Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/175815
Yorkdale Shopping Centre by Helen Lammers-Helps COURTESY OXFORD PROPERTIES GROUP major expansion project at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre has added 30 new stores to one of Canada's premier shopping destinations. The $220-million, 145,000-squarefoot addition matches the character and style of the existing centre, which underwent a major renovation in 2005. The mall has an art gallery esthetic, says Christopher Brown, an architect with MMC International Architects Ltd. "It feels like a collection of buildings on a street," he explains. Clerestory windows, skylights, high ceilings, wide corridors and a two-storey glass entrance create a sense of spaciousness throughout the mall. "Similar tile, furnishings, planters, and so on were used in the addition to maintain consistency," says Yorkdale's general manager, Anthony Casalanguida. Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) was used on the exterior of the addition to match the original building, he adds. "There's good consistency – it looks identical," says Casalanguida of the exterior inish, which has a stucco-like appearance. The Yorkdale Shopping Centre is the grand dame of shopping centres, says Brown enthusiastically. When it was built in 1964, just off Highway 401, it was on the edge of the city. With 110 stores, it was by far the largest in Canada. This latest expansion, built in response to a high demand for space, will continue the shopping centre's reputation as a fashion destination with 40 new ' irstto-market' and 'best-in-class' retailers added to the existing 230 stores, says Casalanguida. Tenants include Holt Renfrew, J. Crew, Cartier, Coach, A Yorkdale Shopping Centre p.52-53Yorkdale Shopping Centre.indd 53 Sephora, Mango, lululemon, Billabong, Ann Taylor, kate spade new york, along with multi-level Old Navy, H&M and Zara stores. "The mall is already 99 per cent occupied," says Casalanguida. Earlier this year, the third loor of the former Eaton's Centre was renovated to create a 45,000-square-foot dining area that features skylights, ireplaces and an outdoor terrace. The seating capacity of the food court was doubled and several more options for food were made available. Ensuring that customers have a pleasant experience is an important focus of the design, says Brown. For example, customers entering from the parking garage access the escalator through a well-lit glass enclosure. New washrooms make use of touchless- low technology and high-end materials such as stone, glass and Corian. The more expensive rents at the high-end Yorkdale Mall made it possible to use quality materials such as stone and glass, explains Brown. Canopies for shade on the exterior of the building also increase shopper comfort. And another guest services kiosk was also added. A two-storey underground parking garage with room for 850 cars and valet parking was added during the expansion. To make it easy for drivers to ind a parking spot, a technologically advanced parking management system was installed, says Brown. The system, which can be viewed by drivers at parking lot entrances or on their mobile phones, alerts drivers to the location of open spaces. The parking management system also helps combat a misperception that there is a lack of parking available at the centre, adds Casalanguida. The landscape design balances tree canopy with parking lot functions and establishes a substantial understory of low-maintenance ornamental planting within beds and raised planters, says John Richard, landscape architect with NAK Design Strategies. It also ensures safe, logical and convenient pedestrian linkages are provided and easily identiied, he adds. Sustainability is a priority for Oxford Properties Group so there are many ways in which the mall's environmental impact has been minimized. "We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint," says Casalanguida. For example, skylights and clerestory windows maximize the use of natural light throughout the shopping centre, which reduces the amount of electricity needed. "During the day, 97 per cent of the lights are off," says Casalanguida. A green roof, supplied by LiveRoof, was installed on one half of the roof of the new addition. The green roof reduces the urban heat island effect, reduces stormwater runoff and creates a more esthetically pleasing view. The other half of the roof on the addition has been covered with solar panels. Electricity generated by the solar panels will either low to the grid or be used directly to power the shopping centre, says Casalanguida. Having the roof almost entirely covered with the green roof and solar panels did present a challenge, says Brown. "It was dif icult to ind room for the mechanical systems," he says. "It's a very busy roof." Other sustainable features of the Yorkdale Shopping Centre include the installation of four charging stations for electric cars along with bicycle facilities. Waste from the food court has been reduced by 85 per cent through the use of reusable cutlery and dishes. Permeable pavers that allow rainwater to percolate into the ground rather than run off were installed along with storage tanks that collect rainwater from the roof for irrigation. By considering the entire customer shopping experience from parking, through food and guest services, along with attracting ' irst-to-market' and lagship stores, and the added focus on sustainability, the Yorkdale Shopping Centre maintains its position as a preeminent shopping destination in Canada. ■ LOCATION 3401 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Oxford Properties Group ARCHITECT MMC International Architects Ltd. GENERAL CONTRACTOR EllisDon Corporation STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT exp Services Inc. MECHANICAL CONSULTANT The Mitchell Partnership Inc. ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Hammerschlag & Joffe Inc. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT NAK Design Strategies TOTAL AREA 145,000 square feet TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST $220 million OCTOBER 2012 /53 9/11/12 11:52 AM