Woodbine Centre

Woodbine Centre, also known as Woodbine Mall and Woodbine Mall & Fantasy Fair, is a retail and entertainment complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It stands at the intersection of Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27 in Rexdale, directly across Rexdale Boulevard from Woodbine Racetrack. The property combines conventional shopping-mall functions with Fantasy Fair, an indoor amusement park designed to provide rides and family entertainment throughout the year. The mall opened in 1985 under developer Cadillac Fairview. Its development placed a large enclosed retail and leisure destination in Toronto's northwest suburban area, serving surrounding residential communities as well as visitors drawn to nearby attractions. The centre has historically contained more than 130 stores and has been distinguished from many conventional malls by its substantial indoor amusement component. Fantasy Fair includes a historic 1911 Charles I. D. Looff carousel, one of a limited number of Looff carousels still operating, together with rides and attractions aimed primarily at families and children. Fantasy Fair's attraction mix has included the Crystal Kaleidoscope indoor Ferris wheel, Ships Ahoy spinning cups, Smash 'n Dash bumper cars, the JRB Express miniature train, Airforce aircraft rides, the Spinners roller coaster, the XD Simulator Theatre, Rock 'n Climb, Drop & Hop, and Dreamer's Play Village. Operating availability has changed over time. The indoor Ferris wheel was closed in April 2024, and several other listed rides have also been identified as closed. The complex's entertainment offer nevertheless remains central to the centre's identity and positioning. Ownership changed in 2005, when Cadillac Fairview sold Woodbine Centre to a numbered company. By the late 2000s, the property was associated with Darton Property. In 2008, proposals for an entertainment centre at Woodbine Racetrack and the departure or closure of some national retailers generated speculation that the mall might close. The owners instead planned refurbishment work, beginning with improvements such as redesigned washrooms. These developments illustrate the competitive pressures faced by established suburban shopping centres while also showing the role of Fantasy Fair in differentiating Woodbine Centre from standard retail properties. In 2016, the property had an assessed value of C$96,708,000, while Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc. was reported to have more than half a million Canadian dollars in unpaid taxes. On May 2, 2023, Romspen Investment Corporation placed Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc. into receivership, and Ernst & Young was appointed receiver. The receivership is an important part of the property's recent corporate and financial history, although the supplied reference material does not establish a permanent closure or a subsequent change of ownership. Woodbine Centre has also had a presence in popular culture and screen production. The mall appeared in Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol and in the television series Animorphs. Portions of the property and Fantasy Fair were later used in Shazam!, What We Do in the Shadows, and 8-Bit Christmas, with the latter presenting the location as a stand-in for the Mall of America. The Canadian pop and dance group Brattt Pack filmed its music video for the 2000 song "Carousel" at the mall, making use of its distinctive carousel setting.

Woodbine Centre opened in 1985 in Toronto's Rexdale neighbourhood. The project was developed by Cadillac Fairview as an enclosed suburban shopping centre positioned near Highway 27, Rexdale Boulevard, Woodbine Racetrack, and the communities of northwest Toronto. Its design later served as an inspiration for Sir John Hall during planning for MetroCentre in the United Kingdom. From its early years, the centre differed from a purely retail-oriented mall because it incorporated Fantasy Fair, a permanent indoor amusement park. The attraction gave the property a family-oriented leisure identity and allowed it to offer entertainment regardless of weather. Its collection included a 1911 Charles I. D. Looff carousel, a historic ride that remains one of the relatively few Looff carousels still in operation, as well as a large indoor Ferris wheel and additional rides for children and families. Cadillac Fairview sold Woodbine Centre in 2005 to a numbered company. The mall was subsequently associated with Darton Property. In 2008, the centre faced public speculation about its future. Proposed entertainment development at the neighbouring Woodbine Racetrack, combined with the closure of stores such as Shoppers Drug Mart, led to rumours that the mall itself might shut. The owners responded with a renovation programme rather than an announced closure; redesigned washrooms were among the initial improvements described in the available reference material. The property later encountered financial and ownership difficulties. Its 2016 assessed value was reported as C$96,708,000, and Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc. was reported to owe more than C$500,000 in unpaid taxes. On May 2, 2023, Romspen Investment Corporation placed the holding company into receivership, with Ernst & Young appointed as receiver. The supplied sources do not provide a complete account of the receivership's resolution, nor do they establish that the shopping centre permanently ceased operating. Fantasy Fair has experienced changes in its attraction inventory. The Crystal Kaleidoscope indoor Ferris wheel was reported closed in April 2024. Other rides listed in descriptions of the park, including Fantasy Flight, Spinners, and Drop & Hop, have also been identified as closed, while attractions such as the carousel, bumper cars, miniature train, simulator theatre, climbing wall, and soft-play area have formed part of the broader offering at different times. Woodbine Centre has been used as a filming location and cultural backdrop. It appeared in Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol and in an episode of Animorphs. Later productions using portions of the mall or Fantasy Fair included Shazam!, What We Do in the Shadows, and 8-Bit Christmas, in which the location portrayed the Mall of America. Brattt Pack also filmed its music video for the 2000 radio hit "Carousel" at the mall.

• 2024

  Indoor Ferris wheel closes

  [1]Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Fantasy Fair's Crystal Kaleidoscope indoor Ferris wheel is reported closed in April.

• 2023

  Receivership begins

  [1]Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Romspen Investment Corporation places Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc. into receivership, with Ernst & Young appointed receiver.

• 2016

  Property assessed at C$96.7 million

  [1]Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The available reference reports an assessed property value of C$96,708,000 and significant unpaid taxes owed by Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc.

• 2008

  Renovation planning amid closure rumours

  [1]Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org

  After concerns about retailer departures and nearby entertainment proposals, Darton Property plans renovations rather than closing the mall.

• 2005

  Cadillac Fairview sells the property

  [1]Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Cadillac Fairview sells Woodbine Centre to a numbered company.

• 1985

  Woodbine Centre opens

  [1]Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Cadillac Fairview opens the shopping centre in Toronto's Rexdale area.

A suburban Toronto shopping and family-entertainment destination differentiated by its year-round indoor amusement park and historic carousel.

• Shopping mall · 1985

  Woodbine Centre retail mall

  The core property is an enclosed suburban shopping centre serving Rexdale and the wider northwest Toronto market. Reference material describes it as having more than 130 stores, with a tenant mix historically spanning national and local retail, food and beverage, services, and everyday consumer needs.

• Indoor amusement park

  Fantasy Fair

  Fantasy Fair is a year-round indoor amusement park and the centre's principal differentiating attraction. Its documented inventory includes a 1911 Looff carousel, bumper cars, spinning rides, a miniature train, aircraft-themed rides, a simulator theatre, a climbing attraction, a soft-play village, and other family rides. Availability varies, and several attractions have been reported closed.

• Historic amusement ride · 1911

  1911 Charles I. D. Looff carousel

  The historic carousel is a signature Fantasy Fair attraction. Dating from 1911 and attributed to Charles I. D. Looff, it is described as one of only 13 Looff carousels still operating.

• 2023

  Receivership appointmentOther

  Background

  Woodbine Mall Holdings Inc. faced financial and tax-related difficulties, including reported unpaid property taxes.

  Action taken

  Romspen Investment Corporation placed the holding company into receivership and Ernst & Young was appointed receiver.

  Aftermath

  The supplied material does not establish the final outcome of the receivership or a permanent closure of the mall.

  Source

• 2008

  Renovation instead of closureStrategy

  Background

  Retailer closures and proposed entertainment development at Woodbine Racetrack generated rumours that the shopping centre might close.

  Action taken

  The then-owner, associated with Darton Property, planned refurbishment work, beginning with redesigned washrooms.

  Aftermath

  The available reference presents the renovation plan as an alternative to closure, but does not provide a complete assessment of its results.

  Source

1. 1Woodbine Mallen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Woodbine Centre official websitewoodbinecentre.ca