Demolition and Redevelopment
The owner of the mall, Cadillac Fairview, proposed a redevelopment of the site to include a lifestyle centre, condos and office space. The redevelopment plans originally called for a phased redevelopment, keeping different portions of the mall open at different times to ensure its continuity as a shopping centre. However, plans changed and the centre was demolished, and the first phase of an urban village consisting of 100 retailers and services opened on April 22, 2009.
In May 2006, the majority of the mall closed, apart from Metro, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the TD Canada Trust bank building, the Royal Bank of Canada building, and Anthony's Restaurant. Other stores remained open until the end of June. In July 2006, the former Eaton's store was fully demolished. The Don Mills Civitan Arena which is owned by the City of Toronto is still open to the public as the redevelopment is ongoing.
Home Hardware, has re-located to 49 The Donway West, on the south side of the Mall property, where The Beer Store, Blockbuster Video and Royal LePage Realty have always been located. Shoppers Drug Mart and CIBC built new locations on the north-east corner of Lawrence Avenue East and The Donway West . The Shoppers Drug Mart opened in late April 2007, its 1000th store, and the CIBC Branch opened at the same time. As of early October 2008, Jack Astor's had re-opened, the new mall is now open.
Dominion (now Metro), the Canada Post building and the Royal Bank Building are the only reminders of the old mall.
Read more about this topic: Don Mills Centre