Rendering courtesy Ryerson University
Photo courtesy Gregory Signs & Engraving
Toronto’s Ryerson University has revealed the architectural designs for its new student learning centre, which is planned to house the famous, heritage-designated signs of Sam the Record Man, the defunct music store it is replacing.
Designed in part by Toronto-based Zeidler Partnership Architects, the eight-storey, 14,443-m2 (155,463-sf) learning centre will be built on the corner of Yonge and Gould Streets, with construction scheduled for completion by late 2014. While it will house academic, study and collaborative spaces for Ryerson students, faculty and staff, the Yonge street side will again feature retail space, both at and below grade.
Gregory Signs & Engraving of Vaughan, Ont., dismantled the Sam’s signs (pictured below), including two resembling giant records, in late 2008 and placed them in long-term storage (see Sign Media Canada, April 2009, page 22).
“For many Torontonians, Sam’s has become a cultural icon that evokes many fond memories,” says Johanna VanderMaas, media relations officer in Ryerson’s public affairs department. “We want to commemorate the site in a special way, so people will always remember how important the corner was. We’re currently looking at a number of options for the neon signs, which we have carefully preserved since they were taken down.”
