Vaughan Mills
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedA large enclosed outlet and entertainment shopping centre in Vaughan, Ontario.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
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.
History
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]LaSalle Investment Management acquired a 49 percent stake and assumed management and leasing duties.
- 2020
Centre reopens after pandemic closure
[1]Vaughan Mills reopened on June 19 after a temporary COVID-19-related closure.
- 2014
Expansion wing opens
[1]The 50-store expansion wing opened with new retail, event and sports facilities.
- 2013
Redevelopment announced and Legoland opens
[1]Ivanhoé Cambridge announced a major expansion, while Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto opened at the mall.
- 2006
Ivanhoé Cambridge takes full control
[1]The Mills Corporation completed the sale of its interest to Ivanhoé Cambridge.
- 2004
Grand opening
[1]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]Construction started after several years of planning and scheduling delays.
- 1999
Ontario Municipal Board approves project
[1]Following settlement of objections, the Ontario Municipal Board approved the Vaughan Mills development.
- 1998
Development site secured
[1]The developers secured approximately 180 acres of former industrial land at Highway 400 and Rutherford Road.
- 1997
Development partnership formed
[1]Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Mills Corporation began developing plans for a large outlet and entertainment centre in Vaughan.
Products and positioning
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.
Brand decisions
2023
Minority stake sold to LaSalle Investment ManagementM&ABackground
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.
2020
Temporary pandemic closure and reopeningOtherBackground
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.
2013
Major expansion and redevelopmentStrategyBackground
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)
2006
Mills Corporation exits the ownership partnershipM&ABackground
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.
Recent events
- 2026
Olive Garden announces Vaughan Mills location[1]
Product launch
Olive Garden announced plans to open a restaurant in the former Pickle Barrel space during summer 2026.
- 2025
Shake Shack opens at Vaughan Mills[1]
Product launch
Shake Shack opened a location in the mall's food court.
- 2023
Nordstrom Rack exits Vaughan Mills[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Nordstrom Rack permanently closed its Vaughan Mills store after Nordstrom Canada ceased Canadian operations.
- 2023
LaSalle Investment Management acquires minority stake[1]
M&A · Leadership change
LaSalle Investment Management acquired a 49 percent interest in Vaughan Mills from Ivanhoé Cambridge and took over management and leasing.
- 2016
Saks Off 5th opens at Vaughan Mills[1]
Product launch
Saks Off 5th opened a large store at the centre, strengthening Vaughan Mills' off-price and outlet positioning.
- 2014
Vaughan Mills expansion wing opens[1]
Product launch · Other
The expanded wing opened with additional outlet retailers, event and sports spaces, and upgraded connectivity and charging amenities.
- 2013
Ivanhoé Cambridge announces Vaughan Mills expansion and redevelopment[1]
Other
Ivanhoé Cambridge announced a major redevelopment intended to add approximately 150,000 square feet and around 50 stores, together with new customer and entertainment facilities.
- 2013
Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto opens at Vaughan Mills[1]
Product launch
The attraction opened in the former NASCAR SpeedPark area and became Legoland Discovery Centre's first Canadian location.
- 2006
Mills Corporation sells Vaughan Mills interest to Ivanhoé Cambridge[1]
M&A · Other
The Mills Corporation sold its stake in Vaughan Mills to joint-venture partner Ivanhoé Cambridge after financial difficulties, leaving Ivanhoé Cambridge with full ownership.
Sources2 sources
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