UPDATE: To see photos of the newly opened RH Gallery at Yorkdale, see our updated article: Inside Yorkdale’s Impressive 70,000 Square Foot RH Restoration Hardware Gallery [Photos]
RH, aka Restoration Hardware, is preparing to open one of its largest locations globally at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The four-level, 70,000 square foot store will open to the public on Friday, October 20 at 11:00am.
It’s the latest ‘RH Gallery’ to open for the chain — several American cities already feature the large-format, multi-level concept. Each location is architecturally stunning, and Yorkdale will no doubt live up to that standard. It’s being described as having “artistic installations of furnishings and décor in a gallery setting” with entire floors dedicated to RH Interiors, RH Modern and RH Outdoor — initially designed by Backen, Gillam & Kroeger, with Toronto-based architectural firm Quadrangle having completed the drawings, coordinated final design details, obtained city approvals, oversaw construction and ensured that the RH brand goals and design concept was faithfully executed in the final building.
The “grand-scale, classical contemporary structure” will be “filled with fresh air and natural light” with architectural and design details that will include lush garden terraces, decomposed granite courtyards, and a grand double floating staircase with a massive skylight and spectacular installation of 23 Helix crystal chandeliers suspended 62 feet overhead. A Rooftop Park & Conservatory with mature Himalayan birch trees will feature intimate vignettes showcasing the latest RH Outdoor collections, with views of the Toronto skyline.
Yorkdale’s RH will also include an interactive Design Atelier, offering the services of professional interior designers in a studio environment — not to mention a Ben Soleimani Rug Showroom as well as specialized galleries for window treatments, bed and bath linens and bath hardware.
The Yorkdale flagship will be only the second globally to feature a restaurant component in partnership with celebrated restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff, which will include a courtyard café that will offer a seasonal, ingredient-driven menu set within sheltered gardens with towering heritage olive trees, trickling fountains and glimmering chandeliers. In addition, a pantry will serve craft espresso, a curated selection of artisanal wines and craft beers, and fresh house-made doughnuts and pastries from Sodikoff’s famed Doughnut Vault in Chicago.
RH anchors Yorkdale’s newest expansion wing that extends westward towards Dufferin Street. Other confirmed tenants in the new wing include Sporting Life (also opening next month).
We’ll follow up this article with photos of the new space when it opens next month.
