Brandon DonnellyCanada 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...
Brandon DonnellyThe 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...
Brandon DonnellyThe 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.
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Brandon DonnellyI'm biking for brain health
I like cycling and I like brain health, and so today I signed up to participate in the Bike for Brain Health event that is taking place here in Toronto on Sunday, June 1, 2025. It's for an important cause:
Funds raised for the Bike for Brain Health are used to provide crucial funding for breakthrough research into cognition, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and aging brain health; medical programs and services for older adults living in our community; and education that supports healthy aging and healthcare solutions for a growing aging population.
One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the Baycrest Foundation, some of which support the cost of the event. Proceeds are then invested in leading-edge cognitive neuroscience research, advancements in the mitigation of age-related illness and impairment and the care and treatment of patients living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other brain function related illnesses.
And it's always fun to ride on the Don Valley Parkway without any cars.
The last time I participated, many years ago, I did the 50 km route on a single-speed bike. I ended up getting a flat tire along the way and was completely exhausted by the end of it. When I got back to base camp I think I had 3 or 4 hamburgers before going home to nap for a few hours.
This year I signed up for the 75 km route. I'm not sure that I'm better conditioned, but I do now have a bike with gears and I do have really tight fitting clothes. Surely this will help. I also have two weeks to get out and train. Hit me up if you'd like to lap High Park and "Mount Olympus."
And if you'd like to support my cycle and donate to Baycrest, here's my personal page.
I like cycling and I like brain health, and so today I signed up to participate in the Bike for Brain Health event that is taking place here in Toronto on Sunday, June 1, 2025. It's for an important cause:
Funds raised for the Bike for Brain Health are used to provide crucial funding for breakthrough research into cognition, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and aging brain health; medical programs and services for older adults living in our community; and education that supports healthy aging and healthcare solutions for a growing aging population.
One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the Baycrest Foundation, some of which support the cost of the event. Proceeds are then invested in leading-edge cognitive neuroscience research, advancements in the mitigation of age-related illness and impairment and the care and treatment of patients living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other brain function related illnesses.
And it's always fun to ride on the Don Valley Parkway without any cars.
The last time I participated, many years ago, I did the 50 km route on a single-speed bike. I ended up getting a flat tire along the way and was completely exhausted by the end of it. When I got back to base camp I think I had 3 or 4 hamburgers before going home to nap for a few hours.
This year I signed up for the 75 km route. I'm not sure that I'm better conditioned, but I do now have a bike with gears and I do have really tight fitting clothes. Surely this will help. I also have two weeks to get out and train. Hit me up if you'd like to lap High Park and "Mount Olympus."
And if you'd like to support my cycle and donate to Baycrest, here's my personal page.
Support Brandon Donnelly
Brandon DonnellyI'm biking for brain health
Subscribe to Brandon Donnelly
Daily insights for city builders. Published since 2013 by Toronto-based real estate developer Brandon Donnelly.
Brandon DonnellyCanada 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...
Brandon DonnellyThe 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...
Brandon DonnellyThe 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...
I’m cycling for brain health. Thanks for the incredible support so far! https://brandondonnelly.com/im-biking-for-brain-health
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I’m cycling for brain health. Thanks for the incredible support so far! https://brandondonnelly.com/im-biking-for-brain-health