Subscribe

Construction Begins for New Downtown Toronto Ikea Store

By Dustin Fuhs

Date:

IKEA Construction - The Aura at College Park . Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Share post:

Swedish home furnishing retailer IKEA has begun construction on its future urban format location in The Aura at College Park in Toronto. It will become the first location of its kind in Canada for the retailer occupying a smaller footprint than other stores over multiple levels.

According to the new Ikea.ca/torontodowntown webpage, the store is projected to open in early 2022. With the format being designed to cater to downtown Toronto’s 300,000 residents, the retailer has decided on a more seamless experience.

The 66,175 square-foot location will feature more than 2,000 IKEA products for purchase and immediate takeaway, while larger items will be on display and available for home delivery.

According to IKEA, the store will offer a “unique new food concept”, while also providing other services to “support a seamless shopping experience”.

IKEA Construction – The Aura at College Park . Photo: Dustin Fuhs
Image: IKEA

The website also shares a link to a jobs portal, which as of publishing has not listed any roles in the new store.

Retail Insider has been following this story since February 2021, when the restaurants in the commercial podium exited. Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar, Reds Midtown Tavern, and Duke’s Refresher & Bar closed after reaching an agreement with the landlord Canderel. Bed Bath & Beyond left the Aura in March just prior to the official announcement from IKEA.

“The acquisition of the Aura Retail Podium marks our entry into the Canadian market,” said Cindy Andersen, Ingka Centres Managing Director. “Downtown Toronto is a super connected and dynamic place where people live, work, study and come to meet and have fun. It is in line with our strategic vision to invest in urban locations and to be closer to our customers”.

IKEA has continued to open smaller format stores in major markets globally, with Toronto being the next to showcase the format.

Additional Images from The Aura (Photos: Dustin Fuhs)

The Aura at College Park
The Aura at College Park. Photo: Dustin Fuhs
IKEA Construction – The Aura at College Park . Photo: Dustin Fuhs
IKEA Construction Exterior of Aura Retail Podium. Photo: Dustin Fuhs
IKEA Construction – The Aura at College Park . Photo: Dustin Fuhs
IKEA Construction – The Aura at College Park . Photo: Dustin Fuhs
IKEA Construction – The Aura at College Park . Photo: Dustin Fuhs
Dustin Fuhs
Dustin Fuhshttps://stepstomagic.com/
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of Retail-Insider.com He is a digital entrepreneur and Retail Specialist with over 20 years experience. He is the founder of Steps to Magic, a travel website that focuses on Disney & Universal theme parks.

1 COMMENT

  1. I am so happy to have an Ikea on downtown Toronto as I used to shop in Itobicoke which is VERY far for me. I live in downtown Toronto.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From The Author

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related articles

The New Grocery Code of Conduct Should Benefit Both Canadians and the Food Industry [Op-Ed]

An industry expert provides an overview of what the new code should improve and supply chain management practices as consumers grapple with rapid food inflation.

Columbus Café Expands Rapidly in Canada, Opening 10th Location in Montreal and Announcing First Toronto Location [Interview]

The Parisian chain is looking to grow its presence in Canada significantly with a goal for a significant number of locations, according to its broker.

Swarovski Opens Unique One-of-a-Kind Canadian Concept Store on Bloor Street in Toronto [Photos]

Toronto is one of only a handful of cities globally to feature Swarovski’s new Instant Wonder concept store design. 

Healthy Planet Expands in Southern Ontario with 4 New Locations and Innovative Healthy Planet Kitchen [Interview]

One of Canada's fastest growing health and wellness retail chains is growing its brick-and-mortar presence while launching a new concept, says its GM.

Canadian Restaurants Facing Impending Bankruptcies as CEBA Loan Repayment Deadline Looms [Survey]

Research is showing an increase in bankruptcies with a loan repayment deadline at the end of the year potentially throwing the industry into chaos.

Louis Vuitton Opens Canada’s 2nd Men’s Ready-to-Wear Concession at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in Montreal [Photos]

The luxury superbrand is growing its ready-to-wear presence in Canada in the country’s second-largest city, which will see even more clothing when a flagship Vuitton opens at Royalmount next year.

The Body Shop North America Appoints New General Manager to Expand Business: Interview with Jordan Searle

Searle discusses plans to upgrade stores with The Body Shop's new Workshop concept as the brand continues to see consumer growth amid competition.

Canadian Consumers will Abandon Checkouts if Preferred Payment Methods Unavailable [Study/Interview]

A new report examines consumer behaviour in Canada, indicating that retailers need to invest in tech to gain shopper loyalty.

Rack Attack Continues Expansion in Canada, Adding Three New Stores and Acquiring Calgary Locations [Interview]

The retailer of car racks, bike racks, rooftop tents, overlanding, and other outdoor gear is growing its operations in Canada with plans for more locations amid consumer demand.

Pilgrim CEO Robert Hayes Discusses the Jeweller’s Expansion Plans in Canada: Video Interview

The discussion includes how Hayes brought the brand into the market, what makes it so popular, wholesale expansion, and what's in store for new locations in Canada including one at CF Toronto Eaton Centre opening in late June.

Fitness Concept elleTO Growing Business with Female-Focus [Interview]

Founder Michelle Epstein discusses the rebrand and location moves which are proving successful for the 12-year old women's gym.

Montreal-Based Gourmet Salad Brand Mandy’s Sets Ambitious Expansion Plans, Eyeing National and International Growth [Interview]

The popular salad restaurant chain is looking at opening a substantial number of locations, given success after a recent expansion.
spot_img

About

Contact

Media

Follow

© 2023 Retail Insider Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The content on this website is protected by the copyrights of Retail Insider Media Ltd. or the copyrights of third parties and used by agreement. No part of any of the content of this website may be reproduced, distributed, modified, framed, cached, adapted or linked to, or made available in any form by any photographic, electronic, digital, mechanical, photostat, microfilm, xerography or other means, or incorporated into or used in any information storage and retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of Retail Insider Media Ltd. or the applicable third party copyright owner.