West Side North York Central: Teen Zone (2013 Visit)

Due to a renovation in 2012, the Teen Zone looked radically different than it did on my 2010 visit. In fact, the difference was so striking that it called for a new blog post to describe it. Take, for example, the way the post-renovation zone resembled a cross-section of a luxury cruise ship when seen from above.

Nautical comparisons aside, the new Teen Zone has done North York Central proud, creating a sleeker and more modern space. I don’t miss the indoor gazebo, irritating mural in a fake graffiti font, or overall jukebox theme (a throwback to late 1970’s nostalgia of the 1950’s via Grease and Happy Days)

With the space less cluttered with jukeboxes and gazebos, it was soothing to see a long stretch of wooden flooring. I also appreciated the way the domino-like lounges invited the presence of both unstructured groups of sprawlers and quiet individual readers.

On my 2013 visit, I arrived just after nine on a Wednesday morning, but I had to photograph the area quickly because people were already pouring into the venue. (For privacy reasons, I avoid taking any photos of patrons). By 9:30, two out of three small study rooms were occupied, and the large study area and computer labs were filling up fast as well.

I wasn’t surprised by the Teen Zone’s popularity, for not a hint of stuffiness could be detected in the interior design. There was only a sense of spaciousness and freedom, a manifestation of limitless learning.

Indeed, it is a place where you can contemplate infinity while perching on a glowing custard-tart. And whether you are studying the techno-trippy carpet or gazing up at the pods above, the Teen Zone provides an imaginative setting for dreamers and scholars alike.