A Preview of the Panorama

If you have passed through Union Station recently you might have noticed the signs of construction on the ground level, in a large area that looks out onto bustling Front street. This bright, 6,200 square-foot space is the new location of VIA’s Panorama Lounge, which was opened to the public as of January 30th for a “test run,” pending its official opening slated for March 12th.

Among many other fantastic new features, the Panorama Lounge will be open to Business and Sleeper class passengers travelling both to and from Toronto Union Station.

“Being able to take advantage of the Lounge’s facilities both before and after a train trip will be a huge benefit to our travellers and we are very proud to offer this new service”, explains Dean Rockhead, Product Manager, Corridor Services.

The Panorama Lounge, which is a joint venture between the City of Toronto and VIA, is a gorgeous heritage marble-lined space with plenty of seating to accommodate all needs. From wing-back chairs to bar seating, the versatile Lounge will please business and leisure passengers alike. For the work-minded there is a business center with access to computers, a printer and even a conference table (for those last-minute meetings). Outlets placed throughout the lounge along with free WiFi access allow those who have brought their own laptops to connect remotely.

For those simply wishing to relax there are couches to get cozy on, a selection of popular magazine titles to chose from and a bar-style beverage service area offering complimentary drinks.

Ken Rose, Senior Manager, Real Estate at VIA, who has played an active role in this project since the beginning, is excited to see how passengers will react to their new space. He also adds, “The Panorama Lounge’s high-end look and feel will pamper travellers going through Union station. I think this area will show our passengers how dedicated VIA is to great service.” 

If you are one of the designated passengers travelling through Toronto, we encourage you to stop by (either before or after your next trip), take a load off and have a sneak peek at your new Panorama Lounge.

The Panorama Lounge is one project among many that comprise VIA’s Billion-Dollar Transformation. Check back in March for a longer feature article about the Panorama Lounge’s transformation, including an image gallery of the work.