My first thought was, I wonder how long that will last.

It's excessively uniform - I would be content if colour and font could be varied - but I agree that a mishmash of shapes and sizes would be awful. That's the "junky old Union Station" attribute we want to banish.....especially after a few businesses have come and gone, taking their old signage down to leave holes in the wall, old conduit, etc. The landlord could allow a bit more variation but needs to keep a tight rein on this.

- Paul
 
DSC said:
This is not what I have heard - they may well be moved while the flooring is repaired/replaced but I think they WILL return and, I hope, looking better. Why do you think they are going?
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My understanding is that the info booth, the overhead signs AND the clock in the centre of the Great Hall are all coming out permanently, and as of yet have not heard any reason why newer versions will not replace them. Perhaps it's for an expected increase in crowd flow ...? Also believe the Pilot Coffee kiosk is not returning but the story has changed over time; tweet

Those boards above the south side ticket booths would possibly show departures (and arrivals?) as well as indicate the status of each booth but I'm not seeing how they will present all that information. Can anyone recall renderings?

Something interesting in the Great Hall floors are grooves lining old counters-- you can feel worn ruts along the north side, east-west along the former extent of ticket counters, created by decades of folks leaning against them. Also noticed --just in time for the ongoing marble floor refurbishment-- of a similar but shallower groove presumably from the circular counter around the old info desk which was once larger.

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crs1026 said:
It's excessively uniform - I would be content if colour and font could be varied
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Completely agreed- I think that this would have allowed for enough uniformity but also some creativity. As long as size and shape can fit in the "box" above each store.
It's too boring the way it looks now.


If any staff from the revitalization read this: Please paint the ceiling ASAP! What an eyesore!
 
Perhaps I was just so relieved to see some change that -- experiencing the space in person -- I did not react negatively to the uniformity of overhead signage.

I'm also starting to notice more of the detail of frames and portals in the Great Hall and VIA Concourse, and each zone seems somewhat distinct in design if not so in colour. Reserving my judgment.

My worry on uniformity is mostly from a wayfinding and orientation perspective; that the various concourses and "promenades" throughout Union will be so similar in design and colour that folks will get lost and constantly turned around. My greatest worrywarting is that the Bay Concourse track access/waiting area will be tiled and floored in the exact same colour as the York Concourse. Not that huge a deal, objectively, but it must trigger some nightmare memory....
 
Student99 said:
Completely agreed- I think that this would have allowed for enough uniformity but also some creativity. As long as size and shape can fit in the "box" above each store.
It's too boring the way it looks now.


If any staff from the revitalization read this: Please paint the ceiling ASAP! What an eyesore!
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Definitely agree that the ceiling needs to be painted.

It's not too bad as once the stores open I think the interiors will provide the branding. I actually also think that the signage is too large- the text feels like it's going to burst out of the "box". Makes you wonder what they'll do if a tenant with a longer name comes in.

Something like what the Rockefeller Centre does would work, IMO- smaller, individualized signage with a common colour to tie it together:

tumblr_n4h7eiTqQM1scptfio4_r1_1280.jpg

http://wherearchitectureisfun.tumblr.com/post/84135059621/waïf-where-architecture-is-rockefeller-center
 
Le Gique said:
My understanding is that the info booth, the overhead signs AND the clock in the centre of the Great Hall are all coming out permanently,
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I find that highly odd as they should be covered under the various heritage protections given that they are original to the station. They were not added at a later date and one of the facets of the heritage protections is you cannot modify aspects of the station without due regard for the heritage value.

IIRC correctly they were going to restore the information booth and clock as part of the revitalization efforts. They were not going to keep the booth as is but they were going to restore it. That information at one point came from Derek Boles of the Toronto Railway Historical Association who was also on USRPAG.
 
jje1000 said:
It's not too bad as once the stores open I think the interiors will provide the branding. I actually also think that the signage is too large- the text feels like it's going to burst out of the "box". Makes you wonder what they'll do if a tenant with a longer name comes in.
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Personally I am waiting for Stoners Pot Palace to set up shop.

Kudos to whoever gets the reference.
 
markhamdevelopments said:
The reconstruction of the Bay Concourse is not even close to be finished. I would say 2019-2024 when it would be finished.
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They are almost at the stage now when all the 'heavy lifting' has been completed and the finishing stages go MUCH faster. The York concourse actually moved quite fast once the excavation etc was done. I think they are still pretty much on track to be able to hand Bay over to Metrolinx in spring 2018 and the store and restaurant fit-outs would, presumably, start at the same time. I see it being at least 60% open by September 2018.

The City's latest (October? 2017) time estimates are:

  • Bay Concourse structures (Q4 2017)
  • Bay Concourse finishes (Q2 2017 to Q1 2018)
  • Moat covers (Q4 2017)
  • Great Hall restoration (now to Q1 2018)
  • VIA Concourse (now to Q1 2018)
  • Bay and York moat covers (Q2 to Q3 2018)
Estimated substantial completion of Stages 2 & 3 construction is the end of 2018.
 
Megaton327 said:
I believe the general hours are something like that, but you can access the station due to the UP Express's longer service hours. From https://www.upexpress.com/SchedulesStations/UnionStation "Please note that early morning and late night access to UP Union Station is available using the west entrance of the Great Hall (65 Front St West) before 05:30 weekdays and Saturdays (06:30 on Sundays/Holidays) and after 00:45 daily." Their first train is at 5:30am and their last train is at 1:30a, the service counter is open from 5am to 1am daily.

Not sure if that entrance is open 24 hours. I doubt it. Might be closed something like 2AM to 4:30AM?
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Yeah, I was on a really late VIA train from Montreal in July - a freight train hit a truck near Trenton, backing up several trains in both directions. We were scheduled to arrive at Union around 11:30PM, but got in around 3AM. We were delayed further because all VIA trains were unloading on Track 1, with two other trains ahead of us, and we were basically marched out of the station through the west wing with a dozen security guards glaring at us.

I don't know why a few sections of Union Station - at least the Great Hall and the west wing waiting area - aren't open 24 hours, or at least until a few minutes after last UP Express and subway trains arrive and depart.
 
I seem to recall something similar at one point before, several years ago, I recall getting sort of escorted through union with unusually stern glares from security considering I was allowed to be there. Forget the exact reason.
 
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