The Great Canadian Skyline Thread! II - Page 224

isaidso · #**4461** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 2:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

This is an excellent angle showing Toronto's density, too bad the photo quality is so off.

Toronto is starting to get some nice density beyond the CBD. Just need another 100 towers in there and it will start coming together.

softee · #**4462** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 2:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis3000

I like Yonge & Dundas Square, I don't understand the hate. It's not as charming as Montreal that's for sure, but it's a happening central location in the city that always has something going on.

I agree, if you're looking for a true "bright lights, big city" experience and almost nonstop crazy street action and crowds, nothing else in Canada comes close to Yonge and Dundas. I love it.

travis3000 · #**4463** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 3:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by softee

I agree, if you're looking for a true "bright lights, big city" experience and almost nonstop crazy street action and crowds, nothing else in Canada comes close to Yonge and Dundas. I love it.

100% agreed. No other city in Canada offers anything comparable. It's unique in that sense.

caltrane74 · #**4464** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 3:48 AM**

It needs to be more over the top. That's on my wish list.

Ramako · #**4465** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 4:30 AM**

I'd feel more like Y/D Square was in the heart of the city if it were surrounded by tall towers. Aura and Massey Tower will help with that.

caltrane74 · #**4466** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 4:53 AM**

Another thing that would help Dundas Square is more Dynamic Advertising on the surrounding billboards, like it use to be in the Old Days with Sam the Record Man, A & A, and Sunrise Records. The entire south facing flank of 10 Dundas and the Atrium on Bay should be covered with interactive and interconnected LED displays that would inject more electricity to the square.

logan5 · #**4467** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by softee

I agree, if you're looking for a true "bright lights, big city" experience and almost nonstop crazy street action and crowds, nothing else in Canada comes close to Yonge and Dundas. I love it.

Robson and Granville probably rivals it pedestrian wise ( Robson/Granville actually looks busier on Street View), and with the Sears building getting a reclad and another redevelopment across the street, Robson and Granville will probly beat Yonge and Dundas, using your criteria.

ACT7 · #**4468** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

Robson and Granville probably rivals it pedestrian wise ( Robson/Granville actually looks busier on Street View), and with the Sears building getting a reclad and another redevelopment across the street, Robson and Granville will probly beat Yonge and Dundas, using your criteria.

You're joking right? Y&D square typically sees close to, if not over, 100,000 pedestrians a day.

http://completestreetsforcanada.ca/examples/downtown-yonge-street-toronto

ToxiK · #**4469** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis3000

I like Yonge & Dundas Square, I don't understand the hate. It's not as charming as Montreal that's for sure, but it's a happening central location in the city that always has something going on.

What I liked about Dundas Square is its central feeling. I had the impression that whatever direction I went from there, I would see something interesting.

caltrane74 · #**4470** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:07 AM**

my pictures

from Today

From Summer

Chadillaccc · #**4471** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:09 AM**

The problem for Vancouver is that it also has, a block down Granville, another busy nexus at Granville and Georgia so it kinda splits up the pedestrian activity. Plus Robson Square is nowhere near big enough to support as many people as Y&D.

Granville Street is friggin badass though. Miss it a lot. Same with Robson, Davie, Denman and Burrard! Awwe now I'm getting all nostalgic

ACT7 · #**4472** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

The problem for Vancouver is that it also has, a block down Granville, another busy nexus at Granville and Georgia so it kinda splits up the pedestrian activity. Plus Robson Square is nowhere near big enough to support as many people as Y&D.

Granville Street is friggin badass though. Miss it a lot. Same with Robson, Davie, Denman and Burrard! Awwe now I'm getting all nostalgic

But that could be said for Toronto as well. Yonge and Dundas, Yonge and Queen, Yonge and Bloor, Bay and Bloor, Bay and Queen. They all have pedestrian counts closing in on 100K a day.

http://spacing.ca/toronto/2012/08/08/humanizing-traffic-counts-at-toronto-intersections/

Anyway, I'm way off topic.

Ramako · #**4473** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

Robson and Granville probably rivals it pedestrian wise ( Robson/Granville actually looks busier on Street View), and with the Sears building getting a reclad and another redevelopment across the street, Robson and Granville will probly beat Yonge and Dundas, using your criteria.

This is a better representation of the pedestrian traffic at Yonge & Dundas than on Street View:

Video Link

I'd say this is about average. At times it gets way busier than this, as you can see in Caltrane's photos above.

LeftCoaster · #**4474** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 2:28 PM**

Y&D is certainly busy, no doubt about that. It leaves a lot to be desired as a public square though. It just lacks a certain soul. It feels very empty even when it is packed with people.

Ramako · #**4475** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Y&D is certainly busy, no doubt about that. It leaves a lot to be desired as a public square though. It just lacks a certain soul. It feels very empty even when it is packed with people.

I agree, and I'd say that due to the square itself feeling very much like little more than vacant space. It needs a monument or something similar in the middle to act as a focal point. I also think that the street to the south of the square should be shut down and added to the square so that patios can spill out from those building on to the square.

Surrealplaces · #**4476** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Y&D is certainly busy, no doubt about that. It leaves a lot to be desired as a public square though. It just lacks a certain soul. It feels very empty even when it is packed with people.

I agree. It's the only place in Canada that has that Tokyo/Times Square Feel to it, but the square itself is quite plain. The plaza would be better if it was more like Union Square in SF, or Madison Square Park in NYC, maybe even Bryant Park.

That said, the public space in Times Square isn't great either, but the sheer volume of people and all the neon makes it.

Chadillaccc · #**4477** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACT7

But that could be said for Toronto as well. Yonge and Dundas, Yonge and Queen, Yonge and Bloor, Bay and Bloor, Bay and Queen. They all have pedestrian counts closing in on 100K a day.

http://spacing.ca/toronto/2012/08/08/humanizing-traffic-counts-at-toronto-intersections/

Anyway, I'm way off topic.

Toronto also has over 3x the population.

Martin Mtl · #**4478** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToxiK

What I liked about Dundas Square is its central feeling. I had the impression that whatever direction I went from there, I would see something interesting.

Tell me about it. It's a challenge to avoid it when I visit Toronto, but I will go out of my way to do so. Toronto needs a nice, green, artsy, downtown square. Nathan square won't do it with its all-concrete landscape.

Mrs Sauga · #**4479** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:43 PM**

What I don't about Y&D is that only the north, south, and west sides feel like a major city. East side feels like London or Windsor. The entire square should be surrounded by skyscrapers.

Ramako · #**4480** Posted **Apr 5, 2013, 5:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs Sauga

What I don't about Y&D is that only the north, south, and west sides feel like a major city. East side feels like London or Windsor. The entire square should be surrounded by skyscrapers.

Give it time. A 146 metre tower is under construction at Dundas & Jarvis. The east side of Dundas has a lot of empty lots.