News   Apr 16, 2024
 301     2 
News   Apr 16, 2024
 371     1 
News   Apr 16, 2024
 728     0 

Dundas Station - Renovations

TOfan696

Active Member
Member Bio
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
193
Reaction score
2
I know that Dundas station was built in 1954 but was wondering when it was last renovated to its current state, does anyone have this date? Does anyone also have photos of the original station? This would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
I know that Dundas station was built in 1954 but was wondering when it was last renovated to its current state, does anyone have this date? Does anyone also have photos of the original station? This would be greatly appreciated!!!

Take a look at Transit Toronto website http://transit.toronto.on.ca/index.shtml and/or drop them a note, they have lots of archival stuff or know where there is more.
 
The opened the new portal from Yonge-Dundas Square in 2003. What kind of renovations are you looking for?
 
These might interest you, got them from the Toronto Archives database

Circa 1953 - Don't you just love history?
s0381_fl0238_id10527-3.jpg

s0381_fl0248_id10707-4.jpg

s0381_fl0248_id10707-5.jpg

https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.com/webcat/systems/toronto.arch/resource/ser381/s0381_fl0268_id11179-1.jpg[img]
[img]https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.com/webcat/systems/toronto.arch/resource/ser381/s0381_fl0289_id11673-1.jpg

Here's another few for fun

King
https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.co...ch/resource/ser381/s0381_fl0248_id10707-7.jpg

Queen
https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.co...ch/resource/ser381/s0381_fl0238_id10527-4.jpg

Bloor - showcasing the brand-new M1's!
https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.co...esource/fo1567/ser648/s0648_fl0115_id0002.jpg

4-car H1(?) at broadview, gleaming!
https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.co...esource/fo1567/ser648/s0648_fl0212_id0002.jpg
 
I am interested in the renovations that occurred in what I assume was th late 1970s / 1980s

Just to be clear, you're looking for the date that those god-awful puke coloured tiles were installed, right? I believe that was sometime in the late 1980s. Hopefully someone can find a more accurate date; I couldn't.
 
Just to be clear, you're looking for the date that those god-awful puke coloured tiles were installed, right? I believe that was sometime in the late 1980s. Hopefully someone can find a more accurate date; I couldn't.
I didn't start using the subway regularly through there until 1988; and I think all those downtown stations were already renovated at that time; except Bloor station. Mid-1980s would be my guess.
 
Actually, I think you are right - early to mid 80s. Definitely not the 70s, though, as the original scheme was in place when I moved here in 1980.
 
In the future, I hope they can get some renowned designers to renovate the interior of the prominent downtown stations. Queen was an appropriately creative effort, but still not particularly bold. The cheap white tiles deserve criticism.
 
Most likely around 1983 or 1984 because I have read old issues of Coupler magazine at the Metro Hall library. CP24 used to show old news from City TV, there was one from early 1984 where they interviewed riders what they think about the renovations at Dundas station. Most of the riders interviewed said they hate it.
 
Last edited:
I don't know the exact date, but I can narrow it down for you.

I first went downtown to see movies in 1984, and Dundas was fully renovated by that fall.

I started subway-ing regularly that year and can remember the renovations at Wellesley and Eglinton, I believe in '85 or '86, they were done as a pair, followed by St. Clair and Summerhill; then Bloor in about 1991'ish.
 
I definitely think Dundas is due for a renovation. Apart from those puke yellow tiles being absolutely awful, the additions since the last reno (escalators/walkway under the platforms, new Toronto Life and Dundas Square entrances), the station looks like a frankenstein of a bunch of different styles. A unified theme would certainly be nice.

Also, due to the fact that a) Dundas Square has become a prominent location, and b) it is the only station with the subway platform directly below street level, I always thought it would be cool if they installed a CN Tower-esque glass floor along the side of Dundas Square and/or the plaza spot in front of the Eaton Centre, directly over part of the platform. It would allow for natural light to enter the station, and it's not everyday you get to stand on top of where the subway is and actually SEE the subway beneath you. If it could be done in such a way that it's a mix of being structurally sound, artistically done, and plain old "that's pretty f'in cool", I think it would be a pretty big hit.

Just a thought.
 

Back
Top