The Eaton Centre, since its opening in 1967, has been both celebrated and criticized but remains one of Toronto’s defining landmarks. Inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, its central feature, the arcade, was designed as a lively indoor street providing convenient access to retailers. The arcade attracts thousands of visitors daily, including shoppers and city dwellers seeking a weatherproof passage through the city. Its below-grade connection to subway stations and the PATH network ensures comfortable circulation, while its three levels of retail satisfy a wide array of consumer needs. Known internationally for its multi-storey design lit naturally year-round, the Eaton Centre is as functional as it is visually striking. Named after the Eaton’s department store, the center was constructed in two phases, opening in 1977 and 1979, and now serves as a hub for socializing, celebrating, and shopping. 

Located on a site composed of multiple downtown blocks, the Eaton Centre had to relate to its surrounding streets and offer visible entry points. Original plans proposed the demolition of Old City Hall and the Church of the Holy Trinity, but these plans were later adjusted to avoid such destruction. The mall’s layout was designed to address the site’s grade changes, angling the building to reduce level shifts and maximize usable space. The complex includes three subway entries, six grade-level public entries, and parking for nearly two thousand cars. It also features three office towers, each with independent entries, housing businesses across thirty-six stories. The adaptable structure accommodates new tenants, while areas like the parking garage and roof are designed to support potential future uses like commercial spaces or rooftop gardens. The center’s location, layout, and atmosphere continue to ensure its success as a retail and social destination.