You may have heard that Toronto’s most visible – and recognizable – structure recently lost its crown to one of the new architectural marvels being built in the Middle East.

Well, fear not!

While the CN Tower lost its status as the world’s tallest free-standing structure to the Burj Dubai in 2007 – a hotel that will eventually reach a dizzying 818 metres when it’s finally completed – Guinness recently designated this Toronto landmark the world’s tallest free standing tower.

“I can confirm that the Toronto icon will retain its record, as a tower is defined by Guinness World Records and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as a building in which less than 50 percent of the construction is usable floor space,” said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records.

While other new and incredible structures are on the horizon in China and Japan, none of this changes the iconic status that the CN Tower will hold in the hearts and minds of Canadians and the thousands of visitors who ride up its speedy elevators every year. For us and for many, the CN Tower will always be tops.

Extreme Makeover: Entertainment District Edition
Master Plan identifies John Street as 'spine' of downtown Toronto

The Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area successfully launched its Master Plan – a vision for the future of the Entertainment District that will ensure the needs of existing and future businesses, residents, tourists and Torontonians are harmonized with the area’s ongoing transformation and revitalization.

Essential within the Master Plan is the identification of John Street as the central spine of Toronto's cultural body, akin to New York's Broadway or London's West End. Entertainment District BIA executive director Janice Solomon said the completion of the Master Plan provides a shared vision that empowers council, developers and businesses to work together. “As the City of Toronto continues to grow, the Master Plan will help ensure that the Entertainment District continues to transform in a coordinated and desirable way.”

To view the Master plan visit our website at www.torontoed.com

'Nightlife Experts’ Meet at Responsible Hospitality Conference
Discussion includes nightlife economy, hospitality and safety

Nightlife experts from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco met in Toronto for a one-day conference to discuss how to best make a city thrive. The experts shared their success stories in the areas of management, policing and planning of a better nightlife for their own city and how some of those ideas could be implemented in Toronto.

Jim Peters, president of the Responsible Hospitality Institute, was a keynote speaker at the conference and spoke about trends driving nighttime economy, including successful elements of a hospitality zone, managing closing time crowds and noise levels – all initiatives the BIA is progressively addressing through its best practices approach to managing nightlife.

Chairman of the Entertainment District BIA Jack Robinson said about the conference: “We firmly believe that by implementing approaches used successfully by other cities, we can better ensure that Toronto’s Entertainment District will have a flourishing and well-balanced nightlife, and that the interests of our diverse membership will be progressively intertwined.”

Spotlight on Small Business: Kit Kat on King West
Development brings new wave of clientele to celebrity hotspot

Kit Kat on King Street West is one of the Entertainment District’s originals, and a favourite among theatregoers.In 1989, when customers first squeezed into the restaurant’s narrow entranceway, it was one of only a handful on the now mainstay restaurant row.

The Rolling Stones, Shania Twain and Ron Howard have all eaten at the convenience-store-turned-charming- bar-and-grill – a celebrity list that will likely grow with the arrival of the Bell lightbox across the street.

The ever-present din at Kit Kat is just as much about the southern Italian food, campy décor and owner Al Carbone, as it is about the development, density and visible change happening within the Entertainment District. As streetscapes, open areas, and livable pedestrian environments become the talk of Toronto, Kit Kat’s story is one that continues to unfold with the arrival of the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010, and the increasing number of condo-dwellers flocking to the area. As the weather warms up and tourists and Torontonians alike get set to see the city sites, dozens will no doubt discover the gem tucked in amongst the many crowded restaurants along King.

John Street Roundhouse Project Opens
Revitalization mixes Railway Museum with shopping, public park

The revitalized John Street Roundhouse, featuring a 40,000 sq. ft. Leon’s Furniture store, the Toronto Railway
Heritage Centre and adjacent Roundhouse Park, is now officially open.

The Railway Museum will attract tourists and local residents interested in this important aspect of our history while Leon’s will serve the increasing number of condo residents moving into the neighbourhood.

Executive Director, Janice Solomon: “The John Street Roundhouse generates increased interest in – and traffic to – a critical part of our district, paying tribute to our history while helping to pave the way for our future. We congratulate all of those who helped bring this exciting project and neighbourhood to life.’’

Known as the site of the Steam Whistle Brewery, which has occupied part of the site since 1999, the newly preserved structure will include a loft style Leon’s furniture showroom and the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre, a museum celebrating Toronto’s railway heritage.

The fully restored 120-foot Roundhouse turntable will allow for rail equipment to be moved in and out of the
Centre’s three bays. The turntable courtyard will also be adapted for future public gatherings and concerts.

Mayor Miller calls the Roundhouse project, “a great example of what can be accomplished when respect for our heritage is combined with adaptive reuse of an iconic building.”