Florida’s article was welcome and so timely for me.
For the past 35 days I have had the pleasure of escorting a visitor around Toronto. My guest was totally unprepared for the changes she saw here, not having been through for about 15 years. To say she was extremely impressed would be an understatement.
Some people just live to pick things apart. Try a good walk, or streetcar tour (or auto tours if that is your choice of how to see Toronto) -- and do it in autumn, for heaven's sake. That is when this city comes alive with arts and pleasures. My own preference is to be a pedestrian; it’s the only real way to take in the city and what it has to offer.
I have looked at Toronto with new eyes during this past month and for the first time in my life I've been able to say "it's magnificent". About those parts and pieces that some like to pick on ... College Park, TLS in the making .. well start looking at the City in a different light now; something excellent is happening. I feel that at long last the City is finaly being emboldened. The personality that was always just sort of lurking there is finally coming to the fore.
Just some examples: The new ads at Yonge-Dundas Square will be at their best when reflected in the wet pavement of the square, around the fountains, at night (we caught a hint of that on Friday night). I was glad to see someone photographed that. The prospect of some nicely placed new skyscrapers that aren't merely up-ended boxes, well, that's another good thing to come, as is the remake of Nathan Phillips Square. Add to that the work being done on the waterfront and you've got a fabulous city in the making.
Take the time now to get out into Toronto, go to concerts and clubs, walk out late at night, do things you can't do elsewhere, and smile while you're doing it. Yes, some buildings are disappointments but the overall effect of Toronto is quite energizing and stimulating, to say the least -- and in the future, you will be able to add the word "tantalizing". (Frankly, doesn't London, England have some disappointing buildings? And New Yorkers have a list of buildings they "love to hate" -- some have Lincoln Center and the PanAm building are on that list).
Lastly, the "artistic renaisance" they're talking about in Toronto is actually already at work. But it's not in the buildings, and it's not in the individual parts and pieces, it is in the synergy, yes, believe it or not the sum is greater than the parts.