Cineplex Cinemas at Dundas-Yonge Streets.

The Cineplex Cinemas at Yonge-Dundas are contained within the large complex at 10 Dundas Street East, located on the northeast corner of the intersection at Yonge and Dundas Streets. When I first examined this building, I thought that I was gazing at an enormous electronic billboard rather than architecture. Christopher Hume of the Toronto Star once referred to it as “horrorarchitecture.”

The structure’s gaudy, scattered array of signs almost obliterate the building’s facades. It has an L-configuration, as it wraps around pre-existing structures, conforming to the shape imposed by the curve of Dundas Street. The building overlooks the Yonge-Dundas Square, one of the main squares of the city. This open space is becoming increasingly appreciated by Torontonians and tourists alike. In summer, people delight in sitting in the chairs that the city provides, under the shade of an umbrella and read a newspaper, text, or check e-mails, while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Yonge-Dundas Square in summer of 2013

The above photo depicts 10 Dundas Street East under construction. The building was officially opened on 28 March 2000. The L-shape configuration is evident. This photo and the one below are from Wikimedia Commons.

View of the structure from the southwest corner of the intersection. It shows the building prior to all the signage being attached to its facade. However, the purpose of this post is to examine the theatre complex that is inside the building at 10 Dundas Street East.

I recently included a post on this blog about the Scotiabank Toronto Cinemas (Cineplex) at John and Richmond Streets (a link to this post is provided below). The Scotiabank Toronto Cinemas are also inside a modern building that at first glance may have limited appeal for many. However, the structure’s architecture does not detract from the magnificent theatres within.

This is also true of the movie theatre inside the complex at Yonge and Dundas. In some ways, the cinemas are as impressive as the grand movie theatres of the 1940s and 1950s.

The theatre is no longer the AMC as it has been purchased by Cineplex Entertainment. This photo was taken in April of 2013, and the sign had not yet been changed. The entrance to the complex at 10 Dundas Street East is below the sign for the movie theatre.

When this photo was taken, the box office for the theatres was on the ground floor. This was changed, and patrons now proceed up to the fourth level on the escalators to gain entrance to the theatres.

This is the view as you exit the escalator and approach the lower lobby. It is an expansive space, decorated with subdued neon lighting and sweeping curves of metal and glass.

This is another view looking toward the lobby on the first level of the theatre.

The spacious lobby is ultra-modern. Similar to the theatres of yesteryears, it attempts to create the feeling that your entertainment experience begins the moment you enter the theatre. Personally, I believe that it succeeds.