My reaction to that photo was simultaneously positive and negative. Positive because finally this old facade is going to get a modern treatment that will break up the remaining big box store feel of the mall. Negative because it's an eerie reminder of Metropolis' blue hoarding we had to live with for so many years at this intersection. Cramped dark sidewalks were the norm for Yonge & Dundas for the better part of a decade. They're back — hopefully for a much more brief period.
I have a couple of questions for those following this development closer than I've been:
1 - Do we know yet if Cadillac Fairview will take this opportunity to continue the galleria of stores through the previous Sears store to Dundas? This would help break up the street wall on Yonge into smaller stores and improve access to the mall from Yonge & Dundas without having to walk through a department store. Will at least one floor continue the galleria or will Nordstrom occupy all floors maintaining the awkward access into the mall from Yonge & Dundas?
2 - From this picture, it looks like the hoarding continues beyond the former Sears store, going on to enclose the atrium as well. The new atrium hasn't been there for long but I hope they replace it to reorient it back to the corner of Y&D. The blank street wall facing Dundas was a terrible decision.
(EDIT: I went back and read the thread. I see that this has all been discussed with passionate opinions expressed over the Y&D atrium. I'll leave my post and questions up in case new info has since come forward)
