Tonight was the opening party of the new Drake Commissary in the quickly emerging Junction Triangle neighborhood of Toronto. It officially opens on June 12th (2017).

The concept is a “gastronomic town square.” It’s a bakery. A bar. And a larder. You can get fresh breads, pastas, charcuterie and pantry items, and you can consume them on the spot or take them home.

The space (see above) was designed by + tongtong. Not surprisingly, it’s beautiful. It also very clearly blurs the boundaries between guests and the bakers and chefs.

From a city building standpoint, it’s interesting to consider what all of this means for Sterling Road (where the Commissary is located).

The original Drake Hotel was and continues to be a powerful cultural anchor in the West Queen West neighborhood. In fact, it’s my belief that the Drake was the most important catalyst for what eventually emerged along that strip. 

So I can’t help but think that we are about to witness a very similar transformation in the Junction.

Tonight was the opening party of the new Drake Commissary in the quickly emerging Junction Triangle neighborhood of Toronto. It officially opens on June 12th (2017).

The concept is a “gastronomic town square.” It’s a bakery. A bar. And a larder. You can get fresh breads, pastas, charcuterie and pantry items, and you can consume them on the spot or take them home.

The space (see above) was designed by + tongtong. Not surprisingly, it’s beautiful. It also very clearly blurs the boundaries between guests and the bakers and chefs.

From a city building standpoint, it’s interesting to consider what all of this means for Sterling Road (where the Commissary is located).

The original Drake Hotel was and continues to be a powerful cultural anchor in the West Queen West neighborhood. In fact, it’s my belief that the Drake was the most important catalyst for what eventually emerged along that strip. 

So I can’t help but think that we are about to witness a very similar transformation in the Junction.