4) What gentrification looks like in Toronto: Bohemian Embassy
I thought it might be interesting to show an example of how gentrification impacts creative communities in another city, such as Toronto. I don't know if any group is particularily looking at gentrification but I believe that it does play a role in our projects.
The Bohemian Embassy: http://www.bohemianembassy.ca/intro_flash.html
The Bohemian Embassy is situated in "West Queen West", the trendy, hip, artsy, yet expensive part of Toronto. The B.E. is basically a "bohemian"-style set of condominiums and lofts. These residences are now being built in a once industrial and unlively part of Toronto. Even their slogan is "Let it BE".
Nearby the condos lives the hipster hotspot of Toronto: The Drake Hotel, an old hotel transformed into a lounge/bar with overpriced drinks. Independent designers flock all parts of Queen Street West, but the further west you go, the more strategically "appealing" they seem to be to the dwellers of the B.E.
"Rolling with the times, stores that once catered to hard-working immigrants now cater to the artists, fashionistas, photographers, filmmakers designers and other urbanites that call this avant-garde community their home."
The best part of these "artsy" condos is that they're so expensive, no artist could afford to live in them. Not to mention, they seem out of place given the area. The further east you go down Queen street, it is crowded with shops and bars. Residences are on the side streets or above the shops.
Queen Street West used to be a place of cheap housing, food, and the beginnings of rockstardom for many musicians. Now it is being transformed into an uber-hip neighbourhood in which the companies define what it means to be "cool".
Here is an article about a Starbucks opening in the neighbourhood, a true marker of its gentrification:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-03-16/news_feature.php
Another informative article about West Queen West (with pictures):
http://www.coolspacelocator.com/csl/home/neighborhoods/WestQueenWest.htm