Malls in the GTA
By: Thean Sargeant
Published on: November 21st, 2024
Malls, by definition, are large buildings or connected buildings that contain a variety of retail stores and restaurants. Many people consider them a third space – places where people can go outside of their home and work. Malls are where shopping and social interaction come together smoothly.
Here are some malls in Toronto that can be accessed by transit and have parking spaces for those who drive.
Vaughan Mills(1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan)
Located just outside Toronto in Vaughan is the 1.2 million square feet mall. With over 200 stores, Vaughan Mills has lots to offer anyone who visits. From Toronto, you can take the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and connect to York Region Transit (YRT) by going to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station and transferring to the 020 or 320 YRT bus. The mall itself is accessible and very easy to walk around, but not around holidays when it gets so packed.
Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Drive, Toronto)
Owned by Oxford Properties, Scarborough Town Centre is 1.6 million square feet and in east Toronto. The mall is commonly known by its initialism STC. From Line 2’s Kennedy Station, you can take any bus that drives to STC. The two-storey mall is bright and spacious, with many different stores. It’s a great place to walk around and buy food from the restaurants on the lower level if you’re hungry.
Yorkdale Shopping Centre (3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto)
Yorkdale Shopping Centre is another mall owned by Oxford Properties. Yorkdale, as it’s called, is a large (2.0 million square feet) mall in west Toronto. The TTC has a stop that connects to Yorkdale via an enclosed bridge – this is not an accessible route as there are two sets of stairs in this bridge. Walking outside of the station and towards the mall is the accessible route. The mall has a lot of walking space and high ceilings, so you can feel how grand the building is. Yorkdale is home to many high-end luxury brands.
All Cadillac Fairview (CF) malls are owned and managed by Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited.
CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge Street, Toronto)
Toronto’s biggest mall, Eaton Centre, is in its downtown core. The mall has direct connections to TTC’s Dundas and Queen stations . It’s 2.1 million square feet big with over 200 stores. The stores are placed throughout the three-storey building and can be accessed easily through escalators and elevators. While the mall is beautiful all year long , it’s even better to go in December when a large, nicely decorated Christmas tree is put up .
CF Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave East, Toronto)
Fairview, as it’s called, is an adequately large (860,000 square feet) mall in Toronto’s north end. Its clean interior and high ceilings make it a breeze to walk around. It is located within the vicinity of TTC’s Don Mills station. It’s similar to the malls mentioned in that it is accessible and has recognizable brands.
CF Sherway Gardens(25 The West Mall, Etobicoke)
Sherway Gardens opened in 1971. Its 850,000 square feet house over 200 stores. The 123 bus from Kipling station takes you straight from the station to the mall. The ceilings in this mall are low (on purpose). Many of its stores are on one level with mainly restaurants on a second level.
If you can, visit some of these malls in the GTA . Take a friend with you if you don’t like being out alone. Don’t feel any pressure to buy anything. Malls are great places to walk around or just to be outside of your home or work.