Yonge-Dundas Square/Sankofa Square (Brown + Storey Architects)

[kotsy]

They did come to their senses in London because this area was once pretty awful too- 1962:
Andrew Eick

I actually much prefer the 1962 version

 

[Bogtrotter]

Yeh I can see the visual appeal, especially from a 21st century perspective with all the vintage signage. Most of us loved the SAM's sign afterall. One difference is historically Piccadilly grew over time in a rather silly and outrageous way- ours was contrived to be the way it is.

 

[Edward Skira]

I actually much prefer the 1962 version

Me too. Way more interesting than the one today.

 

[Bogtrotter]

A few archival photos that show its progression and reversion. There is little signage in the late 19th century, with the first illuminated signage apparently appearing as early as 1908:

1895

(flashbak.com)

1911

(Flahbak.com)

1920's

1930's

1949

flashbak.com

1960's

flashbak.com

70's

flashbak.com

90's (Some of us will remember this one- signage was minimal again)

Matthias Prinke

Present day

Benh LIEU SONG

 

[differential]

IDK, if you want to have screens, you need to go all out. It's equally tacky to have just a few screens in a square with otherwise completely barren classic architecture.

Personally I like Dundas Sq, approaching it from the north on Yonge just shows how much life it injects into the cityscape.

It is immature though, with time hopefully it'll improve.

 

[gabe]

These old retro neon signs are works of art, built by skilled craftsmen, an art form that will be lost, as neon has been replaced by LED lights and extremely bright video screens.

I just love the warm glow these signs have,

 

[Skeezix]

 

[Towered]

A few archival photos that show its progression and reversion. There is little signage in the late 19th century, with the first illuminated signage apparently appearing as early as 1908:

1895

(flashbak.com)

1911

(Flahbak.com)

1920's

1930's

1949

flashbak.com

1960's

flashbak.com

70's

flashbak.com

90's (Some of us will remember this one- signage was minimal again)

Matthias Prinke

Present day

Benh LIEU SONG

Nicely cleaned up - almost back to the lovely 1800's version.

 

[Bogtrotter]

The architecture probably never looked that pretty, Victorian London was notoriously dirty and the buildings covered in grime and soot. Lots of horse ordure about too

 

[ShonTron]

View attachment 136581

CHFI is still advertising all Christmas music!

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

CHFI is still advertising all Christmas music!

It just tells you how valuable that ad space is.

AoD

 

[Contra]

Picture I took of the new additions to the square.

Source

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Picture I took of the new additions to the square.
Source

At least that carries some primal, pyromanical appeal.

AoD

 

[ShonTron]

It just tells you how valuable that ad space is.

AoD

As the building is owned by Rogers, you'd think they would advertise their other media and communication businesses on that supposedly prime spot. Right now, all I see are non-stop ads for CBC's Workin' Moms.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

As the building is owned by Rogers, you'd think they would advertise their other media and communication businesses on that supposedly prime spot. Right now, all I see are non-stop ads for CBC's Workin' Moms.

Let's face it, that complex is an excellent ad for how low CityTV has fallen.

AoD