These are some of my summer photos of Yonge Street from a few years back. Some of the photos are during the Caribana Festival Time in late July and Early August, when Yonge Street explodes with excitement. As I have mentioned previously on this blog Yonge Street, has all kinds of skyscraper construction that is occurring from the Lake to Yorkville, all the way to Yonge and Eglinton to North York Centre. Yonge Street is the most transit accessible Street in Toronto, therefore developers covet this area for their major developments, as they know these projects will sell fast.
History:
Yonge Street started as a military root to get materials from the hinterland of Ontario into the city, which at the time was really nothing but a Fort (Fort York to be Exact!) and a muddy road. Hence: Muddy York. This road, which was cleared of trees and stumps was something of an engineering marvel for it's time, and was designed and built by Sir Issac Brock of War of 1812 Fame. (He got killed in that War, if you didn't know) He named the road he built after a technician of Roman Road Building from back in the motherland of England named Sir George Yonge.
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| 10 Dundas East From Yonge and Dundas |
Let's begin where all the fun starts and move a bit north and south from there, might have to split this up into two parts, I have alot of content that I would like to share. One Blog post might not be enough to cover everything well.
Dundas Square is the epicenter of the downtown core. This is the tourist mecca of Toronto. The Shinjuku of Toronto. Always busy as it is also the prime retailing area of the entire city, although a case can be made that Bloor-Yorkville is the biggest retailing area in the city. (Queen Street is nice, but really it's just an outdoor mall, if we're being honest)
Look at this picture, the crowds here are incredible. Unreal at times, you really have to fight to make your way through the mass of humanity that focuses in on the intersection.
The Eaton Centre and The 250 Yonge
Many Promotion Events are held in the Dundas Square area, because of its prime attraction for the youths of the city, and the suburban area, that are drawn to the big city, bright lights attraction of downtown core. The Eaton Centre included.
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| Dundas Square - Yonge |
Looking South down Yonge Street in the photo above you can see the stripped bands of the Eaton Centre Tower called "The 250" as it stands at 250 Yonge Street. It was the last tower of the Eaton Center to be built. Also visible in the photo is the Hard Rock Cafe.
People Who Love People?
I mean if you're not a people person, why come down to Yonge and Dundas, someone will surely rub up against you. So if you're not into that kinda thing, you'll likely need to stick to the Yorkville Area. Some folks in Toronto avoid this area like the plague. I guess they have their reasons.. (cough, cough)
A World's Greatest?
Toronto is becoming one of the World's greatest cities. We started with a disadvantage of being located in North America, where cities are not exactly none for being people friendly. Most cities in North America are car friendly and don't you dare try and change it. But Toronto, at least in the core, is a very walkable, city. And there is a huge expanse to explore.
Tourist Towner?
Walking South on Yonge you can see the tourist buses, that fill the street in the summer, and the tourist are everywhere, camera flashing. In the background of this shot you can see the narrow profile of the One King West Tower, behind the Yellow Tourist Trap Bus.
At the corner of Queen and Yonge is the headquarters of the Bay Department Store. One of the oldest existing companies on earth. I believe this company was founded in the 17th century, which means it was 1600 and somthing when the charter was established to create the company and the retail Store "The Bay" is an offshot of that. Corner of Bay and Queen to the right.
Back at Dundas Square?
Dundas Square the road runs between Yonge and Victoria, in the background of this picture you can see the new City TV /News Building that Rogers bought to anchor is shows from the centre of the city. Kinda like how ABC/NBC have their stations in Times Square, but in Toronto the effect is obviously not the same.
Eaton Centre - Yonge Street Facelift
When the city gave the ok, for enhanced signage in the Yonge and Dundas Area, the Eaton Centre owners (Cadillac Fairview) gave the ok to renovate the existing facade of the mall, which was for the most part a blank wall, that killed street life with a parking deck above. This is the result, a baton roughe restaurant that actually opens up on the street, from what I've seen on the inside and out, this place does very well. And adds a cool vibe to the street here.
The Atrium on Bay?? Not anymore...
This building started out as the Atrium on Bay. It was built in the very early 1980's and really turned it's back on Yonge Street, hence The Atrium ON BAY. However, looks like the new owners would love to turn their backs on Bay Street and call the place the Atrium on Yonge. The new Signage plays up it's Yonge and Dundas Presence, and the mall owners HR Developments want to add 4 Storeys to the mall, along with improved LED Signage and hopefully a skywalk over Yonge to the 10 Dundas East Building..
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| Coast Mountain Sports |
This is the corner of Yonge and Queen, you can see Brookfields, 2 Queen East Property along with the Wintergarden Elgin Theatre looking North on Yonge Street
Yonge and Queen
The other side of the Intersection, and the end of my brief tour. I'll do another tour for another part of Yonge Street at another time. The blog continues with skyscrapers, coming up next!!!
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