Vaughan Mills, one of the Greater Toronto Area’s shopping destinations, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this November. From the start, Vaughan Mills brought a new retail mix to the Canadian landscape by integrating full price, outlet, entertainment and food and beverage under one roof.
“It really provides the consumer and the family optionality like no other mall really in the GTA,” says Paul Lessner, senior vice president, national shopping centre leasing at JLL.
Nearly 98 per cent occupancy rate
Lessner says the mall attracts nearly 12 million shoppers annually and has close to a 98 per cent occupancy rate.
“We are just under 12 million in annual shoppers. The mall is considered one of the preeminent malls within the GTA, where a lot of retailers look to launch when coming into Canada. It really acts like a super regional mall,” says Lessner. “You have people coming from Barrie, from Oakville, from Peterborough – really covering all the corners, and people coming from downtown Toronto. Furthermore, Vaughan Mills is also a tourist destination, attracting both provincial travellers and international tourists alike.”
Vaughan Mills is located off major highways like the 400 and 407, and is near an extended subway system, making it easily accessible. Additionally, it is home to Bass Pro Shops and the only Legoland Discovery Centre in Canada.
“The Legoland Discovery Centre is a huge draw for families and a lot of people look at Bass Pro as an entertainment component as well. With all the offerings and the way in which they market their products – it is a real destination. With their aquarium and things like that, Bass Pro is a major draw, and it definitely adds to the foot traffic in the mall.
Desirable for full-price and outlet retailers
Currently the mall offers 220 retailers and is a desired destination for new retailers. “The biggest challenge we have right now is we actually don’t have enough space.”
Recent retail additions include Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and Marshalls.
More development news will be coming later: “We have a new 25,000 square foot retail concept coming into Vaughan Mills as well.” This addition will enhance the mall’s diverse offerings. Lessner also says the mall is continuing to look to add more entertainment options.
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Top food court in Canada
The mall’s food court is another feature drawing visitors and is one of Canada’s top performing food courts.
“What is really interesting here is that the food court sales are in excess of $5,000 per square foot. So I would argue it is one of the top food courts in Canada, certainly the strongest one that I have ever heard of,” says Lessner. “We have also got some players coming that are new to the market, that don’t traditionally go into enclosed shopping malls, but they are coming into our food court because it performs so well. It is really a unique offering that draws in a lot of people.”
Vaughan Mills will announce new tenants at a later date.
Community engagement and sustainability
Lessner says community is an important aspect for Vaughan Mills and they support community events.
“Vaughan Mills plays an integral role with our presence supporting the City of Vaughan events such as Vaughan Celebrates, Culture Days, Lunar New Year, and the Mayor’s Gala … Since 2015, Vaughan Mills has been a catalyst donor for SickKids Foundation, raising over one million dollars through our holiday program. 100 per cent of the photo package from Santa’s Tiny Big Town are donated to the SickKids Foundation.”
Additionally, Vaughan Mills holds certifications including BOMA BEST Platinum and the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification. The mall also has LEED Core and Shell Certification: “We are proud of our sustainability highlights.”
As Vaughan Mills marks its 20th anniversary, its focus on community and sustainability will remain a central mission.
Celebrating 20th anniversary: Looking ahead
As Vaughan Mills prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary this November, the mall is planning a series of events and promotions. The celebrations will include promotions like a “Spend and Get” offer, exclusive anniversary discounts, and more.
One of the highlights of the celebration will be a time capsule, featuring products from Vaughan Mills’ retailers. Lessner says Vaughan Mills will donate proceeds from this initiative to the local hospital, demonstrating the mall’s commitment to the community.
Celebrations will take place for the whole month of November and aim to engage with long-term shoppers and new visitors.
Looking forward, Vaughan Mills will continue to evolve with retail trends: “We are going to continue to adapt and provide the consumer what they want.” With its large footprint, location, and its strong retail mix, Lessner says Vaughan Mills will continue to serve as a retail destination in the Greater Toronto Area for years to come.
“We are celebrating our 20th anniversary with a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s. We invite the community to share their favourite Vaughan Mills memories, while offering exciting promotions to support our retailers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning. It is a celebration of two decades of shopping, growth, and community.”
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