The beloved CF Toronto Eaton Centre is going under a very expensive revamp. Cadillac Fairview announced today in a release that it will be putting in $77 million to give the mall a much-needed makeover.
A portion of $60 million will go towards a refurbishment of its galleria skylight roof.
The current glass will be replaced with brand new materials and tech which will improve energy efficiency. Although, it does still plan on maintaining its classic design.
Wayne Barwise, Executive Vice President, Development, Cadillac Fairview, said about the reno in a release, “At Cadillac Fairview, we are proud to continually invest in our properties to deliver a world-class shopping experience. The galleria’s original design was inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Italy and has served as a distinguishing feature of the mall since the center’s opening in 1977.”
There will be two phases for this skylight project. The first phase will happen in mid-January 2022 for the south end and then the north end will finish in March 2023.
If you do see the sixty Canadian geese art piece disappear, don’t panic. It will be temporarily removed for professional restoration and then placed in storage until it is time for reinstallation.
As for the $17 million, it will go towards the improvement of accessibility throughout the Eaton Centre.
There will be three new staircases in the South Court and Urban Eatery. Plus, improvements to elevators and an installation of a larger cab to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.
CF has actually invested over $1.6 billion into the CF Toronto Eaton Centre since 2010. Some of these investments include the redevelopment of the Queen Street pedestrian bridge and the creation of the BMO Urban Campus.
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With the rise of online shopping, malls and retail spaces are having to adapt to draw in crowds. But luckily for the consumer, that means that a lot of cool new things are coming our way.
From unique pop-ups to new entertainment centres, malls are going above and beyond to create interest, and some shopping centres are even enlisting in the help of celebrities and creators.
On August 1, shoppers can expect to see Toronto Raptors Danny Green at CF Eaton Centre.
The two-time NBA Champ will be making a special appearance at a brand new, innovative space at the mall dubbed Streaming at CF.
What makes the space different than its neighbours is its dedication to storytelling. Streaming at CF features a full studio set-up for celebrities, YouTubers, and other creators to come together and mingle with fans. In addition, the space will feature a selection of creator merchandise so that you can represent and support those featured in the space.
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Streaming at CF will be open to the public from Thursday, August 1 to Thursday, October 31, 2019.
Kicking off the launch of the new space, Danny Green will use the space to film his podcast Inside The Green Room with Harrison Sanford on Thursday, August 1 at 3 p.m. Shoppers can get an inside look at the entire creative process from Streaming at CF’s multipurpose lounge.
“YouTubers and podcasters are the new celebrities and are becoming a source of inspiration and influence for people,” Danny Green said in a press release. “I can’t think of a better place to celebrate creativity and support creative growth in the community.”
Instagram/@modesty5
The opening weekend brings on even more exciting creators, too.
On Friday, August 2, shoppers can watch comedians Jae and Trey Richards film a brand new YouTube skit at 3 p.m. And on Saturday, August 3, Ajay Saxena — aka DJ Charlie B — will be spinning tracks from 12-1 p.m. The Toronto-based DJ is best known for working with Cardi B, DJ Khaled, and Lebron James, to name a few, so you know it’s gonna be a good time.
Those interested in checking the new space out can find Streaming at CF on Level 2 by the the CF Eaton Centre Queen St. entrance.
Featured image: Instagram/@greenranger14
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While some might say the American mall is dead, I beg to differ. One of the best things about living in Toronto is the abundance of shopping, especially in terms of malls. It’s probably true that you don’t spend as much time at the mall as you did in your youth, but a visit to one of Toronto’s shopping centres is never a bad idea. Whether your shopping list is open-ended, or you’re planning on doing some light browsing, a little retail therapy never hurt anybody.
Take a look at the top Toronto malls ranked from best to worst below, and start planning your next shopping expedition.
Yorkdale
3401 Dufferin St, North York
Instagram/ @yorkdalestyle
Yorkdale is an obvious win when it comes to Toronto’s selection of malls! With over 300 stores and the recent edition of their luxury wing, Yorkdale is the essentially the belle of the ball raking in billions each year. If you’re looking to visit high-end boutiques, innovative flagship stores, and “first-to-Canada” initiatives, Yorkdale is the best place to-go. However, if you’re shopping on a strict budget and not having a full on shopping spree, it may be better to head over to the Eaton Centre for more budget-friendly brands.
CF Eaton Centre
220 Yonge St
Instagram/@ayazh2009
Next on our list and second to Yorkdale, is CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Shop all your favourite malls staples here like Aritzia, Zara, Sephora, and more, but avoid the temptation of a luxury wing. The Eaton Centre is also great if you’re looking to visit all of the newest international retailers like UNIQLO, Nordstrom and Muji. Another upside (for those of us who don’t drive) is the downtown central location; it’s definitely very accessible to get to via public transit.
CF Sherway Gardens
25 The West Mall
Instagram/ @my.miaou
Call me a millennial, but Sherway Gardens will always get bonus points for the safari scene in Mean Girls. While the array of stores may not be as expansive as Yorkdale or the Eaton Centre, the west end destination has all your nostalgic mall staples (Abercrombie, H&M, Forever21.) It also has a list of stores you wouldn’t find in some of the smaller malls in Toronto like Free People, Matt & Nat, and Sandro etc.
Scarborough Town Centre
300 Borough Dr, Scarborough
Instagram/ @shopstc
Scarborough Town Centre is a good mix of your classic mall stores, as well as new imports like Miniso and Muji. Shop here if you have a particular store in mind, are looking for basics, or specialty treats from stores like Squish. Essentially, Scarborough Town Centre is a good destination for those living in the east end, but not if you desire stores like Nordstrom, Uniqlo, or high end designer – you will have to go elsewhere.
CF Fairview Mall
1800 Sheppard Ave E
Instagram/ @raihan_khan86
While Fairview Mall is a little too far North for those who live downtown Toronto, it’s more accessible if you live closer to the 401 Highway. CF Fairview is equipped with all the regular mall staples like, American Eagle, Foot Locker, and Old Navy to name a few. It’s a great option for a low key shopping day as it’s not in the same playing field as Yorkdale or the Eaton Centre, but still beats your rural mall any day.
Dufferin Mall
900 Dufferin St
Instagram/ @dufferin_mall
Situated in the heart of the West end, Dufferin Mall is frequented by many, but is better for household products, basics, and necessities due to stores like Walmart, Dollarama, Winners, and Marshalls. You will not find the same list of high-end brands or international retailers here – only your very basic stores. It is however great if you feel like popping into Forever 21 or H&M without venturing all the way downtown or uptown.
Cloverdale Mall
250 The East Mall
Instagram/ @mymoodybabies
Cloverdale Mall rings is last on our list, as it doesn’t even compare to the malls above. Do not go shopping here for clothing as you will be sorely disappointed. That being said, the mall does have some stores that are suitable for necessities or groceries since they have a Kitchen Stuff Plus, Metro, LCBO, Home Hardware, and things like alteration services etc. Cloverdale mall is only suitable when shopping for living necessities and services.
Featured image: Instagram/ @dufferin_mall
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My oh my, have things changed!
Today, we know CF Toronto Eaton Centre as the ever-evolving downtown staple that attracts tourists and locals alike, but it wasn’t always as popular as it is today.
The mall first opened back in 1977. With the Eaton’s flagship as the anchor, it supplemented by 100 stores over a five-level shopping and office arcade, and two office towers.
Back then, the mall was aimed to attract upscale, urban, and affluent shoppers, much like the ones you’ll see in the vintage (and hilarious) 1984 Eaton Centre commercial below.
It’s actually a lot less creepy than this 1982 Yorkdale Mall commercial.
The mall has come a long way since the Eaton Centre commercial.
While there are still plenty of similarities between the commercial and now, the mall has come a long way in the past 32 years.
In 2010, Cadillac Fairview began an ambitious $120-million upgrade, and in 2015, they launched the second phase of redevelopment, which included an additional $400-million. Most recently, the pedestrian bridge underwent a major makeover.
Today the mall is home to many Canadian firsts like H&M Home and Uniqlo, plus major chain names like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
Instagram/@ishutterphotography
Toronto is filled with the most amazing shopping, from high-fashion malls to premium outlet malls — there is retail galore. Sometimes it’s hard to decide which mall you’re in the mood for, so this list should help you out.
These are the 10 best shopping malls Toronto and the GTA have to offer.
1. CF Eaton Centre
Instagram/@cftoeatoncentre
This stylish mall is a Toronto landmark with one of its signature features, the group of flying fibre glass Canadian geese that hang from the ceiling. Currently, there are 235 retail stores and services, featuring some of our absolute favourites like J. Crew, Hudson’s Bay, Levi’s, Nordstrom, Zara, Free People, Oak & Fort, H&M, Apple Store, Frank And Oak, and tons more. The food court was recently renovated to bring in a larger variety of price points, along with new culinary flavours. At the convenient location of Yonge and Dundas, the Eaton Centre is a prime shopping destination in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Location: 220 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario
2. Yorkdale Mall
Instagram/@yorkdalestyle
This gorgeous mall is a shopping staple for many Torontonians and features more designer labels and luxury stores than anywhere else. Only a short drive (or subway ride) away from downtown Toronto, Yorkdale Shopping Centre always has something fun going on. This mall in North York has over 250+ retail stores including Aritzia, AllSaints, Canada Goose, Jimmy Choo, Versace, Chanel, OVO, and even more to check out. Yorkdale has also opened its doors to unique retailers like The LEGO Store and Zara Home. In fact, many international companies have opened their first retail locations in Canada at Yorkdale. The food court was also renovated recently and is filled with a huge selection of food ranging from healthy options to KFC.
Location: 3401 Dufferin St., North York, ON
3. Bayview Village Shops
Instagram/@eshtiaghi
Bayview Village Shops contain more than 110 one-of-a-kind and luxury retailers, such as Davids, Gap, Aveda, Sandro, Ron White, and TNT. Located at Bayview Ave and Sheppard, it’s the only host of some North American high-end fashion designers. In addition, it contains outlets for luxury U.S. designers, such as Brooks Brothers.
Location: 2901 Bayview Ave., North York, Ontario
4. CF Fairview Mall
Instagram/@tianq327
This North York shopping centre has over 180 stores, offices and a cinema complex. It’s not a huge space but you can still manage to find everything you need. Stores included in the shopping centre include H&M, Little Burgundy, Hudson’s Bay, Victoria’s Secret, and more.
Location: 1800 Sheppard Ave E., North York, ON
5. CF Shops At Don Mills
Instagram/@mahmoudshoblaq
Located in North York, Shops at Don Mills is more of a lifestyle centre than a typical mall. It comprises 72 retail stores over more than 500,000 square feet. Attracting upscale shoppers, its most popular stores include Anthropologie, Oak & Fort, Michael Kors, and well-known food stores and restaurants, such as McEwan’s Gourmet Market and Joey’s. The layout is centred around a square, similar to a normal neighbourhood retail strip mall. There’s also an electric vehicle charging station.
Location: 1090 Don Mills Rd, North York, ON
6. Square One
Instagram/@andersonnn_y
Located at 100 City Centre Drive in Mississauga, it’s the largest premier shopping centre in Ontario and the second largest in Canada. With more than 2-million square feet, it houses more than 360 stores and services. Some of its most prominent stores include Holt Renfrew, Hudson’s Bay, Simons, Walmart, Apple, Harry Rosen, and Salvatore Ferragamo. The mall attracts 24-million shoppers annually.
Location: 100 City Centre Dr., Mississauga, ON
7. Vaughan Mills
Instagram/@hotsauce_creative
One of the largest enclosed malls in Canada, Vaughan Mills, located in Vaughan, comprises 1.3 million square feet with 200 retail stores, restaurants, and family-friendly entertainment outlets. They are visited by 13.5-million customers a year. Besides housing Legoland Discovery Centre, the mall has outlets like Saks Off 5th, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Armani Exchange, Hugo Boss, and more.
Location: 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Concord, ON
8. Sherway Gardens
Instagram/@kitchener_canada
With more than 1-million square feet, Sherway Gardens mall, located in Etobicoke, has 215 stores. It’s the eighth largest mall in Toronto. Through the years, it has changed from a mix of retail stores to become a centre for high fashion and luxury. Its anchor stores include Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Other high-end stores in this mall include Coach, Davids, DeBeers Diamond Jewellers, Kate Spade, Gucci, Montblanc, Birks, and Caudalie Boutique Spa. There’s also a seasonal farmers’ market.
Location: 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON
9. Dixie Outlet Mall
Instagram/@kirkmatthewfairley
Located in Mississauga, Dixie Outlet Mall is also known as Dixie Value Mall for its fantastic prices. It’s a hidden gem for visitors looking for deals and discounts. As Canada’s largest enclosed outlet mall, brands who call the mall home include Winners, Levi’s, Puma, Calvin Klein, Guess, and Tommy Hilfiger. It’s actually home to Canada’s first Nike Clearance store. There’s also a year-round flea market with 125 vendors and recycling stations.
Location: 1250 S Service Rd., Mississauga, ON
10. Toronto Premium Outlets
Instagram/@toronto_po
Located in Halton Hills, Ontario, this is Canada’s first premium outlet centre. Its anchor stores are Saks Fifth Ave off 5th and Restoration Hardware, but other brands with outlets in the centre include Aritzia, Jimmy Choo, Ted Baker, Michael Kors, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, and more.
Location: 13850 Steeles Ave W, Halton Hills, ON
Featured Image: Instagram/@cftoeatoncentre
For quite a while, global retail shopping centres have reached out to the high-end demographic, but this is a recent occurrence in Canada. Until now, luxury retail stores have been in downtown areas on street fronts, not in shopping malls. However, landlord Cadillac Fairview has picked up on this global trend by creating upscale areas in several Canadian malls to further attract affluent shoppers.
This is a win-win situation for a landlord. Deluxe brands prefer to be in the same area for easier accessibility to their target market, and upscale shoppers prefer to shop where luxury brands are clustered. These customers view a high-end area as customized for them and will shop more, which can result in sky-high sales numbers for luxury retailers.
In Toronto, Cadillac Fairview is creating luxury areas in the downtown CF Toronto Eaton Centre, the busiest shopping centre in North America with more than 50-million visitors a year. Eaton Centre is home to well-known brands such as Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, and Links of London on its third level, which is bookended by such upscale flagship stores such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue/Hudson’s Bay.
These high-end department stores are full of luxury brand shop-in-store boutiques, such as Gucci, Paul Smith, and Stella McCartney. Cadillac Fairview is also adding luxury areas at CF Sherway Gardens, another high-end mall they own in Toronto. One of the most attractive shopping centres in Canada, it houses stand-alone luxury boutiques such as DeBeers and Tiffany & Co., and anchors Nordstrom and a 143,200 square foot Saks Fifth Avenue as well as an 18,500 square foot food hall operated by Pusateri’s Fine Foods. CF is creating the same model at the malls they own in Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal.
While Cadillac Fairview is not the only Canadian landlord increasing luxury to its malls, it is notable because of its expansive national ownership of shopping centres. Other Canadian landlords, such as Oxford Properties, owner of trophy property Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, as well as Ivanhoe Cambridge and QuadReal, will also be increasing their luxury retail areas as Canada’s retail landscape perspective continues to polarize.
Source: Retail-Insider.com
Featured Image: Instagram/@yorkdalestyle
How do you think the future of retail will continue to change? Let us know in the comments!
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Even though we’re only halfway through 2018, Toronto has already seen some amazing and unique brands opening their doors across the city. From international retailers to local companies, we’ve put together a list of the top 2018 Toronto store openings we’re most excited for. Check them out below and stay tuned for more!
Laline
A couple of weeks ago, Israel’s leading beauty brand opened its first Canadian store at CF Sherway Gardens. The cosmetics and lifestyle retailer offers a selection of items for the body, bath products, perfumes, skincare, makeup, nail polish, and aromatic ambiance products for the home. Throughout the years Laline has been leading the category of cosmetic and beauty products that nurture both body and soul.
Consonant Skincare
One of our favourite brands, Consonant Skincare has just opened its flagship store on Queen West. The brand offers 100% natural, clinically proven products. According to Bill Baker, founder and president of Consonant Skincare, the store acts as a hub and gathering place to support customers that are looking to achieve a holistic and healthy lifestyle.
Nordstrom Rack
Arguably the biggest store opening of 2018! Nordstrom Rack offers customers a wide selection of on-trend women’s, men’s and kids’ fashion from many of the top brands sold at Nordstrom stores at everyday savings of up to 70% off, including Ted Baker London, Kate Spade New York, Theory, Bobbi Brown and more. The first Nordstrom Rack successfully opened at Vaughan Mills on March 22 to a line of more than 500 customers.
Levi’s® Flagship
The epitome of classic American style and effortless cool opened their first branch of Levi’s® Store in CF Toronto’s Eaton Centre last month. The Canadian flagship store is exclusively offering Levi’s Authorized Vintage for the first time in Canada. The 5,300 square foot store focuses on customer experience, with tech-supported touchpoints such as call buttons in the fitting rooms to directly request other sizes and assistance. The most amazing part is that the store features a tailor shop where you can customize and alter your favourite denim products.
Chloé
Paris-based women’s luxury brand Chloé opened its first Canadian standalone store in June at Toronto’s premier shopping destination. The new Chloé in Yorkdale is situated between Saint Laurent and Mr. and Mrs. Italy. The new store is around 2,200 square feet along with Chloé’s iconic powdery rose beige colour scheme. The boutique is designated as Chloé’s Canadian flagship store and carries the brand’s full ready-to-wear line, leather goods, handbags, footwear and luxury accessories.
ASICS
Located at 364 Queen St. W., the store features two brands in the ASICS family- ASICS and ASICSTIGERTM and offers an innovative and elevated shopping experience. According to the president of this iconic sports performance brand, the flagship store represents the new direction of the brand, offering consumers a brand experience aimed at celebrating movement while offering them the best of our products across both performance and lifestyle.
Sport Chek Kids
In an effort to broaden their consumer offering, Sport Chek has opened its first location dedicated specifically to kids. The new store will be located at Vaughan Mills in the GTA and according to Retail-Insider the new store will span approximately 6,930 square feet. The store will cater to children from infant all the way up to 14, with a goal of creating a one-stop shopping experience for families with active kids.
Casper
One of the most innovative sleep companies in the world opened its first Canadian retail space in May 2018 at Toronto’s CF Sherway Gardens. The first Casper Sleep Shop features 4 miniature sleeping areas, all inspired by the comforts of home. In these areas, visitors can experience what it feels like to sleep on one of the most comfortable mattresses in the world.
William Ashley
The store, which currently carries more than 200 prestigious kitchenware brands, was created by DesignAgency and features two shining stories in the Colonnade heritage building. The new location will surprise its visitors with 23 foot high ceilings and dazzling architectural features.
Miniso
China-based “Japanese lifestyle brand,” Miniso has opened its store in downtown Toronto and Torontonians are definitely excited about it. Anyone who loves discounts and deals will be a big fan of this store. Miniso, seen as a Dollarama competitor, sells kitchenware, cosmetics, notebooks, home decor, electronics and a lot more. Most of these sell for around $2.99 to $5.
Did we miss any of 2018 Toronto store openings? Let us know in the comment section below.
Back to nature!
We’re a few months into the year, and our clean and green beauty resolutions have not wavered. We’re definitely huge fans of products that get the job done, but sometimes that comes at a cost. Let’s all do our best to steer clear of brands that test on animals or source ingredients in harmful ways.
So, in order to help you on your cruelty-free product quest, we’ve sourced five brands that can address your natural skin concerns. Check these five stores located inside the Eaton Centre.
1. Aveda Experience Centre:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf8jxeWgMRJ/?taken-by=avedacanada
Aveda has been a friend to the environment since 1978, and continues to push the boundaries for natural beauty products. From their hair care products to luxe makeup skincare buys, they stock our vanities with some of the best planet-friendly finds around town. If you’re hoping to snag a few of their smooth frizzing potions or sun care products before your holiday in the sun, be sure to stop by their experience store right here in Toronto.
2. Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BedZye6gUQn/?taken-by=lushcosmetics
Lush seriously brings the fun to the natural beauty industry! Not only do they buy ethically, but they proactively fight against animal testing. Their products are handmade and vegetarian, and to top it all off, their packaging is recycled. Stop by their Eaton’s Centre store for their latest and greatest including a slew of colourful bath bombs, lotions and the like.
3. Saje Natural Wellness:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be1aSpbn4TE/?taken-by=sajewellness
The come up story for Saje Natural Wellness has been exciting to watch. If you’ve ever stopped by one of their locations, you will notice a fragrant aroma that allows you to feel centred no matter the situation. Saje is also a proudly Canadian brand that uses 100% natural ingredients derived from true sources. All ingredients are listed very clearly on the label and boast no artificial fragrances, parabens, silicones or SLS.
4. Compagnie de Provence:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeaM0WbhqGx/?taken-by=compagniedeprovence
These vegetable oil derived products come straight from Marseilles, France, and are free of colouring or artificial additives. Their natural line has also expanded from soaps to fragrances, face care and home products which will clean up your life, and leave it smelling like a sumptuous lavender field in Provence.
5. The Body Shop:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1Xh9EHPxL/?taken-by=thebodyshop
It’s no secret that The Body Shop cares about animals and the environment! From their affordable pricing to their cruelty-free mantra and ethically sourced ingredients, you can feel good while shopping here. They have also partnered with Cruelty-Free International, an organization aimed at fighting against animal cruelty. Make a difference and sign the petition today: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-ca/againstanimaltesting
Featured image: Instagram/ @lushcosmetics
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Finally, China-based “Japanese lifestyle brand,” Miniso will be coming to downtown Toronto and everyone is pretty excited. Anyone who loves discounts and deals will be a BIG fan of this store. The store, seen as a Dollarama competitor, sells kitchenware, cosmetics, notebooks, home decor, electronics and a lot more. Most of these sell for around $2.99 to $5.
Less than a year ago, the retailer planned an aggressive expansion around Canada with 500 planned nationwide. They started in Vancouver and finally opened up shop in Ontario last year. Since then, four other locations have opened up near Toronto. We are pumped to embrace the downtown store at the CF Eaton Centre but the company has not released many details yet.
We still can’t wait and are ready for the opening..any time now!