The corner of Yonge and Dundas across from the main entrance of the Eaton Centre circa 1997.
The other threads I've started here are about putting things in, so I figured I'd start one about taking things away. The above image reveals the run-down but useful nature of the Yonge-Dundas intersection in the 1990s. After it opened in the 1970s, the Eaton Centre acted like a gravity well that pulled all the decent and "mid-scale'"stores on this part of Yonge into it, leaving low-rent bargain stores to take their place.
The World's Biggest Jean Store (that was their claim, don't know how true it was) sold slightly irregular jeans and denim items, the Jewelery Exchange — as its name suggests — was really a sort of pawn shop, and Lick's Burgers featured singing counter staff. The Hard Rock Cafe was across the road south (to the right in the picture) of Lick's Burgers.
Behind this view was an almost triangular parking lot that faced the graffiti and fire escapes on the back of the three structures.
The area today from roughly the same angle. Something needs to be done to provide a more permanent barrier to prevent cars from accidentally driving onto the Square. Perhaps planters that could be moved when necessary.
In 1997 city council decided to revitalize the Yonge-Dundas area by tearing down the buildings in the first picture, putting the parking lot underground and demolishing another cluster of run-down buildings north (to the left) of Dundas. One of these places was a falafel place that had beaded curtains, Arabic table cloths and $2 falafal-drink specials that i appreciated as a student at Ryerson University.
The Eaton Centre got a makeover, with new windows and doors facing onto Yonge Street (previously the building ignored Yonge) and large advertising scaffolds were added above the main entrance opposite the new Dundas Square, which was essentially completed in 2002.
The "media tower" on the northwest side was added soon thereafter, as well as a smaller media tower to the east of the square.
The square is essentially empty except for some fountains on the south side near the Hard Rock Cafe and a stage erected over the entrance to the underground parking garage. Tables with umbrellas are usually set up on nice days for people to have lunch, and the square hosts a few events a year but is otherwise generally not packed with people.
multiple exposure of a man running through the fountains
The north side of Dundas Square has been delayed for many years. The old buildings were knocked down in 1998, but a number of delays (including the bankruptcy of one of the builders) has meant that the blue wooden hoarding that went up eight years ago is finally about to come down. Construction of the Metropolis complex should be completed by next spring, so the whole project will be ready for September 2007.
The 10-storey Metropolis complex (now the curiously named Toronto Life Square) looks like something out of
Bladerunner.
It's really a media overkill situation, and that is indeed intentional. The building will feature 20,000 square feet of electric signage, and will extend from the square up Yonge Street to the HMV near the soon-to-close Sam Record Man.
I hope the neon records gracing this landmark Toronto store are moved to Dunda Square rather than being chucked into a landfill.
The level of electric signage in place right now was just about right, because the Square was being defined by the structures around it more than by its own low-key features.
I would have gone for a more Piccadilly Circus look with a few outdoor patios (there aren't many patios on Yonge Street), which would create a permanent presence next to the square rather than just another shopping venue, of which there are many already nearby. I think the proposed level of signage will overwhelm any activities held in the square, and has introduced a derivative element. It's rather obvious what the inspiration for "Toronto Life Square" is.
You guessed it.
Perhaps in twenty years or so the area will evolve naturally and the 'add water and mix' Times Square effect will be improved upon.
We can only hope.
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