Yorkdale Subway Station was built as part of the Spadina Subway Extension and was one of eight stations that opened on 28 January 1978 on the TTC’S Yonge-University line. The station is placed in the median along Allen Road, just south of Highway 401 and west of Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The glass and concrete building is a station, waiting area and pedestrian bridge for the Yorkdale Subway stop.

Yorkdale subway station is an architectural representation of multicultural connectivity. As a transit hub, it transports people to and from its location across the GTA. These features are heightened by its proximity to and use by residents of Lawrence Heights.

The neighbourhood is Canada’s largest public housing development, inspired by an immigration boom following the Second World War. Furthermore, it is the public transit connection point between Yorkdale Shopping Centre, an international tourist attraction, and downtown Toronto. It was the first of several buildings constructed in Toronto by the late architect Arthur Erickson.

Erickson was made an Companion of the Order of Canada in 1981 and awarded the AIA Gold Medal in 1986. His works pushed the boundaries and reputation of Canadian architecture. They continue to do so through the Arthur Erickson Foundation, awarding scholarships to Canadian aspiring architecture students to fund travel-based study, further promoting a multicultural relation within Canadian architecture.

Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:

• the placement of the building along the median of Allen Road; and
• the pedestrian bridge spanning over Allen Road, connecting the building in the median to Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Key elements that define the heritage character of the building's exterior include:

• the double arched exterior, the first layer of which is clad in stainless steel panels with rounded rectangular windows in the centres, and the second layer of which is a glass and steel archway; and
• the concrete, steel, and glass bridge spanning between the station and Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Key internal elements that define the stop's basic construction and functional character include:

• steel support arches;
• panelized glass skylights;
• stainless steel and glass waiting areas;
• concrete panels with rounded rectangular windows; and
• steel columns in the middle of standing area with cross beams attached.

• Architect - Arthur Erickson Architectural Corporation  <-- More buildings by this architect.
• Builder - Toronto Transit Commission