That sounds so provincial to me - to put up a tent on a square and have some kind of exhibition there.

Anyway, it is really coming along nicely and it appears to be very dense.

P

^^ I don't see the point of keeping the square empty- the whole mission of a "square" is to have it as jam packed with activity as is possible, and if you can do that year round you have a winner. The tent itself may sound like a "provincial" idea, but bear in mind it is the middle of the winter. Even in Copenhagen now, not many exhibitions would be planned outdoors without some form of shelter! The wintertime is usually the deadest time of year for "squares" In northern cities, and you need to be as inventive as possible to attract crowds out when it is -5c to -10c. There was another tent up for the past two weeks, run by Microsoft. Inside was an "ice house", with rooms filled with ice furniture. Outside were continuous lineups of people waiting to get in. That is what we need at DS, whether it looks tacky or not.

Absolutely, man! Anything that can draw people to the site during such crap-weather seasons as this has gotta be good. A tent sure beats the option of freezing my ass off... and I have little of that to spare...:)

^ the torch may be oppresive from behind, but that's a damn cool shot.

^^ it's nice to see them doing things in the square during the winter.

Remember in Australia it is summer, lol. They are going to be having some concerts in the tent, bands from Australia, namely Silverchair.

Remember in Australia it is summer, lol. They are going to be having some concerts in the tent, bands from Australia, namely Silverchair.

So whats this biodome all about?

G'day week, everything is about Australia.

G'day week, everything is about Australia.

Oh! I thought you said "everything about Australia", and I was going
to say that it must be a pretty small tent! :jk:

G'day week, everything is about Australia.

Geeez I knew that... I meant what will this biodome be featuring? Will it be an actual biodome or is that just what they are calling it?

Taller, Better:

I agree with you. We also use tents in Copenhagen - for instance in parts of the Tivoli Gardens.

Such are the circumstances since it is bloody cold here (and even colder in Toronto).

Although I see the need for a tent, I have a hard time coming to terms with it due to fact that most tents look so out of place in an urban environment.

P

Taller, Better:

I agree with you. We also use tents in Copenhagen - for instance in parts of the Tivoli Gardens.

Such are the circumstances since it is bloody cold here (and even colder in Toronto).

Although I see the need for a tent, I have a hard time coming to terms with it due to fact that most tents look so out of place in an urban environment.

P

Agreed. They look hideous, and give the illusion that the circus has come to town. But in Winter they are a necessary evil! :)

Wait... Silverchair is performing?

^ I guess someone mistook this to be 1995.

Back to Metropolis...

The construction has been relatively static for a while now. I'm anxiously anticipating the beginning of the installation for the giant TV screens, the posters, the billboards, etc...

Hope it's not too long away...

Back to Metropolis...

The construction has been relatively static for a while now. I'm anxiously anticipating the beginning of the installation for the giant TV screens, the posters, the billboards, etc...

Hope it's not too long away...

Sometime in April or May you'll see them go up :)
It says Spring 2007 for the ads.

Back to Metropolis...

The construction has been relatively static for a while now. I'm anxiously anticipating the beginning of the installation for the giant TV screens, the posters, the billboards, etc...

Hope it's not too long away...


Actually constructions is going full steam right now. The East wall is being finished as more windows are added on the northern side. Drywall is going up inside already and the round thing on the front of metropolis has been covered with what looks to be stainless steel. It doesnt look anything like the colourful thing thats in the rendering but things can still change... I hope.

Oh, the signage will take care of the visual action and the colour. Mark my words it will look like Liberace wrestling with Elton John at a Barney's clearance sale before the summer. Festive colour and sparkles flashing everywhere.... I was gazing up at it tonight, absolutely in awe of how fast that mother has gone up.

Oh, the signage will take care of the visual action and the colour. Mark my words it will look like Liberace wrestling with Elton John at a Barney's clearance sale before the summer. Festive colour and sparkles flashing everywhere.... I was gazing up at it tonight, absolutely in awe of how fast that mother has gone up.

It makes me forget the YEARS it took to rise above the hoarding when I look at it now.

Oh, the signage will take care of the visual action and the colour. Mark my words it will look like Liberace wrestling with Elton John at a Barney's clearance sale before the summer. Festive colour and sparkles flashing everywhere.... .

You have quite a way with words.

^^Indeed, you should check out his photoblog in the photos section. His captions have given me quite a few good laughs;)

One of the speakers at last night's opening of OzFlix was a repo from Tourism Australia talking about some of the events planned for the tent/diodome. Next Friday night they are throwing a gay foam pawddy which he reckoned will be a real corkah. He also mentioned that one of the performers who will be entertaining over the weekend will be Keith Urban. I presume that this will be post rehab therapy. I think Toronto in February would be pretty sobering for any Aussie derro.

For any of you who were unable to secure a ticket for tonight's sold out screening of "Kenny", they will also be showing it next weekend in the tent/biodome.

What is gay foam!!? JK
Would be a bit chilly in a tent to have a foam party..

^^ LOL! I was at a foam party in the middle of summer - and I still froze!

The east wall? You mean the side that faces the Ryerson building, right?

Well hopefully there will be billboards and TV screens by April. And I wonder if they'll keep any of the other finishes they have originally included the rendering (i.e. the globe, the man holding the sphere, etc... on top of the building).

The east wall? You mean the side that faces the Ryerson building, right?

Well hopefully there will be billboards and TV screens by April. And I wonder if they'll keep any of the other finishes they have originally included the rendering (i.e. the globe, the man holding the sphere, etc... on top of the building).

Yup, thats the wall I was referring to.

As for the tent... dont worry about the temperature. Its heated!

^^Thanks Tuscani, but my foam party days are over... :(

I didn't realise they still did them, as they are a trend from awhile back. Maybe
they are sweeping Australia at the moment.

^^Thanks Tuscani, but my foam party days are over... :(

I didn't realise they still did them, as they are a trend from awhile back. Maybe
they are sweeping Australia at the moment.

They are pretty popular with the young teens these days. There was actually one at the docs about 2 months ago. Go relive your days in Aussie style!

WTF is a foam party?

WTF is a foam party?

Its a party (usually at a club) where foam is sprayed onto the audience. You basically dance in the foam. Its almost like having a party while taking a bubble bath.

I'd love to stand outside at close, and watch all the wet, bubbly teens straggle out into the -19c temps and see their hair freeze solid!! :lol:

I think they have been around for a long time, and the first ones I heard of were in the gay community. I guess they are still spreading!

^^ Well then, what a waste of....foam?

I'd love to stand outside at close, and watch all the wet, bubbly teens straggle out into the -19c temps and see their hair freeze solid!! :lol:

I think they have been around for a long time, and the first ones I heard of were in the gay community. I guess they are still spreading!

I guess they are spreading - it's very popular with the umm.. "European Clubbers" (I refuse to use the "G" word) nothing beats dancing to mid 90's European dance music with bubbles blasting everywhere hehehe...

I remember at that party I was at a few months ago getting lost in the foam and grabbing some random guy cause I thought he was a friend of mine.. hehe.. good times.

And yes, leaving at -19 from a foam party would mean lots of things would freeze solid - the hair wouldn't be noticeable, cause it's already "frozen solid"!!!!! My hair, for example, goes up 90 degrees when I go to these parties.:D Yay for copious amounts of hair gel!

Australian foam party video at Dundas Square:

http://www.n8n.com/n8n/gallery/video/GDayTorontoFoamParty.asp

Hmmm... How warm was that tent?!

Hmmm... How warm was that tent?!

Warm enough for you to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt.

LOL! That G(ay)'Day Toronto Foam Party was a blast from the past! Sofona Cox still has one of the best drag names....
Still unsure of what the foam party had to do with promoting Australia, but it looked fun. I went once or twice to the tent, but there was always a lineup and I don't like lineups, so I didn't get inside..

LOL! That G(ay)'Day Toronto Foam Party was a blast from the past! Sofona Cox still has one of the best drag names....
Still unsure of what the foam party had to do with promoting Australia, but it looked fun. I went once or twice to the tent, but there was always a lineup and I don't like lineups, so I didn't get inside..

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! Foam parties are really "in" with the heteros if that's what you mean too!;)

You know what they say about Australians.....:D

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! Foam parties are really "in" with the heteros if that's what you mean too!;)

You know what they say about Australians.....:D

LOL! That YouTube clip of the Foam Party looked about a 9.5 on the Gay Scale, to me! :lol: But, gotta love Sofonda... she aims to please! :cheers:

LOL ugh.. ok well THAT party was a bit different:D I have to find clips of the ones I've been to.. Ok so you have the spikey haired Europeans, and then the European blonde bimbos, dark haired ginas, yikes.. ALL hands up in the air dancing screaming.. A BIT different!;)

here is a super lame euro foam party like Filip is talking about:

-CCveJ7OuO8

okay I can't get it to work. what is the code?
here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CCveJ7OuO8

Clubs always look like crap on film, even if they are fun in real life. They look gruesome once videoed! LOL!

Clubs always look like crap on film, even if they are fun in real life. They look gruesome once videoed! LOL!

Hmm that's not true... I've seen some really good video of the inside of some clubs.

HOWEVER most clubs are actually very gruesome inside anyway. The fact that they are dark inside when you're visiting is what makes you think it's fine. However most are usually extremely dirty and not kept up very well.

Hmmm.. it's not really euro it's trance, but whatever - exactly the same atmosphere, people jumping screaming hands up... Anyway, I miss those, I can't wait till the summer to go to more parties. Nothing beats dancing to Mr Vain when you can't see what's around you.

What seems to ruin most foam parties is the fact people keep their clothing on. That takes all the fun out of it!

Hmmm.. it's not really euro it's trance, but whatever - exactly the same atmosphere, people jumping screaming hands up... Anyway, I miss those, I can't wait till the summer to go to more parties. Nothing beats dancing to Mr Vain when you can't see what's around you.

Sorry to inform you but that is not trance. That's just crappy dance music.

That is trance.. I don't care, it might be cheese but it's trance.

That is trance.. I don't care, it might be cheese but it's trance.

LOL. No seriously, it's not trance. I've been listening to trance since 1997. I know every style of trance and have seen almost every trance dj in Toronto and all the huge trance dj's internationally. I assure you, that is not trance.

Whatever... I'll let you stay atop your high horse.

LOL. No seriously, it's not trance. I've been listening to trance since 1997. I know every style of trance and have seen almost every trance dj in Toronto and all the huge trance dj's internationally. I assure you, that is not trance.

Its actually hard trance... it was part of the blade soundtrack... but ok!

Let's keep this one on track.

The GAP has had its signs down for a few weeks and the windows have all been covered. Anyone know whats going on there?

They've discountinued to operate out of the location, there will be a new tenant shortly.

The GAP has had its signs down for a few weeks and the windows have all been covered. Anyone know whats going on there?
I was wondering the same thing!

I think GAP is up Sh*t Creek without a paddle. On the way dowwwwwnnnnn.

I think GAP is up Sh*t Creek without a paddle. On the way dowwwwwnnnnn.


hmmm....Gap and McDonalds closing locations....there's a dark cloud I'm happy to see.





KGB

I'd love to see Gap disappear. Their styles are just *yawn*. So 1990's. I'm sure Filip shops there. *snickers* *hides*

I'd love to see Gap disappear. Their styles are just *yawn*. So 1990's. I'm sure Filip shops there. *snickers* *hides*

LOL! My mom used to buy me shit there when I was a kid - cause of that I refuse to even set foot in there. Plus, I don't dress 90's.. Jeeeeeeez!!

Which McDonald's is closing?

The GAP that closed on the northwest corner of Yonge/Dundas will become a Forever 21 store.

http://www.forever21.com/

Remember you first heard it from me!

(I have a close connection with someone who works for the company who owns that site)

The GAP that closed on the northwest corner of Yonge/Dundas will become a Forever 21 store.

http://www.forever21.com/

Remember you first heard it from me!

(I have a close connection with someone who works for the company who owns that site)
Yikes. The men's stuff is very wanna be indie. People that want indie style but don't know that if you wanna look indie you're supposed to shop second hand. lol.

But anything will be an improvement over the bland GAP.

But anything will be an improvement over the bland GAP.
They should've made it a flagship store for Abercrombie & Fitch instead of putting it in Eaton Centre. That would've been cool. Or a J Crew, we don't have J Crew here yet.

Heres a some new pics:

Victoria St...
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0122.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0117.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0116.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0120.jpg

Gould St...
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/loop429/IMG_0126.jpg

They should've made it a flagship store for Abercrombie & Fitch instead of putting it in Eaton Centre. That would've been cool. Or a J Crew, we don't have J Crew here yet.


Abercrombie & Fitch is going into Eaton Centre??! Are they building a flagship on Bloor as well? I did not hear about that one...

Metropolis is looking...big. I hope the cladding is done well. I have my fears on this one.

Abercrombie & Fitch is going into Eaton Centre??! Are they building a flagship on Bloor as well? I did not hear about that one...

There's already a store in the Eaton's Centre. The only thing good about that store is the picture on the outside.

Abercrombie & Fitch is going into Eaton Centre??! Are they building a flagship on Bloor as well? I did not hear about that one...
Back before 9/11 Abercrombie & Fitch was supposed to build their Canadian flagship store in Toronto. Same with J Crew. I'm not sure if their Eaton's store is supposed to be their flagship or not.
But as Jaye101 said it's been open in Eaton Centre since last year.

Well defacto I think their flagship is in TO.

Metropolis is looking...big. I hope the cladding is done well. I have my fears on this one.

Well... I don't want to be a spoilsport... but the cladding on a lot of it appears to be corrugated steel (or "machine shed" as my dad used to call it). Maybe something will be put over that, I hope....

Well... I don't want to be a spoilsport... but the cladding on a lot of it appears to be corrugated steel (or "machine shed" as my dad used to call it). Maybe something will be put over that, I hope....

Do you reckon? This is Toronto, afterall, where the working assumption amongst architects is that no one ever looks up and notices all the mechanical apparatus or whatever that is just plonked down with no thought to aesthetics. Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps they are planning something faaaabulous like the lighting on the exterior of the Arcade Building. Actually, now that I think about it, that would be a great and economical solution and would add to the percieved excitement of Metropolis.

I'm thinking they will assume all eyes are on the advertising billboards and no one will notice the bits not covered by them (and most bits are covered by ads!).

I'm thinking they will assume all eyes are on the advertising billboards and no one will notice the bits not covered by them (and most bits are covered by ads!).

I was referring to the upper parts of the Yonge Street footage. Are they planning advertising there as well?

I was referring to the upper parts of the Yonge Street footage. Are they planning advertising there as well?

I'll try and snap some pix when I am downtown, but I am pretty sure the upper parts are that steel siding. It is one big mother of a building... will be interesting to see it once the advertising gimmicks are in place.

Well... I don't want to be a spoilsport... but the cladding on a lot of it appears to be corrugated steel (or "machine shed" as my dad used to call it). Maybe something will be put over that, I hope...


Well...I thought the entire point to this building, was that the facade (other than the first two floors) was to just be a vehicle for loud advertising (screens, billboards, etc). What else could they use? It's not like you could put in windows just to cover them up.

The building looks bad now, because it is "undressed" (also because it's just bad architecture too I guess LOL ). I think the end product will hinge on just how good all that media is that will be put on it. All we can do is hope it has some kind of cool-factor...if it is just a lot of ho-hum crap, it will not have the impact I was hoping for.







KGB

Am I the only one who wishes there was grass and trees there, rather than some cold and ugly concrete "park"???

Am I the only one who wishes there was grass and trees there, rather than some cold and ugly concrete "park"???

Meh, walk a block north and you have the grass and trees at the Ryerson Quad.

Well...I thought the entire point to this building, was that the facade (other than the first two floors) was to just be a vehicle for loud advertising (screens, billboards, etc). What else could they use? It's not like you could put in windows just to cover them up.

The building looks bad now, because it is "undressed" (also because it's just bad architecture too I guess LOL ). I think the end product will hinge on just how good all that media is that will be put on it. All we can do is hope it has some kind of cool-factor...if it is just a lot of ho-hum crap, it will not have the impact I was hoping for.KGB


Well, you are right in the respect that the entire point is for the building to be a facade for the advertising screens, but there is a veritable plethora of surfaces they could have chosen other than corrugated steel for the finishing material for the non-signage surface areas. Once the advertising is in, the eye will not be drawn to the steel facing, and this is the assumption they have gone on. I think the final result will have "oooomph".. it is shaping up to be pretty impressive, and definitely the focal point of the square. Sometimes "overkill" can work, and I am hoping this is one of those times... They say nothing succeeds like excess.. so I am hoping "they" are right.

but there is a veritable plethora of surfaces they could have chosen other than corrugated steel for the finishing material for the non-signage surface areas.


Well, I was under the impression there wasn't going to be much "skin" to see under all the signs, so whatever it was covered with wasn't all that important from an aestetic perspective?





Am I the only one who wishes there was grass and trees there, rather than some cold and ugly concrete "park"???


Well, I'm hoping you are.

It isn't a park...it's a square...a very heavily used one. Not only would grass and trees make for innapropriate materials for what the square is used for....it would last about 5 minutes.

I don't find anything "cold" about the place...it's very interactive...quite the opposite of cold. As for the ugly concrete part...I find it well done from a design perspective. Take a closer look, and you will find the materials are not concrete, but granite (not that concrete is not as noble a material).





KGB

Ya grass would be no good there. However some unique trees might have looked cool. Or some sort of architecture on the ground near the entrance. Although maybe they will have something like that there. We'll see I guess.

I'll try and snap some updated photos soon.

Am I the only one who wishes there was grass and trees there, rather than some cold and ugly concrete "park"???

Grass and trees would not be appropriate in this part of the city. Remember it's an intentional ode to Times Square; it's supposed to be loud and big and noisy.

Well, I'm hoping you are.

It isn't a park...it's a square...a very heavily used one. Not only would grass and trees make for innapropriate materials for what the square is used for....it would last about 5 minutes.


KGB


I love this cities obsession with planting grass in high traffic areas - I just find it so comical that the city keeps year after year planting the grass along the Queen Street section of City Hall - without any fence - it's one big mud pit.

So too with along the front of Old City Hall where it's just mud year around.

Maybe we should put down proper paving stones?! what a novel idea.

A lot of places simply do not have proper drainage and the grass cannot live. In my community park that is the case and the grass dies every summer. Better to choose a nice cobble-stone like high end paving stone and leave the grass for real parks.

You can also use artificial turf :)

A lot of places simply do not have proper drainage and the grass cannot live. In my community park that is the case and the grass dies every summer. Better to choose a nice cobble-stone like high end paving stone and leave the grass for real parks.

... it's also all the dog owners who think parks and people's lawns are public toilets. It burns the grass.

... it's also all the dog owners who think parks and people's lawns are public toilets. It burns the grass.
Yes ever since my building allowed tenants to have dogs, the grass ends up all yellow. Sucks :(

... it's also all the dog owners who think parks and people's lawns are public toilets. It burns the grass.


Dogs are part of the community, too..(unless you live in dog-free Iceland) but in the case of my park it used to be an old Loblaw's store there years ago. They demolished the store, but were too lazy to break up the concrete basement; they just filled it in with earth. Hence, no drainage and grass dies yearly. This summer they are finally replacing it all with paving blocks.
I agree pet owners should not let their dogs "go" on private lawns, but by and large pet owners are amazingly responsible people. If you go to Paris or other places in the world you will see a lot of irresponsible pet owners. Pets add life to our sidewalks and communities.

Pets add life to our sidewalks and communities.


Yea...I suppose. I'm not a pet owner...but I do like them. But the whole pooping and peeing thing is a pretty nasty byproduct.

It's not even the picking it up by the owners that's my beef (and a lot of them simply don't)...it's the fact that I have to be a witness to Fido, hunched over taking a steamy dump on the sidewalk...or pissing on everything he passes.

And it's not like you can actual "pick" it all up...some of it still remains...and you can't pick up piss. Dogs do this on the grass where kids play. And a WHOLE lot of dog owners have absolutely no quams about letting their dog do their business on private property, because they think if they put it in a bag, it's like it never happened or something...man, that really ticks me off.

I dunno....it's a tough pill to swallow just because I like animals...it seems like there should be a solution to all that...but I certainly can't think of one.

Oh well...the birds and the squirrels are pissing and crapping all over the place anyway...so what's a little more I suppose.


Ok...so this has excactly what to do with Dundas Square you ask? Wish I hade a good answer.





KGB

In my neighbourhood, dogs play a pretty big role. I would hate to live in a city where there are no dogs around. Even in Montreal you see very few dogs, whereas in New York they are everywhere. Most people are pretty good about picking up the doo-doos. Mine would never dream of squatting and pooping on a public sidewalk, with all sorts of passersby watching... they do it in the most remote part of the park that they can find. They do NOT like being watched, nor does their master for that matter!

Yonge and Lawrence must have the most dogs per-capita in the world. You don't notice the influx unless you're absolutely terrified.

^^ Are you terrified of dogs? I love 'em!

^^ Are you terrified of dogs? I love 'em!

I love 'em too. I have four. Four hundred pounds combined.
As they take up space and are expensive to maintain, there is somewhat of a correlation between dog ownership and affluence, except in poor, crime ridden hoods, where they are kept as cheap burgler alarms.

Well, dogs suck. lol. Unless they are small dogs--who will remain small for the rest of their existence.

I like hot dogs. Does that count?

ONLY if they are downtown hot dogs, with bacon chips, pickles, mayo, ketchup, and hot peppers. *drools*

ONLY if they are downtown hot dogs, with bacon chips, pickles, mayo, ketchup, and hot peppers. *drools*

Where do you get those?

Street meat. Yuck. It's like asking for food poisoning.

As for dogs. I LOVE dogs. I want one so badly.

Where do you get those?

Street vendors!!

Street vendors!!


Some vendors are better than others.. I rarely eat them anymore, but the
veal Oktoberfest sausages are my fave....:banana:

There's one at Yonge and College. Not the one directly at the intersection though! The one slightly north on the west side. Now that's a hotdog.

There's one at Yonge and College. Not the one directly at the intersection though! The one slightly north on the west side. Now that's a hotdog.

That is EXACTLY the man I was thinking of. He speaks Spanish, and has a sign that says so. His veal sausages are the best. Also, old Ernie at Ryerson was my
favourite before he retired.....

Street meat. Yuck. It's like asking for food poisoning.

You don't think they actually cook them out there on the street do you? I don't like them because they're pre-boiled instead of grilled.

You don't think they actually cook them out there on the street do you? I don't like them because they're pre-boiled instead of grilled.
Yes the ones I've been to do cook them. I know this because it took them 10 mins to make me one once when they were all out.

As for getting food poisoning it's because the hot dogs that are pre-cooked they sit them off to the side where they are not kept in the proper temperature and develop bacteria and such.

?? Of course they cook them on the street. When the steamer gets empty, they reach down to a picnic cooler, whip out more wienies, and put them in. You order a dog, they take one from the steamer and finish it on a grill. Voila.
I've eaten a lot of them in the past and never once got sick. You have to take some chances in life! :)

I have to admit--I've gotten sick once. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was seven years old, and I had just came from the doctors office that was located at College and Ossington. That day was like any other trip to the doctors office. Me and my mother walked downtown, got a hot-dog and took the subway back up to St. Clair West station. When I walked through the door of my home, My pulse began to race. I felt my stomach acid working it's way up my esophagus. It was almost as if a rush of adrenalin was released in my body as my legs began to move faster than I'd ever seen them move before. I swung the bathroom door open, and I raised the seat on the toilet--knowing what was about to happen. It wasn't so much the actual event, it was the moment leading up to it--knowing what was inevitable. The sound of gaging echoed through the corridors of my home--I was sick.

i have eaten hundreds of 'em and never thrown up...weakling, ha

I used to eat street meat occasionally back in my U of T days. Usually on St George street or at College & University. I never got sick from sausages, but I just feel kinda nasty after sometimes, or if I eat McDonald's.

Of course they cook them on the street.

Actually, it's illegal to store uncooked meat in those things in Toronto. They're cooked long before they get to the vendors cart. They reheat them for you and give them a few grill marks.

This law is one of the main reasons there is very little variety in Toronto street fare. There are few things that can be pre-cooked in the required way.

Actually, it's illegal to store uncooked meat in those things in Toronto. They're cooked long before they get to the vendors cart. They reheat them for you and give them a few grill marks.

This law is one of the main reasons there is very little variety in Toronto street fare. There are few things that can be pre-cooked in the required way.
Do you know when this became law approximately?

Well, it is true weiners are "pre-cooked".. if you buy some at the store or at your butcher, you can pull them out of the brown paper and eat them cold. The smoking process involves cooking them. You are correct that they could not pull out a couple of raw chicken breasts or throw another raw shrimp on the barbie! 'Tisn't like our back yard barbecue.
Street meat is not as common as people think. Ever see a hot dog vendor in Montreal? Very few of them if any. I've eaten one or two in New York but it was so long ago I can't even remember what they were like. I think last time I was in Winnipeg there was one on Broadway. I do not remember them in Vancouver at all.

There are different types of street meat.
Chicago style. Toronto style. And NYC style. It's actually the bun that makes the diffference between the styles.

Are yellow buns a local thing?

You can read about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog_variations

Chicago uses a poppy seed bun, that I remember.

Are yellow buns a local thing?

I hadn't really paid attention. I assume the yellow is from cornmeal, but
I don't know. For the life of me I don't remember eating a hotdog in Chicago,
so I can't remember what they are like. I've eaten dogs in some cities that
are cooked on those hot rollers, with no flame, and they are gross, as are
steamed dogs. Yucch. You need a flame to get the charcoal flavour ( and the wholesome goodness of carcinogens). I remember seeing a vendor in Mexico, with little shrivelled up red wieners on
a grill that looked like Death on a Bun. I understand the necessity of All-Beef wieners to appeal to
a broader audience, but frankly a hotdog made of pork, or pork beef mixture has a lot more flavour than All Beef. I had a friend from Quebec City who got addicted to the veggie hotdogs from vendors
here. They taste surprisingly good.

I think a lot of cities have bylaws forbidding street meat and I think that is a shame. It adds colour and life to a city, even if there is a bit of a dodgy health element to it all. You have to take a few chances in your life and the odd germ here and there makes you stronger!! :) I cannot walk past city hall without stopping at the Bavarian Wagon for an Oktoberfest sausage and those fries.

Do you know when this became law approximately?

Found it under "Mobile Preparation Premises": http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/900562_e.htm#BK4

"(3) Mobile preparation premises where food preparation is limited to the reheating of pre-cooked meat products in the form of wieners or similar sausage products to be served on a bun are exempt from the provisions of clause (2) (a) with respect to the preparation and serving of food to the public by persons positioned within the premises. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 562, s. 5 (3)."

Clause 2 is the requirement of wash and waste water services and a few other things that you would find in a French Fry truck or anywhere else with a larger menu.

I have to admit--I've gotten sick once. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was seven years old, and I had just came from the doctors office that was located at College and Ossington. That day was like any other trip to the doctors office. Me and my mother walked downtown, got a hot-dog and took the subway back up to St. Clair West station. When I walked through the door of my home, My pulse began to race. I felt my stomach acid working it's way up my esophagus. It was almost as if a rush of adrenalin was released in my body as my legs began to move faster than I'd ever seen them move before. I swung the bathroom door open, and I raised the seat on the toilet--knowing what was about to happen. It wasn't so much the actual event, it was the moment leading up to it--knowing what was inevitable. The sound of gaging echoed through the corridors of my home--I was sick.


It's highly unlikely you got food poisoning from that hot dog. Assuming they put it on the grill before giving it to you, the high temps would have killed any organisms...and incubation periods for food poisoning generally takes a lot longer than a trip from College & Ossington to St Clair & Bathurst.



Is anybody here old enough to remember those quintisentially Toronto street vendors with those bike-carts that roasted nuts, had candy apples and toys & such hanging all over it? The last one I remember seeing was outside ROM, but disappeareed years ago.

I'm not a big fan of street meat, but when I find myself at the corner of Queen & Spadina, and feeling a bit peckish...those warring hot dog stands with their $1 hot dogs and plenty of toppings sure come in handy.




KGB

I vaguely remember those vendors the first time I visited TO waay back around
1979. Also I remember the flower vendors that I had not seen back home in Winnipeg. For a buck you could get some nearly dead roses! Very romantic!

Yellow buns are from egg I believe.

It's highly unlikely you got food poisoning from that hot dog. Assuming they put it on the grill before giving it to you, the high temps would have killed any organisms...and incubation periods for food poisoning generally takes a lot longer than a trip from College & Ossington to St Clair & Bathurst.



Is anybody here old enough to remember those quintisentially Toronto street vendors with those bike-carts that roasted nuts, had candy apples and toys & such hanging all over it? The last one I remember seeing was outside ROM, but disappeareed years ago.

I'm not a big fan of street meat, but when I find myself at the corner of Queen & Spadina, and feeling a bit peckish...those warring hot dog stands with their $1 hot dogs and plenty of toppings sure come in handy.




KGB

I remember those, but only because you mentioned it. It would not pop into my head, so it is pretty vague.

Hot dogs or sausages are what I would call a real treat. I stay away from them in general because that crap will kill you. But they are great after a few drinks.

Yellow buns are from egg I believe.

You are correct sir!

On the health note, I recall coming out of the Big Bop one night many moons ago and seeing a homeless man eating relish right out of the jar form a hot dog vendor who stationed himself beside the club. The dismayed vendor immediately wrestled the spoon away from the man and brushed him away from the stand then proceeded to plop the spoon right back in the relish jar.

Despite the incident, I still eat street dogs, but tend only to use condiments that come in squeezy bottles.

You are correct sir!

On the health note, I recall coming out of the Big Bop one night many moons ago and seeing a homeless man eating relish right out of the jar form a hot dog vendor who stationed himself beside the club. The dismayed vendor immediately wrestled the spoon away from the man and brushed him away from the stand then proceeded to plop the spoon right back in the relish jar.

Despite the incident, I still eat street dogs, but tend only to use condiments that come in squeezy bottles.
Oh gross. lol. I would've just gave him the relish and the spoon!

Any word on tenants for Metropolis???

I noticed one rendering featuring a 'Canadian Sports Hall of Fame'. That's a brilliant idea. I'm surprised I hadn't thought of that already. This area is a prime tourist milking area. Cinemas are also prime locations for culturally lazy (read ignorant of Canadiana) people. It's a match made in nationalist heaven.

:applause:

Fitting that it is called Metropolis. Have anything to do with Superman being a Torontonian before Hollywood got hold of it?

Any word on tenants for Metropolis???

I noticed one rendering featuring a 'Canadian Sports Hall of Fame'. That's a brilliant idea. I'm surprised I hadn't thought of that already. This area is a prime tourist milking area. Cinemas are also prime locations for culturally lazy (read ignorant of Canadiana) people. It's a match made in nationalist heaven.

:applause:

actually its a canadian music hall of fame

^which, I'm pretty sure, backed out

You're right, it was a Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The pic is at http://p083.ezboard.com/btorontoskyscraperforum This should get you to the Urban Toronto Forum.

You have to navigate to Projects and Construction, then Official Threads. Under that there is a thread for Metropolis. It is on page 15, and the 5th pic on that page.

There are also some neat vintage streetcars of the Superman comic book variety on page 10.

Anyone catch that horrible, souless rendering in yesterday's Post, by a design student, of a proposal for a new style of street vendor (euphemistically called by the increasingly clicheed term Street Furniture)? It looks like a huge square glass kiosk, with a little kitchen inside, plonked right beside the ROM. Good god, just leave well enough alone with the hotdog carts... they add colour and variety to the city, and don't need glass walls surrounding them to make them look like a generic Hi-Tech Japanese Porta-Toilet. Supposedly we need these mini restaurants on the sidewalk so that the vendors can sell crepes like in Paris and kebobs like in New York City. Apparently the 7000 restaurants in Toronto are not enough and Toronto is not world class enough because the vendors only sell hotdogs. I'm surprised the design student didn't plant a couple of saplings around his box and call it an Urban Forest. It is nice having things like hot dog carts that aren't "designed to death". I also prefer a jumble of mismatched newspaper boxes to the nice new uniform mega-tidy Stepford Wives newspaper dispensing street furniture-unit.

Anything that gets crepes into my mouth is okay by me.

Anything that gets crepes into my mouth is okay by me.
I concur 200%!

I hadn't really paid attention. I assume the yellow is from cornmeal, but
I don't know. For the life of me I don't remember eating a hotdog in Chicago,
so I can't remember what they are like. I've eaten dogs in some cities that
are cooked on those hot rollers, with no flame, and they are gross, as are
steamed dogs. Yucch. You need a flame to get the charcoal flavour ( and the wholesome goodness of carcinogens). I remember seeing a vendor in Mexico, with little shrivelled up red wieners on
a grill that looked like Death on a Bun. I understand the necessity of All-Beef wieners to appeal to
a broader audience, but frankly a hotdog made of pork, or pork beef mixture has a lot more flavour than All Beef. I had a friend from Quebec City who got addicted to the veggie hotdogs from vendors
here. They taste surprisingly good.

I think a lot of cities have bylaws forbidding street meat and I think that is a shame. It adds colour and life to a city, even if there is a bit of a dodgy health element to it all. You have to take a few chances in your life and the odd germ here and there makes you stronger!! :) I cannot walk past city hall without stopping at the Bavarian Wagon for an Oktoberfest sausage and those fries.

Vegie Dogs are freakin' delish, only thing is I wish they'd use a different knife for them or at least clean em in water beforehand... but I still eat them regardless. They're excellent. I've converted one of my friends to vegie dogs, and she agrees they're super tasty and much lighter on the stomach.

Anything that gets crepes into my mouth is okay by me.

I like crepes as much as the next fellow, but I just don't fancy a huge glass block plonked on the street with a mini kitchen inside. Too complex, and completely lacking spontaneity. There are about seven billion places to get crepes without messing up the sidewalk with a big clunky cube. I can understand a small permanent vendor in a park set up with running water, etc..
to provide crepes, but not on the street if it requires the big box I saw.

@salvius, yes especially the Yves veggie dogs. The vendors who use those are the best...

Actually crepes are pretty hard to find in Toronto. There aren't many places that have them. Cafe Crepe on Queen St. W. across from Muchmusic is one of my favs though. What's silly is that they should have made it so you can order from the window when it's warm so you don't even have to go inside.

I concur 200%!

Does that mean that anything that gets two crepes in your mouth is OK by you?

Actually crepes are pretty hard to find in Toronto. There aren't many places that have them. Cafe Crepe on Queen St. W. across from Muchmusic is one of my favs though. What's silly is that they should have made it so you can order from the window when it's warm so you don't even have to go inside.

There is a good place in the basement of the market.

There was a great place on Queen St (Mersini). Sadly, the owner died.

Don't forget Crepes A Gogo at Yonge and Yorkville. Sadly, since moving from Bedford the prices have risen accordingly to cater to the Yorkville clientele.

There's also some crepe place around Church and Wellesley - haven't been inside though.

Metropolis is officially now:
Toronto Life Square

I have in my hands a small article I clipped from a local paper this week. The Executive Director of FoodShare (Debbie Fielding) is calling for Health Minister Smitherman to consider changes to provincial rules that limit vendors to selling precooked hotdogs and sausages. This seems to me to make far more sense than trying to get rid of portable hot dog stands in favour of massive permanent sidewalk extravaganzas... keep it simple! ;)

Toronto Life Square? Is that just a name or does it have something to do with Toronto Life magazine?

The naming rights were sold to Toronto Life magazine's publisher.

not bad, non-locals won't even know there are naming rights, seems really appropriate.

Interesting. It's not even a square though?

Interesting. It's not even a square though?

Neither is Square One, Maple Leaf Square, Canada Square.. etc ad nauseum..

The square tidbit just sounds exclusive;)

Neither is Square One, Maple Leaf Square, Canada Square.. etc ad nauseum..

The square tidbit just sounds exclusive;)
Square One isn't a "square". It was named Square One because of the phrase "square one" and because it was a square when it was built.

Dundas Square is a square. Maple Leaf Square is also. A square is a meeting kind of place where people can gather. Toronto Life Square will barely have a sidewalk!

Square One isn't a "square". It was named Square One because of the phrase "square one" and because it was a square when it was built.

Dundas Square is a square. Maple Leaf Square is also. A square is a meeting kind of place where people can gather. Toronto Life Square will barely have a sidewalk!

How is Maple Leaf Square, a square? It's two gigantic condos atop a humongous podium.. Sure the podium has retail - as does Metropolis.. point being?

How is Maple Leaf Square, a square? It's two gigantic condos atop a humongous podium.. Sure the podium has retail - as does Metropolis.. point being?

I think the plans include a square of some kind.

I think the plans include a square of some kind.

No, those renderings were false friends - basically that big square is the Telus tower. Aside from the "generous" sidewalk in front of the ACC - there's no square.

No, those renderings were false friends - basically that big square is the Telus tower. Aside from the "generous" sidewalk in front of the ACC - there's no square.

Isn't there supposed to be a public space between the towers--like a courtyard or something?

Isn't there supposed to be a public space between the towers--like a courtyard or something?

There's an enclosed atrium-style shopping mall. Similar to the Eaton Centre. The whole site is filled with a big podium - no space. Btw, just remembered, that "generous" sidewalk fronting the ACC will dissapear to make place for ACC expansions - namely a big atrium thingie.

that "generous" sidewalk fronting the ACC will dissapear to make place for ACC expansions - namely a big atrium thingie.

Is that happening along with the present development, or is that a future proposal?

Is that happening along with the present development, or is that a future proposal?

It's to go parallel with the current development - it's to accomodate the bridge that will link the podium of MLS with the ACC. I think it's due to begin construction in 2008.

No I believe there is a square at MLS.

What?? Are you serious? I liked Metropolis. It was catchy.

And it isn't even a square, it's a complex, so WTF with that name change?

OMG, are we all going to start calling it that?

Toronto Life Square

:hilarious

Ya I do'nt like it. Metropolis was much better. Suited it SO much more.

Dare I say it, I think I actually like the name Metropolis better.

Metropolis was just cheesy .. image saying that to someone .. "Meet me at Metropolis" whether you like it or not you have to admit "Toronto Life Square" will definitely catch on - especially with a couple of signs not letting us forget it.

Has anyone been down to the site lately – I was there today and noticed the TV screen on the North East side is being taken apart. Also all the adds on the South East side have been taken down for some time now … also … maybe its just me but the TV (The one to the west of the giant heresy add) seems to have been shrunk so some writing could be placed at the bottom.

Metropolis was just cheesy .. image saying that to someone .. "Meet me at Metropolis" whether you like it or not you have to admit "Toronto Life Square" will definitely catch on - especially with a couple of signs not letting us forget it.

It's just that "Toronto Life Square" doesn't really roll off the tongue. Maybe TLS? Meh. But "meet me at Metropolis" sounds cool, like a superman movie.

Be sure to put on your cape when you tell them that
:)

It's just that "Toronto Life Square" doesn't really roll off the tongue. Maybe TLS? Meh. But "meet me at Metropolis" sounds cool, like a superman movie.

Toronto Life Square

:hilarious

It sounds like some of the twits who write for Toronto Life. :lol:
It would make more sense if TL was the major tenant. Otherwise as
"naming rights" it sounds absurd.

Scociabank Theatre? Toronto Life Square? What's next, The Swiss Chalet Tower?

Metropolis was just cheesy .. image saying that to someone .. "Meet me at Metropolis" whether you like it or not you have to admit "Toronto Life Square" will definitely catch on - especially with a couple of signs not letting us forget it.

Well, no one else knows it as Metropolis as is. (Except for us urban junkies) The name Toronto Life Square will catch on no problem with the general public.

Scociabank Theatre? Toronto Life Square? What's next, The Swiss Chalet Tower?

Jaye... you got to me with that Swiss Chalet Tower. I'm loving the idea.

Metropolis centre to be unveiled this fall
After a seven-year delay, Toronto's 'Times Square North' will be completed; Now 'Toronto Life Square'
Ian Munroe, National Post
Published: Thursday, April 12, 2007

After a seven-year delay, one of the final obstacles to completing Toronto's "Times Square North" will be cleared this fall.

The hoardings will come down at Yonge and Dundas streets to reveal the much-awaited Metropolis, a 500,000- square-foot shopping, entertainment and office complex. The building was yesterday renamed Toronto Life Square, after magazine publisher St. Joseph Communications bought naming rights for an undisclosed amount.

PenEquity Management, the project's developer, announced yesterday the mall will open this fall, nine years after PenEquity bought the land and 13 years after the city began its revitalization project for the intersection now known as Yonge- Dundas Square. Once it opens, the city will put up for sale a final parcel of land just east of Toronto Life Square -- which includes 277 Victoria St., 38 Dundas St. E. and an adjacent parking lot.
The Metropolis complex, pictured at the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas streets yesterday, will make its debut this fall. PenEquity bought the land nine years ago.View Larger Image View Larger Image
The Metropolis complex, pictured at the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas streets yesterday, will make its debut this fall. PenEquity bought the land nine years ago.

"There's still a piece to finish," said city councillor Kyle Rae. "[The properties] are part of the redevelopment that we waited to finish -- the north side -- because then the value of those properties will be worth more."

The delays stem from PenEquity's difficulty in locating tenants willing to pay the neighbourhood's high rents.

"There's been multiple versions and changes to the project along the way," said Neil Miller, a spokesman for PenEquity. "There has been lots of different dates, but yes, there has been a change in tenant mix and other aspects of the project."

Fluctuations in the demand for retail goods may have worked against the company, Mr. Rae said. "Roots was going to go in there, then they didn't. Then Virgin was going to go in, 9/11 happened and they walked away. What has happened is that the market forces in retail have played out its volatility on this project."

Toronto Life Square will house several large spaces for companies such as Adidas, Future Shop, AMC Theatres and Shoppers Drug Mart. It will also host students from Ryerson University, who will use 12 of the building's 24 movie theatres as lecture halls on weekdays.

St. Joseph Communications will also move a broadcasting centre into the building. The first and second floors are due to open this fall, with the rest of the building slated to open by April, 2008.

Early this summer, 20,000 square feet of digital signs should line the outside of the building, including a massive 30-ft.- by-50-ft. video panel, billed by the company as the largest in the country.

The neighbourhood was plagued by drug dealing in the mid-1990s, and some crime remains, including the Boxing Day, 2005, shooting of Riverdale schoolgirl Jane Creba on Yonge just north of Dundas. But local businesses dismiss critics who say the new Yonge-Dundas Square is too gaudy, and say they are largely happy with how the square has transformed.

"It's very much a bright lights, bigcity feeling, and we are encouraging of that very animated atmosphere," said James Robinson, executive director of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area.


© National Post 2007

See no one is going to call it Toronto Life Square. They're probably just gonna call it Dundas Square now. People would have called it Metropolis however I believe. Oh well.

See no one is going to call it Toronto Life Square. They're probably just gonna call it Dundas Square now. People would have called it Metropolis however I believe. Oh well.

I believe the "Toronto Life Square" moniker is simply for the "Metropolis" building itself, not for Dundas Square. I certainly hope people will not call Dundas Square "Toronto Life Square", but maybe that was Toronto Life's dream.

So, hows the TLS looking these days? I might go visit after I watch the TFC play this summer, thanks to my brothers season tickets. Sucks in regards to the TML.

I believe the "Toronto Life Square" moniker is simply for the "Metropolis" building itself, not for Dundas Square. I certainly hope people will not call Dundas Square "Toronto Life Square", but maybe that was Toronto Life's dream.
I'm aware it's only Metropolis. What I'm saying is that everyone is going to refer to Metropolis as Dundas Square. So they'll say "meet me at AMC at Dundas Square at 9:30". Not "meet me at AMC at Toronto Life Square at 9:30".

Yes, Toronto Life Square will be too long and cumbersome a moniker. And honestly, it is a bit pretentious calling a building a "Square". I have a sneaking suspicion they are hoping the name catches on for the whole square. That is highly unlikely.

Dundas Square it is! lol.

Life Square.

here's an update from the PCL site: looks like the Yonge St. hoarding will be coming down very soon!

As of March 22/07):

General Comment:

Currently setup with PCL Phase 8 (one way on Victoria Street, effective November 10, 2006).

Yonge St. hoarding removal to start April 16, 2007.

Dundas St. hoarding removal to start June 3, 2007.

Below Grade:

All below grade escalators (12, 13, 22, 23, 26, and 27) commissioned and ready for TSSA inspections.
No progress to TTC ceiling at B1.
No work along KK wall/shaft (awaiting duct enclosure CO).
Security roughin started (CO for PS9’s required to complete).
Above Grade:

Commissioning of escalators 1, 2, 3 and 4 to be complete this week and ready for TSSA approval by next week.
Glazing on Yonge/Dundas St. L1 (storefronts) and backpans in progress nose Curtainwall.
L4 tie in glazing to ‘nose’ in progress.
Stair #6 and 7 framing/glazing in progress (Stair #4 and 5 complete).
Siding along south half of Victoria St. complete this week. Klimber to relocate to north half of Victoria St. next week (1st 3 bays complete next week).
Siding along Victoria St. and Gould St. to be complete by end of March 2007.
Complete balance of L6 raised slabs and L4 seating next week.
Stair # 4, 5, 6 and 7 are poured.
Firespray continuing at L7 and Scheduled to complete all but theatres at North by end of April.
Roofing cap sheet in progress on main east roof. L4 terrace along Dundas to start next week.
Elevators SE1/SE2 scheduled to be complete by the end of March/ early April. TSSA to inspect SE1 March 26, 2007 and SE2 April 9, 2007.
AMC theatres are continuing with scaffold and firespray (1, 2, 3 and 11, 12, 13) .
AMC ceiling framing in common area L4 in progress.
Ground floor CRU walls currently being framed and drywalled will continue over the next two weeks.
O’Keefe lane duct work near completion; storm/diesel line work to start tomorrow and follow with landscaping.
Loading dock waterproofing in progress – pour slab next week.
Base building drywall continuing L10 to L4 – washrooms L10 – L8 roughin in progress and electrical rooms being roughed-in with panels.

I barely remember Yonge street without the hoarding at Metropolis. I remember long ago, mid to late 90's maybe? When I was wanting this highway play set at this dollar store but my mom wouldn't get it - and months later it was demolished to make way for Dundas Square I think...

I think I had my first Lick's burger there.

and think of all the licks you have had since! :)

I remember there was a Baskin Robbins there that I liked.

I remember the Licks, a Subway, and wait for it... World of Shoes!

Aye!

Stupid new name. It's a building/complex, not a Square!!

i remember when i went to the worlds biggest jeans store with my manager from work and he bought a pair of playboy jeans.he thought he was soo cool,
you gotta laugh at those back in the day memories.:lol:

Stupid new name. It's a building/complex, not a Square!!

eh....it's a commonly used term that isn't supposed to be literal. I don't recal there being any "gardens" at Maple Leaf Gardens either.




KGB

eh....it's a commonly used term that isn't supposed to be literal. I don't recal there being any "gardens" at Maple Leaf Gardens either.
KGB

It is a dreadful old shopping mall cliche, eg... Mississauga Square One, only in the case of a single building built flush up to the sidewalk, it is even more pretentious and misleading. My favourite misnomer was 25 years ago in Winnipeg when they built a subdivision on a farmer's field and called it "Linden Woods" when there were no trees on it, and probably not a Linden tree in the entire city!
I'd actually be interested in finding out the origin of the euphemism "Gardens" in reference to arenas. I wonder if it was something of Roman or Greek origin.

Well, we joke about the outlandishly stupid marketing names for projects, but in fact, it's something developers have been doing since the dawn of time....it's just that some of the old ones have just lost their tackiness. It's not like "College Park" was ever intended to have a park.

There's way too many to pick which one is the most ridiculous, but my fave at the moment is one that is funny because it's TOO true....."Beyond the Sea". Yea...Etobicoke is very much beyond the sea...FAR beyond the sea. LOL




KGB

Well, we joke about the outlandishly stupid marketing names for projects, but in fact, it's something developers have been doing since the dawn of time....it's just that some of the old ones have just lost their tackiness. It's not like "College Park" was ever intended to have a park.

There's way too many to pick which one is the most ridiculous, but my fave at the moment is one that is funny because it's TOO true....."Beyond the Sea". Yea...Etobicoke is very much beyond the sea...FAR beyond the sea. LOL




KGB

LOL! My family keeps making fun of that name. It's basically right in front of my house.

It is a dreadful old shopping mall cliche, eg... Mississauga Square One, only in the case of a single building built flush up to the sidewalk, it is even more pretentious and misleading. My favourite misnomer was 25 years ago in Winnipeg when they built a subdivision on a farmer's field and called it "Linden Woods" when there were no trees on it, and probably not a Linden tree in the entire city!
I'd actually be interested in finding out the origin of the euphemism "Gardens" in reference to arenas. I wonder if it was something of Roman or Greek origin.
It's just called Square One and it's not intended to have the Square in it's name like say "Dundas Square" or it would be tacked onto the end of the name not the front. It's Square One as in "back to Square One". It was also the shape of a square when first built I believe that's the reason for the name.

http://oldmaps.ca/torono.jpg

^ is that a new render?

That's an old render as far as I remember.

That's an old render as far as I remember.

Yes, this is an old render, but also ONLY ONE in this thread showing the WHOLE square :crazy2:

It's not like "College Park" was ever intended to have a park.



That's funny. I lived there for years, and quite enjoyed that park. Does it have another name that I missed?

And there is always Hazelton Lanes, which sounds vaguely like a bowling alley...
but I have spent a fair amount of time in the park at College Park. It is getting increasingly smaller due to ROCP's 1 thru 3.

You know, Nathan Philips Square doesn't exactly roll off the tongue either, yet it sounds so right. You never know.

Wasn't Times Square originally named for the New York Times? Perhaps one day we will just call it Life Square without giving it any thought.

Maybe if Toronto Life was actually a magazine 50% of Torontonians have heard of lol.

http://www.metropolis.ca/gallery/images/1176916078.jpg

OMGosh!

Talk about monumental.

Yes. I stood in awe across the street by Eaton Centre tonight on my way home, and just stared up at it. I was trying to imagine where the massive 30 foot by 50 foot screen is going to go. When it is all operational, one won't know where the hell to look at that intersection... there will be so much happening!

Yes. I stood in awe across the street by Eaton Centre tonight on my way home, and just stared up at it. I was trying to imagine where the massive 30 foot by 50 foot screen is going to go. When it is all operational, one won't know where the hell to look at that intersection... there will be so much happening!

I'm just amazed the city isn't saving at least a small section of that hoarding... I'm hard pressed to remember the area WITHOUT the hoarding!

We should save a piece for the Toronto museum imo...

I'll bet the hoarding had about one solid inch of L'Oreal posters glued one on top
of the other. Would have been a foot thick had they left it up any longer!

WOW! It's coming down! Crazy!! I love it hahaha.

i don't get how this can't be loved...above-ground shopping mall, really cool.

It was like our own little Berlin wall.

I knew we should have applied for a historical designation before the thing got torn down :(

All of the hoarding on yonge street is down!

Lies! Lies!

Its starting to look good now

Lies! Lies!

Nope, I had an exam today and as I walked along yonge I noted a change in the blue that normally hung over my head. Today, it was the blue sky above me... all along Yonge. The hoarding is history.

Wait, there's sky above that section of Yonge? Since when?

Nope, I had an exam today and as I walked along yonge I noted a change in the blue that normally hung over my head. Today, it was the blue sky above me... all along Yonge. The hoarding is history.

Blue Sky instead of Blue Hoarding? Blasphemy! .....

It's wonderful! lol:banana:

Does anyone know what's coming up where Gap used to be?

Blue Sky instead of Blue Hoarding? Blasphemy! .....




Maybe Life Square is not such a bad name afterall. The bandages have been removed... well, that's as far as I can take this vignette. Someone else take it over.

Does anyone know what's coming up where Gap used to be?
Check out the retail thread in the Canada forum.

where can you find this forum?

from today

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/100_0030.jpg


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/100_0031.jpg


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j145/gbelan/100_0032.jpg

That view has changed. Looking good.

It looks so weird, but in a good way.

WEEEEIRD hahaha. Looks so strange! I like the way it looks so far along the street though. Meets it rather well. Can't wait to see it when it's done.

It is not even completed, but there is a throbbing excitement at Dundas Square that was never there when it was just plain old Yonge and Dundas, 20 years ago. It is all really starting to gel now, and should be pretty wild in the fall when it is all open for business!

It is not even completed, but there is a throbbing excitement at Dundas Square that was never there when it was just plain old Yonge and Dundas, 20 years ago. It is all really starting to gel now, and should be pretty wild in the fall when it is all open for business!
It's not really going to be open though is it?
I thought just the ads will be up. And officially opening in 2008.

It's not really going to be open though is it?
I thought just the ads will be up. And officially opening in 2008.

Nope, its opening in phases, the first of which is this summer.

I'd be surprised if at least some of the retail was not completed by this Fall. They are at quite an advanced stage now.

The ads go up this summer...can't wait.

The building opens up to the public in the fall.

All tenants should be in by summer 2008.

The ads go up this summer...can't wait.

The building opens up to the public in the fall.

All tenants should be in by summer 2008.
Yes that's what I read. Thanks for clearing that up.

It is not even completed, but there is a throbbing excitement at Dundas Square that was never there when it was just plain old Yonge and Dundas, 20 years ago.

I know what you mean. I can feel it when I'm there.

It's nice to see the hoarding come down but there are two important items to consider:

1. The sidewalk in front of that section is very narrow now and the pedestrian traffic is only going to increase.

2. That same stretch of sidewalk is in horrible condition. I really, really hope the developers will repave it.

Does anyone know or think they will?

Today's pix:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9422/april2207dundassquaredt9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1149/april2207dundassquareimp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6615/april2207dundassquareiiun5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wow, what a difference! Thanks, TB.

this building is being built especialy for advertising

^^ yes.

any pictures you can post of the sidewalk?

no. I concentrated on the Eaton Centre corner where all the action was!
Will post those later..

It looks almost naked without the hoarding, feels uncomfortable to walk there :D but it's turning out to be very impressive

this building is being built especialy for advertising

There is also a retail component. So there will be a mall and cafe's as well..with windows overlooking the square & yonge street below. I think this will be my favorite aspect.

Believe me, the sidewalk is a concern now.

It's too thin and too broken for the increase in pedestrian traffic which will inevitably follow...

^^ yes.

When you say yes, do you mean it is for advertising, or that you should grab a fake boob for safety?

Believe me, the sidewalk is a concern now.

It's too thin and too broken for the increase in pedestrian traffic will inevitably follow...

I'm sure that they will clean it up soon.

When you say yes, do you mean it is for advertising, or that you should grab a fake boob for safety?

correct.

LOL

I've been concerned about the sidewalk for awhile now. It's gotta be very narrow.

The sidewalk isn't any narrower than it was before Metropolis came along. Its set back Exactly the same distance from the street as every other building along that side of Yonge. Once the sidewalk is rebuilt there should be plenty of walking space.

Nice pics. It's strange to see no hoarding!

No the sidewalks do not need to be made wider...all those people that would be walking on the sidewalk north of Dundas on Yonge, will now be walking on the inside of Metropolis..eating and drinking at the cafe, watching movies, or buying drugs.

In fact the Pedestrian crush on Yonge Street might go down a'lil, while it goes up on Dundas East of Yonge and Dundas Square proper.

Myself and a few forumers drove past on Saturday night and we stopped
at the square and just sat dumbfounded about how much better it looks!
*tear* :)

The sidewalk isn't any narrower than it was before Metropolis came along. Its set back Exactly the same distance from the street as every other building along that side of Yonge. Once the sidewalk is rebuilt there should be plenty of walking space.
I'm talking about when it's open and very busy. There isn't going to be much room on the sidewalks for all the people going in and out and standing outside the doors talking about the movie they just watched etc. It's going to be pretty hectic in the front sometimes I think.

I'm talking about when it's open and very busy. There isn't going to be much room on the sidewalks for all the people going in and out and standing outside the doors talking about the movie they just watched etc. It's going to be pretty hectic in the front sometimes I think.

Except for people smoking..I'm sure the lobby of the Mall will suffice for "hanging out"

We will have to wait and see.

I'm talking about when it's open and very busy. There isn't going to be much room on the sidewalks for all the people going in and out and standing outside the doors talking about the movie they just watched etc. It's going to be pretty hectic in the front sometimes I think.

It will be no more hectic than it was with the buildings that were there previously. No sidewalk space was lost with building Metropolis. Now, instead of everyone entering on Yonge st., they have the option of entering through PATH (the Eaton Centre) or through the main entrance (Which faces Dundas St.) If anything there will be less people using the sidewalk on Yonge now.

thats what I'm thinking too tuscani01

It will be no more hectic than it was with the buildings that were there previously. No sidewalk space was lost with building Metropolis. Now, instead of everyone entering on Yonge st., they have the option of entering through PATH (the Eaton Centre) or through the main entrance (Which faces Dundas St.) If anything there will be less people using the sidewalk on Yonge now.
No more hectic??!?! Are you crazy? There was nothing there for years. And what was there before was not a 24 screen movie theatre, among restaurants and a ton of shops. It will be MUCH more hectic than it ever was.

No more hectic??!?! Are you crazy? There was nothing there for years. And what was there before was not a 24 screen movie theatre, among restaurants and a ton of shops. It will be MUCH more hectic than it ever was.

I completely agree. Why the increase in pedestrian traffic wasn't taken into consideration is a major f--k up. This area will only get busier, and not just because of the new retail, eateries, and bar overlooking Yonge, but mainly because of the new 24-screen AMC Movie Theatres! It will be the only other major movie theatre downtown beside Scotiabank, with the better location between the two!

The crampin's comin'. No doubt about it.

check out the size of this bilboard for sears on yonge

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-2932.pdf

No more hectic??!?! Are you crazy? There was nothing there for years. And what was there before was not a 24 screen movie theatre, among restaurants and a ton of shops. It will be MUCH more hectic than it ever was.

What was there before only had entrances and exits fronting Yonge and no PATH or TTC connections within. Im sure the sidewalk will be fine.

check out the size of this bilboard for sears on yonge

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-2932.pdf
The proposed sign is 93.5 metres wide and 20 metres high with an area of 1,860 square
metres. The proposal has been revised from the original submission to occupy the space
from the third storey to below the top of the sixth storey in order to maintain unobstructed
views from the seventh floor, which is setback from the sixth floor.

Damn that is huge!
I don't know if I like it. Part of the charm of Eaton's Centre's exterior is that beige/cream colour streetwall. This will completely cover that.