Baldwin/McCaul/Beverley

[Towered]

When I used to work around the corner, Baldwin Village in the Spring was always lovely, with lots of hospital and university staff enjoying the sunny patios.

It's in much better shape now than it was a couple of years ago. Lots of busy patios now during the day, and only a few empty retail spaces. It's such a nice little cozy oasis tucked behind all those large ugly buildings on University. Provides a much needed escape.

 

[Mihairokov]

What made it less good a couple of years ago? I used to live in the area and outside of general COVID downturn it was fairly normal.

 

[AlbertC]

I'm just glad that the Village Idiot Pub, a couple blocks south, changed back to its original name after rebranding to Village Genius Pub for a bit.

 

[Towered]

What made it less good a couple of years ago? I used to live in the area and outside of general COVID downturn it was fairly normal.

I'd say around 2 years ago there were a lot more vacancies on the strip, and several of the signature restaurants that had given the place so much buzz and vibe departed. I was worried about it for a while, so it's wonderful to see such a strong comeback. There are 3 cozy cafes within spitting distance of each other! Also, a bit more food variety is available now.

 

[rdaner]

Lots of work here for conversion to a boutique hotel and café/resto. Taken 25 June.

 

[AlbertC]

The hotel conversion at 168 McCaul is now done

Passed by Alfie's sandwich shop for the first time. The interiors look quite nice

 

[rdaner]

Is this recent? Another sign of McCaul’s ascension as a retail street! 5 Jan.

 

[PL1]

The hotel conversion at 168 McCaul is now done

View attachment 704781

The best I can say about that conversion is the conduit at the side is even and almost provides some visual interest.

 

[Towered]

The best I can say about that conversion is the conduit at the side is even and almost provides some visual interest.

This "boutique" hotel has all the warmth of a detox centre. Each and every person who looked at the drawings prior to construction honestly said, "yup, looks good!"??

 

[AlbertC]

Doesn't appear to be concrete movement yet but there's some tarped fencing surrounding the former Yung Sing bakery property

 

[AlbertC]

The "Michelin Bib Gourmand recognized" Pho Le place is now open on Baldwin

 

[TRONto]

I think the whole block needs to be named something, it's not Discovery District or Chinatown. Maybe call the whole block Baldwin Village and call it a day. Similarly south of Dundas, call the whole area Grange Park?

 

[Mihairokov]

I thought the area was already called Baldwin Village?

 

[TRONto]

I thought the area was already called Baldwin Village?

That's just the shops located on Baldwin st (maybe leaking outwards to Jimmy's/Krispy Kreme). Places in the surrounding area like the Steelworkers Union building, the McCaul-Orde Park, even George Brown House across the street I wouldn't call part of Baldwin Village today. I've seen maps say Chinatown and Discovery District but I don't feel Baldwin Village fits into either but you could name the block Baldwin Village and that makes more sense to me at least.