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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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...
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Brandon DonnellyUntil next time Revelstoke
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Brandon DonnellyUntil next time Revelstoke
Revelstoke is out. Golden is in. But before we move on, here are several things I noticed about Revelstoke compared to the last time I was there in 2015.
It is clear that the city and resort have gotten significantly more popular (mind you, when we came in 2015 the weather was suboptimal).
The city has been investing in great wayfinding signage (separate post here).
Monster luxury homes have been built around the resort and across the valley. I don't recall seeing these, or at least this many, on my last trip.
A modest single-family house in the city now lists for around $1 million.
Anecdotally, I can also say that I spoke to a number of people on the lifts who had moved from Toronto and other big cities in order to "retire" or "spend the winters" in Revelstoke.
The city and the resort were very busy over the weekend. The resort could probably use some more lifts and/or gondolas during these peak periods.
The après spots on the mountain were full. And there are fantastic restaurants downtown, a number of which are quite fancy. Think $50-60 entrées.
I noticed more Australians living/working in the city.
I'm sure that the locals would rather that Revelstoke remain more under the radar. But that's not what is happening. It's quickly becoming a global destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities.
I left feeling very bullish on its future.
Revelstoke is out. Golden is in. But before we move on, here are several things I noticed about Revelstoke compared to the last time I was there in 2015.
It is clear that the city and resort have gotten significantly more popular (mind you, when we came in 2015 the weather was suboptimal).
The city has been investing in great wayfinding signage (separate post here).
Monster luxury homes have been built around the resort and across the valley. I don't recall seeing these, or at least this many, on my last trip.
A modest single-family house in the city now lists for around $1 million.
Anecdotally, I can also say that I spoke to a number of people on the lifts who had moved from Toronto and other big cities in order to "retire" or "spend the winters" in Revelstoke.
The city and the resort were very busy over the weekend. The resort could probably use some more lifts and/or gondolas during these peak periods.
The après spots on the mountain were full. And there are fantastic restaurants downtown, a number of which are quite fancy. Think $50-60 entrées.
I noticed more Australians living/working in the city.
I'm sure that the locals would rather that Revelstoke remain more under the radar. But that's not what is happening. It's quickly becoming a global destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities.
I left feeling very bullish on its future.
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