The ONE Group Hospitality will be opening an STK at Yorkville Plaza, the first Canadian location for what it calls a “modern twist on the American steakhouse.” STK Toronto will occupy 8,800 SF at the base of the old Four Seasons hotel building, which Camrost-Felcorp has redeveloped into a 500-unit luxury condo. CEO David Feldman, whom we snapped across the street from the under-construction STK, notes the steakhouse is in the space where the popular Studio Cafe used to be. “Everybody said bring it back. Well, I think we’re bringing something even better to Yorkville.”

David first met with One Group CEO Jonathan Segal (“also a Brit”) at STK’s Midtown Manhattan location (above), and was wowed by what he saw. “It was packed even though it was a weekday. It was quite a happening.” Jonathan was eyeing an expansion to Toronto, and saw Yorkville as “the place to be.” Yorkville Plaza also includes a condo-office building, 135 Yorkville, and a second new-build “super-luxury” condo tower, plus 30k SF of retail. The concept for STK, which expanded into Europe (Milan) earlier this year, is “vibe dining,” David explains. “It’s an experience, and Toronto has that to look forward to.”

Longo’s just opened at Camrost-Felcorp’s Imperial Plaza, joining LCBO in the lobby of the old oil company HQ. “It’s transforming the neighbourhood,” David says. “It’s great, everyone has a smile on their face, not to mention you can get a bottle of wine at the same time as your groceries.” He’s especially chuffed about the incorporation of the building’s original York Wilson mural, Story of Oil. The two large tapestries adorn the retailers’ walls (we snapped Joey Longo in front of one panel last month). “We could’ve made it one private lobby for residents,” says David, “but now everybody can appreciate it.”