Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
May 30
4 min read
On May 29th, as the sun began to set over the historic brick facades of Old Town Toronto, the streets took on a new, electric energy. The King East Design District (KEDD) Neighbourhood Hop—the highly anticipated annual event presented by DesignTO in collaboration with the Old Town Toronto BIA—was officially underway. For a few magic hours, the neighbourhood morphed into a sprawling, interactive playground for creativity and innovation.
The Forma's team was on the ground, wristbands secured, hopping from venue to venue to take the pulse of the city's design scene. We expected to see stunning furniture, cutting-edge architectural surfaces, and state-of-the-art tech. What we didn't expect was the sheer human dynamic playing out on the sidewalks and in the showrooms.
A Beautiful Collision of Eras
What truly defined this year's event wasn't just the products on display, but the people filling the rooms. Walking down King Street East, you were shoulder-to-shoulder with the usual suspects: distinguished architects, busy builders, elite interior designers, and major industry suppliers.
But the real surprise of the night? The students.
There was a massive, refreshing wave of young creatives from local architecture and interior design programs pouring into the streets. It is a rare and beautiful sight to see the established "old guard" of Toronto’s design scene mingling so effortlessly with the next generation. You could spot groups of twenty-somethings wide-eyed at material demonstrations, striking up casual conversations with seasoned pros who have been shaping the Toronto skyline for decades.
For one night, the traditional industry hierarchy completely disappeared. Everyone moved through Old Town Toronto with the same goal: to get inspired, share fresh ideas, and build the connections that will fuel their future projects.
Inside the 7 Neighbourhood Hubs
With a simple check-in granting an all-access wristband, attendees were free to chart their own course between seven distinct locations. Each venue brought a unique flavour and focus to the evening:
BSH Experience & Design Centre: Thermador set a mesmerizing, sensory tone with ‘Moonlight Blue,’ an installation curated by Kilowatt Kate. Walking into the space felt like stepping into another realm. Soft, glowing illumination highlighted a masterful mix of fine-crafted metal, woven rattan, and bamboo. With oceanic accents tying it all together, the room perfectly captured the quiet, magnetic pull of a pending full blue moon.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Candace & Basil: Here, the spotlight was strictly on homegrown excellence. Their immersive, design-forward experience highlighted luxury furniture proudly crafted right here in Canada. The showroom became a masterclass in how premium quality, ergonomic comfort, and hyper-customization can seamlessly converge in modern living spaces.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Cosentino City, Toronto: This stop was a major draw for the architecture crowds. The centrepiece was the breathtaking Maitake table, envisioned by Patkau Architects. It served as a brilliant, tactile demonstration of Cosentino’s new Ēclos surface material. Having John Patkau and Cosentino leadership on hand to offer remarks gave the audience—especially the eager students—rare, direct insight into the minds of industry pioneers.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Design Within Reach: True to its name, DWR kept things accessible, warm, and incredibly chic. Their "sip and shop" experience allowed guests to wander through displays of authentic, built-to-last modern design with a drink in hand. It was the perfect atmosphere for casual networking and admiring timeless, functional art.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
EQ3: If you were looking for high energy, EQ3 delivered. The showroom buzzed with live music, clinking cocktail glasses, and animated conversations over light bites. Beyond the festivities, it offered a highly exclusive sneak peek at unreleased products. Having the EQ3 President and Head of R&D actively mingling in the crowd made the brand feel incredibly personal and approachable.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
KPMB Architects: For the students in attendance, this was a holy grail stop. The award-winning studio hosted an open house, allowing the public to literally step inside the very rooms where transformative, city-shaping projects are dreamed up. It was a powerful reminder of the profound impact design has on our communities and the built environment.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom: This space offered a breathtaking fusion of culinary engineering and haute couture. While the refined kitchen performance appliances were front and center, the environment was elevated by four pop-up, couture-inspired window displays. Tailored from the finest artisan fabrics and textiles, it showed how different design disciplines can beautifully intersect.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
The 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop was completely free to attend, but the value of the inspiration generated over those few hours is incalculable. Great design does more than just shape our physical spaces; it brings people together.
For the Forma team, walking away from Old Town Toronto last night, one thing was clear. With such an eager, passionate new generation ready to take the reins, and an established community so willing to open its doors to them, the future of Toronto design is in very good hands.
DesignTO is a charitable arts organization celebrating 16 years of designing a sustainable, just, and joyful future. We curate exhibitions, presentations and educational programming to increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation of design. As Canada’s largest annual design festival, DesignTO has welcomed over 1.2 million attendees, reached 2.6 billion people through media, and showcased 7,500+ artists and designers since 2011.
