Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

Grading our greenspace (Feb. 2024)

April 6th, 2024 · Comments Off on Grading our greenspace (Feb. 2024)

A plethora of parks in the Annex get judged

Compiled by Mia Keskinen

Each year the Annex Gleaner reviews the abundance of parks in our coverage area using a variety of criteria. 

While there is no decisive “winner” of the grading, letter grades are assigned to convey the quality of the parks considering aspects such as upkeep, design, and amenities. 

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Tags: General

NEW IN BUSINESS: Opening during a pandemic (Mar. 2021)

March 26th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEW IN BUSINESS: Opening during a pandemic (Mar. 2021)

Scotty Bons Caribbean cuisine for pick-up or delivery to your doorstep

Kendell Garcia and his partners saw the opportunity to open in the Annex as the pandemic created a vacant space on Bloor. TANYA IELYSEIEVA/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

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Tags: Annex · News · Life

NEWS: Carrying on a legacy (Jan. 2021)

January 27th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Carrying on a legacy (Jan. 2021)

Bringing chess to life after Chess Institute of Canada founder’s passing

Every June, when the Bloor Annex BIA closed the street for a festival, the Chess Institute would set-up their giant chess board with life-sized pieces. It was a very popular feature for attendees. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Seven storeys proposed for Davenport/Dupont (Dec. 2020)

December 21st, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Seven storeys proposed for Davenport/Dupont (Dec. 2020)

Plans for a futuristic condo at 361 Davenport unsettled

The trapezoidal-shaped lot here on Davenport is a challenge to
squeeze density into. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

A unique 7-storey mixed-used building from the developer Bianca Pollak is set to rise for 361 Davenport Rd., near Dupont. 


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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Park set for improvements (Nov. 2020)

December 4th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Park set for improvements (Nov. 2020)

Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park named after dinosaur hunter

A plaque memorializes the long time Walmer Road resident. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

A plan to redo Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park (Dalton Road and Bloor St. West) is set to be completed by the end of next year, with construction scheduled to begin next summer. 

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Neighbours oppose demolition plans (Nov. 2020)

December 4th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Neighbours oppose demolition plans (Nov. 2020)

Heritage building holds monumental significance

Residents hope heritage designation saves 661 Huron St. MARY AN/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

Annex neighbours are fighting to stop the demolition of the properties at 661 and 663-665 Huron Street.

The plan to replace the single-family homes would see the construction of a four-storey apartment building with 48 residential units.

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Tags: Annex · News

FOCUS: Park set for eco-restoration (Nov. 2020)

December 4th, 2020 · 1 Comment

A team of Indigenous workers are bringing Paul Martel Park back to life

Paul Richard (left) and Joseph Sagaj, part of a team of Indigenous gardeners, have been working tirelessly to bring Paul Martel Park (located on Madison Avenue, north of Bloor Street) back to its original vision. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS

By Tanya Ielyseieva

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Tags: Annex · Life

CHATTER: A soulful performance from a Howland porch (Oct. 2020)

November 2nd, 2020 · Comments Off on CHATTER: A soulful performance from a Howland porch (Oct. 2020)

TANYA IELYSEIEVA/GLEANER NEWS

Stephanie Martin has been singing and performing her whole life. The singer-songwriter and actress has been on the national and international scene for 30 years, but when the new coronavirus hit, everything changed.

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Tags: Annex · News

NEW IN BUSINESS: New restaurant opens mid-pandemic (Oct. 2020)

November 2nd, 2020 · Comments Off on NEW IN BUSINESS: New restaurant opens mid-pandemic (Oct. 2020)

Entrepreneur invests in community on a wing and a prayer

Inder Singh, owner of the new Wild Wings in the Annex, took the brave step forward of opening up a restaurant in hopes of supporting his new community. MARY AN/GLEANER NEWS

By Mary An

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Tags: Annex · Life

ON THE COVER: Keeping an eye on our greenspace (Aug. 2020)

September 9th, 2020 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Keeping an eye on our greenspace (Aug. 2020)

Sally Bird Park is located mid-block on Brunswick Ave. north of Harbord St. Long plagued by graffiti this mural has garnered the respect of taggers who leave it alone. See more about the area’s parks in our annual reviews. TANYA IELYSEIEVA/GLEANER NEWS

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Residents reject plans for Planetarium site (Aug. 2020)

September 9th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Residents reject plans for Planetarium site (Aug. 2020)

New plans fail to quell concerns

Residents and the University of Toronto continue to clash over the design of the building that will replace the planetarium. This is the latest rendering. COURTESY U OF T

By Tanya Ielyseieva

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Tags: Annex · News

CHATTER: Spadina Road getting new pipes (Aug. 2020)

September 9th, 2020 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Spadina Road getting new pipes (Aug. 2020)

According to the City of Toronto, each year it replaces approximately 3000 substandard water service pipes during planned construction projects. This summer they are tackling the water main beneath Spadina Road between Bloor and Dupont Streets, which is more than 130 years old. 

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Tags: Annex · News

NEWS: Boutique condos planned for Davenport (July 2020)

August 7th, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Boutique condos planned for Davenport (July 2020)

Latest submission taller than earlier versions

By Tanya Ielyseieva

BBB Architects have come back to the community with a new plan for 350 Davenport Rd., near Dupont.  Originally submitted in 2015 at 7 storeys (24.2 meters) this project has had multiple re-submissions. The most recent, made in April 2020, is for a mid-rise, mixed-use building with luxury boutique condos at 8 storeys (30 meters). 

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Tags: Annex · News