CityTV has Olympic Spirit
Through the sale of the company a little while back to Rogers Media (what doesn't he own?), CityTV lost their iconic studios on Queen West. In what is surely the scoop of the century, however, CityTV is announcing that CityTV has some new digs: the former Olympic Spirit "tourist attraction"/eye sore at Yonge-Dundas Square.
On the one hand, this will hopefully bring a little more life to the square and the area, just at a time when the square is poised to really take off.
On the other hand, however, this is not an ideal space for those of us who like to peer in the windows and watch the News Crews do their thang. Though the building certainly has the space and street-level glass that is a hallmark of CityTV's style, this 43,000 tower has barely any sidwalk for gawking out front... and half of its frontage is a street-car only turning radius. Not even close to the near perfect integration into street life. Though, with Yonge-Dundas Square being private property, maybe now they won't have to worry as much about being interrupted by Zanta during outside reports.
No word on whether the news truck will make an appearance at the new location.
Photo by nyabg on Flickr
Comments (10)
Sounds like one hell of an eyesore of a backdrop. Zanta > hideous flashing ads, by a country mile.
We were hoping for Sam the Record Man (one of the many rumoured locations Rogers was talking about). At least it's not Lakeshore and Bathurst (the current home of OMNI).
I never cared for the building, although I'm glad *someone* is using it after its embarrassing closure. Seems like a step down for CityTV after its gorgeous, iconic location at Queen and John though.
It's actually an ideal location for City. It has a very accessible streetfront. The streetcar loop is only used for emergencies. There's also a great little nook for a speaker's corner and the opportunity for some street level retail. With the pedestrian traffic already in the area they will easily be able to maintain their interactive approach. Presumably they will also activate the video screen on the roof. Maybe they'll move their New Year's shindig to Dundas Square.
It's worth noting that Dundas Square is NOT private. It's a public square managed by a board appointed by City Council. It has the same basic rules as other public squares but is allowed to have promotional events for which corporations pay a fee. Community events can have the fee waived.
I am wondering where they are going to park all their little black SUVs. Citytv is kind of lame now though, and it's new location is fitting.
Tim Bristow 
on November 2, 2007 12:42 PM
It is important to understand the complete opportunity here for Rogers, which goes well beyond the 43,000 sf of glass, and steel structure that will now house City TV and Omni. Dundas Square is the most recognized intersection in Canada. Rogers has capitalized on the opportunity to cross sell and promote its diversified brands within the core business lines they offer such as Wireless, Publishing, Broadcasting and Cable. Rogers will have the opportunity to utilize the entire existing outdoor signage infrastructure, which is all part of the purchase. Rogers can now further promote their diversified brands to consumer market like no other company can in the square. We at Colliers recognized this opportunity and marketed this property as a branded location rather than simply a vacant office/retail space opportunity. This property was offered to the market on a long term lease opportunity and Rogers beat out all other interested parties including all the other name brand Media companies including the Google , who had submitted an offer to lease only to find out that there future Landlord would now be Rogers . I can say with absolute confidence that Google and Rogers will not be sharing the same space. In the end I think this location will prove to be a brilliant success, if nothing else they now own and control an advertising beacon like non other here in Toronto.
More details on the building can be viewed at our website www.torchbuilding.com
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