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Promenade Evolving into a Vibrant Urban Hub with New Retailers, Entertainment and Condos

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The Promenade Shopping Centre in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, is undergoing a substantial transformation as part of a broader redevelopment plan aimed at creating a vibrant, mixed-use urban centre. The 535,000-square-foot mall, already a key retail hub in the Greater Toronto Area, is adding new residential towers, retail spaces, and entertainment attractions to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.

Sheri McEwen. Photo: LinkedIn.

Two newly constructed residential towers, standing at 30 and 35 storeys, house over 780 units and offer direct connections to the mall, providing a seamless integration between living and retail spaces. These towers, which were sold out before completion, are expected to be fully occupied by the end of the year. This is just the first phase of a long-term redevelopment plan that will continue to increase density in the area through additional residential and office spaces.

“It’s exciting to see the first piece of the master planned urban Centre come to life with the opening of two new, beautiful towers. The direct connection to the mall is a fantastic amenity for the residents and will have a tremendous impact on the Centre,” said Sheri McEwen, Senior Vice President, Retail Leasing at Cushman & Wakefield. “With the commitments by these unique, first-to-market concepts, retailer interest continues to build in Promenade as the Centre of this vibrant and growing community.”

Exciting Retail and Entertainment Additions

The Promenade is welcoming several new tenants that will significantly enhance its offering. Leading the charge is the Olive Branch Kosher Supermarket, which opens in late October as the first of its kind in Canada. This supermarket is expected to draw visitors from across the region.

In 2025, GoodLife Fitness will open a 52,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility spanning two levels. The fitness centre is part of a growing trend of health-focused tenants moving into shopping centres, offering an important amenity for local residents and generating consistent foot traffic.

The centre will also debut Bowls and Blasters, a 20,000-square-foot entertainment concept that will feature 12 bowling alleys, indoor bumper cars, laser tag, and a food and beverage component. Set to open in March 2025, this first-of-its-kind attraction will offer family-friendly fun and further elevate Promenade’s experiential focus.

Bowls and Blasters Bowling. Photo: Cushman & Wakefield.
Bowls and Blasters Seating. Photo: Cushman & Wakefield.

Other additions include a Dental Hygiene College, opening in September 2025, which will welcome 400 students, further contributing to the centre’s daily foot traffic. Additionally, St. Louis Bar and Grill recently opened a 9,000-square-foot restaurant in September, featuring exclusive golf simulators offering over 30 sports and games—an exciting new concept for the brand and the mall.

New food concepts such as Pur & Simple, Bagel Stop, Fat Bastard Burrito, and Pizzaiolo will join the mix in 2025, adding more dining options to complement the existing tenants.

A Hub for Community Engagement

The Promenade is not just about retail; it is evolving into a community hub that actively engages with local residents. The centre has hosted a number of community-focused events, including Persian New Year Celebrations, the Royal Canadian Circus, March Break Family Fun, Dog Tales Rescue Dogs and a special Hanukkah events. Holiday activations are also a central part of Promenade’s offerings, with activities like Santa visits, ornament and cookie decorating, and winter crafts scheduled for the upcoming season.

The ongoing integration of events and activities reflects Promenade’s focus on becoming more than just a retail destination—it is positioning itself as a place where the community can come together.

Promenade Rendering. Photo: Cushman & Wakefield.

Meeting the Needs of a Growing Community

With the rise of high-density residential living in the Thornhill area, Promenade’s redevelopment is designed to cater to the evolving needs of its growing community. The direct connection between the condo towers and the shopping centre is a key feature, attracting a young, dynamic demographic of residents. As part of its long-term vision, Promenade is focused on meeting the needs of this growing population while continuing to serve its loyal customers.

The shopping centre’s tenant mix already features well-known brands like T&T Supermarket, Forever 21, Jollibee, LCBO, Swarovski, Club Monaco, Bath and Body Works, Roots, La Vie en Rose, and Rexall, along with popular specialty retailers like Urban Kids and Miniso. These additions, combined with new tenants and experiential offerings, ensure that Promenade remains a key destination for a wide range of shoppers.

Promenade Rendering. Photo: Cushman & Wakefield.

A Vision for the Future

The Promenade is in the midst of a long-term redevelopment plan that will see it become the centrepiece of a larger urban core. The addition of residential towers, office spaces, and expanded retail offerings will cement Promenade’s role as a key player in the future of Thornhill’s urban landscape. With more phases of development planned, the centre is set to grow even further, integrating itself more deeply into the daily lives of its residents and visitors.

Promenade Limited Partnership is owned in partnership by Serruya Private Equity and a limited partnership managed by Liberty Development Corporation. The property is managed by Cushman & Wakefield Asset Services.

Craig Patterson
Craig Patterson
Located in Toronto, Craig is the Publisher & CEO of Retail Insider Media Ltd. He is also a retail analyst and consultant, Advisor at the University of Alberta School Centre for Cities and Communities in Edmonton, former lawyer and a public speaker. He has studied the Canadian retail landscape for over 25 years and he holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degrees.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hi I would
    Like to find out what the name of the college coming and is it accredited as my daughter wants to apply

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