Photo: Brian Burchell, Gleaner News

The stretch of Bloor Street West book-ended by Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue is going through a transformation. The question is whether it’s a good one. We’re finally seeing an end to so many “Store for Rent” signs, but that’s been at the expense of a lot of chains moving in. It remains to be seen whether that will bring an end to the strip’s unique character. The futures of two landmark corners also remain up in the air. We’re still keeping an eye on the northwest corner of Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue, which the City has identified as a site that could facilitate a large building. Also on our radar: the parcel of land at Bloor Street and Brunswick Avenue that includes the By the Way Café and four buildings to the west of the restaurant. It was sold last year to a new owner who has renovated the commercial and residential spaces, and is now renting them out; good news at least in the short term.

Annemarie Brissenden, Gleaner News