A Design Lover’s Travel Guide to Toronto
From a former strip club turned lavish hotel to the trendiest store for window-shopping in the city, discover the best design spots to visit in Toronto.
Toronto, the ‘city within a park’, is built up of singular neighborhoods each with their own distinct architecture and communities. In the past year, the city has undergone a design resurgence, with institutions like the Architecture and Design Film Festival making their inaugural debut in Ontario’s capital and an ever-growing pool of creative talent naming the city home. Even pop culture icons want in on the action, such as singer Pharell Williams, who has partnered up with the IBI Group to create exterior, interiors and furnishings for new downtown condo buildings. On your next visit to Toronto, discover these highlights of Toronto’s booming architecture scene for a taste of Canadian style.
1. Royal Ontario Museum
Building, Museum, Park
2. CN Tower
Architectural Landmark
3. The Distillery Historic District
Distillery, Historical Landmark, Brewery
4. Drake General Store
Shop
While there are countless cool boutiques in Toronto, the Drake General Store is decidedly Canadian and brimming with quirky architecture. When wandering around the city, keep your eyes peeled for the neon purple cross. While some may confuse this space for a pharmacy, it’s actually a unique concept store offering Canadian coffee blends, adult onesies, gifts and design books. From the in-house coffee stand to the barber shop and everything in between, this shop is worth a visit if not for the design products, then at least for the stylish interior.
5. Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen
Restaurant, Jamaican
After a day of running around the city, why not indulge at Chubby’s, a Caribbean restaurant located in a restored circa-1890 row house dedicated to eclectic design and soulful hospitality. Guests feel as if they’ve been transported to an island destination with rattan furniture, leafy wallpaper and touches of greenery. Head to the second level to observe the jerk pit grill from above, then settle in to dine on dishes like Port Royal mac n’ cheese or a tangy Caribbean pulled-pork sandwich.
6. The Broadview Hotel
Boutique Hotel
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