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Following months of rumours, UrbanToronto has finally received confirmation regarding the highly anticipated redevelopment of the Atrium on Bay. This latest scoop is brought to us courtesy of forum member bAuHaUs, who provided us with a notice outlining the expansion plans. Four additional floors of retail will be added to the building. The owners, H&R Real Estate Income Trust, recently received approval for the proposal from community council. Word is that the mid-sidewalk subway entrance on the north side of Dundas just west of Yonge will also be integrated into the expansion, freeing up sidewalk space while providing better access to the street and mall. It is unconfirmed at this point whether the building right at the norethwest corner of Yonge and Dundas, currently home to retailer Forever 21, is also a part of this expansion, but the relocation of the subway access hints strongly that this is the case.
Atrium on Bay, image by crimson-designs
According to City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam in whose ward the development is situated, the project was well supported by planning staff and the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, owing in part to significant improvements to the public realm associated with the application. The agreement calls for nearly three million dollars dedicated to enhancing the streetscape surrounding the Atrium on Bay. Along with the current subway entrance on the north-west corner of the Yonge-Dundas intersection being relocated within the improved building, there are also plans to redesign, and re-landscape the Dundas, Bay, Edward, and Yonge street frontages.
Situated at the epicentre of shopping and retail in Toronto, this redevelopment provides an excellent opportunity for Atrium on Bay to elevate its attractiveness relative to the neighbouring shopping destinations of the Eaton Centre and 10 Dundas East. The expansion of retail space should attract exciting new retailers to the mixed-use complex long regarded as an underperforming neighbour of the Eaton Centre, and as rumours about the possibility of a large American retailer such as Target opening at this prominent intersection have been hot topic among UrbanToronto forumers, speculation of who the new retailers will be will no doubt ramp up with this announcement.
Convoluted access to the Eaton Centre and the Yonge-Dundas intersection have been considered to be critical flaws of the underachieving building. Improvements to the surrounding streetscape should greatly benefit the Atrium on Bay, providing enhanced pedestrian circulation and more attractive street appeal. A prominent lobby entrance has not been confirmed yet, but would certianly be a welcome addition to allow greater attention and exposure. UrbanToronto will continue to follow this story as it progresses, to join the discussion please check out our forum thread here.
