Dundas Square Gets Uglier.

This concept has been around for such a long time. Even before they tore down the buildings to make Dundas Square. Why are people so shocked? Have any of the new buildings at Dundas Square been tastefully done?

Dear god! Why does Toronto keep trying to emmulate New York City? This is awful, awful, awful.

Spectacular is a fine word, Michael. I think the past 'additions' to Dundas Square have been pretty odd and ridiculous but the aren't so painful to look at as THIS.

The worst is probably the big ad tower/discus holder atop the Gap... and even that is MILD compared to this potential eyesore.

I still think we have room to be shocked!

I caught that over at 'Urban Toronto' and just had to send the link to Spacing, as I thought they could get the word out a little better. I was amazed at just how disgusting that building is. The last thing this city needs is more gigantic ads in the sky.

I hope atleast most of those ads can still be fought in city council.

*puke*

I'm just appalled. I posted this over on the Live Journal <b>"Toronto Community"</b> (<a href="http://community.livejournal.com/toronto/3618430.html?page=2&;style=mine#comments"><b>CLICK HERE</b></a>) to try to mobilize folks a bit.<br><br> What I <i>cannot believe</i> is the number of responders that had "no problem with it". Some even LIKED it. I'm all for freedom of speech/expression, but not when it impedes on public space/life this much I can't sit quietly. As if we aren't bombarded with corporate advertising enough already, do we need "I'm LOVIN IT!" literally screamed at us from multiple 100 foot billboards?! Maybe it's just because I come from San Francisco, where that sort of proposal would be shut-down by protestors before you could say "SUPERSIZE IT".<br><br>

I think there are people interested in writing to voice opposition, but might not know just what to say. Tanja, Perhaps blogTO could write a short draft general "position statement" that those in opposition could copy & send in with their signature?

Voices are best heard when they speak enmass.

There is also a thread about it over on the <a href="http://stillepost.ca/boards/index.php?topic=35557.0";>Stillepost boards</a> now. A few intelligent comments about city politics & the zoning laws. And more folks talking about how this will impact hydro.<br><br>

I would imagine the <a href="http://www.publicspace.ca/";>Toronto Public Spacing Committee</a> organizers are going to be all over this (if they aren't already), so I'll be interested to see what they are going to do.

"...has been fully supported by the downtown business community as part of the revitalization of Yonge and Dundas."

You mean the further destruction of Yonge & Dundas, right, Mr. Rae?

It's difficult to find news of Metropolis' approval in 1998, and renderings of what it would look like on the web.

I did find this picture:

<a href="http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2005/09/399957.jpg";>http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2005/09/399957.jpg<;/a>

Yeah, I just reloaded it, and now it's telling me it is 'Forbidden'.

This link should be better, it doesn't directly go to the image:

<a href="http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=399957";>http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=399957<;/a>

This project is really old. It always looked this ugly, like a Picadilly Circus on roids. Even back in 1998. We probably should have tried to stop it back then when it was in the approval stage but, like Thom Yorke says, we haven't been paying attention.

Anyway, according to Kyle Rae, this is private property, but then why does PCL, the contractor, list the City Of Toronto as one of the owners???

Go Here:

http://canada.pcl.com/projects/Active/0900342/index.aspx

IDEALLY, but the reality is far from ideal. Remind yourself times square has been boom central (of the glowing lights kind) because it is the theatre centre of the world. our square will never have that history 'cause we don't foster any substance. Dundas Sq was artificially created so that there would be billboard space to sell. it has no meaning, no life, no draw. but hey, pull up a chair and watch the pretty CTV commercials run...

It may not be pretty, but do you remember how thugged out that area used to be? I think the change was good. Young street was a disaster before the new Square was implemented. And as ugly as it may seem, it is way less hideous than the stupid OCAD building. Architects worldwide have made fun of Toronto for that building. Can you believe that you can actually own one of the black squares on that garbage??

I think it's great. The architecture of the building itself could be a little more daring, but as far as the huge billboards and lights go, I'm happy. Like Johnny said, bigger and brighter is better - at least in some places. Toronto needs a Times Square.

This is ganna look great when finished. CAN'T WAIT!! Haha you guys need to get out a little.

Such negative nellies. This new development is going to be a major tourist attraction and I'm willing to bet that Torontonians themselves might just enter its doors.

Totally Kyoto-phobic and with all the aesthetic appeal of my dog's sphincter.

i like it alot actually. it's nice and fun for new tourists that come and see toronto. even tho it looks like New York remember were in toronto you party poopers. :)