35 and counting for New in Homes
A lot has changed in the development world since the first section was printed in October 1977
In 1977, Pierre Trudeau was prime minister, the Blue Jays played their first game (they won), Elvis Presley died, the No. 1 album was Rumours by Fleetwood Mac and Annie Hall won the Oscar for Best Picture.
It’s also the year the first New in Homes section appeared in the Toronto Star.
Nobody seems to be able to remember who the first editor was, but notable journalists Dennis Greyhurst, Pat Brennan, Ellen Moorhouse and Rick Orchard helmed the section through years of change in the development — and the newspaper — world.
Back then, most new homes were detached and built in the suburbs; today, condos have overtaken new home sales, both in the city and the 905 regions, according to a recent report by Realnet Canada.
Here at the Star we’re celebrating 35 Years of New in Homes with special new features and a surprise or two. You’ll have to keep reading these pages to find out what they are . . . but you won’t be disappointed.
Over the next 35 weeks, we will be profiling Industry Innovators who have helped change the Greater Toronto Area over the past 35 years.
It’s a long list, but we’re going to endeavour to boil it down to 35.
The first profile — Hugh Heron of the Heron Group of Companies — appears above and you’ll be able to read a profile on the Degasperis family next week.
We’d love to have your feedback on what you think makes a great community, what you love about your home and your neighbourhood, and what a new home means to you. We will post the best online at www.yourhome.ca — and perhaps even print a few in the paper. Just send them along to newhomes@thestar.ca and put “35 years” in the subject line. You can reach Gale Beeby at gbeeby@thstar.ca, read her blog at www.thestar.blogs.com/galebeeby or follow her on Twitter @galebeeby.