Fitzrovia is rolling out its retail strategy at the Elm-Ledbury rental community in Toronto’s Garden District, with several tenants now confirmed for the development’s European-inspired shopping arcade known as The Mews.
Brandon Isenberg, Director of Retail Leasing at Fitzrovia, revealed that Rendezvous Barbershop, SOI Thaifoon, Aisle 24, and FAMO Sandwiches will open by Fall 2025 in the pedestrian-focused retail space designed by landscape architect Claude Cormier + Associés.
The company is still seeking a restaurant tenant for what Isenberg described as their “flagship space” – a precisely measured 2,738-square-foot opportunity with potential for a wrap-around patio. The space features impressive 20-foot ceiling heights and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a landmark dining opportunity in one of downtown Toronto’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.
“Our retail offering at Elm-Ledbury is intentionally designed to serve as an amenity to our residents and the surrounding community,” said Isenberg. “We’re in active discussions with well-established elevated F&B groups for a full-service restaurant in our flagship space.”
The Elm-Ledbury development, designed by award-winning firms Hariri Pontarini Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects Inc., represents a significant evolution in Fitzrovia’s retail strategy. It marks their first ground-up development with multiple street-level retailers, distinguishing it from earlier properties like Parker at Yonge and Eglinton and Waverley at College and Spadina, which incorporated smaller in-house café concepts.
At Parker, the company operates 10 DEAN, Fitzrovia’s “coffee to cocktails” concept in the lobby while Waverley features a similar concept with expanded seating options. The Waverley development also includes the historic Silver Dollar Room, a heritage entertainment venue that Fitzrovia has rebuilt and is currently negotiating with various food and beverage operators to activate.
Beyond the external retail partners, Fitzrovia has included two of its own branded concepts at Elm-Ledbury: 10 DEAN, and Bloomsbury Academy, a Montessori-inspired early childhood education center.
As the official rental housing provider of the Toronto Raptors, Fitzrovia recently hosted a launch party celebrating the opening of their first North Court facility at Elm-Ledbury. This premium indoor official Raptors basketball court features a Raptors-themed hardwood floor, three professional-grade nets, and brass metal accents, complemented by dark grey felt panels for optimal sound quality. The court includes an iconic Air Jordan shoe display and represents another distinctive amenity that sets the development apart in Toronto’s competitive rental market.
The development is part of a broader four-tower masterplan that will enhance the neighborhood with the addition of over 6,000 rental and condo units, supporting The Mews’ potential as a vibrant retail destination. With a perfect 100 Transit Score, 97 Walk Score, and 98 Bike Score, the location offers exceptional connectivity, complemented by 37 visitor parking spaces to support retail traffic.
“With all the existing and new density being added to the submarket within 1-2 km of our site, our residents and surrounding community are looking for more options when it comes to restaurants, fitness, and grocery,” Isenberg noted. “We believe our community is well positioned to fill that gap.”
The Downtown East neighbourhood is one of Toronto’s fastest-growing nodes, with approximately 6,700 residential units and 90,000 square feet of office space set for completion over the next three years within 500 meters of the development. This strategic location near Queen and Church streets places it within walking distance of major Toronto landmarks including the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, St. Lawrence Market, and The Distillery District.
Residential occupancy at the 542-unit development began in August 2024, and the company expects to approach stabilization in 2025. JLL is handling the retail leasing for Elm-Ledbury, marketing both the flagship restaurant space at 30 Mutual Street and an 806-square-foot retail opportunity at 25 Dalhousie Street. The cobblestone pathways of The Mews are already beginning to take shape as a distinctive urban environment.
The Mews features landscaped areas and public art installations intended to create a unique atmosphere. This pedestrian-first approach aims to establish the retail component as both an amenity for residents and a destination for the broader neighbourhood.
Fitzrovia is using a similar retail strategy for its upcoming Marlow development at Bloor and Dufferin, scheduled for delivery in Q1 2026. That project will include approximately 950 rental suites, 45,000 square feet of retail, and 30,000 square feet of office space.
“For Marlow’s retail strategy, we’re running the same playbook as Elm-Ledbury but on a much larger scale,” said Isenberg. “We’re in discussions with several leading F&B operators, boutique fitness groups, elevated services, as well as entertainment groups and art galleries.”
Fitzrovia has established itself as Canada’s largest purpose-built rental developer with nearly 9,000 suites completed, acquired or under development in Toronto and Montreal.
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries, including with The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Dustin was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025.