Sherway Gardens
A major shopping centre in Toronto's Etobicoke district, known for its fashion, luxury, dining, and department-store retail mix.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Sherway Gardens is a large enclosed shopping centre in the Etobicoke district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It stands near the junction of Highway 427, the Queen Elizabeth Way, and the Gardiner Expressway, giving it a broad automobile-oriented catchment area that includes western Toronto and surrounding parts of the Greater Toronto Area. The centre is operated and owned by Cadillac Fairview and is positioned as a fashion-forward and increasingly luxury-oriented destination rather than as a basic neighbourhood shopping mall. The property occupies a site associated with Sheridan Nurseries, which had operated there since 1938 in an area historically known as The Queensway. The name Sherway combines elements of Sheridan and Queensway, while Gardens refers to the landscaping, indoor greenery, fountains, seating areas, and garden-like design used in the original centre. The Rouse Company of Baltimore acquired the approximately 100-acre site in 1964 through its Canadian subsidiary, Sherway Centre Limited. Rezoning and development were delayed by local concerns about traffic and competition from other shopping centres, but construction began in 1969 after the proposal passed through the municipal approval process. Sherway Gardens opened on February 24, 1971, with approximately 850,000 square feet of selling space and 127 stores. Its original S-shaped plan, relatively low ceilings, skylit central court, landscaping, and fountains differentiated it from the large, monumental mall designs then emerging elsewhere. The original Gourmet Fair food court was particularly influential. Designed around a tent-like roof and extensive planting, it reflected James Rouse's idea of a food court as an indoor community picnic and helped inform later Rouse developments in the United States. The centre expanded repeatedly. In 1975, its layout was modified to accommodate 75 additional retail spaces and gradually evolved toward the present figure-eight configuration. A north-side fashion wing opened in connection with the relocation and expansion of Holt Renfrew in 1987. A south wing followed in 1989 and included a prominent tent-like canopy designed by architect Eberhard H. Zeidler. Cadillac Fairview acquired the property in 2000, after which the mall continued to evolve through changes in department-store tenancy and a stronger emphasis on premium fashion. A major redevelopment announced in 2013 added approximately 210,000 square feet, created room for about 50 additional stores, introduced a larger food court, and added a parking structure. The project brought Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom to the centre and relocated several established tenants, including Holt Renfrew and Sporting Life. It also required the removal of the original Gourmet Fair food court to make room for Nordstrom, a decision that generated local criticism because some visitors valued the former food court's architecture and communal atmosphere. The expanded north wing opened in September 2015, while Nordstrom opened in September 2017. The tenant mix later changed again as department-store strategies shifted. Holt Renfrew closed its Sherway location in 2016, Nordstrom permanently closed in June 2023 when the retailer withdrew from Canada, and Eataly opened in November 2023 in space formerly occupied by Forever 21 and The Pickle Barrel. As of June 2025, Sherway Gardens had no traditional department-store anchor tenants, although it remained a large destination centre with approximately 1.182 million square feet of selling space and around 215 stores. Its offer includes apparel, luxury goods, beauty, sporting goods, specialty food, restaurants, and services. The centre also hosts a seasonal farmers' market in its north parking lot and is connected to local transit, although it is not directly served by the Toronto subway system.
History
The land now occupied by Sherway Gardens was used by Sheridan Nurseries from 1938. The site stood south of The Queensway and east of West Mall in what was then part of Etobicoke. The Rouse Company acquired the approximately 100-acre property in 1964 and created Sherway Centre Limited as its Canadian development vehicle. Rouse sought to replace the existing industrial zoning with a commercial shopping-centre development, but the proposal encountered prolonged delays because of traffic concerns and competition from nearby malls. Approval was eventually secured after the matter proceeded through the municipal planning process, and construction began in 1969. Sherway Gardens opened on February 24, 1971. The original centre contained roughly 850,000 square feet of selling space and 127 stores, with Eaton's and Simpsons among its principal anchors. Its S-shaped plan was deliberately more intimate than the monumental forms used by some contemporary urban malls. The design incorporated a skylit central court, fountains, indoor vegetation, benches, and low ceilings. These features gave the mall its garden-oriented identity and created a more informal environment for shopping and community events. The original Gourmet Fair food court became one of the centre's best-known design elements. It used a tent-like roof designed by Eberhard H. Zeidler and extensive planting to create an indoor picnic or garden atmosphere. The concept influenced later Rouse food-court developments, including the company's subsequent work in the United States. Sherway Gardens was also the only shopping mall developed by Rouse in Canada. In 1975, the mall was altered to provide space for 75 more retail units, and the original S-shaped circulation pattern began evolving into a figure-eight configuration. Holt Renfrew moved into a newly constructed 33,670-square-foot north-side location in 1987, creating a fashion-focused wing with additional apparel stores. Further expansion took place in 1989 through a south wing featuring another prominent tent-like canopy. That canopy, also designed by Zeidler, received a Canadian Consulting Engineering Award of Merit. The property changed hands in 2000 when Cadillac Fairview acquired Sherway Gardens. Its department-store landscape changed significantly during the following years. After Eaton's entered liquidation, Sears Canada occupied its former space. Sears later vacated the centre in 2014, creating an opportunity for Saks Fifth Avenue and other tenants. Cadillac Fairview announced a CA$335 million redevelopment in 2013. The work expanded the mall by approximately 210,000 square feet, added room for around 50 stores, created a new food court with capacity for more than 1,000 patrons, and built a parking structure for approximately 1,200 vehicles. The redevelopment also changed the centre's architectural and commercial balance. The original Gourmet Fair was demolished to make way for Nordstrom and new retail space, while limestone from the quarry used for the original construction was selected for parts of the expansion. The north expansion opened on September 22, 2015, with relocated Holt Renfrew and Sporting Life stores. Holt Renfrew closed its Sherway location in 2016, reflecting the chain's preference for much larger stores. Nordstrom opened on September 15, 2017, but closed permanently on June 13, 2023 when Nordstrom ended its Canadian operations. The centre continued to replace large-format and conventional retail with specialty destinations. Eataly opened on November 2, 2023, using space previously occupied by Forever 21 and The Pickle Barrel. By June 2025, Sherway Gardens had approximately 1.182 million square feet of selling space and 215 stores and no traditional department-store anchors. It remains a major regional shopping destination with fashion, luxury, beauty, sporting, food, restaurant, and service tenants. The property also hosts a seasonal Friday farmers' market in the north parking lot. Road access is a central part of its identity: the mall is served by major highways and local bus routes, but it is the only major Toronto mall without direct subway service.
- 2023
Eataly opens and Nordstrom closes
[1]Eataly opened in November, while Nordstrom closed in June as the retailer exited Canada.
- 2017
Nordstrom opens
[1]Nordstrom opened on September 15 in space created through the redevelopment of the former food court and Sporting Life areas.
- 2015
Expanded north wing opens
[1]The expanded north wing opened on September 22 with relocated Holt Renfrew and Sporting Life stores and new retail capacity.
- 2013
Major redevelopment announced
[1]Cadillac Fairview announced a CA$335 million renovation and expansion adding approximately 210,000 square feet.
- 2000
Cadillac Fairview acquisition
[1]Cadillac Fairview acquired Sherway Gardens and became its owner and operator.
- 1989
South wing opens
[1]A new south wing was added, featuring a large Zeidler-designed canopy.
- 1987
Fashion wing expands
[1]Holt Renfrew moved into a new north-side location, alongside additional fashion-focused stores.
- 1975
First major expansion
[1]The centre was reconfigured to accommodate 75 additional retail spaces, beginning its transition from an S-shaped plan toward a figure-eight layout.
- 1971
Grand opening
[1]Sherway Gardens opened on February 24 with approximately 850,000 square feet and 127 stores.
- 1969
Construction begins
[1]Construction started after a lengthy zoning and approval process involving local traffic and development concerns.
Products and positioning
A destination shopping centre serving western Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, with a strong emphasis on fashion, luxury, specialty retail, dining, and architectural character.
Apparel and accessories · 1971
Fashion and luxury retail
Sherway Gardens is distinguished by a broad concentration of fashion, accessories, beauty, and premium retail. Its tenant history includes major Canadian and international department-store and specialty-fashion operators such as Holt Renfrew, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Sporting Life. The centre's later development strategy shifted away from a general merchandise mix toward more fashion-conscious and luxury-oriented shopping.
Specialty food and dining · 2023
Eataly
Eataly is a specialty food and dining destination at Sherway Gardens. It opened on November 2, 2023 in space formerly associated with Forever 21 and The Pickle Barrel, adding a large-format culinary and experiential component to the mall's tenant mix.
Food court · 1971
Gourmet Fair
The original Gourmet Fair was Sherway Gardens' landmark food court. Its tent-like roof, indoor greenery, and communal design embodied James Rouse's idea of an enclosed shopping-centre food court as a community picnic. It was demolished during the 2010s redevelopment to make room for Nordstrom and replacement retail space. A smaller food court, also known as Gourmet Fare, was subsequently created.
Community retail program
Seasonal farmers' market
Sherway Gardens hosts a seasonal farmers' market in the north parking lot on Fridays. The market extends the centre's offer beyond enclosed-store retail and provides space for local and regional food-oriented vendors.
Brand decisions
2023
Add Eataly as a specialty-food destinationProduct launchBackground
The centre was replacing former large-format and conventional retail uses while continuing to broaden its dining and experiential offer.
Action taken
Eataly opened on November 2 in space formerly occupied by Forever 21 and The Pickle Barrel.
Aftermath
The opening strengthened Sherway Gardens' specialty-food and restaurant proposition following the departure of Nordstrom.
2017
Open Nordstrom as a new premium anchorProduct launchBackground
The redevelopment was designed to attract major premium department-store operators and create additional retail capacity.
Action taken
Nordstrom opened on September 15 after the original food court and Sporting Life space were redeveloped.
Aftermath
Nordstrom became a prominent component of Sherway Gardens' luxury positioning until its closure in 2023 when the chain exited Canada.
2014
Reallocate former Sears spaceStrategyBackground
Sears Canada vacated its Sherway Gardens premises during the centre's broader redevelopment.
Action taken
The former Sears area was repurposed for Saks Fifth Avenue, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, and related retail uses.
Aftermath
The change reduced the centre's reliance on a traditional department-store format and increased its premium fashion and sporting-goods mix.
2013
Approve a major fashion and destination-retail redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Cadillac Fairview sought to expand the centre, modernize its facilities, increase premium retail capacity, and strengthen Sherway Gardens as a regional fashion destination.
Action taken
The owner announced a CA$335 million project that added approximately 210,000 square feet, space for about 50 stores, a new food court, and a parking structure.
Aftermath
The redevelopment introduced or accommodated Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom and expanded the centre's luxury positioning, while also replacing the original Gourmet Fair food court.
Redevelopment investment. CA$335 million announced investment (Announced in 2013; project completed in stages through 2017)
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