Toronto's Union Station
Opened in 1927, Union Station, the hub of Toronto's rail and subway system, features some very impressive architecture
What makes Union Station a tourist attraction in it's own rite is it's impressive architecture and history.
It is highly unlikely that you will see Toronto using public transit without passing through Union Station as it is Toronto's major rail hub for both intercity and commuter trains. In fact, Union station is Canada's busiest passenger transportation hub.
The current building was opened in 1927. In 1954 the Toronto Transit commission opened Union subway station which is buried below Front Street West in front of Union Station. The subway and train stations are connected to one another.
Union Station occupies an entire city block along Front Street West between Bay Street and York Street. The building is 752 feet long and has a facade of 22 limestone columns, 40 feet tall, along Front Street. The massive Ticket Lobby, commonly known as the 'Great Hall', is 250 feet long and 88 feet high at the ceiling's highest point. The ends of the 'Great Hall' feature 4-story high arched windows and the floors feature a herringbone pattern of Tennessee marble. The names of destinations across Canada are carved just below the cornice that surrounds the 'Great Hall'.
In addition to connecting with the subway station, Union Station connects to The Path a 28 kilometre pedestrian tunnel network and the world's largest underground shopping complex with 1200 stores and services occupying over 4,000,000 sq.ft. There is also a covered walkway connecting Union Station with the popular CN Tower. Anyone with an interest in architecture and history will find this a very interesting location.
