Creating things that look good and that do good for the world and the people who inhabit it – it’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with our ethos at Collecdev, and it’s exactly what’s taking place this week at Fleurs de Villes ROSÉ.

From August 4^th to 8^th, Fleurs de Villes, the globally-renowned cultivator of bespoke floral installations, returns to Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, bringing with it a trail of floral creations touching down at Manulife Centre, Holt Renfrew, Pusateri’s, Brunello Cucinelli, The Hazelton Hotel, Yorkville Village, Yorkville Lane and more. Over 35 pop-up installations are in full bloom, including floral couture mannequins, floral sculptures, fresh flower market stalls, and Fleurs de Villes CHIEN – a floral tribute to six delightful dogs.

In the plaza at 150 Bloor Street West, Collecdev and Cielo proudly present “The Cloud,” a light-as-air installation of pink gypsophilia, phelenopsis orchids, white ashley garden roses, white plumosa and pink and white hydrangeas.

Inspired by the ephemeral cloud installations of Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde, the piece pays tribute to Cielo, Collecdev’s latest community, coming soon to 300 Bloor Street West.

The incomparably iconic building will reach toward the sky with an architectural beauty that seems otherworldly, in a profoundly connected location next to some of the city’s most important arts, retail, educational, and cultural institutions, many of which are hosting the colourful installations at Fleurs de Villes.

Visitors can pick up a map or scan a QR code to begin at Manulife Centre, and follow the trail throughout the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood. In addition to The Cloud, be sure to stop by Il Patio di Eataly for an Aperol Spritz from the Floral VW Van (dubbed #SpritzBus), “paws” for a moment at Yorkville Village to see the spectacular floral interpretations of man’s best friend, and shop for fresh blooms at the pop-up flower markets on Saturday, August 7th, with a portion of proceeds supporting breast cancer research.

The entire event raises money for this important cause, with 10% of sponsorship and flower market sales donated directly via the Breast Cancer Society of Canada and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Best of all, the event is open to the public and entirely free!

“The Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood sets the perfect stage to showcase the world-class talent of Toronto,” says Fleurs de Villes Co-Founder, Karen Marshall. The neighbourhood’s internationally-renowned reputation as a destination for the very best fashion, food, wellness and culture is what attracted the creators of the event, the same traits that will appeal to residents at Cielo. Stop and smell the roses in Toronto’s most coveted neighbourhood, and discover what life can be like from a new home on Bloor Street West. 

Fleurs de Villes ROSÉ is taking place August 4th to 8th all around the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood. For more information visit fleursdevilles.com. And to learn more about Cielo, register today.

Icebergs floating on the waterfront. A curbside fortune teller. Indigenous animal carvings on the TTC. Creativity and imagination are all around us these days, and it’s all thanks to ArtworxTO, a public art initiative from the City of Toronto.

Kicking off the city’s new 10-Year Public Art Strategy, ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-2022 is designed to “celebrate Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the artists behind it.” This exciting initiative supports artists and both new and existing artwork that reflects Toronto’s diversity and creates more opportunities for the public to engage with free public art in their everyday lives, across the entire city.

It’s in perfect alignment with our pillar of Social Sustainability, a commitment to integrating diverse programmatic elements that stimulate conversation and ensure private and public spaces are designed to enrich society as a whole. It’s why so many Collecdev communities include original art, space to create, and locations near rich cultural hubs. Public art, as a tool for community development, civic engagement, and urban design, is everyone’s responsibility, especially those who play a direct role in shaping city growth. That’s why Collecdev is thrilled to announce our sponsorship of an ArtworxTO installation – the Dupont Street Mural by the prolific street artist Troy Lovegates.

One of the most recent additions is “Generally Speaking,” a brand-new 120-foot mural that can be found in Yorkville, near Cielo Condos. The mural is the first public piece in Canada by NYC-based African American artist Nina Chanel Abney. A self-identified queer woman, Abney’s works often explore themes of race, gender, pop culture, homophobia, and politics, and “Generally Speaking” is no exception. The piece is full of graphic shapes, text, and icons that define an energetic visual language designed to raise awareness about cultural- and gender-based hate, and that urges the viewer to “‘stop’ for a moment of consideration on how we can embark on a communal process of healing through art and intentional contemplation.”

Plan your own route to discover Toronto’s impressive art scene using the city’s interactive artworks map where you can filter by artist, artwork name, type, neighbourhood or city program and set out to discover them all.

As Toronto continues to carve out a name for itself as a global leader in public art, Collecdev will continue to support the endeavours with commissions like the Dupont Street Mural and communities that put residents within easy reach of inspiring works. Join us for the unveiling and be a part of the legacy!

Learn more about Collecdev Communities by registering today.

For a colourful addition to your Instagram feed, follow the artists @troy_lovegates and @ninachanel.

Image courtesy of ArtworxTO.

There’s an old joke that there are two seasons in Toronto: winter and construction. The latter has been top of mind for many in the recent past, especially around midtown where Metrolinx has been hard at work on the Crosstown LRT. As the 2022 opening date nears (as of May construction was 75% complete!), many current and future residents (like those at 44 Broadway) are celebrating. Why? Because they know that life on a transit line comes with big benefits.

A lot of different factors affect property value – location, design, architecture, unit type, and yes, proximity to efficient public transit. Studies, like this one from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), have shown that property values increase dramatically when located close to transit.

• The median sale price for homes is 4% to 24% higher.
• Price per square foot on commercial properties rises between 5% and 42%.
• Rent prices increase between 2% and 14%.

It’s a global phenomenon – in London, home values rise £1,000 for every minute people save in transit time on the tube; in Los Angeles, houses and apartments within a half kilometre from rapid transit are 2x more expensive; in Dallas, properties served by rail see a 39% increase in value –  but similar findings come up right here in Toronto. A 2015 study showed that property located close to a subway station sold for 30% more than properties 500 metres or more away.

“The number one thing people will pay for is walkability to a subway station,” says John S. Andrew, director of the Queen’s Real Estate Roundtable at Queen’s University. “In Toronto you can draw concentric circles around subway stations, and you can see the further you move outward, the lower the property values are. For example, if you’re three blocks from Eglinton station, that’s like gold.”

That’s great news for future residents at 44 Broadway. Not only will they be in a prime position to enjoy the vibrant neighbourhood amenities of Yonge and Eglinton – including some of the city’s most popular coffee shops, restaurants, fitness studios, and abundant retail – but they’ll also be just steps from the new Crosstown LRT, a dedicated route that will connect 25 stations along 19 kilometres between Kennedy in the east, and Mount Dennis in the west, making getting across town up to 60% faster and more convenient with links to 54 bus routes, three TTC subway stations, the UP Express, and three GO Transit lines.

Long-term home value. A faster commute. And there are even more pros to living near transit, including:

Improved Physical Health

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, people who commute via transit are three times more likely to reach their daily recommended allotment of physical exercise than those who drive to work.

A Happier Outlook

Less time stuck in traffic + less expensive parking costs + less road rage = more time to do the things you want, and that can have a huge positive impact on your mental health and the quality of your daily life.

Real Savings

The study from the APTA and the NAR also showed that transportation costs are significantly lower for homeowners living near transit lines, with savings, on average, between $2,500 to $4,400 per year.

Melanie Reuter, a former director at the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN), sums it up, proximity to transit is “the feature that adds the most value to a home.”

If you needed another reason to consider 44 Broadway, this is it – with beautiful architecture, thoughtful amenities, and a prime location at Yonge and Eglinton just steps from the Yonge subway line and the future Crosstown LRT, this is an address that will enrich your life in every sense.

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is scheduled to open in 2022. For the latest construction updates and milestones visit the Crosstown website at thecrosstown.ca. And for more information on 44 Broadway, contact us today