Metropolis finally rising on Yonge-Dundas

By Frank Giorno –

After years of inactivity downtown Toronto’s long-awaited and much-delayed Metropolis Entertainment Complex is finally taking shape. The gaping whole in the ground that stood idle for the better part of six years now has been filled by a structure of steel girders and concrete that has reached 10 stories above ground. Pen Equity the developer of Metropolis state on their web site that the long awaited entertainment complex is scheduled to be completed in fall 2007.

Located at northeast corner of Dundas Street East and Yonge Street in the heart of Toronto’s retail district, Metropolis is kitty corner from the Eaton Centre and across from Dundas Square. Information on Pen Equity’s web site said the complex will consist of 13 floors (10 above ground & 3 concourses) and 360.000 square feet of entertainment, stores, restaurants including: AMC (30 screen theatres), Future Shop, Addis Sport Performance Store, Shopper’s Drug Mart and a variety of small shops and a food court.

The project has incorporated an existing parking garage belonging to Ryerson University which has exchanged its right to build over its land for Ryerson’s use of the AMC theatres as classrooms during daytime hours.

Originally planned to start in 1999, the venture stalled. Since then other developments neighbouring Dundas Square were planned, designed, constructed and opened to the public. Most recently the new Ryerson Business Building on the south of Dundas Street West which houses a Canadian Tire outlet and a Best Buy Electronics Outlet. To the east of the Square the Spirit of the Olympics building was hastily constructed in time for the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics and lived long enough to make it to the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics before abruptly closing its doors this summer.

Hot Corner Numbers

• 56 million people a year pass through the Yonge-Dundas intersection to work, shop or play
• 20 million TTC subway passengers trips start or end at Dundas Station
• 14 million passengers in vehicles travel through the Yonge-Dundas intersection annually
• 25,000 full-time and 61,000 continuing education students will have direct access to Metropolis

(source: www.metropolis.ca)