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Photographer: Adrien Williams
Photographer: Adrien Williams
Green subway tiles at the bar, a nod to the transit station itself, add a spark of colour and provide a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Green subway tiles at the bar, a nod to the transit station itself, add a spark of colour and provide a sense of familiarity and comfort.
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Photographer: Adrien Williams
A full-scale rotisserie and eat-in bar allows guests to experience the cooking frst hand. The area is grounded by a 12’ copper hood that acts as a functional focal point.
A full-scale rotisserie and eat-in bar allows guests to experience the cooking frst hand. The area is grounded by a 12’ copper hood that acts as a functional focal point.
×As the country’s busiest transit hub, Union Station hosts more than 300,000 daily commuters as well as visitors from the surrounding downtown areas, such as the fnancial, theatre and entertainment districts. In the midst of massive transformations, the station is poised to realize a new identity as both a transit hub and a vibrant civic and hospitality destination. DesignAgency was invited to create one of the station’s frst restaurants, Union Chicken.
While dining in railway stations is common in many other cities, Toronto’s station previously only had fast food and takeout offerings. As a result, DesignAgency’s challenge in designing Union Chicken was to establish an environment that would entice both the station’s visitors and beyond, making both the train station and Toronto’s downtown dining landscape more interesting and inviting.
From the corridor, Union Chicken presents a warm, aged character that seems to have evolved with time. The entire length of its façade is composed from industrial windows of different materials providing a transition between the station and the interiors. Inside, a mix of rustic-inspired elements, including reclaimed wood and bead-board paneling, burlap wallpaper, mixed brick and tile, vintage wine crate shelving, and a prominent copper-hood rotisserie add eclecticism to the relaxed setting. The eat-in bar counter and casual furnishings invite customers to enjoy the comfort of a relaxed, kitchen-side experience.
DesignAgency
Photographer: Adrien Williams
An across restaurant view shows the depth of the space and the signature wood coffered ceiling.
Photographer: Adrien Williams
Custom lighting over-hanging the sergeant chicken in the entrance adds humour and character to the entrance of the restaurant.
Custom lighting over-hanging the sergeant chicken in the entrance adds humour and character to the entrance of the restaurant.
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Photographer: Adrien Williams
Despite being located in a busy transit station, Union Chicken has a warm, aged character that seems to have evolved with time. A mirror that spans the length of the back wall reflects the surprising sense of intimacy throughout the entire restaurant.
Despite being located in a busy transit station, Union Chicken has a warm, aged character that seems to have evolved with time. A mirror that spans the length of the back wall reflects the surprising sense of intimacy throughout the entire restaurant.
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Photographer: Adrien Williams
The interiors feature a mix of warm, time-honoured materials like wooden beams that line the ceiling, with industrial accents like brick throughout.
The interiors feature a mix of warm, time-honoured materials like wooden beams that line the ceiling, with industrial accents like brick throughout.
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Photographer: Adrien Williams
Large scale graphics, custom patterned wallpaper and retro ceramic beveled tiles reinforce the approachable, casual and eclectic nature of the restaurant
Large scale graphics, custom patterned wallpaper and retro ceramic beveled tiles reinforce the approachable, casual and eclectic nature of the restaurant
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Photographer: Adrien Williams
Union Chicken’s entire façade is composed of an industrial screen of different materials and textures, providing a transition from the station to the interiors, as well as a creating a point of visual interest and curiosity for passersby.
Union Chicken’s entire façade is composed of an industrial screen of different materials and textures, providing a transition from the station to the interiors, as well as a creating a point of visual interest and curiosity for passersby.
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