December 2024
Over the next decade, local malls will be transformed into mini villages. Many of our region’s indoor malls will soon be surrounded by dozens of high-rise towers in what is now an open expanse of underutilized outdoor parking. Inside the mall, we will see changes to the type of retailers and services provided.
Cloverdale Mall will, according to its development application, be surrounded by 10 residential towers from 17 to 48 storeys. It will include 23,500 square feet of community amenities, 3.8 acres of parkland and 185,000 square feet of retail space. In Thornhill, Promenade Mall’s transformation has begun. Two high-rise buildings have recently opened with direct access to the mall. More than a dozen new high-rise buildings are planned or in development for a total of at least 20 buildings within walking distance. When complete, Scarborough Town Centre will consist of a retail core surrounded by 45- to 65-storey high-rises, a transit hub, park-side neighbourhood and residential village.
Developers are planning to turn more than 14 GTA and region malls into mini villages in Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto – nearly 200 residential buildings are proposed around Yorkdale, Square One, Bramalea City Centre, Centerpoint Mall, Atrium on Bay, Dufferin Mall, Fairview Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Sherway Gardens, Agincourt Mall, Dixie Outlet Mall, Malvern Town Centre and Galleria Shopping Centre. Some of these malls need help attracting visitors. They are experimenting with beauty salons, community services, expanded food and entertainment venues, fitness options, experiential offerings and larger retailers. Increased local density will help.
Malls offer retail services surrounded by ample land and accessible transit. Creating density around a pedestrian friendly mall with good transit, shopping and amenities provides necessary housing for a growing population around existing infrastructure. Each mall can become a full functioning ecosystem that prioritizes green space, walkability, bikeability, easy transit and neighbourhood necessities.
Ontario needs to build 1.5 million homes over the next decade to house an anticipated 1.45 million newcomers expected to arrive in Canada, with most settling in the Greater Toronto Area.
