Should you ever find yourself with time to spare in the South Granville neighbourhood between Broadway and 16th, one of my favourite things to do is to go on an architecture geek stroll through the side streets and check out all the old, pre-World War II apartment building designed in the Modern, Tudor and Spanish Colonial revival styles of the 20s, 30s, and 40s. There are dozens of them – 15 of which are on listed on the heritage register. Though outwardly disparate, they all have one thing in common: great names done up in killer fonts, like Adelaide Court, The Queen Anne, and The Syvalndora. I won’t give you the addresses, except to say that that best place to start your treasure hunt is walking east on 14th at Granville and then looping back on 13th.

As for the food and drink breaks on your font wonk walkabout, check out West, Beaucoup Bakery, Meinhardt Fine Foods, or Salade de Fruits for lunch or be daring and give one of the secret brunches at underground restaurant Birdsnest at try (next one is June 25th!). Slip into the evening with a movie at the nearby, alcohol-permitted 5th Street Cinema, and then close it with a snack and proper nightcap at either The Stable House or Grapes & Soda.

EXPLORE THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD