Vaughan Mills

Vaughan Mills is a super-regional enclosed outlet shopping centre in Vaughan, Ontario, at the southeast corner of Highway 400 and Rutherford Road, close to Canada's Wonderland and north of Toronto. With almost 1.3 million square feet of retail area and more than 200 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, it is one of Canada's largest enclosed shopping centres and the largest mall in York Region. Its location gives it a broad customer catchment extending across York Region, the Greater Toronto Area and visiting tourists travelling along the Highway 400 corridor. The centre was developed through a joint venture between Ivanhoé Cambridge, then operating through Cambridge Shopping Centres Limited, and the United States-based Mills Corporation. The project emerged in the late 1990s as the first Landmark Mills development outside the United States. Its concept combined outlet-oriented retail with food, leisure and themed entertainment, reflecting the developers' “shoppertainment” approach rather than a conventional enclosed mall anchored primarily by full-price department stores. Planning involved a proposed commercial complex on approximately 180 acres of former industrial land. The City of Vaughan amended its planning and zoning framework in 1998, and the Ontario Municipal Board approved the project in 1999 after objections from competing commercial and property interests were resolved. Although construction was initially expected to begin around 2000, work did not start until June 2003. Vaughan Mills opened on November 4, 2004, becoming the first regional enclosed shopping complex to open in the Greater Toronto Area since Erin Mills Town Centre in 1990 and the first such centre in the region built during the twenty-first century. It attracted two million visitors in less than two months. The mall's name follows the naming convention used by the Mills Corporation for its Landmark Mills properties. It also echoes the historical Vaughan Mills locality, associated with a nineteenth-century sawmill and later grist mill near the Humber River, although that historic area is separate from the modern shopping-centre site. Ownership changed in 2006 when financial difficulties led the Mills Corporation to sell its interest back to Ivanhoé Cambridge. The transaction, completed in November of that year, gave Ivanhoé Cambridge full control. The centre subsequently underwent a major repositioning and expansion. In 2013, Ivanhoé Cambridge announced an approximately $87 million redevelopment that added about 150,000 square feet and space for roughly 50 additional stores. The expansion opened in October 2014 and introduced new retail, event and sports areas, public Wi-Fi and charging facilities. Entertainment and experiential uses also expanded, including the Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto, which opened in 2013 as the brand's first Canadian location. Retail changes have continued as individual tenants and formats evolved. Off-price, outlet and factory-store concepts have remained central to the tenant mix, while brands such as Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, Uniqlo, Nike Factory Store, Puma, Dr. Martens Outlet and Brooks Brothers have occupied prominent space at different times. The food court was renovated in 2017. The mall temporarily closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on June 19, 2020. In December 2023, Ivanhoé Cambridge sold a 49 percent interest to LaSalle Investment Management, a Jones Lang LaSalle subsidiary. LaSalle assumed management and leasing responsibilities while Ivanhoé Cambridge remained a major owner. The property continues to operate as an active retail and entertainment destination, served by York Region Transit at the Vaughan Mills Terminal, with connections to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station.

Vaughan Mills originated in a late-1990s development partnership between Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Mills Corporation. In fall 1997, the companies began planning a large commercial and entertainment complex in Vaughan, north of Toronto. They secured an approximately 180-acre former industrial site near Highway 400 and Rutherford Road in February 1998. The development was conceived as the first Landmark Mills shopping centre outside the United States and was intended to combine outlet retail, food service and entertainment. The proposal required changes to Vaughan's official plan and zoning by-law. Those amendments were approved by the city in 1998 and challenged before the Ontario Municipal Board by competing commercial interests, landowners and ratepayer groups. The objections were withdrawn after a settlement announced in April 1999, and the Board approved the project on May 31, 1999. Early plans contemplated an opening in 2001, but the schedule slipped. The project was refined from an initial concept of roughly 1.7 million square feet to a smaller complex of approximately 1.4 million square feet with numerous anchor retailers and hundreds of stores and services. Construction finally began in June 2003. Vaughan Mills opened on November 4, 2004, becoming the first regional enclosed shopping centre opened in the Greater Toronto Area since 1990 and the first built in the region in the twenty-first century. Its outlet-focused format, highway accessibility and entertainment component helped it become a major destination. The centre recorded its two-millionth visitor less than two months after opening. The name was selected in keeping with the Mills Corporation's practice of naming its Landmark properties with the suffix “Mills.” The wording also has a historical local association. Maps and local history identify a former Vaughan Mills area near the Humber River, where a sawmill was established in the 1830s and a grist mill was later added. That historic locality is distinct from the present mall site. In August 2006, the Mills Corporation announced that it would sell its Vaughan Mills interest to Ivanhoé Cambridge because of financial problems. The sale was completed in November 2006, giving Ivanhoé Cambridge full control. The property then entered a substantial modernization and expansion phase. In January 2013, Ivanhoé Cambridge announced an approximately $87 million project adding about 150,000 square feet and 50 stores. The former StyleSense and NASCAR SpeedPark areas were adapted for new tenants, including Calvin Klein and Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto. The latter opened in March 2013 as the first Canadian attraction under the Legoland Discovery Centre name. The expansion wing opened on October 23, 2014. It brought additional factory and outlet retailers, including Puma, Nike Factory Store, Dr. Martens Outlet and Brooks Brothers, as well as the Event Court and Sports Court. Wi-Fi and charging stations were introduced through a partnership involving Cineplex Digital Studios. Other tenant changes followed: Saks Off 5th opened in 2016, the food court was renovated in 2017, Nordstrom Rack opened in 2018 and Uniqlo opened later that year in space formerly occupied by HR2 by Holt Renfrew. HR2 had announced the closure of its Vaughan Mills location in 2017 as Holt Renfrew refocused on its principal stores. The centre temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on June 19, 2020. Gymboree was also reported to be returning to the mall in 2020. Nordstrom Rack closed permanently in May 2023 following the withdrawal of Nordstrom Canada from the Canadian market. In December 2023, Ivanhoé Cambridge sold a 49 percent interest to LaSalle Investment Management, a Jones Lang LaSalle subsidiary, which assumed management and leasing responsibilities. Later reported additions included Shake Shack in October 2025 and a planned Olive Garden restaurant for summer 2026. Vaughan Mills remains an active destination centre serving local shoppers, regional visitors and tourists, with public-transit access through the Vaughan Mills Terminal and connections toward Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station.

• 2023

  LaSalle acquires minority interest

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  LaSalle Investment Management acquired a 49 percent stake and assumed management and leasing duties.

• 2020

  Centre reopens after pandemic closure

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Vaughan Mills reopened on June 19 after a temporary COVID-19-related closure.

• 2014

  Expansion wing opens

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The 50-store expansion wing opened with new retail, event and sports facilities.

• 2013

  Redevelopment announced and Legoland opens

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Ivanhoé Cambridge announced a major expansion, while Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto opened at the mall.

• 2006

  Ivanhoé Cambridge takes full control

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The Mills Corporation completed the sale of its interest to Ivanhoé Cambridge.

• 2004

  Grand opening

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Vaughan Mills opened to the public on November 4, becoming the first GTA regional enclosed mall opened in the twenty-first century.

• 2003

  Construction begins

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Construction started after several years of planning and scheduling delays.

• 1999

  Ontario Municipal Board approves project

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Following settlement of objections, the Ontario Municipal Board approved the Vaughan Mills development.

• 1998

  Development site secured

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The developers secured approximately 180 acres of former industrial land at Highway 400 and Rutherford Road.

• 1997

  Development partnership formed

  [1]Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Mills Corporation began developing plans for a large outlet and entertainment centre in Vaughan.

A destination-oriented Canadian outlet centre combining value-focused shopping with dining, family entertainment and event-driven experiences.

• Retail format · 2004

  Outlet and factory retail

  Vaughan Mills is principally organized around value-oriented retail, including factory stores, outlet locations and off-price formats. Its tenant mix has included fashion, footwear, athletic, outdoor and lifestyle brands. The centre's scale and highway location support destination shopping rather than serving only as a neighbourhood convenience mall.

• Family entertainment · 2013

  Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto

  Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto is an indoor, Lego-themed family attraction located within Vaughan Mills. It replaced the former NASCAR SpeedPark area and opened in 2013 as the first Canadian Legoland Discovery Centre, adding an experiential component to the shopping centre's retail and dining offer.

• Events and customer amenities · 2014

  Event Court and Sports Court

  The Event Court and Sports Court were introduced as part of the 2014 expansion. These spaces support programming, gatherings and sports-related uses, reinforcing Vaughan Mills' destination and entertainment positioning beyond conventional shopping.

• Transportation service

  Vaughan Mills Terminal

  The Vaughan Mills Terminal is a York Region Transit facility serving the shopping centre. It connects mall visitors with local bus routes and provides frequent service toward Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station.

• 2023

  Minority stake sold to LaSalle Investment ManagementM&A

  Background

  Ivanhoé Cambridge adjusted its ownership structure for Vaughan Mills while retaining a major interest.

  Action taken

  LaSalle Investment Management acquired a 49 percent stake and took over management and leasing responsibilities.

  Aftermath

  The centre continued operating under shared ownership, with LaSalle responsible for day-to-day property management and leasing functions.

  Source

• 2020

  Temporary pandemic closure and reopeningOther

  Background

  Vaughan Mills temporarily closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Action taken

  The shopping centre reopened on June 19, 2020.

  Aftermath

  Retail and entertainment operations resumed subject to the conditions applicable at the time.

  Source

• 2013

  Major expansion and redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Ivanhoé Cambridge sought to increase the centre's retail capacity and strengthen its destination-shopping and entertainment offer.

  Action taken

  The owner announced an approximately $87 million project adding about 150,000 square feet, approximately 50 stores and new customer amenities.

  Aftermath

  The expansion wing opened in October 2014 with new retail, event and sports facilities.

  Announced redevelopment investment. $87 million announced investment (2013 announcement)

  Source

• 2006

  Mills Corporation exits the ownership partnershipM&A

  Background

  The Mills Corporation announced that financial problems had led it to sell its interest in Vaughan Mills and two other properties outside the United States.

  Action taken

  Ivanhoé Cambridge acquired the Mills Corporation's stake, completing the transaction in November 2006 and obtaining full control.

  Aftermath

  Vaughan Mills continued under Ivanhoé Cambridge ownership and later underwent a major expansion and repositioning.

  Source

1. 1Vaughan Millsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Vaughan Mills official websitevaughanmills.com