Shoppers Drug Mart - Yonge Charles Street

Located at 720 Yonge Street at a key intersection, Toronto's first massively built wood retail project (Shoppers Drug Mart) rehabilitates its 1889 heritage façade as part of a new mixed-use concept. In the heart of downtown, the building's new contemporary uses respect the scale and proportions of its original façade.

The three-story building features a complex system of cross-laminated Douglas-fir and larch beams and columns, as well as cross-laminated spruce, pine and fir floors, ceiling, partitions, guard walls and elevator shaft and exit components. Due to the inherent fire resistance properties of solid wood, these elements remain exposed and highlighted in the building finish. The juxtaposition of various wood finishes emphasizes the diversity of species, while the vertical cross-laminated structure contrasts with the clarity of the floor and ceiling planes. The resulting environment is warm and inviting, especially with its cross-laminated staircase and oversized second floor flooded with natural light through the central skylight. The project takes into account the façade of the building recognized as a heritage building, thus preserving what has been identified as a key element of the urban landscape. The restoration was therefore designed for a contemporary layout that preserves the historic character. An elaborate metal cornice and a heritage bay window were restored on the prominent northeast side of the intersection. The original exterior wooden sign for "R. Barron's Groceries" has been fully restored as a nod to the site's past and updated vocation. The project includes two floors of retail space occupied by Shoppers Drug Mart, as well as a third floor of office and amenity space. The building also includes two terraces and a green roof. 

As with any cutting-edge technology, obtaining the necessary permits for the project had its many challenges. Because solid wood construction is not fully addressed in the Ontario Building Code, several alternatives were required. The all cross-laminated wood elevator and exit shafts are particularly revolutionary as they challenge many of the long-standing industry standards. The successful result demonstrates that solid wood is a fire-resistant building material with structural integrity and non-flammability that rivals concrete in many ways. 

Along with its technological and safety innovations, one of the project's most striking impacts is that it is located within walking distance of the nation's busiest intersection. With its open and friendly character, this building does more to showcase solid engineered wood to the public than any other in Toronto.