It can be tough to maintain a work/life balance that includes living healthy and exercising. Luckily Yonge + St. Clair offers a wide variety of traditional and contemporary workout options for the energetic nine to fiver.

Whether you prefer a gym-based workout or something less traditional, the Yonge + St. Clair fitness community offers plenty of options to help you strike the right balance between workout and play.

Balance Fitness – 52 St. Clair Ave E – (416) 225 2623

A Yonge + St. Clair staple since 2001, Balance Fitness combines “health and fitness in a soul-soothing, spa-like atmosphere.” Balance seeks to get their clientele into a state of healthy wellbeing through a unique four-part approach. Along with personal training, Balance’s schedule also offers after work programs like kickboxing; power pilates, and foundation training to help stabilize your back. They consider all aspects of their clients’ lifestyle when developing training and rehabilitation programs. It’s “no ifs, and a better butt.”

Ultimate Athletics – 1216 Yonge St – (416) 922 8181

Ultimate Athletics is a fitness club that aspires to be a more intimate affair in comparison to the chain gyms throughout the city. Club owners Paula Ryff and Vlad Radanovic have decades of experience and pride themselves in challenging workouts with a warm and friendly atmosphere. “We hope to have the opportunity to earn your trust,” Paula and Vlad proclaim on their site. “As our clients will attest, we’re quite serious about helping people achieve their true potential.” They offer a wide range of classes that last between 45 minutes and an hour, and are available to all skills and abilities.

Ferris 360 – 1910 Yonge St – (647) 347 7707

Ferris 360 is a gym that is focuses on providing carefully crafted, 60-minute full body workouts with their FULL360 classes. They pride themselves in offering their programing during ‘convenient hours’ for the working professional. Their programming is designed for all skill levels, 3-6 times a week.

Moksha Yoga Uptown – 1498 Yonge St – (416) 868 9642

If you prefer your exercise slow, steady, and a little steamy, Moksha Yoga Uptown is the place for you. Offering yoga, hot yoga, pilates, and a bustling wellness centre with registered massage therapy, Moksha has something for everyone to zen out to. With an extensive class schedule starting at 6:30AM, Moksha offers drop in, 5-classes, or 10-class options, or if you’re a newbie they have a $60 Intro Month Pass!

Studio³ – 1228 Yonge St – (416) 964 3939

If you’re looking to focus solely on wellness through Pilates and yoga, Studio³ is “how Pilates was intended to be.” Studio³‘s instructors are all fully STOTT Pilates certified and provide a varied portfolio of yoga and Pilates disciplines under one roof. New four-week programs are launched throughout each month, with many available in the evenings.

Striation 6 – 33 Davisville Ave – (416) 972 0599

A little north of Yonge + St. Clair near Davisville Station, Striation 6 offers an extremely flexible, pay-as-you-go approach to fitness. They also offer a slate of evening fitness classes, personal training, yoga, boot camps, and boasts an extensive collection of exercise equipment for self-directed workouts. Striation 6 also provides instruction on ‘Muscle Activation Techniques’ that aim to produce more efficient muscle contractions for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Goodlife Fitness St. Clair – 12 St. Clair Ave E – (416) 927 8042

One of the larger, well known gyms in the Toronto fitness scene is Goodlife. The Goodlife Fitness at 12 St. Clair E is a fully equipped co-ed location and offers individual machine workouts as well as group exercise classes focusing on strength and conditioning, and cardio.

Yonge + St. Clair’s Extensive Ravine System

Toronto is home to a network of deep ravines and trails that run throughout the city, and Yonge + St. Clair is lucky to be within walking distance of many. David Balfour Park, the Rosehill Reservoir, and Mount Pleasant Cemetery frequently make top 10 lists for runners and cyclists, and link to the much larger trail network of Toronto.

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters opens today at 2 St Clair Avenue W, its third location in Toronto this year. The Vancouver company is an early partner in the redevelopment of the Yonge + St Clair intersection. Owner John Neate was initially attracted by Deer Park’s houses and neighborhood. “There are communities that I walk in and I’m happy and I want to go back. They bring me life,” he says. “There’s artists, there’s a park, there’s independent fashion, interesting architecture. Those are places I’m drawn to.”

The housing around Yonge + St Clair served as inspiration for the cafe’s design, as well — including an impressive slate-styled arched roof that hangs over the espresso bar. This is in stark contrast from how JJ Bean Adelaide’s black granite counters and dark wood panels blend into the lobby of 130 Adelaide Street West, and the minimalist industrial aesthetic of JJ Bean Bartley, just east of the city at 197 Bartley Drive. The company has become known as much for its distinctive store designs, each one suited to its surroundings and history, as it is known for high-quality coffee.

After two decades of honing its specialty coffee niche on the west coast, JJ Bean is now poised to expand across Toronto. JJ Bean serves seasonal single-origin coffees and signature blends on French press and drip-filter options, and a selection of classic espresso-based beverages. The coffee is roasted to order each day at JJ Bean Bartley, which serves as roastery and commissary, where food is prepared fresh daily for each cafe to bake every morning. JJ Bean also serves full-meal options including wraps and sandwiches through its in-house artisan bread program.

JJ Bean has often been at the forefront of neighborhood regeneration in Vancouver, with many locations such as Main Street, Woodward’s, and Fraser opening in advance of community growth. But the company also stays true to its neighborhoods. Reflecting on the company’s accomplishments, Neate says “In twenty years we’ve never closed a location. So we don’t move as quickly as other people move but we make sure that where we go is going to be built to last and be a significant part of that community for many years.”

Ideally located near TTC St Clair Station and 512 Streetcars. JJ Bean St Clair will open on Monday October 31st, 2016 with regular hours: weekdays 6:00am-8:00pm and weekends 7:00am-8:00pm.

Established in 1996 by John Neate, JJ Bean Coffee Roasters exists to honour people through great coffee, service, food, and spaces. The Neate family has been roasting coffee for four generations. Family-operated to this day, JJ Bean now has 18 locations in Vancouver and three in Toronto.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.jjbeancoffee.com 

@jjbeancoffee on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

WIN A $15 JJ BEAN ST. CLAIR GIFT CARD

Like, share, and tag your friends to this image on our Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram for a chance to win 1 of 3 $15 JJ Bean Gift Cards! Winners to be announced Wednesday, November 2nd at 8:00PM!

This week the Yonge + St. Clair Blog spoke with John Neate Jr., founder of popular Vancouver-based coffee roasters JJ Bean to talk about his company, the Toronto coffee scene, and new beginnings at Yonge + St. Clair. The Neate family has been roasting coffee for four generations and in 1996 John launched JJ Bean. There are now over 20 unique locations across Vancouver and Toronto.

JJ Bean will be opening their third Toronto location in the lobby of 2 St. Clair West this fall.

Congratulations on opening your second JJ Bean location in the downtown core earlier this month! How are you enjoying the Toronto coffee scene?

The Toronto coffee scene has been fabulous! Toronto has become a second home to me – I’ve been coming here every three to four weeks now for the last year and a half, and have become very familiar with the coffee scene. I’ve met with all the major players and did extensive research before scouting out our new locations here. The JJ Bean at Adelaide and York just opened up August 12th, and it’s been great so far – it’s been a lot busier than expected.

Torontonians really love their coffee, don’t they?

 No kidding – there’s been major changes and growth in the industry. To see what’s happened here over the last few years has been great.

How would you compare the coffee culture in Toronto to Vancouver? What does JJ Bean bring to Toronto coffee culture that it’s currently missing?

In terms of the coffee scene in particular, there are a lot of really great roasters in Toronto. The knowledge of the baristas here is really impressive – it’s nice to see a lot of coffee being made here with manual machines versus automatic. Toronto baristas are getting the coffee right; they’re getting the milk right, and they’re producing great products.

What we see as a big opportunity is that not a lot of Toronto coffee shops are doing their own food. Most shops are getting their baked goods from other places. With JJ Bean, we have a commissary, which prepares all the raw ingredients, but each store is equipped with their own ovens and in-store bakers. We do all of our baking in-house.

The customers love it; there’s nothing better than fresh compared to a muffin made somewhere else, frozen, and reheated.  We’re not seeing anyone really doing that on a multi-location level.

What drew you to establish your third location at Yonge + St. Clair? What do you see in the area?

One of the things that I really look for in a great location is a place that can be busy Monday-Friday, driven by the 9-5 office crowd, but that can also be supported by a neighbourhood community on the weekends. Vancouver has a lot of areas like this, but Toronto is fairly scarce with these locations. There’s a lot of disposable income in the residential areas around this intersection that can support good retail on a 24/7 basis. Yonge + St. Clair seems like it will be a great fit for JJ Bean.

When searching for the next new location – I always try and look for emerging areas: ones with big upside and potential. With what Slate is doing, and what the Weston family is planning, I really believe the Yonge + St. Clair area is going to be totally revitalized in the coming years.

For people that have yet to make it out to one of your Toronto locations, are there any places they can try JJ Bean coffee?

 Absolutely! We have a couple of locations right now serving JJ Bean roasts. 5 Elements at Avenue Road and Davenport serves our coffee, and we’re supplying all the coffee for Dark Horse’s Cold Brew. A large part of our plan in Toronto is to have a thriving wholesale business so this is only the beginning.

When can we expect the Yonge + St. Clair JJ Bean to open?

We’re hoping to open in the first week of October. Originally we planned for an earlier opening, but we’ve seen some delays due to what we‘re doing at that location. The building’s office lobby was recently completely renovated and has impressively high ceilings – we’re actually building a house inside of the space, and while it’s taking a little longer, it looks absolutely fabulous.

Oh wow. That sounds really cool.

 Yeah, we’re really happy with it.

I’m really excited to check out the space when it’s done. What’s your recommended first drink and snack for a JJ Bean newbie like myself?

Well, I personally think that people should have a traditional cappuccino and a butter tart. And if a butter tart is too sweet for your tastes, our croissants are some of the best in Toronto. The muffins we bake are about three times larger than the one’s at Tim Horton’s –  our Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffin is probably our most desired baked good.

Fantastic. Thanks John.

 Thanks so much.

National Post’s Chris Selley said he ‘was downright astonished at the state of the joint.’ City Councillor Josh Matlow said it’s now just ‘a place between Yonge and Eglinton and Bloor.’ Vice President of the Deer Park Residents Association David Cameronsmith told the paper ‘it’s just gone to hell in a handcart.’

Yonge + St. Clair has been overlooked for decades, but it wasn’t always that way. It was once regarded as a vibrant and bustling place – it was a scene. It was the home of Glenn Gould; it was a fashion centre; it was fur coats and martini drinking. It has always been the gateway to some of Toronto’s most prominent neighbourhoods. It sits on top of an important transit hub. It is historically important. All of the ingredients are there to create a neighbourhood that is again a destination in and of itself.

As reported by Bisnow, Slate Asset Management has acquired 8 office towers in the heart of the neighbourhood, including those that occupy the 4 corners of its namesake intersection.

‘We have an opportunity’, Lucas Manuel of Slate Asset Management, told the National Post, ‘to make some big and fast and consolidated changes to the neighbourhood, which is our goal.’

And the changes are indeed coming fast.

The first phase of development at 2 St. Clair East has begun under the direction of award-winning, San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler. An 8-storey mural by Sheffield’s renowned Phlegm now adorns the western wall of 1 St. Clair West. Vancouver-based independent coffee roasters JJ Bean are set to open one of their first Toronto retail outposts in a custom-built house in the lobby of 2 St. Clair West. And this is just the beginning.

Future plans include renovations to building lobbies and exteriors, modernizing every elevator in the neighbourhood, and bringing sweeping changes to the public realm and streetscape pedestrian experience. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life at Yonge + St. Clair. In attracting ‘the types of tenants who can support an improved retail base’ Slate hopes to breathe new life into the neighbourhood’s 9-to-5 rhythm and take the energy up to 24-7.

‘My wife and I live in the area’, David Hopkins of restaurant consultants The Fifteen Group tells National Post, ‘and we certainly don’t go to Yonge and St. Clair if we’re looking for somewhere to eat.’ This echoes a familiar sentiment. But through the reinvention of the 4 corners Slate is confident they can change that tune. And the newly proposed patio and restaurant space at 2 St. Clair West is a leap in the right direction.

Countless neighbourhoods across the city have successfully reinvented themselves with much more than a tired public sentiment working against them. Yonge + St. Clair is in a unique position to capitalize. Lucas is adamant that ‘[t]his is not a flipping strategy… It’s an own forever strategy.’ And with enough property to effectively act as their own business improvement area Slate not only has the passion but the means to make good on their promise.

A few buckets of paint. Two paint brushes. Hundreds of spray cans. That’s what it took for UK street artist Phlegm to complete the massive 8-storey mural that now rests on the west side of 1 St. Clair West. It’s truly a sight to behold. From a distance, the 8-storey  human form can clearly be seen sitting back in a contemplative pose. But the power of the piece is in the details that slowly emerge as you draw closer. Let’s explore how the St. Clair mural came to be.

Phlegm is an anonymous street artist hailing from the United Kingdom’s own Steel City, Sheffield. Phlegm originally gained prominence through his ink drawings and comics that portrayed highly detailed figures and characters that drew the viewer in. It was not until he started painting his creatures as murals that he received more widespread fame. He has received worldwide recognition for his fantastical scenes of curious beasts, mystical contraptions, and shrouded figures. His pieces can be found all around the world – across England, Germany, Norway, Australia, and now, Toronto, Canada.

Over the course of just twenty-eight days Phlegm arrived to the site and painted from 8AM until the sun baked him and his assistant, Stephanie Bellefleur, off the wall. Phlegm would burn through around 10 spray paint cans a day, adding detail to the mural at a rapid pace while Bellefleur assisted with the logistics, such as working the swing stage, managing supplies, and providing an artistic second opinion when needed.

But how did this project come to be?

In partnership with the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto program, the project was initially conceived and co-funded by Slate Asset Management, which owns all four corners at Yonge + St. Clair. Slate was looking for something big to kick off a campaign that will revitalize the neighbourhood and foster a new vibrant culture. “We saw a tremendous opportunity as the whole  area  had  been  overlooked –  we  didn’t  see  any  reason  for  that,”  said  Slate Managing Director, Lucas Manuel.

With StreetART, Slate also brought in award-winning public arts organization, the STEPS Initiative, to produce the public art landmark on the western wall of their 12–storey building. STEPS is a Toronto-based organization that allows citizens to take action in creating more vibrant and connected communities through what they call ‘public space ARTivism.’ CBRE, CIBC, Rexall, and Dulux paints also generously supported the project, with Ward 22 City Councillor Josh Matlow giving a strong endorsement. “Yonge and St. Clair is one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods, and creating a landmark piece of public art in collaboration with one of the world’s most influential street artists, reflects the area’s unique geography.”

In regards to the piece itself: “I chose to work with the human form because it’s really what the city is,” explained Phlegm during an interview with STEPS prior to the project “We view it from the inside as a small part looking out at this huge, almost unfathomable complex network. Like a body, a city has all its functions.” Phlegm sought out to create a piece that integrates the natural urban elements and lush landscape of the Yonge + St. Clair community as an important part of Toronto.  Amidst iconic Toronto landmarks like the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, and Gooderham Building, sits the local Yonge + St. Clair pub, Scallywags – a nod to the neighbourhood and the venue sitting right below the piece, with a direct view from their rooftop patio.

“Roads move through it like arteries.” Phlegm continues, “the geology of land informs the shape of the city like a skeleton. Buildings fill the space like skin and muscle. The movement of water and waste, the parks and green space like lungs.” With STEPS, Phlegm’s design was surveyed with extensive outreach to the Yonge + St. Clair community to help determine how the piece can best reflect the neighbourhood. The pensive figure is the collective result of hundreds of community input surveys, conducted both online and in person. With the addition of Toronto landmarks, the city’s extensive ravine system is also represented in the work.

“I like to imagine the huge population of a city, not just now but by everyone who has ever lived to make it what it is today,” finishes Phlegm. “A city is really just a mark left by all those billions of people that added to it and made it what it is.” And now Phlegm has left his mark on this city.

[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lw63FMPENhQ” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

To read more about the project, please visit the news section of YongeStClair.ca.

This past week, the Yonge + St. Clair Blog visited the offices of IBI Group at 55 St. Clair West to speak with Architect David Hastings about his firm, architecture, the Yonge + St. Clair community, and his favorite lunch spot. David has been practicing architecture in Ontario for over 30 years and oversees the firm’s architecture and interior design practice for the Greater Toronto Area. He is a recipient of the Governor General’s Medal for Architecture in Canada.

What sets IBI Group apart from other architectural firms?

We’re more than architects. IBI stands for “Intelligence, Buildings, and Infrastructure.” We bring a multi-disciplinary approach to everything we do, from architecture to city planning. This is an approach that began right at the outset. When the firm was founded in 1974, we already had four domains of practice: Urban Development, Architecture, Land, and Transportation.

Of course, over time, we have only built upon and added to those domains. What started as two offices in Toronto and Vancouver has grown into 63 offices all around the world. The IBI Group is now the fourth largest architecture firm in the world.

How is life as an architect at IBI?

As an architect at IBI, I’ve always found it fascinating to be involved with projects that I wouldn’t get close to in a traditional architectural practice – sometimes I’m doing transportation and sometimes I’m doing systems planning. I also think that this opportunity allows me to be a better architect, because it gives me a much broader perspective. Each element is a piece in a much larger framework.

What is your architecture design philosophy?

I always look for context in anything we build. Stand alone architecture as a sort of trophy is questionable to me.

I’m always pushing our architects to broaden their horizons and think about the context in which they’re designing and building. Elements of urban planning, transit, landscape architecture, the local culture, and much more have to be considered.

It should never be architecture for architecture’s sake. It’s a balance between respecting the local context and also creating something that advances the building of a community.

 What has been your favourite project to work on over your career?

Up until a few years ago I had never worked on a healthcare project. Then and I was fortunate to be involved in the repurposing of the Sherbourne Health Centre that now serves many marginalized groups in the area (Sherbourne and Carlton). This project was a result of the Wellesley hospital shutting down. A lot of their clientele got either siphoned off to St. Michaels, or was left homeless, both literally and figuratively.

It was really meaningful to provide architectural and design services to an effort that was providing that kind of support for the community. Trying to make an environment that is conducive to healing and quality living has been very rewarding.

IBI has over 150 LEED accredited professionals on its roster, and with projects like Women’s College Hospital and Delta Toronto being LEED Certified, sustainability is an important element in IBI’s work. What is your attitude towards LEED and sustainable design?

The LEED accreditation has been monumentally important in changing people’s attitudes towards sustainability – as both a philosophy and technology. At IBI, we use the term ‘biophilic design’ which has to do with going through and thinking about the biology of what it is we’re building and how we fit into that ecosystem. LEED is big part of sustainable design and is a major philosophy attitude in my work.

 What drew IBI to establish their Toronto Global Office at Yonge + St. Clair?

Before we moved into 55 St. Clair 2 years ago, we had made ourselves homeless by selling our building downtown. It took us well over a year to find the right building in the right area. A big thing was finding a place with big floor plates that wasn’t really possible downtown, and after looking at over 30 locations this building really stood out for us.

What is it about 55 St. Clair West that stuck out?

We‘re sitting in a building that was built in 1982 – technologically the building is 1982. But it has very forward-thinking attributes. The physical layout of the building, the access to natural light, the big floor plates, and the indoor/outdoor terraces surrounding our space are all very current in design thinking today.

The view isn’t bad either [laughs].

 What are your thoughts of Yonge + St. Clair?

Yonge + St. Clair has been a neighbourhood in transition and that’s very interesting to us as professionals. We have witnessed firsthand its evolution and have been able to compare it to our old neighbourhood downtown.

When I lived here, a long time ago [laughs], the retail was a lot of high–end shops and the restaurants were very boring. But then the shops left and the area became a little seedy. There have been some ups and downs over the decades.

Now, with all of the investment being made in the area, it‘s ripe for a new generation to come in and make their mark on the food, culture and retail scene.

Speaking of food, what’s your favourite lunch spot?

I really like the Italian places along Yonge Street. There are a few of them down there and they’re all good. What Yonge + St. Clair really needs is a good greasy spoon.

There’s always Holy Chuck Burger.

 Oh really? I’ll have to check it out.

[Laughs] It’s good and greasy! Thanks David.

 My pleasure.