I have to agree with Adma. The mall has a nice look to it, with the railings and elevators and all, and I am afraid that any of the suggested "improvements" would actually end up doing a lot of damage to the asthetic quality of the mall, not to mention giving it a generic-nowhere look.
And I'll agree with both of you...Eaton Centre represents a rare and short-lived "High Tech" period of design. Zeidler had back-to-back home runs of this style, with Ontario Place and TEC...he had a real knack for this style....and then he moved on to more mundane stuff...too bad.
Eaton Centre was fully designed for this vernacular, including the details so many people are obviously unaware. Much of it has been ruined, but at least the interior of the atrium remains more-or-less intact....it should stay that way...glass can be cleaned...fresh coats of paint can be applied...this is not a problem. But all of the elements themselves are part of a cohesive design.
So no...you can't replace the railings.
The problem is, all architectural/design integrity at CF went out the door with the Bronfmans. Look what they've messed with at Mies' TD Centre...and that's an obvious no-brainer
just don't mess with it and you'll be fine...touch it and your a fool situation. Of course they would alter anything and everything at TEC with no nod to its more esoteric design pedigree.
I'll admit that the original Yonge St facade did turn its retail back on the street, which was not all that great, but the design was coherent with the overall style of the original design...I'm not surprised the reno absolutely ignored the buildings original design for forgettable facades, while they may be more street-friendly.
This exterior High Tech design can still be seen from the park on the west side in Bell Trinity Square.
The Dundas atrium was ruined long before the recent H&M addition. I remember when the mall first opened, it was absolutely stunning (ok...in a 70's stunning way). That all-purple two-tired restaurant that hung over the then fully open atrium was pretty impressive. I suppose the appropriate 70's term would be..."
chic"
Rather than the dingy food court that now inhabits the old Eatons 3-below, there was a food court on the upper level, about where Harry Rosen is now located....it had a pub overlooking Yonge Street, and various food outlets...it had a nice atmosphere to it.
And yes, the atrium was designed with plants in mind (another 70's thing I guess). And lots of them, flowing everywhere...a lot of planters are still there, as they were built into the overall metal work of the building....but tending to live plants is too much of a hassle...so they sit empty, been removed, or used foolishly as "stands" for something. The cascading water features have been long removed too....real shame.
The Eaton Centre may no longer be the marvel it once was...bigger malls have been built...people don't stand to watch the fountain spray its geyser and ooh and aawh any more, but it remains an oddity in the mall world...it was built with an incredible sense of style...one that should be preserved before it's too late.