
Canada must become a global superpower
The silver lining to the US starting a trade war with Canada and regularly threatening annexation is that it has forced this country out of complacency. Indeed, I'm hard pressed to remember a time, at least in my lifetime, when patriotism and nationalism has united so much of Canada. According to a recent survey by Angus Reid, the percentage of Canadians expressing a "deep emotional attachment" to the country jumped from 49% in December 2024 to 59% in February 2025. And as further evidence of...

The bank robbery capital of the world
Between 1985 and 1995, Los Angeles' retail bank branches were robbed some 17,106 times. In 1992, which was the the city's worst year for robberies, the number was 2,641. This roughly translated into about one bank robbery every 45 minutes of each banking day. All of this, according to this CrimeReads piece by Peter Houlahan, gave Los Angeles the dubious title of "The Bank Robbery Capital of the World" during this time period. So what caused this? Well according to Peter it was facil...
The story behind those pixelated video game mosaics in Paris
If you've ever been to Paris, you've probably noticed the small pixelated art pieces that are scattered all around the city on buildings and various other hard surfaces. Or maybe you haven't seen or noticed them in Paris, but you've seen similarly pixelated mosaics in one of the other 79 cities around the world where they can be found. Or maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about right now. Huh? Here's an example from Bolivia (click here if you can't see...

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Daily insights for city builders. Published since 2013 by Toronto-based real estate developer Brandon Donnelly.

Canada must become a global superpower
The silver lining to the US starting a trade war with Canada and regularly threatening annexation is that it has forced this country out of complacency. Indeed, I'm hard pressed to remember a time, at least in my lifetime, when patriotism and nationalism has united so much of Canada. According to a recent survey by Angus Reid, the percentage of Canadians expressing a "deep emotional attachment" to the country jumped from 49% in December 2024 to 59% in February 2025. And as further evidence of...

The bank robbery capital of the world
Between 1985 and 1995, Los Angeles' retail bank branches were robbed some 17,106 times. In 1992, which was the the city's worst year for robberies, the number was 2,641. This roughly translated into about one bank robbery every 45 minutes of each banking day. All of this, according to this CrimeReads piece by Peter Houlahan, gave Los Angeles the dubious title of "The Bank Robbery Capital of the World" during this time period. So what caused this? Well according to Peter it was facil...
The story behind those pixelated video game mosaics in Paris
If you've ever been to Paris, you've probably noticed the small pixelated art pieces that are scattered all around the city on buildings and various other hard surfaces. Or maybe you haven't seen or noticed them in Paris, but you've seen similarly pixelated mosaics in one of the other 79 cities around the world where they can be found. Or maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about right now. Huh? Here's an example from Bolivia (click here if you can't see...
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>4.2K subscribers

Every May, Toronto hosts something called Doors Open, which entails buildings around the city opening up their doors for free to the public. It's an opportunity to visit buildings of architectural, historical, and/or cultural significance that might normally be closed to the public.
This year, over 150 buildings are participating, including a number of sites that are new this year. You can find the complete list here.
When I was in architecture school, I used to always make a point of going. But I honestly can't remember the last time I participated. That's a shame, and so this year I'm going to try and check off some sites.
If you're around the weekend of May 24-25, you may want to do the same. The new St. Lawrence Market North building is on the list, as is the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria.
I sometimes describe Toronto as a city where you need to scratch beneath the surface to find its true architectural beauty. It doesn't hit you in the face as much as it does in some other cities. But it's there. And initiatives like Door Opens Toronto are a great way to help you see it.
Cover photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Every May, Toronto hosts something called Doors Open, which entails buildings around the city opening up their doors for free to the public. It's an opportunity to visit buildings of architectural, historical, and/or cultural significance that might normally be closed to the public.
This year, over 150 buildings are participating, including a number of sites that are new this year. You can find the complete list here.
When I was in architecture school, I used to always make a point of going. But I honestly can't remember the last time I participated. That's a shame, and so this year I'm going to try and check off some sites.
If you're around the weekend of May 24-25, you may want to do the same. The new St. Lawrence Market North building is on the list, as is the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria.
I sometimes describe Toronto as a city where you need to scratch beneath the surface to find its true architectural beauty. It doesn't hit you in the face as much as it does in some other cities. But it's there. And initiatives like Door Opens Toronto are a great way to help you see it.
Cover photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash
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Doors Open Toronto is coming up on May 24-25 https://brandondonnelly.com/doors-open-toronto
Brandon. Definitely make the trek to North York to see the TRCA new all wood head office at 5 Shoreham Drive. It’s just stunning and the ravine landscape context is wonderful.
wow! looks beautiful. thanks.
I wish I had come across this article sooner.
Doors Open Toronto is coming up on May 24-25 https://brandondonnelly.com/doors-open-toronto
Brandon. Definitely make the trek to North York to see the TRCA new all wood head office at 5 Shoreham Drive. It’s just stunning and the ravine landscape context is wonderful.
wow! looks beautiful. thanks.
I wish I had come across this article sooner.