Union Station Research Paper

Union Station, located on Front Street between Bay and York Streets, is the major transportation hub for not only Toronto, but for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area as well. Seeing over 200,000 travellers pass through its concourses each day, it’s considered the gateway to the GTHA not only for commuters on their way to work, but for intercity travellers as well. Go Transit, Via Rail and the TTC are all major tenants of the architectural space, as well as the soon to be opened Union-Pearson Express. Surprisingly, the building was once slated for demolition, hard to believe considering the architectural and historical importance of the building. The focal point of Union Station is its Main Upper Level Concourse, or as it’s commonly referred to as the Great Hall. The space of

Measuring 250 feet long by 84 feet wide by 88 feet tall, Great Hall unquestionably has the capacity to impress just about anyone making their way through its massing. On the East and West facing walls of the space, there sits substantial composite glass windows, allowing for ample natural lighting within the Hall. The coffered ceiling supported by immense columns and stone all combine to create this striking and grand space. Though the space may not be appreciated as much as it should be from the thousands of individuals passing through on their frantic rush to and from work, the space offers so much historically and architecturally to say the least. The ability the space has to serve its function of guiding individuals on their way through various corridors yet still being able to maintain its historical significance in modern society makes it that much more special. From its lavish detail to its ornate columns, Union Stations Great Hall surely is an architectural space willing to support the ideal of architecture and its role in