Plans were announced earlier this month for a massive $331 million expansion of AIMCo and Oxford’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, one of Canada’s premiere shopping destinations. Construction work on the 298,000 square-foot retail expansion is set to commence in January of 2014 with completion targeted for the Fall of 2016.

298,000 square-foot retail expansion for Yorkdale, anchored by Nordstrom, image courtesy of Oxford

Yorkdale has a long standing history of being the entry point for international retailers entering the Canadian market. Following on the success of other international retailers such as Top Shop/Top Man, Kate Spade and Tesla Motors, the new expansion will be anchored by a 188,000 square-foot Nordstrom store—one of the first five Canadian locations for the US-based fashion giant. The expansion will also house a diverse range of other retailers that will be announced closer to the project’s completion.

Entrance and atrium of the newly announced expansion, image courtesy of Oxford

“We continue to be impressed by how Oxford and AIMCo are taking steps to make an already great centre even better. We feel fortunate to be part of this expansion at such a strong location, and look forward to the chance to compete for our customers’ business when we open at Yorkdale,” said Karen McKibbin, President of Nordstrom Canada.

This announcement comes only months after the November 2012 opening of a $220 million, 145,000 square foot expansion that featured five first-to-Canada retailers. Like the recently opened expansion, the newly announced plans are designed by MMC International Architects Ltd. The 4-storey addition will be built along Yorkdale Road on the east side of the property, currently the site of a parking structure serving the mall. New parking will be built in a garage below the expansion.

Rendering of Yorkdale expansion, looking west from Yorkdale Road, image courtesy of Oxford


Current view looking west from Yorkdale Road: the parkade on the right will be demolished, image from Google Streetview

Some retailers from the most recent expansion are still renovating and opening. Holt Renfrew has opened new sections and is in the midst of a section-by-section luxe renovation of the store, adding significant new space and new lines in self-contained boutiques within the store.

“This isn’t a matter of ‘if you build it, they will come’. International brands and enthusiastic shoppers are flocking to Yorkdale and we’re growing to meet market demands,” said Anthony Casalanguida, General Manager, Yorkdale Shopping Centre. “The new expansion makes it possible for us to continue to provide the very best experience for our shoppers by bringing in the most in-demand retailers from around the world.”

Owned by Oxford Properties Group and AIMCo, Yorkdale Shopping Centre has undergone four major renovations since opening nearly 50 years ago, including $110 million and $220 million expansions in 2005 and 2012 respectively. With construction on the new expansion set to begin this coming winter, Yorkdale’s continued growth is expected to keep the decades old mall at the forefront of Toronto’s shopping scene for years to come.

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