Ginza Like Lighting on Yonge Street

[caltrane74]

http://static.flickr.com/108/316762925_d853ce1c76.jpg?v=0


Love the new look of the old Bay store.

[Taller Better]

I went by it tonight and quite shocked!

[MolsonExport]

Extremely pathetic next to the Ginza and other commercial areas of giant asian cities.

Here is a typical street in Seoul:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e308/Cassecroute/DSC01364.jpg

[arnold]

i'm not quite sure how i feel about these things. are those giant video screens or static signs?

IMO, it looks a bit... incongruous with the rest of the building.

[caltrane74]

Molson I was talking about the new neon on the Bay Store, is similar to the neon they use in Ginza to light up the street. Hence the thread title "Ginza Like". And I dont get what your sayn about pathethic as your pic didn't really illustrate your point.

You should have used a picture like this...with actual neon And Even Still Yonge Street doesnt come off as bad as you make it seem.

http://www.raindrop.com/travelogues/japan/ginza.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/Copper12/186391476_2c2fd65629_o.jpg

http://www.tropicalisland.de/japan/tokyo/images/NRT%20Tokyo%20-%20Ginza%20shopping%20area%20with%20department%20stores%20and%20colourful%20advertisement%20lights%20by%20night%2003%203008x2000.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/113/312537913_b135ddd31b_b.jpg

Molson you dont want to be here in 6 months when the Metropolis is done.

[caltrane74]

i'm not quite sure how i feel about these things. are those giant video screens or static signs?

IMO, it looks a bit... incongruous with the rest of the building.


They are LED Lights.. Invisible during the day. they do not interfere with the visibilty of the historic facade of the building.

At night you cant even see the building..(well you couldn't before) But now with the lights, I predict it will have a lot of attention.

[caltrane74]

Here are the lights at dusk arnold. You can almost see through to the building behind.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/wyliepoon/misc/viva/P1050773.jpg

[Taller Better]

Extremely pathetic next to the Ginza and other commercial areas of giant asian cities.

Here is a typical street in Seoul:


Why is it pathetic? I doubt if many of us would actually want it to look
exactly like Seoul.

[arnold]

hey... those lights are pretty cool.

i'm soooo glad that they're not just giant black screens hanging off of the building like i've seen done so many times before. these things are actually pretty interesting...

[miketoronto]

I don't like it much. It runins the facade, and does not go well with the historic nature of the building.

Much nicer when they just lit the cornice of the building with white lights.

[401_King]

the more lights the better!

[SD]

Extremely pathetic next to the Ginza and other commercial areas of giant asian cities.

Here is a typical street in Seoul:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e308/Cassecroute/DSC01364.jpg

It's just a lighting scheme for the exterior of one store, not an entire district.

Anyways, once Yonge and Dundas is finished, the area will give various areas around the world with heavy concentrations of neon light and advertising a run for their money.

[caltrane74]

I just wanna say Flickr is amazing. hell hath no fury!!!


http://static.flickr.com/26/95468947_c12f9874e0.jpg?v=0



http://www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif

http://static.flickr.com/95/272754945_69505c0b99.jpg?v=0

Imagine when its completed. Only about 6 more months till showtime.

[Maldive]

Caltrane.

I don't like it much. It runins the facade (of Dundas Sq.)


It really runins the facade. :cheers:

[Taller Better]

Caltrane, if you are going to show a pic of the neon lights on Yonge near Dundas, you've got to include the grandaddy on the block, the good old ZanziBra!

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3007/dec0506yongestiiiwy4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[caltrane74]

6 more months, then we can start making decisions on how it will look.

[caltrane74]

When I was a freshman in university I met a stripper at Zanibar. She would be the first of many..that I would meet.

My favorite strippers are the Domicians over at House of Lancaster. They are nasty, but oh so hot, with lots of jiggle and bounce. ( I keep their phone numbers close at hand - for wheneva) - Dont go there looking for them, I dont know if they still work there.

If you ever go to House of Lancaster --- do not. I repeat do not hook up with this chick from Nepal. She is a herion addict and she does monkey business, but she is the first asian caucasian chick i have ever seen with a natural E cup.

[Taller Better]

Great "insider's report", Caltrane! ;)

[westerntragedy]

What is it that they're building in T.O. that will be ready in 6 months? I'm a Windsorite and usually visit downtown Toronto at least once a year. I did notice a huge building going up on the east side of Yonge from the Eaton Ctr, this past summer. They doing some kind of Times Square thing with neon signs?

I'm pretty sure this is the one I mean too:

http://static.flickr.com/95/272754945_69505c0b99.jpg?v=0

[401_King]

What is it that they're building in T.O. that will be ready in 6 months? I'm a Windsorite and usually visit downtown Toronto at least once a year. I did notice a huge building going up on the east side of Yonge from the Eaton Ctr, this past summer. They doing some kind of Times Square thing with neon signs?

I'm pretty sure this is the one I mean too:

http://static.flickr.com/95/272754945_69505c0b99.jpg?v=0

yea it will be sort of like a times square.

however times square consists of a very complex intersection, lots of honking which gives it , "it".

the yonge dundas is straightforeward, it get gets very quiet at times

[Taller Better]

yea it will be sort of like a times square.

however times square consists of a very complex intersection, lots of honking which gives it , "it".

the yonge dundas is straightforeward, it get gets very quiet at times


Well... Times Square is not really a "square"... it is just an intersection as you say. . There is no big public meeting square like Dundas. I love some of the signage at Times Square.

[the dude]

i don't wanna get too far off track but i don't like yonge and dundas. why does toronto want to emulate times square so bloody much?? just be YOU, toronto and stop trying to be so damned american all the time!

[drafty]

It's a good thing none of this is in Niagara Falls. Then it would be referred to as garish and tacky!!!

[miketoronto]

i don't wanna get too far off track but i don't like yonge and dundas. why does toronto want to emulate times square so bloody much?? just be YOU, toronto and stop trying to be so damned american all the time!

As far as I am concerned, Toronto is not trying to emulate Times Square or be like NYC in this regard.

Long before the obsession with having a Times Square type area, Yonge-Dundas has always had bright lights, garish advertisments, etc.

So I really don't think we are trying to be like anyone. Yonge-Dundas has always had this element, and we are just building on it.

So thats how I look at it.

[DrJoe]

i don't wanna get too far off track but i don't like yonge and dundas. why does toronto want to emulate times square so bloody much?? just be YOU, toronto and stop trying to be so damned american all the time!

Odd post of the day. Yonge has ALWAYS been like this in some fashion or form. I don't see how it at all has anything to do with being American either, Asian cities are the kings of flash advertisment.

[salvius]

Yup, the Times Square comparison doesn't work... Yonge has always been 'the strip.' Unlike Times Square, Dundas Square will actually live up to its name--i.e. there will be a square anchoring the area.

[caltrane74]

Yeah Yonge and dundas invented seedy before times square. And now its trying to clean up its act.

Before I was born, Yonge street was wall to wall brothels and massage palours.
(taller I'm assuming you were a teenager in the 1960's can you give us the "insiders report" of back in the day seedy yonge street.

hehe :)

[caltrane74]

I was on Yonge street today looking at the bay building again. The racks the LED lights are on do look permanent. They have been installed on steel brackets which have been bolted into the facade of the building. Does not look like a temporary Christmas Decoration to me.


But I could be wrong.

[Taller Better]

Yeah Yonge and dundas invented seedy before times square. And now its trying to clean up its act.

Before I was born, Yonge street was wall to wall brothels and massage palours.
(taller I'm assuming you were a teenager in the 1960's can you give us the "insiders report" of back in the day seedy yonge street.

hehe :)

Well, more a teenager in the early 70's.. but I knew Time Square before I knew Yonge Street. Time Square was seedy beyond belief, and I was all agog with excitement. I was green as grass and soooooooooo naive. Drug dealers would walk up to me and loudly whisper: "Smoke... smoke", and I was so stunned that I would pull out my packet of Marlboro's and offer them one. They would look sort of shocked, and say:"Oh... ok, I'll take one", and I had no idea they were trying to sell me something!
Then Giuliani tipped a massive bottle of bleach over everything, scrubbed it clean, and closed down all the interesting bars.
Maybe there are original Torontonians here who can tell us about Sin City, Toronto style back in the 60's/70's...

As for the mystery of The Bay's new lighting, it is entirely permanent and completely computer programmable to show whatever they want. It is quite attractive to see in person:

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8365/dec1706xdowntownviici0.jpg

http://img321.imageshack.us/img321/7370/dec1706xdowntownvyn3.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4735/dec1705xdowntowniiieh0.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/3151/dec1706xdowntownvizk5.jpg

The Bay is getting full marks this year for lighting. Sears gets a big fat ZERO. Let's hope
next year Sears is history and that SIMONS will be there instead! :)

[psychosomatic]

we cant be held back from doing something just because other cities have done similar things

[psychosomatic]

:previous: wow that post was late. i didnt realize the subject had moved on

[caltrane74]

nice pictures Taller!

bravo!!

[miketoronto]

Yonge has always had a seedy vibe to it in parts, and I think that makes it interesting. We don't want everything to be polished.

Infact I maintain the view that Yonge Street is one of the last "real" downtown main streets in North America. A street that has basically grown organic, and has a mix of everything from ultra expensive, to seedy, and is the place for all walks of life.

Most American cities have cleaned up their main streets way to much and now they have lost all the action and different vibes that made them a main street.

So I hope all the lights just add to an already amazing downtown street, and that the Downtown Yonge BIA does not try to clean stuff up to much.

Taller Better don't hold your breathe for SIMONS. The SEARS store is one of the largest department stores in sq footage in North America. SIMONS would never be able to fill it. SEARS I think is doing us a disgrace. They have closed another floor, and I am sorry, but there is no reason a large store can not make a go of it at Yonge-Dundas.

I work in retail and have dealt with suppliers who use to stock the old EATONS store, and they said the Yonge-Dundas location is a goldmine, and that SEARS really screwed things up, not to be able to make money at that location.

[Taller Better]

Yonge has always had a seedy vibe to it in parts, and I think that makes it interesting. We don't want everything to be polished.

Infact I maintain the view that Yonge Street is one of the last "real" downtown main streets in North America. A street that has basically grown organic, and has a mix of everything from ultra expensive, to seedy, and is the place for all walks of life.

Most American cities have cleaned up their main streets way to much and now they have lost all the action and different vibes that made them a main street.

So I hope all the lights just add to an already amazing downtown street, and that the Downtown Yonge BIA does not try to clean stuff up to much.

Taller Better don't hold your breathe for SIMONS. The SEARS store is one of the largest department stores in sq footage in North America. SIMONS would never be able to fill it. SEARS I think is doing us a disgrace. They have closed another floor, and I am sorry, but there is no reason a large store can not make a go of it at Yonge-Dundas.

I work in retail and have dealt with suppliers who use to stock the old EATONS store, and they said the Yonge-Dundas location is a goldmine, and that SEARS really screwed things up, not to be able to make money at that location.


I'll agree with you about the vitality and quasi-seedy status of Yonge St.. I would hate to see it get santized. In a way it is similar to Ste Catherines in Montreal, but St Catherines is "posher" in the downtown department store area. But, go west of that and it is good and seedy! ;)

I loathe Sears with a passion, but am hoping Simons takes at least half of the building. The Simons in Montreal is quite large. I was there a week or two ago and was a bit disappointed. I don't think the merchandise is as hot as it used to be a few years ago, and they were having a sale, with throngs of people rifling through piles of sweaters and tossing them every which way,or trying them on and getting stinky cologne all over the neck. I bought a couple of shirts and a scarf, and that was it.

[caltrane74]

Ok skybean at SSC has provided us with some Metropolis pics. Let's enjoy shall we:


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8782/downtown041on1.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6406/downtown031bb0.jpg

[caltrane74]

137 Yonge Street has some amazing wicked neon. Its brand new and it may be the best neon ever on Yonge St.

And its freak'n huge the whole face of the building is covered in neon. Taller, sure wish you had your camera back so you could take some pictures of it man.

Its nice. This picture does not do it justice. You need to see this thing from the Yonge Street perspective.


Urban Toronto picture.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/9475/137yongecm8.jpg

[caltrane74]

Cal had a "hot" date last nite, and as usual i paid for it.

Anyways coming back from the Paramount Theatre, we saw Freedom Writers, it was crap, but anyhoo i got a chance to make out with a sexy lady.

Ok where was I, I forgot.

Oh yeah. I was walking along Yonge street and I saw them putting up the exterior Vents on Metropolis. So ..ah this is the new style putting the vents on the "outside" of a building not inside behind drywall. This thing will look very industrial when its finished. And i dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing.

Another thing, the building above 137 Yonge street. Now has multi colour Neon. Somebody needs to get a shot of it. It is visible all the way up to Gould on Yonge crazy.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

I need to check that building out, maybe get some pictures this weekend if possible.

[401_King]

Cal had a "hot" date last nite, and as usual i paid for it.

Anyways coming back from the Paramount Theatre, we saw Freedom Writers, it was crap, but anyhoo i got a chance to make out with a sexy lady.

Ok where was I, I forgot.

Oh yeah. I was walking along Yonge street and I saw them putting up the exterior Vents on Metropolis. So ..ah this is the new style putting the vents on the "outside" of a building not inside behind drywall. This thing will look very industrial when its finished. And i dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing.

Another thing, the building above 137 Yonge street. Now has multi colour Neon. Somebody needs to get a shot of it. It is visible all the way up to Gould on Yonge crazy.

its very crazy


i cant wait till metropolis is done....driving by university blvd every single day and looking down dundas...its gonna look nuts when its done. dundas square is gonna be THE crossing roads of canada!

[caltrane74]

Ok another crazy day. Sexy lady dumped me and its all good. Got 3 new hot chicks in one day my best ever.

And I saw the Metropolis Crane come down. It was awesome.

I need a better job.

Edit:


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6760/img0728pt7.jpg

Here is a picture Mercanadian on SSC took. Youu can see the crane is down and the outside venting. As was mentioned on SSC looks like this exterior venting will end up being covered by ads. So its not a big deal, like I thought it would be originally.

Flickr shots!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/294592971_2ed5677c65.jpg?v=0

[caltrane74]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/364856032_d75352fdcd_o.jpg

New Metropolis Image from flickr. posted by yyzr at ssc.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Here's a cool angle of it. Caltrane are both cranes down? And how you meeting three hotties in one day?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/337218836_0d4142c109_o.jpg

[caltrane74]

All the cranes are down. And Metropolis seems to be moving extremely fast now. I thought it would slow down a bit, considering its January but its still full steam ahead. - I must admit, if you havent already guessed this is my favorite downtown project at the moment. Its really gonna add some international flair to this previously seedy intersection and make it even more packed with people than it already is. As you mentioned if you just look at the Paramount Theatre in the Entertainment district, which is booming till 1 AM, everyday of the week. What will something like this do to Yonge and Dundas which seems to die down after around 11pm on most nights, when there is no event taking place there.

As for the girls... I got dumped (temporarily) by one, and went to a secret bar I use to go to before I met her(the dumper) and hooked up with some honies. -

But everything is back to normal and I didn't call any of the new sweeties I picked up that night.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

You must tell me of your secret bar!

[Taller Better]

A

But everything is back to normal and I didn't call any of the new sweeties I picked up that night.


And what the g/f doesn't know... won't hurt her! :cheers: