The Saucier + Perrotte Architects-designed River City plan is reshaping a part of Toronto's East side, bringing thousands of new residents to an area that was once abandoned industrial lands. With the area's ongoing transformation through publicly-acclaimed amenities such as Corktown Commons, it makes no doubt that the West Don Lands are now the city's hottest spot… unless that's on the West side of town?!

Urban Capital and Saucier + Perrotte Architects' River City looking West, image courtesy of Urban Capital

This is the tongue-in-cheek focus that River City's developer Urban Capital wants to bring on the table in an upcoming event, a friendly debate between East and West-siders on Wednesday, November 12, from 6 PM to 9 PM at the River City sales centre at King and River Streets. The theme, East VS West: An Intelligent Discussion on a Not So Important Topic, will be debated by notable residents from both parts of the city.

Eastern Toronto will be represented by Jennifer Valentyne, a Beach resident and host on City Breakfast Television, as well as Michael Hollett, Riverdale resident and co-founder/owner/editor/publisher of NOW Magazine.

Participants from both parts of the city will lead the debate, image courtesy of Urban Capital

West of Yonge will be defended by Roz Weston, currently living in Parkdale and famous for his Roz & Mocha Show on KiSS FM and gig as a host on Entertainment Tonight Canada, and by Jeffrey Remedios, co-founder of the Toronto-based music label Arts & Crafts, who resides in Bellwoods. 

Food trucks such as Gourmet Bitches and Gourmet Gringos and beer from the West Field Brewery will certainly help to appease the crowds with delightful local dishes, even though participants will probably enjoy claiming their belonging to their 'hood through donning one of the City of Neighbourhood toques by Tuck Shop Trading Co.

The discussion will also be active on the social media, where Torontonians are invited to post a picture of their favorite spot in the city using the hashtag #EastvsWestTO and engage directly with the developer on Twitter at @UrbanCapital.

Urban Capital and Saucier + Perrotte Architects' River City phase 3, image courtesy of Urban Capital

This initiative will certainly be the occasion for many participants to learn more about the $300 million River City project, currently on its third phase of development. The avant garde looking mid-rises and towers will bring around 700 condo units to the booming West Don Lands district, steps away from the downtown core.

Additional information and renderings for all phases so far are available in our dataBase files, linked below. Want to get in on Phase 3? Hit the Request Info link. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.