A large and innovative food hall will open in downtown Toronto’s Financial District this summer at the CIBC SQUARE complex. Called TABLE Fare + Social, the food hall will compete with others nearby at a time when foot traffic is down in Toronto’s core.
The TABLE food hall is a partnership with Ivanhoé Cambridge and Hines, which developed the CIBC SQUARE office complex which spans 50 floors and about three million square feet over two phases. The approximately 35,000 square foot food hall itself will be located on the fourth floor of the first phase at 81 Bay Street.
A “multifunctional space with various seating areas” will be included, “from communal tables to quiet alcoves in the library and al fresco dining”, according to a press release. A range of food will be available, from Thai to Japanese and local options to create diversity and to reflect the diversity of the city. Tenants will be announced at a later date. The goal is to create an experiential space with year-round programming that includes food tastings, cooking classes, live music, pop-up events, trivia nights, and others to be announced.
The food hall’s target audience includes attendees at the Scotiabank Arena entertainment facility which is located across the street, as well as commuters from nearby Union Station and the thousands of office workers in Toronto’s downtown core. While foot traffic is down significantly in downtown Toronto as many work from home, things are expected to improve into the summer as more office workers return to work in the Financial District in the coming months.
A nearby residential boom will also add customers to the new TABLE food hall — thousands of multi-family units have been built in the area in recent years and many more are on the way.
The food hall will be open six days a week from the morning into the evenings, offering options such as morning coffee, lunch options, pre-game cocktails and dinner options depending on timing. The space was designed by DesignLSM and The Behar Group is handling leasing. At the moment, The Behar Group is looking for additional food tenants for TABLE Fare + Social.
Avi Behar, Chairman and CEO of The Behar Group, said that the new TABLE Fare + Social will be unlike anything currently in downtown Toronto. The setup will include a range of first-class vendors and seating depending on one’s preference — that includes quieter areas near ‘The Library’ while others may choose to be closer to the action near a central bar area. Private dining areas in the food hall can be booked for events, meetings, talks and other activities, creating an amenity for the office complex above as well as businesses and people in the area. TABLE will connect to a licensed privately owned public park space which will become a draw for the area and an added attraction for the food hall.
TABLE will compete with nearby food and beverage offerings at Union Station, which has been under renovations for years while adding new tenants catering to visitors and locals. Toronto’s Financial District, including the expansive underground PATH network, is home to hundreds of food offerings along its corridors and in food courts located at the base of office towers. Other food halls in the area include Chef’s Hall at 111 Richmond Street and another operated by Oliver & Bonacini which is under construction at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Further out, a food hall will be opening this year at The Well in downtown Toronto as well the Waterworks project nearby.
“TABLE will deliver an innovative and dynamic culinary experience to the heart of Toronto. At CIBC SQUARE, we are committed to creating vibrant and engaging spaces that reflect the needs and interests of the communities we serve. TABLE is a great example of this, bringing together a diverse mix of vendors, activities, and programming to create a truly extraordinary and memorable destination,” said David Hoffman, General Manager at CIBC SQUARE. “We look forward to seeing TABLE thrive and grow as a hub for social interaction, culinary exploration, and community engagement in Toronto.”
“We are proud to see our collective efforts in the creation of TABLE come to life, which will undoubtedly become a sought-after gathering place for Toronto residents and visitors alike. We are committed to curating an exciting and diverse culinary experience that reflects the rich heritage and dynamic food scene in Canada. With TABLE, we aim to provide a space that fosters a sense of community, belonging and connection,” says Sunita Mahant, Head of Social Impact & Inclusion, Sustainable Investments, at Ivanhoé Cambridge. “We cannot wait to welcome everyone to TABLE and invite them to pull up a chair, connect with others, and savour what TABLE has to offer.”
A discriminating place! That’s what it is!
Did you know that the contractors that has been built and cleaned this place can’t even seat on a table on their lunch time while kiosks owners and “nicer position” people are seated there using their computers? I hope they don’t reflect it on the public that’s gonna go there to enjoy food and a good time.