos to enlarge and enter the Lightbox Gallery.

We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of John S. Fernandez!

Planet of Sound in Toronto

Planet of Sound

Planet of Sound first opened its doors seven years ago in Ottawa and quickly became a success, specializing mostly in turntables and audio equipment. It was three years ago when Planet of Sound branched out, and to the excitement of all local music and vinyl lovers, opened its very first location in Toronto. This store is managed by Sam and Shane and has a small staff of four. Well-known for their great selection of mid-range to high-end audio equipment, Planet of Sound caters to the needs of their clients by helping them put together a system depending on their budget, with sound systems starting at a couple hundred dollars to high-end systems priced over the staggering $20 thousand. Planet of Sound carries a nice selection of vinyl, with genres ranging from jazz to indie rock, but their main focus is and will probably stay on sound systems. For the real music addicts, here are just a few exclusive brands they carry: Audiolab, Harbeth, Pro-Ject, Castle, Perreaux, Neat, Grado, Graham Slee, and many more!

Planet of Sound is not your usual record store; they go even further. Once a month, they host a jazz listening event, where customers are invited to listen to jazz on some of their highest-end equipment, with free donuts and coffee. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? This successful business is growing fast. Sam and Shane revealed to us that a new location will open very soon in Toronto’s West End.

Address: 263 Queen Street East
Website: www.planetofsoundonline.com
Contact: (416) 601-1313

Toronto branch managers Sam and Shane

Every corner screams design and is full of cool and artsy items

The wide selection of vinyls!

Sonic Boom

We visited Sonic Boom at 782 Bathurst Street, in one of Toronto’s most famous landmarks, the Honest Ed’s building. But the company also has a second location on 201 Augusta Avenue, in the no less popular area of Kensington Market. The record store has been in business since 2001 and is currently home to Toronto’s widest selection of vinyl. You will appreciate its size as you soon as you enter the large spaces of the shop! Sonic Boom carries a large variety of vintage vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and cassettes, but you will also find clothing and various music memorabilia stocked on its shelves. It’s a true haven for anyone who has a real passion for music. This Sonic Boom location is owned by Jeff Barber, and has an attentive staff of fifteen who are always ready to help you find the record you’re searching for. When you’re looking for a venue with an unmatched atmosphere, Sonic Boom also features live music performances monthly.

Address: 782 Bathurst Street
Website: www.sonicboommusic.com
Contact: (416) 532-0334

Sonic Boom in the Honest Ed's store department

Jeff Barber is the owner of Sonic Boom

You can easily forget about time when searching hundreds of vinyl records

Kops Records

Kops Records is located on 229 Queen Street West and is in fact Toronto's oldest independent record store and Canada's leading source of roots music news. The shop is run by Kate, Patrick, and Mark and they make sure that the business is run according to their goal, which they say is following:

"through the global vinyl distribution network, Kops Records is dedicated to sharing, discussing and preserving roots-based music across genres and across generations."

This record store prides in having the biggest collection of 45's records in the whole Canada and is committed to keeping 45s in circulation, with boxes of singles in every genre, neatly stocked next to used and new vinyl. Kops Records has been in business since 1976 and carries a large selection of vintage vinyl (with a strong focus on Soul and R&B genres), LPs, 78s and record equipment. The store also offers a large African and Latin music section so its' a great place to start with when you're looking exactly for this kind of music.

Address: 229 Queen West
Website: www.kopsrecords.ca
Contact: (416) 593-8523

Kops Records

Mark is one of the people who are behind this great store

Browse the biggest collection of 45's records in the whole Canada!

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What's your favourite record store in Toronto? Let us know in the comments below!

Meet the Photographer

John Steven Fernandez (born 1990)

This Toronto based photography student, currently studying at Seneca College of Applied Arts, was born and raised in Toronto from Chilean-born parents. Growing up, John would often visit Chile, and would document every moment of his trips, which had a major impact on the style of photography he enjoys most today. John’s main disciplines of interest are street photography, photojournalism, news, and event photography. John’s greatest passion in life is to travel, experiencing other cultures and meeting new people. John’s dream is to one day travel the world documenting his experiences and communicating his emotions to the world through his lens.

Click individual photos to enlarge and enter the Lightbox Gallery.

We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by local photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of Roland Shainidze!

Allan Gardens Conservatory

A Green Oasis in Toronto’s Heart

Toronto is a city graced with many beautiful parks, and Allan Gardens is one of the oldest, founded in 1858. Not only are the grounds a perfect destination for a relaxing stroll in the fresh air, but they are also home to one of the city’s major tourist attractions, the Allan Gardens Conservatory. Do you want to know a bit more about the history of this plant conservatory full of exotic species from all over the world?

The five-acre parcel of land was generously donated to the city in 1858 by George Allan, a prominent politician, under the condition that the grounds be publicly accessible and free of charge. The stunning Victorian-style flower conservatory consists of six greenhouses (with an area of more than 16,000 square feet) bearing Allan’s name, built in the middle of the park and boasting an unbelievable collection of rare and exotic plants from banana trees and orchids all the way to succulents and cacti from the North American deserts. Allan Gardens is open for visitors all year round, and it always attracts crowds of visitors during its seasonal flower shows. The Spring Show, held in February, transforms the Cool House into a celebration of everyone’s favourite season after a long, cold winter — springing to life with colourful tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses. The highlight of each year is the Christmas Show, during which the whole conservatory is decorated with seasonal topiary, and the grand opening show includes attractions such as horse carriages, carollers,and hot apple cider.

The Tropical House stays warm all year round

The gorgeous Palm House was built by architect Robert McCallum in 1910, and it features a cast-iron and glass dome that is filled with palms, bananas, and tropical vines. Glittering in the sun, it resembles a fine-cut gem set in the gardens’ green grounds. The Palm House was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act to help protect this special Toronto building. The Arid House is home to a large display of unusual cacti and succulents, including collections of agave, opuntia, and aloe. When you’re fed up with the freezing temperatures of Canadian winters, come and visit the Tropical Houses, which boast a warm and humid environment through the seasons to provide perfect conditions for plants from warm regions such as Australia and the Mediterranean.

The conservatory’s latest addition, the Children’s Conservatory, is closed to the public but offers horticultural programs for children. Allan Gardens’ beauty charms everyone who visits, and guests enjoy the unusual combination of plants and flowers from all over the world that are just a couple of steps away — all under one roof. The surrounding park is full of visitors during the winter and is also home to the city’s largest flock of pigeons. The east side features a life-sized statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Open May through October, you will find a cozy garden cafe overlooking the park where you can grab a coffee or a sweet treat.

We all wish that the spring would come to Toronto very soon. But until then, you can warm up here, surrounded by the vivid green of the conservatory! Another great place to visit when the spring is in full bloom is the Riverdale Farm in Cabbagetown!

Location: 19 Horticultural Avenue
Contact: (416) 392-7288

Allan Gardens Conservatory in Toronto

Cast-iron and glass dome of Palm House

A path through the greenhouse

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Meet The Photographer

Roland Shainidze

Roland Shainidze is an amateur photographer in Toronto. He is a graduate student in humanities at York University and his photography is focused primarily on architecture, both interiors and exteriors. He has taken photographs in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa as well as his native Georgia. Roland uses HDR tools to transform the presentation of the imagery of architectural elements. Self-taught, he takes every opportunity to take pictures and experiment with them; playing with lines, patterns, light and selective colour.

Last week, Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® issued a report on real estate developments in March 2013. The Market Watch report shows that real estate prices in March continued to rise. The average selling price was $519,879, a 3.8 per cent increase year-over-year. The strongest price growth was recorded in the townhouse category in Toronto properties, as it grew by 7.5 per cent compared to March 2012. On the contrary, condos in the 905 region rose only by 1.3 per cent. To get a complete picture, you should note that the inflation rate is around 1.2 per cent at the moment.

Toronto Market Report for March Infographic

TREB also prepared an analysis of the data gathered during the first quarter of 2013. The average price in Q1 2013 reached $508,066 — up by 3.2 per cent compared to 2013. Jason Mercer, TREB’s senior manager of market analysis, commented on the reported data:

“The average selling price and the MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark was up on a year-over-year basis across most home types, especially in the low-rise market segments where supply remains an issue. TREB’s average price forecast for 2013 remains at $515,000, representing a 3.5 per cent annual rate of growth.”

March 2013 also brought some not-so-good news concerning sales activity on the market. The Toronto MLS system recorded 7,765 transactions — a 17 per cent fall compared to the 9,385 transactions recorded last year. However, experts remark that while the decrease was expected and follows the trend that can be extrapolated from summer 2012, this year’s early Easter should be taken into an account as well. The Good Friday holiday moved to March in 2013, while usually it takes place in April, and there are not so many transactions sealed on statutory holidays and weekends. The detached houses segment in Toronto proper was the only segment to fall below 20 per cent, as its sales were down by 21.6 per cent compared to March 2013. The mildest decrease was recorded in the 905 area townhouse segment, which fell by 13.5 per cent. Looking at the data from the whole first quarter of 2013, the overall number of sales was down by 14 per cent in a year-to-year comparison to 17,678 units.

Toronto house by Alain Rouiller

“Home ownership remains affordable for a household earning the average income in the Greater Toronto Area. There are many willing buyers in the marketplace today. While some households have put their decision to purchase on hold as a result of stricter lending guidelines or the additional Land Transfer Tax in the City of Toronto, other households simply haven’t been able to find the right house due to a shortage of listings in some market segments,”

remarked Toronto Real Estate Board president Ann Hannah.

New listings were down by 9 per cent compared to March 2012 to 14,728 units. However, the overall amount of active listings went up by 8.7 per cent, to 18,384 units, due to diminished sales activity.