The renderings are hideous, though I can console myself by imagining that their only focus is selling that advertising space.
The layouts are actually quite interesting. From an urban standpoint, the building isn't bad. I can't help but think some of the locations are very strange, though. On the first floor below ground, all the locations that will be on people's way from the subway to the ground level are leased. All of the others are not. I'm baffled by the lower two levels (Incidentally, they're reversed on the website, but accurate on the PDF). The bottom floor seems completely bizarre, and I can't imagine what would locate there. We may see some interesting local thrift store-style businesses. Maybe... a call centre? The second concourse level is weirdly connected to a location at ground level. I am guessing that it's where Lucid was supposed to go, and I wonder what other possible use could come for it.
The third-floor food court seems to be leasing quite well. It's amazing how much fast-food space the building includes, but it should be well-used with a subway entrance, megaplex, and neighbouring university. I'm surprised that AMC doesn't object to the food court right below them since it will presumably cannibalize their overpriced snacks business. Boston Pizza has a lovely location, and I bet their patio will be very popular in the summer.
The final weird quirk of the design is the passageway connecting the main building to the "nose." It seems very narrow and winding, so I don't know if that back area will be particularly successful. Future Shop doesn't seem to mind.
Tim Horton's should take over the rest of the nose on the ground floor and below. A mega-Tim's would surely be successful at such a location.
I'm pleased that most of the ground-level stores open on to Yonge St. rather than some internal mall hallway.
I'm also pleased about the Wolfgang Puck's. For chain fast food, it's pretty tasty.
