This week's Throwback Thursday offers a look back in time over 14 years, showing some major changes in the blocks south and east of Toronto's Financial District. Back in July 2002, construction was underway for the Union Station Bus Terminal, located between Bay and Yonge, just south of the Dominion Public Building. The bus terminal, a site formerly occupied by a passenger depot, then a CP Express & Transport building, relieved Front Street of congestion by moving on-street GO bus pick-ups and drop-offs once it opened.

Construction of the Union Station Bus Terminal in 2002, facing east from Bay Street, image by Edward Skira

Jumping ahead to the present, and the current view east from Bay Street reveals the completed bus terminal with a much-changed backdrop. While the Dominion Public Building still asserts its horizontal monumentality, the once-dominant verticality of the 25 The Esplanade condominium tower, just east of Yonge Street, has been eclipsed by the L Tower and Backstage on The Esplanade, which reach respective heights of 58 and 36 storeys. 

East view from Bay Street south of Front, October 2016, image by Jack Landau

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!