It’s no secret that Toronto is a beautiful city to film, and drone videos of the city rarely disappoint. Today, we are proud to release our spectacular birds-eye view of the offices at Yonge + St. Clair, with inspiring views of Toronto’s skyline. The 75-second video showcases drone footage of Slate’s office portfolio taken this past fall. We wanted to give visitors to the community an idea of what the views are like at Yonge + St. Clair. And when you add the magic of filmmaking with some black and white filters and a bit of skillful editing, the results are quite inspiring.

Enjoy.

You can learn more about Slate’s Yonge + St. Clair office portfolio here.

We tried to keep this short, but there are so many to thank.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of brave men and women at the Toronto Fire Department. They answered the bell, battling all day and night to contain the massive fire at the Badminton and Racquet Club.

Our sincere appreciation also goes to the Toronto Police, EMS, Toronto Hydro and the TTC who coordinated seamlessly throughout the day.

The collective response to Tuesday’s blaze is a testament to the community of first responders, civic leaders and citizens who rally together when called on.

We’d like to single out the efforts of Fire Chief Matthew Pegg and Councilor Josh Matlow, for working diligently at the scene to keep the community informed, as well as Mayor John Tory for his leadership.

We’d also like to thank Red Cross for opening a temporary shelter and providing a safe space for members of our community, as well as the Rosedale Animal Hospital for offering shelter to evacuated pets until residents could get back home.

And last, but not least, we’d like to thank all of you—the community at Yonge + St. Clair. The outpouring of support and compassion was inspiring. We’ve heard stories of people offering food, blankets and even their homes. We’ve seen a community rally to support the local businesses impacted by the fire.

We, at YongeStClair.ca are truly lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Thank you.

Images by M. Baehr via the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association 

Valentine’s Day should be magical, right? So, if you’re still looking for ideas, you are in the right place – Yonge + St. Clair. The neighbourhood can provide some of the best Valentine’s Day gifts to brighten February 14th in big and little ways.

THE CLASSICS

Flowers. Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest holidays to give flowers. Especially roses. A rose is the flower of love, passion and beauty, after all. Yonge + St. Clair has several talented florists to choose from. Try Ginger Flowers or The Chocolate Tulip for something extra special. Either will provide expert advice, guide you through a long list of options and even provide delivery.

Chocolates and Desserts. Another classic gift to give is chocolate, which came to prominence for Valentine’s Day due to the long held belief that it was an aphrodisiac. Richard Cadbury then decided to place his chocolates in a heart shaped box. As they say, the rest is history. For inspired, beautiful chocolates, there’s no better choice than Nadège Patisserie. We are very fortunate that Nadége Nourian, a French born, 4th generation pastry chef and her husband, Morgan McHugh chose Yonge + St. Clair for their “pure boutique” location. It is designed solely to showcase the “the art of the baked good and hand-made chocolate.” If you’re gifting chocolates for Valentine’s Day, Nadège Chocolates will surely take it to the next level.

TWISTS ON OLD FAVOURITES

Succulents. If flowers are too cliché, why not give the gift of succulents? They last longer than flowers, are easier to maintain, and also come in fantastic arrangements. Succulents have been steadily growing in popularity over the years, with Yonge + St. Clair shops like The Chocolate Tulip offering a wide selection for Valentine’s Day shoppers. Think of it as a stylish, contemporary take on a classic.

Macarons. The macaron is a work of art – delicate, sweet, and often made in hundreds of vibrant colours. They are a pretty and scrumptious treat that can make for an excellent Valentine’s Day gift too. It’s worth sharing that Nadège was also ranked as having the best macarons in the city. They have assorted boxes starting at $28, and offer ‘Macaron Towers’ ($125) for the more adventurous.

FUNCTIONAL OR FANCY

Winter Wear. Falling on February 14th, Valentine’s Day is often during the coldest month of the year. So, gifting something warm and stylish may be the right way to go. Like we suggested in our Holiday Gift Guide, Roots Cabin Collection has an excellent selection of stylish winter gear for him or her. We’re still fans of Roots cabin scarf ($68), but also recommend the cabin gloves ($35). Why not give a warm and fuzzy feeling. Literally.

If you haven’t stopped into Tuck Shop Trading Co., don’t miss it. They just recently opened up at Yonge + St. Clair and are currently in the midst of a ‘Cozy Cashmire’ Sale of scarfs, hats, and blankets that just scream decadence. BlogTO also ranked them one of the top new design stores in 2016 and are definitely worth a look.

Jewelry. One opulent Valentine’s Day purchase we’ve yet to mention is a gift with a bit more shine. Jewelry is an excellent gift to show your commitment to someone, and can be a timeless representation of something from the heart. Marquess Jewellers have been helping the Yonge + St. Clair community find the perfect sparkling gift for your significant other for over 30 years. They certainly have the experience to “bring the magic” on a special day.

DATE DAY AND NIGHT

A Spa Day. We’ve spoken often of the hustle and bustle of Yonge + St. Clair. It can become difficult for many to find time to relax with such a busy schedule. The community seems to have taken note. Enter not one, but three luxurious local spas to pamper you and your loved one. Michael Kluthe Salon & Spa is a community favourite, offering the full spa experience with items like the full body Swedish massage with essential oils ($65) and full-body deep-sea exfoliation ($65). Then there’s the popular MK Spa Package which comes with a massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure for $200.

Yonge + St. Clair staple Fiorio Salon & Spa offers a wonderful assortment of body care treatments like massages ($45+), acupuncture ($45) and full body wraps ($95). They also provide excellent Spa & Salon Packages .

Or why not share the love on Valentine’s Day by treating you and your partner to the couple massage and spa packages (starting at $144) at Yonge + St. Clair’s Midori Day Spa. A relaxing indulgence for both of you.

A Romantic Dinner. Nothing says romance like sharing an amazing meal with your significant other. Of course Yonge + St. Clair is well appointed with some of the best restaurants in the city. Establishments like Cava, Terroni, Capocaccia Trattoria, and Barnsteiner’s would be great choices for Valentine’s Day. Others, such as Schnitzel Hub and Jester on Yonge, step-up and even offer romantic holiday specials.

RE-PLEDGE YOUR LOVE

Renew your vows. If your wedding day was the happiest day of your life, you can bring those feelings back by doing it all over again. Romance without the costs of an expensive reception. Renew your vows and love for one another, right here at Yonge + St. Clair. The neighbourhood is home to a handful of beautiful churches and cathedrals to hold the mini ceremony, and backs onto Toronto’s extensive trail network for a more scenic backdrop. 

Valentine’s Day can be the most magical day of the year, and there’s no other place like Yonge + St. Clair to help you find that magic. We hope our guide helped in finding the perfect gift for your special someone. Regardless, remember it’s the thought that counts.