THE FAIRVIEW SHOPPING CENTRE–NORTH YORK

Developer: The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Architect: Architects, Crang and Boake Inc.

The original two level shopping centre was opened in 1965 with the mall extending between two anchor department stores.

In 1986, planning had begun to enlarge the mall by extending it into the former department stores, constructing a new two storey mall area, and a new food court and cinemas complex, all of which was enclosed by new skylights. 

The majority of the new roof and skylight framing, in structural steel, was carried out above a temporary scaffolding system to enable the customers to have access to the shops and services of the shopping centre, during the construction period. Not only was this a major structural steel contract but it involved major works in reinforced concrete, particularly for the extensive parking deck, which was built around three sides of the enlarged centre and new department stores.

With new department stores being part of the program, it was necessary to construct a new reinforced concrete parking deck.

The existing shopping and department stores were kept in operation throughout the period of construction, by strategic phasing of the work, and the incorporation of temporary scaffolding systems.