The GTA is experiencing an unprecedented retail rennaissance. Shopping centres across the region are transforming themselves from suburban retail enclosures into stunning architectural icons. In Mississauga, 20VIC Management Inc. has announced a $100 Million plan to reinvent one of the city's largest malls.

Exterior alterations to Erin Mills Town Centre, image courtesy of 20VIC Management Inc.

Through 2015, Erin Mills Town Centre will be undergoing a massive redevelopment, ensuring the mall will remain the centre of activity in western Mississauga. According to Vice President Nance MacDonald, shoppers "were not looking for bigger, but a better, more enhanced shopping experience, showcasing retailers that deliver trendy, aspirational brands." At 850,000 square feet already, the new Erin Mills Town Centre will be able to offer a wealth of shops and services to customers in a top tier environment. 

Expansion of the Food Court at Erin Mills Town Centre, image courtesy of 20VIC Management Inc.

When shoppers arrive, they will be greeted by a 54 foot high glass atrium housing the entirely renewed and updated food services and dining area, much expanded from the present food court. As customers make their way through the mall, new clerestory windows will draw in natural light creating an inviting shopping ambience.

To get an idea of the new experience, this fly-through video provides a look into the future.

Renewed Centre Court at Erin Mills Town Centre, image courtesy of 20VIC Management Inc.

Anyone familiar with Erin Mills Town Centre will have noticed that the current clock tower at the centre of the mall will be giving way to new landmark: a 283 foot glass sphere will be the centre piece of the entire project. According to Chris Brown, Managing Director at MMC Architecture who are responsible for the design, "The ‘point-supported’ structural glass sphere skylight will be the largest of its kind in the world, and is destined to be a significant landmark within the City of Mississauga." In the expansive centre court of the mall, a large infinity pool water feature coupled with contemporary seating fixtures and a plethora of natural light will create a community focal point, features designed by GHA Design.

Renewed Centre Court at Erin Mills Town Centre, image courtesy of 20VIC Management Inc.

With any renovation, new things will replace the old, but through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity the Erin Mills Town Centre redevelopment effort will see as much material as possible put to reuse. Pat Lawrence, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Mississauga, describes the opportunity as "the first partnership of its kind in Mississauga and to be the recipient of such an enormous quantity of quality recyclable materials is truly amazing."

The new food court and atrium is expected to be complete in mid-2014, with the complete redesign of the mall finished in mid-2015. As work progresses on this exciting transformation, UrbanToronto will keep you posted. Check out our dataBase entry below for more renderings of the new redesign, and jump into our Forum or leave a comment below to join in on the discussion!