- Thread starter AlbertC
- Start date
Midtown Urbanist
Superstar
This complex has been iconic on Yonge north of Eglinton for some time.
Not upset to see it gone, but things will be different....
Not upset to see it gone, but things will be different....
junctionist
Senior Member
What made it iconic?
Midtown Urbanist
Superstar
It is the plaza I personally think about and recognize the most when I think of Yonge Street north of Eglinton. Thanks to Gamerama and EB Games, it has the most memories for me too, having grown up in the area.
AlbertC
Superstar
Yes, Gamerama was the place to be. Back in the day when I was a high schooler in the area and in need of good cheap video game options. They also revived my old X-Box a couple times lol. Also remembered going to Chimichanga many years ago.
For me it was the look. The two levels of retail was pretty different for the area. More Yorkville than Y&E.
WillTo
Senior Member
Even the architect doesn't like the plaza he designed
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ugly-shopping-plaza-1.3530428
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ugly-shopping-plaza-1.3530428
Midtown Urbanist
Superstar
"
It took more than 30 years for Alter to have a slight change of heart about the building he designed. He posted approvingly about the demolition on his Facebook page, and was surprised to see an "outpouring of response" praising the building.
"People are really bemoaning it," he said.
High school students from nearby North Toronto Collegiate Institute used to frequent a video game store in the plaza, Gamerama, to play free video games in the 1990s and into the 2000s. A sports bar held a space on the top floor in the mid-2000s, becoming a gathering place for UFC fans. And in recent years, Korean Cowboy earned a following for its tacos.
"After saying I'm not sorry to see it go, I can see that buildings like this have a real role to play in the city," said Alter. He recalled the quote by iconic urbanist Jane Jacobs, who said: "Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings."
"
someMidTowner
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I find it difficult to believe that Korean Cowboy developed any sort of following. I'll miss Gamerama though. EB Games not so much.
drum118
Superstar
A crew of Teperman personnel where looking the site area over today. Not sure if they looking at it to see what the cost would be as a bid to tear the place down or seeing how they would go about tearing the site down with Rockport having the street block off for their project.
Matter of days or weeks before work starts on this site.
Matter of days or weeks before work starts on this site.
FromSmallTownToMidTown
New Member
WillTo
Senior Member
Lovely. more midtown scaffolding blocking the sidewalk.
Ramako
Moderator
Yeah, they should just let people walk into the open construction site.
christiesplits
Senior Member
The cladding will make or break this project.
Consilium
Active Member
What do you think of the building's shape? Cladding usually makes a big influence on designs.