Harry Rosen opened its new flagship at 153 Cumberland Street in Toronto’s Yorkville district on September 23. The nearly 38,000-square-foot, three-storey store is the centrepiece of a $50 million program to rework the Canadian menswear retailer’s physical stores and customer experience.
Govan Brown Building Group worked on the flagship build alongside architect dkstudio architects inc. “For a project that was all about getting the right fit, Govan Brown Building Group was honoured to be part of the team,” the construction company said in its account of the opening.
The move takes Harry Rosen less than 200 metres from its longstanding Bloor Street home, but changes the way the retailer uses its footprint. Property partner KingSett Capital converted former office space on the building’s upper floors into retail, giving the store room for brand boutiques, tailoring services and spaces designed for longer client visits.
Graham Rosen, Harry Rosen’s chief financial officer, described the flagship as the “largest single investment in our company’s 70+ year history.” His account of the opening pointed to a larger shoe area, private selling space and participation from the retailer’s brand and construction partners. The $50 million figure covers the broader capital plan, not just this one store.
Brands, Tailoring and Hospitality Across Three Floors
The flagship’s dedicated shop-in-shops include ZEGNA, TOM FORD, Canali, Giorgio Armani, Kiton and Berluti. Harry Rosen’s store page also identifies a Creed fragrance destination, one-to-one styling, a made-to-measure salon, a private appointment suite, a client café and an outdoor event patio overlooking the Village of Yorkville Park. Private Client Suite and made-to-measure consultations on the third floor.
Designed with dkstudio architects inc., the space draws on the Grand Tour of Italy and Harry Rosen’s tailoring heritage. The store opens with a retail mix that extends beyond merchandise into fitting, styling and hospitality.
Larry Rosen, the company’s chief executive, said in the opening announcement: “For more than 70 years, our business has been built on relationships.”
The Wider Store Plan
Harry Rosen says its multi-year investment has already brought next-generation store concepts to West Edmonton Mall, First Canadian Place in Toronto and Oakridge Park in Vancouver.
Cumberland Street is the largest and most visible expression of that program. The company plans cultural and community programming, including its Sundays with Harry experiences, to give clients reasons to return outside a conventional shopping trip.
The project also ties a retailer’s expansion to the repositioning of existing city-centre property.
KingSett says the office-to-retail conversion increases the amount of high-street retail in the building. For Harry Rosen, the Yorkville location retains the neighbourhood address while concentrating more of its luxury assortment and client services in one destination.
Ian Rosen, Harry Rosen’s president and chief operating officer, framed the objective in the opening materials: “We want every visit to feel truly personal.”
