Eaton Centre earmarked for skylight, accessibility renovations
Cadillac Fairview has announced plans to renovate the galleria skylight roof at its flagship Eaton Centre in Toronto.
The mall owner plans to spend $60 million on the project which will see the existing glass replaced with new materials and technologies to improve energy efficiency while maintaining the mall’s classic design aesthetic.
"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 centre's opening in 1977," said Wayne Barwise, Executive Vice President, Development, Cadillac Fairview. “As custodians of this unique architectural element, our priority is to ensure the integrity of its design as we significantly enhance its functional performance."
The design work will involve Zeidler Architecture Inc. and Read Jones Christoffersen consulting engineers, with construction overseen by EllisDon Corporation. The project will be carried out in two phases, starting with the south end of the mall (Queen Street to Centre Court) in mid-January 2022 and work on the north end commencing in March 2023.
"As the original architects of the galleria, we're honoured to play a continuing role in one of the city's most iconic buildings. This revitalization will ensure the skylight roof is fit-for-purpose and sustainable in the long term, all while retaining its original architectural splendor," said David Collins, Partner at Zeidler Architecture Inc.
CF also says it will invest $17 million to improve shoppers' movement and accessibility with the addition of three new staircases in the South Court and Urban Eatery, improvements to elevators, and the installation of a larger cab in an existing elevator to better accommodate strollers and mobility scooters.
Since 2010 Cadillac Fairview has invested more than $1.6 billion in CF Toronto Eaton Centre, including the redevelopment of the Queen Street pedestrian bridge, the purchase of the Hudson Bay Centre block and 401 Bay Street; the buyback of the Sears space and its redevelopment to accommodate Nordstrom, as well as the creation of the BMO Urban Campus opening in 2022, to name only a few of the revitalization projects undertaken.
CF Toronto Eaton Centre is the largest urban shopping centre in North America.