Concierge Desk

A key item that's indisputable in the hospitality industry is that each guest to our city must experience impeccable service and walk away with one thought foremost in their mind: “How soon can I return to Toronto?” In the spirit of this influential role, it is with great pride and pleasure that I introduce Les Clefs d’Or to those of you who may not know us.

Les Clefs d’Or (the Golden Keys) is a global professional concierge association celebrating 60 years of activity in the hospitality industry. Our aim is simple yet important: To create a passionate alliance that supports guests’ needs, anywhere in the world. With over 50 countries involved and 3,500 members, a Clefs d’Or Concierge has a far-reaching network of acquaintances, friends and colleagues from around the world to ensure a WOW effect in response to any guest request.

Countless General Managers recognize the value of having a Clefs d’Or Concierge in their lobby as the crossed golden keys worn on our lapels are not just a sign of immediate comfort to the experienced traveller; they are recognized worldwide as a symbol of guaranteed quality service. When a guest approaches one of us for assistance, they know that they are being cared for by a dedicated professional, who is not only knowledgeable but has been carefully selected to be part of this prestigious, well-respected group of hoteliers. I invite you to visit our national website www.lesclefsdorcanada.org to view a list of our Canadian members and for further information.

Through our continued friendship with Tourism Toronto we have shared with you some of the gems and most authentic corners of our unique and vibrant city. As proud ambassadors for Toronto, we recognize how lucky we are to live in one of the most diverse communities in the world. Very few Concierges have such an ample opportunity to delight guests by creating exceptional experiences through the perspective of hundreds of cultures.

In Service Through Friendship,

Carolina Avaria
Chef Concierge
InterContinental Toronto Yorkville
Director of Ontario and
National Secretary
Les Clefs d’Or Canada




HIDDEN GEMS
 

This month's hidden gem from Les Clef's d'Or is by:
Genevieve Archibald
Chef Concierge
InterContinental Toronto Centre
Member of Les Clefs d’Or 

Evergreen Brick Works
You may have driven past it dozens of times or read about all of the impending changes coming to what is now called Evergreen Brick Works....but have you been? Come – let’s explore. 

In 1889, the Taylor brothers opened the Don Valley Brick Works in the ravine of the Lower Don River after discovering that the clay in the area was perfect for making bricks. Just over a decade later, The Great Fire of 1904 destroyed many of the buildings in Toronto which resulted in new by-laws requiring masonry construction for most buildings. This put the brick works into full production. At the peak of its one hundred years of production, forty-three million bricks were produced per year! The bricks can be seen today on some of Toronto’s favourite historical buildings such as Massey Hall, Casa Loma, Old City Hall and my house! 

The factory closed in 1984 and the abandoned buildings became a playground for urban explorers, partiers and photographers. From 1991 to 2002 Evergreen, which is a non-profit organization devoted to making cities more liveable through green initiatives, lead tree- and flower-planting projects in the area. This was also the beginning of a vision for what the area would become with the help of all three levels of government and private donors such as The Weston Foundation. 

In 2008 there was a ground breaking ceremony to begin the transformation of the sixteen heritage buildings into a year-round community environmental centre that celebrates the site’s unique geological, industrial and natural heritage. 

While there will be more transformations to come, now is a great time to visit. May marks the return of the Saturday Farmers Market on the weekend of Open Doors, (May 28 and 29). On May 7, the Evergreen Gardens open which sell plants native to the area and holds planting demonstrations for those whose thumbs aren’t so green. May also marks the return of warm weather and wonderful bright sun, making it easy to see the hundreds of fish in the surrounding ponds or maybe even a turtle lounging on a nearby rock.

Beyond the ponds and park area are magnificent trails into the beautiful ravine full of birds and incredible changing views and scenery. At the end of your journey you won’t wonder why National Geographic named the area one of the world’s top ten ecotourism sites. 

550 Bayview Avenue - ebw.evergreen.ca

Previous Hidden Gems:
Elgin and Wintergarden Theatre Centre (PDF)
Hart House (PDF)
Riverdale Farm (PDF)
Summer Tips (PDF)
Toronto Police Museum (PDF)
Toronto Irish Famine Memorial (PDF)
Leslieville (PDF)
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (PDF)
St. Anne's Anglican Church (PDF)
The Guild Sculpture Garden (PDF)
Tours of Toronto (PDF)
The Toronto Music Garden (PDF)
The Dining Room at Osgoode Hall (PDF)
High Park (PDF)
Ward's Island (PDF)