Luxury multi-brand retailer Holt Renfrew is preparing for the grand opening of its newly renovated men’s department on the third floor of its 50 Bloor Street West flagship in Toronto. Set to debut on December 5th, the new men’s section will consolidate the menswear collection back into the main store after over a decade of operating a standalone men’s store at 100 Bloor Street West.
Sebastian Picardo, President and CEO of Holt Renfrew, spoke about the significance of the new men’s department during a media preview, sharing the retailer’s vision for the flagship transformation. “We’re not just unifying our men’s and women’s collections under one roof; we’re creating a space where style, culture, and community come together,” said Picardo. “ON3 will be a place of discovery, where customers can engage with everything from fashion and beauty to art, music, and special events. It’s about more than shopping—it’s about creating connections and experiences.”
Picardo emphasized that ON3, the newly branded third-floor space, will embody Holt Renfrew’s values of warmth, inclusivity, and self-expression, bringing new energy to the flagship store. He also thanked Holt Renfrew’s loyal customers for their patience during the months-long renovation process. “We’re proud of this transformation and excited to welcome our customers back to a space that truly represents the future of Holt Renfrew.”
Women’s Department Transformation Sets the Stage for Men’s Opening
The third floor of Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street flagship has already undergone significant updates. In July of this year, the women’s contemporary department reopened with bold new interiors designed by Studio Paolo Ferrari in collaboration with Gensler. The reimagined space features bright carpeting and plants suspended from the ceiling, creating an inviting atmosphere in the Denim Lab, where only women’s denim is currently housed. The expansive women’s section includes updated spaces for brands such as SKIMS, H Project, and popular contemporary designers like Vince, Theory, Frame, Alexander Wang, and Ganni.
The Denim Lab will soon expand to include men’s denim, creating a shared shopping experience between the two collections. The addition of men’s denim will coincide with the opening of the men’s department, offering a more fluid and communal retail space. Holt Renfrew’s design team worked closely with Ferrari and Gensler to ensure that the updated floor reflects the store’s values of sustainability, modernity, and flexibility.
Personalized Services and New Design Elevate Men’s Shopping Experience
The men’s department, designed with the same attention to detail as the women’s space, will offer a highly personalized and interactive shopping experience. Allan Tse, VP of Experience Design at Holt Renfrew, highlighted some of the department’s key features during the preview. “The space will feature open-fitting rooms, a dedicated men’s studio, and even a men’s grooming pavilion,” Tse said. “We’ve created a flexible floor plan with suspended hang rails to allow for easy reconfiguration by the visual merchandising team. This will keep the space dynamic and fun for our customers.”
Sustainability was a top priority in the renovation process. Holt Renfrew’s Greenbuild Guidelines were followed closely, including the use of energy-efficient LED lighting, HVAC modernization, and the retention of the original travertine flooring to minimize waste. This focus on sustainability is echoed throughout the design, which also incorporates Canadian artistry. Notably, the men’s department will feature a Tobermory-inspired mural by artist Dahae Song and a textile-based installation by Liz Pead, created using upcycled fabrics from Canadian vendor Jack Victor.
As Picardo explained, the design of the men’s department is about more than just aesthetics: “We wanted to create a space that feels vibrant, contemporary, and true to our Canadian roots. It’s about bringing the best of luxury retail together with art and culture to create a space that our community will love.”
December 5th Launch Brings New Energy to Holt Renfrew
To celebrate the opening of the men’s department, Holt Renfrew will host a series of exciting events and pop-up shops. The launch will feature a Louis Vuitton Mens pop-up space, showcasing the brand’s latest collections, alongside a Johnny Walker bar and retail installation for the holiday season. These activations are part of Holt Renfrew’s strategy to keep the shopping experience engaging and fresh for customers.
“We’re partnering with some of the biggest names in luxury fashion, art, and culture to bring our customers something truly unique,” Picardo noted. “The men’s department will not only be a destination for fashion but also a place where people can experience art, attend special events, and even enjoy live music.”
The new third-floor space will unite both men’s and women’s fashions, reflecting the retailer’s focus on inclusivity and fluidity in design. The December 5th opening will mark the next phase in Holt Renfrew’s transformation, positioning the Bloor Street flagship as a premier shopping destination in Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville area.
As the opening date approaches, Holt Renfrew is working around the clock to finalize the space. Picardo shared his enthusiasm for the project’s progress. “We’ve been under construction for several months, but we’re excited to be in the final stages. Our team has worked incredibly hard to make this vision a reality, and we can’t wait to share it with our community.”
See below for photos of the men’s ‘Studio’ space on the third floor of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor St. W. in Toronto.
Related Articles:
- Holt Renfrew Opens First Phase of Bloor Street 3rd Floor Transformation [Photos]
- Holt Renfrew to Relocate Standalone Men’s Store on Toronto’s Bloor Street Back into Flagship
- Holt Renfrew Bloor Street Flagship in Toronto Marks 45 Years [Feature]
- Holt Renfrew Unveils Impressive Beauty Floor As Part Of Bloor Street Flagship Renovation [Photos]
Trendexs upcoming report on the 2023 Canadian Luxury Apparel Market details that Holt Renfrew was the largest luxury apparel retailer with a market share of 24.2% .