Now trying to get back on topic:
I visited Toronto Life Square today after Earth Hour and came out with some hope regarding this currently disjointed, roughed in building...
Lobby
Starbucks is now open which is adding a bit of life to the main lobby. Unfortunately, there is no seating at all for Starbucks. That's uncharacteristic for the Seattle coffee store.
Regardless of the new dynamic of the lobby, it doesn't represent TLS well at all. As your first impression when walking into the building, it's quite poor.
Like it or not, Toronto Life Square is going to become a Toronto icon. Its lobby shouldn't be so anti climatic and disappointing. It promises so much from the outside but when you enter, you fall flat on your face.
Adidas has added a bridge over the escalator well that will allow access to and from TLS's lobby. However, the space where it leads to -- under the escalators onto AMC's ticket booths-- is tight so i'm not sure how the traffic will flow.
AMC + Food Court
I'm getting a better feeling for TLS now that i'm standing in the food court typing this.
The amazing view both along Yonge and on to the corner of Yonge and Dundas are going to make this place great.
I'm imagining it with all the food outlets and their bright and creative signs and picturing it full of people.
It's a very wide open and airy space (the same cannot be said for the south food court at the well established Eaton Centre).
I had concern for the flow of traffic of people exiting a movie. The original perception was that they would come out the front AMC lobby and down into and through a busy foodcourt.
There is however, a foodcourt by-pass with an AMC exit right near the foodcourt-to-FutureShop down escalator. This is the main exit from the cinemas so there shouldn't be a problem.
Outside
AMC is in fact adding a movie poster board above their sign on Dundas.
EXtreme fitness is also adding a (very) large sign along Dundas right next to the AMC entry sign.
Overall impression
Toronto Life Square still has a long way to go (surprisingly including their namesake signs) but I feel that it can be a great place once it's polished and tenants hold PenEquity's feet to the fire.
For example, what's up with the grey cheap floor thoughout the building? Could they not afford tiles? It looks permanent but hopefully it'll be improved upon once the building is fully populated.
Let's see how this place looks by the end of the summer and moving into the profitable and "high-advertising-budget" Christmas shopping season.
