Upscale Toronto-based menswear retailer Harry Rosen is renovating its 82 Bloor Street West flagship store in Toronto. So far, much of the second floor has been upgraded with new designer boutiques, and other floors have also seen modifications. Harry Rosen will continue renovating the store into 2018.
The 55,000 square foot, five level men’s store, which opened in 1987, is the largest of its kind in North America with escalators joining four of the store’s retail floors, it appears to be something of a “luxe men’s department store”, with areas for suits, tailoring, grooming, footwear, accessories and other categories.
The flagship is in the midst of a $5 million renovation, with much of the initial renovations happening on the store’s second level where a handful of the world’s top menswear brands have seen renovated hard-shop boutiques profiling the latest collections. Newly built boutiques for brands Ermenegildo Zegna, Moncler, Giorgio Armani, Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana reflect each of the brand’s latest designs, with some not existing anywhere else in the world, as of yet.
The Zegna boutique, for example, was designed by New York City-based architect Peter Marino. Mr. Marino is considered to be one of the world’s leading interior designers and has worked with some of the world’s top brands, including the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Fendi.
The Giorgio Armani boutique is very luxe, featuring silk walls, attractive lighting, and the highest quality materials. The Armani boutique carries the brand’s ‘Black Label’ collection — Harry Rosen carries the men’s collection exclusively in Canada.
The new Moncler boutique includes ample use of marble and wood, and the bright, beautiful Brunello Cucinelli boutique features the brand’s trademark white walls and wood accents. The Tom Ford boutique on the second floor is also expected to see upgrades in the new year, as well.
“It’s such an honour that the biggest brands in the world are telling us that they want to be a significant part of the Harry Rosen experience. They’re making huge investments with us to bring these first-to-market design ideas to our stores,” says Larry Rosen, CEO.
The store’s third floor is also seeing some changes — men’s furnishings were relocated from the ground floor (making room for more shoes downstairs) to an area anchored by an Eton shop, as well as bespoke tailoring. Harry Rosen’s Bloor Street flagship is the only one in the company to feature a permanent bespoke department, which artfully creates custom-designs with the highest quality of finishes, with prices to match.
Next year, as well, the third floor will see renovated hard-shops for premium luxury brands Kiton, Isaia and Corneliani.
The expansive ground floor footwear department has grown to carry many of the world’s top shoe brands, and men’s accessories has also seen new lines in an upgraded area. The store’s lower level, which carries a range of designer sportswear including Diesel and John Varvatos, will also be seeing some renovations as things progress into 2018.
Renovations to the Bloor Street Harry Rosen flagship are part of a multi-year, $100 million+ renovation/expansion program for the chain, which has seen most of Harry Rosen’s Canadian stores being renovated and expanded over the past five years. With stores spanning from Vancouver to Montreal, Harry Rosen is considered to be the country’s top upscale multi-brand menswear retailer, with considerable market share. It is also considered to be world-class with its exceptional customer service and extensive product and brand offerings — it’s come a long way from the year 1954, when a young Harry Rosen opened a 500 square foot men’s store on Toronto’s Parliament Street. The Harry Rosen chain now boasts 15 full-line stores in Canada as well as three outlet locations.
*All photos are courtesy of Harry Rosen.
