DSCToronto
Superstar
This NYT article today (currently not behind pay wall) may amuse bollard-lovers? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/...hristmas-market-security-bollard-attacks.html
Diablo1983
Active Member
You had me excited for a second - was hoping this was for the street car loop changes required for WELRT.
nightstreak
Active Member
The bridge to CIBC Square and Bus Terminal opens “Fall 2025”. Hmm, they have until… checks calendar… tomorrow.
To be fair, it looks ready to open any day now…
…but I’m gonna go on a limb and say they’re not making that deadline:
To be fair, it looks ready to open any day now…
…but I’m gonna go on a limb and say they’re not making that deadline:
Diablo1983
Active Member
likely won't open until Phase 2 gets occupancy permits....my guess is no earlier than Feb.
Civdis
Active Member
We were told bridge from Backstage is to open Q1 2026. Seems like a lot of work to do inside CIBC Square to make that date.
Diablo1983
Active Member
Agreed - that’s why I think no earlier than Feb.
nightstreak
Active Member
Using the bridge from Backstage implies going through the entire lobby or even accessing the tower itself. The bridge from Union is more of a connection to the bus terminal which only requires going into the lobby maybe 20 feet before reaching the escalator down to the walkway.
From what I could tell, that’s essentially ready. The bridge and the Union side are also finished. But it could be that any access to the building requires a permit for the whole space even if it’s closed off.
Diablo1983
Active Member
Occupancy permits can be given out for specific areas/floors of a building, but if other things in the building are not ready (ex. fire suppression, fire alarm, HVAC, etc.) then they won't get occupancy permit to open any of it.
WB62
Senior Member
Some metal structures are being built at the corners of The Market, any idea what these could be for?
Jonny5
Senior Member
I wouldn't be surprised if they are stalling until after New Year's Eve as they don't want that hassle for their property security to deal with.
DSCToronto
Superstar
Much more likely would be the lack of occupancy permits. Though I like the idea of the bridge to Backstage and thus to the east side of Yonge, I will be very interested in seeing if it is actually used. It really needs to take one into the Green P garage not dump you at the corner of Yonge/Esplanade but there are no plans for achieving this.
nightstreak
Active Member
I'll certainly use it to get a little closer to St. Lawrence Market on cold days. Would have been great if it got to at least Church but if the Green P had continuity, you'd make it to Market Street then just walk up a block. Is the Backstage bridge for residents only? If not, where would you exit?
DSCToronto
Superstar
The exit is onto sidewalk at SE corner of Yonge & The Esplanade as far as one can tell. When the bridge opens you can then go east on The Esplanade (outside) to the Green P entrance (finally reopened) and walk through the Green P to Church - dodging cars. As far as I know there is no real pedestrian path inside the Green P but @mburrrrr may have better facts.
evandyk
Senior Member
I've seen automatic bollards in places across Western Europe, including France, Italy and Spain. I guess not Germany, because you'd think they could come up with a system better than one that has to be manually operated every minute with a hand crane.
nightstreak
Active Member
I would say there's a pretty good chance the the parking building and 55 The Esplanade get redeveloped. I had never noticed there was a rental building there. Looks pretty grim, was built in the early 80s and looks to be in terrible shape with access through a back alley.
They could fit multiple towers on top of parking with direct access to Union Station via CIBC Square. Not only would the increased residential density be welcome in The Esplanade, it would be the perfect spot for downtown parking for Alto travellers (if it does end up going to Union or nearby).