In a public ribbon-cutting ceremony last November, Toronto’s RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust marked the completion of the first phase of The Well, one of Canada’s largest mixed-use urban developments.
© Courtesy of RioCan
With retail and office tenants moving in steadily, the project is on track for full completion before the end of 2024. The Well features roughly 1.1 million square feet of office space, about 500,000 square feet of retail and food service, and approximately 1,700 residential units across six buildings, all connected by a three-level retail podium. The nearly 8-acre site, once home to the original Globe and Mail headquarters, was acquired in 2011 and has been under construction since 2017. Once fully operational, The Well is expected to draw around 22,000 visitors and employ roughly 11,000 people each day.
Several public attractions are already open. The Rink offers a centrally located skating surface; NORDIC by BarChef presents a yurt and fire pit lounge with cocktails and staged performances; the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Lounge provides a relaxed setting beneath a glass canopy; and Stardust Bridge—part of The Well’s Grand Bridge—features an interactive lighting system that can be programmed as a visual installation.
© Courtesy of RioCan
Additional retailers and restaurants will open in phases through 2024, including a 70,000-square-foot Food Hall. Confirmed tenants at Wellington Restaurants include Mandy’s Gourmet Salads, opening its second Toronto location, and L’Avenue, which is expected to become a popular brunch destination with signature items like truffle duck eggs Benedict.
New culinary concepts at The Well include La Plume, inspired by southern French seaside cooking and offering classics alongside a rotisserie service and tartare bar. Early in 2024 The Dorset is slated to open, showcasing cuisine influenced by the British coastline and countryside.
© Courtesy of RioCan
Concorde Entertainment Group has expanded into Toronto with a presence at Wellington Restaurants, bringing established concepts such as Bridgette Bar, which blends mid-century modern design with chef-driven menus. Lulu Bar offers a Pacific-inspired menu with sake, beer and cocktails, while Arcadia Earth provides an immersive, sustainability-focused experience. Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality Group opened Aera, an 11,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant on the 38th floor of an office tower that includes a 2,500-square-foot outdoor patio.
La Plume Bar © Courtesy of Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality
The Well adds a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood to Toronto’s urban core. Its central location provides convenient access to landmarks and transit hubs such as the CN Tower, Union Station, Harbourfront Centre and Lake Ontario, making it an appealing destination for residents and visitors alike.