Today, following a 14-year, $824 million comprehensive overhaul, Canada’s largest multi-modal transportation hub has officially transformed from a mere pass-through into a world-class civic destination.
Led by NORR Architects & Engineers and heritage specialists EVOQ Architecture, the Union Station Revitalization Project has expanded the historic 1927 Beaux-Arts facility to handle a projected 130 million passengers annually. By seamlessly blending bravura engineering with careful historical preservation and a vibrant new retail strategy, the station is now positioned as a premier cultural and culinary hotspot in the heart of downtown Toronto.
To accommodate the staggering growth in commuter traffic—currently sitting at 65 million passengers a year—the design team had to get creative. Instead of building up, they dug down.
The ambitious project carved out a 270,000-square-foot expansion four meters below the existing basement level, effectively doubling the size of the previous Bay Street GO concourse and adding a brand-new York Street GO concourse.
The "Dig-Down" Feat: To achieve this without halting transit, 185 track-supporting columns were jacked up, transferred onto bedrock-supported micro-piles, and cut away. Remarkably, 11 of the 12 tracks remained fully operational throughout, with track movement kept to less than three millimetres.
The Glass Moat: The previously open-air 'moat' surrounding the station has been levelled for accessibility and enclosed with a sleek, steel-ribbed glass canopy. This giant skylight protects commuters from the elements while offering stunning worm’s-eye views of the CN Tower, all while stopping just short of the heritage façade to preserve its structural integrity.
Heritage Restored: The majestic Great Hall underwent a colossal cleaning to remove a century's worth of train exhaust and cigarette smoke, restoring the exquisitely engineered Guastavino tile vault and historic Zumbro stone to their original glory.
The dig-down didn't just create room for commuters; it unlocked 160,000 square feet of brand-new retail space, curated by retail developer Osmington Inc., turning the station into a foodie haven.
Say goodbye to the dead-end fast-food joints and hello to distinctly Torontonian retail neighbourhoods:
The Foodie Aisle: Located near the Scotiabank Arena entrance, this market-style corridor features a diverse selection of local chefs and quick bites, including Mean Bao, Butter Chicken Roti, and Grand Tacos Taqueria.
Union Market & Promenades: The Front and York Street Promenades act as the station's "Main Street," offering everything from fast-casual dining at the Union Food Court to sit-down experiences like Amano Italian Kitchen, WVRST, and the upscale Blue Bovine fine dining in the East Wing.
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Image courtesy of: NOOR
A Living Cultural Hub
Union Station is no longer just a place to catch a train; it is a lively venue for Toronto's arts and culture scene. As of early 2026, the station is actively programming its spaces to engage the public:
Art Exhibitions: The station is currently hosting Unionnale: Aura by Jason Zante in the Union Market, alongside the A Kind of Order exhibition in the West Wing, which amplifies Black voices and BIPOC creatives.
Live Music & Events: Commuters can regularly catch live DJ sets through the TD Union Beats program, or stumble upon interactive pop-ups like free local food samplings at the Bay Kiosk.
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Image courtesy of: NOOR
Award-Winning Architecture
The Union Station Revitalization proves that public infrastructure can still ennoble the fabric of a city. The project has already garnered significant industry acclaim, sweeping recent architectural honours:
AIA Canada Society Design Awards 2025 – Merit in Architecture
Toronto Urban Design Awards 2025 – Public Buildings in Context
Heritage Toronto Awards 2024 – Heritage Planning & Architecture Award in Built Heritage
By leveraging the value of an irreplaceable heritage building and expanding it from within, the City of Toronto and its partners have ensured that Union Station will continue to be the beating heart of the city for generations to come.
Great design bridges past and future, creating spaces that evolve with us.
Our built environment is in a constant state of beautiful evolution. At Forma, we believe that architecture and design are deeply personal—they dictate how we live, grow, and connect across every stage of life. As a community of designers, architects, engineers, trades, builders, suppliers, students and creators, we are constantly tasked with bridging what was with what will be. Whether we are exploring innovative new builds, thoughtful restorations, or the visionary people shaping our industry, our mission remains the same: to look beyond the aesthetics. We invite you to explore the human stories woven into the brick, light, and landscapes of the spaces we inhabit. Thank you to everyone who reads, contributes, and shares in this vision.
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