Markville Shopping Centre
A major shopping centre in Markham, Ontario, with more than 140 stores and approximately 981,000 square feet of gross leasable area.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Markville Shopping Centre, also branded as CF Markville and commonly called Markville Mall, is a large regional shopping centre in Markham, Ontario, Canada. It occupies a prominent site at Highway 7 East and McCowan Road, with additional frontage along Bullock Drive. The centre serves Markham, Unionville, and surrounding communities in York Region, while its location near major roads and regional transit routes gives it a broader customer base within the Greater Toronto Area. The mall opened in 1982 after being developed by JDS Development. Its name reflects the historical communities of Markham and Unionville, both of which are now part of the City of Markham. The property was built on land that had previously been used as a nursery garden and had earlier associations with the historic Eckhart estate. Early plans envisioned high-rise buildings and government facilities around the shopping centre, but those elements were not approved. The original mall included a distinctive artificial waterway, reflecting pool, and fountain. The pool could be drained for special events and was used seasonally for a Santa's Workshop installation. The initial tenant mix included Eaton's and a four-screen Famous Players cinema. Markville expanded substantially around 1990 as American retailers entered the Canadian market in greater numbers. The expansion added Hudson's Bay and Simpsons, both of which opened in early October 1990. Simpsons was converted into Sears in 1991. The project nearly doubled the centre's size, taking it from approximately 500,000 square feet to more than 900,000 square feet. Walmart later entered the property in 1994, replacing Woolco and operating across two levels; the store subsequently expanded its lower level, while the upper level became Winners. Cadillac Fairview became the mall's owner in 1997. The centre has since evolved through department-store closures, large-format retail conversions, international brand openings, and common-area improvements. Best Buy opened in 2003 in space previously occupied by Miracle Food Mart. A major renovation carried out from 2011 to 2013 involved reported construction spending of approximately C$111 million. The work modernized public areas, tenant spaces, flooring, washrooms, railings, and circulation areas, while also removing the lower-level rivers. A new 45,000-square-foot Express Eatery food court opened in August 2012. The renovation and later leasing program emphasized new-to-Canada and new-to-the-Greater-Toronto-Area retailers. Uniqlo opened in 2018 after replacing Forever 21, while Saks Off 5th and later Marshalls occupied portions of the former Sears space. Decathlon replaced Saks Off 5th in 2022, although Decathlon subsequently closed in 2025. Indigo replaced Old Navy in October 2024. Other notable tenants and anchors have included Winners, Walmart Supercentre, Sporting Life, Marshalls, Uniqlo, Best Buy, and Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us at various points in the centre's history. Hudson's Bay closed in June 2025, and the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores later closed in August 2025. The centre has more than 140 stores and approximately 981,000 square feet of gross leasable area. It was the largest shopping mall in York Region until Vaughan Mills opened in 2004. Markville remains an important retail and commercial destination, with access from York Region Transit and Viva, the Toronto Transit Commission, and GO Transit. Porsche Centre Markham, located immediately outside the shopping centre near McCowan Road and Bullock Drive, began operations in April 2021.
History
Markville Shopping Centre was developed by JDS Development and opened in 1982 in Markham, Ontario. The property takes its name from the historic communities of Markham and Unionville, which were later incorporated into the City of Markham. Before construction, the site had been used as a nursery garden and was associated with the historic Eckhart landholding. Development took roughly two decades from land acquisition to opening. Proposals for high-rise buildings and government facilities around the mall were not approved. The original centre was designed with a prominent interior water feature. Its ground floor included an artificial waterway, a reflecting pool, and a fountain that rose approximately two storeys. The pool could be emptied for special events and was converted into a Santa's Workshop installation during the holiday season. Eaton's and a four-screen Famous Players cinema were among the early tenants, establishing the property as a substantial retail and entertainment destination for the growing communities of Markham and Unionville. A major expansion was undertaken in 1990 as more American retailers began entering the Canadian market. Hudson's Bay and Simpsons opened in early October of that year, and the centre's floor area expanded from roughly 500,000 square feet to more than 900,000 square feet. Simpsons was converted to Sears in 1991. Walmart arrived in 1994, replacing Woolco, and operated over two levels. The lower level was later expanded, while the upper level was converted into a Winners store. Cadillac Fairview became the owner in 1997. The tenant mix continued to change as department stores, supermarkets, specialty retailers, and entertainment concepts were replaced or reconfigured. Best Buy opened in 2003 in a former Miracle Food Mart location. Sport Chek closed in 2012 and its space was subsequently used by Forever 21. Sears closed on February 28, 2015, marking another major change in the property's department-store history. From 2011 through 2013, EllisDon carried out a substantial renovation reportedly valued at approximately C$111 million. The work affected about 206,000 square feet of common areas and approximately 268,000 square feet of tenant space. Improvements included new glass railings, flooring, washrooms, and porcelain tile, as well as the removal of the lower-level rivers. A 45,000-square-foot food court called Express Eatery opened on August 23, 2012, near the former Sears location. The former food court near Best Buy was converted into retail space. The redevelopment was intended to modernize the centre and support the arrival of new brands in Canada and the Greater Toronto Area. The former Sears space was redeveloped in stages. Saks Off 5th opened on the upper level on March 8, 2018, and Marshalls opened on the lower level on September 24, 2019. Saks Off 5th closed on April 16, 2022, and Decathlon opened in the space on November 24, 2022. Decathlon later closed on July 31, 2025. Forever 21 closed in spring 2018, making way for Uniqlo, which opened on October 12, 2018 as one of the retailer's Canadian expansion locations. The centre has also hosted Chinese and Chinese-origin retailers including Lukfook Jewellery, Osim, and Miniso. The surrounding commercial area gained another prominent business when Porsche Centre Markham, located just outside the mall near the intersection of McCowan Road and Bullock Drive, began operations on April 5, 2021. Old Navy closed on January 24, 2024, and Indigo opened in its former location on October 5, 2024. Hudson's Bay closed on June 1, 2025, while Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us later closed on August 24, 2025. Markville has more than 140 stores and approximately 981,000 square feet of gross leasable area. It was the largest shopping mall in York Region until Vaughan Mills opened in 2004. The centre is served by York Region Transit and Viva, Toronto Transit Commission routes, and GO Transit. YRT services generally stop near the mall's south side, Viva buses serve Highway 7, TTC service operates along McCowan Road, and GO buses stop along Bullock Drive. The centre remains an active regional retail property despite continuing tenant turnover and the closure of several legacy department stores.
- 2025
Several long-standing tenants close
[1]Hudson's Bay, Decathlon, and Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us closed during 2025.
- 2024
Indigo opens
[1]Indigo opened on October 5 in the former Old Navy space.
- 2022
Decathlon opens
[1]Decathlon opened in the former Saks Off 5th location.
- 2021
Porsche Centre Markham opens nearby
[1]Porsche Centre Markham began operations outside the mall near Bullock Drive and McCowan Road.
- 2019
Marshalls opens
[1]Marshalls opened on September 24 in the lower level of the former Sears space.
- 2018
Uniqlo and Saks Off 5th open
[1]Uniqlo opened on October 12, while Saks Off 5th opened in the upper level of the former Sears space.
- 2015
Sears closes
[1]The Sears store closed on February 28, creating a major redevelopment opportunity within the property.
- 2013
Major renovation concludes
[1]A multi-year renovation modernized public areas, tenant spaces, flooring, washrooms, and circulation features.
- 2012
Express Eatery opens
[1]The renovated centre opened its approximately 45,000-square-foot Express Eatery food court.
- 2003
Best Buy opens
[1]Best Buy opened in a former Miracle Food Mart location.
Products and positioning
A large, multi-category regional shopping centre serving Markham and the wider York Region, positioned around a broad tenant mix that combines Canadian retailers, international brands, department-store replacements, large-format stores, dining, and convenient regional transit access.
Retail property · 1982
Regional shopping-centre retail
Markville's primary offering is a broad regional shopping experience spanning apparel, footwear, sporting goods, electronics, groceries, home products, jewellery, beauty, books, dining, and general merchandise. The centre combines large-format anchors with specialty tenants and international brands, allowing customers to complete multiple shopping and service needs during one visit.
Food court · 2012
Express Eatery
Express Eatery is Markville's purpose-built food-court concept. The approximately 45,000-square-foot facility opened during the 2011–2013 redevelopment and expanded the centre's dining offer near the former Sears space. It forms part of the mall's public-facing amenities rather than a standalone consumer brand.
Department and specialty retail · 1982
Anchor and large-format retail
The centre's anchor strategy has changed over time as department stores and large-format retailers have entered, closed, or been replaced. Current or recently documented anchors include Winners, Walmart Supercentre, Sporting Life, Marshalls, Uniqlo, Best Buy, and other major-format tenants, while Hudson's Bay, Sears, Saks Off 5th, Decathlon, and Toys “R” Us have represented earlier phases.
Brand decisions
2024
Replace Old Navy with IndigoGeneration changeBackground
Old Navy closed at Markville on January 24, 2024.
Action taken
Indigo opened on October 5, 2024, in the former Old Navy location across from Sporting Life.
Aftermath
The tenant change introduced a books, gifts, lifestyle, and culture-oriented retailer into the space.
2022
Replace Saks Off 5th with DecathlonGeneration changeBackground
Saks Off 5th closed in April 2022 after occupying the upper level of the former Sears space.
Action taken
Decathlon opened in the space on November 24, 2022.
Aftermath
The replacement shifted the space from off-price fashion toward sporting goods, although Decathlon later closed on July 31, 2025.
2018
Add Uniqlo during Canadian expansionProduct launchBackground
Forever 21 closed in spring 2018, creating space for an international apparel retailer.
Action taken
Uniqlo opened at Markville on October 12 as one of four new Canadian locations associated with the retailer's expansion.
Aftermath
The opening reinforced the centre's strategy of attracting internationally recognized fashion brands.
2011
Undertake a comprehensive property renovationStrategyBackground
The existing centre required modernization and the owner sought to attract higher-end, new-to-Canada, and new-to-the-Greater-Toronto-Area brands.
Action taken
EllisDon carried out a renovation affecting common areas and tenant spaces, including new flooring, glass railings, washrooms, and a redesigned food-court area.
Aftermath
The redevelopment ran through 2013 and repositioned the physical environment for a more contemporary tenant mix. The reported construction value was approximately C$111 million.
Reported renovation construction value. C$111 million (2011–2013)
1990
Expand to support a broader regional tenant mixStrategyBackground
The centre expanded as American retailers increased their presence in Canada and as Markham and York Region continued to develop.
Action taken
The property was enlarged from approximately 500,000 square feet to more than 900,000 square feet and added major department-store tenants.
Aftermath
The expansion established Markville as one of York Region's largest shopping centres and created space for a wider range of national and international retailers.
Recent events
- 2025
Hudson's Bay closes at Markville[1]
Other
The Hudson's Bay location at the shopping centre closed on June 1.
- 2024
Indigo replaces Old Navy[1]
Product launch
Indigo opened on October 5 in the space formerly occupied by Old Navy.
- 2022
Decathlon opens at Markville[1]
Product launch
Decathlon opened in the former Saks Off 5th space on the second floor above Marshalls.
- 2021
Porsche Centre Markham begins operations[1]
Product launch
Porsche Centre Markham officially began operating immediately outside the shopping centre near McCowan Road and Bullock Drive.
- 2018
Uniqlo opens at Markville[1]
Product launch
Uniqlo opened after replacing Forever 21, as part of the Japanese retailer's Canadian expansion.
- 2018
Saks Off 5th opens in former Sears space[1]
Product launch
The upper level of the former Sears location was redeveloped for Saks Off 5th.
- 2012
Express Eatery opens[1]
Product launch
A new approximately 45,000-square-foot food court opened on the lower level near the former Sears space.
- 2011
Markville undergoes major renovation[1]
Other
A multi-year renovation modernized common areas and tenant spaces and was reported to involve approximately C$111 million in construction work.
- 2003
Best Buy opens at Markville[1]
Product launch
Best Buy opened in space that had previously been occupied by Miracle Food Mart.
- 1997
Cadillac Fairview becomes owner[1]
M&A
Cadillac Fairview acquired ownership of the shopping centre.
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