Picture this. A bustling strip plaza in 1953. That’s Eglinton Square’s humble beginning. Not the gleaming mall we see today. It was a simpler time. A collection of shops nestled amongst residential homes. Eglinton Square was born.
Eglinton Square sits proudly where farmland once stood. This land flourished in the 1820s. Then World War II transformed it into industrial space. The area then transformed again. In 1953 the Eglinton Square Shopping Centre opened. It cost 1.6 million dollars to build. This was a significant investment for its time. It showcased the burgeoning growth of Scarborough.
Two years later Eglinton Square expanded. Its popularity soared. Even royalty graced it. Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1957. This was a monumental event. It cemented Eglinton Square’s place in the community. It transformed the shopping centre into a local landmark.
Inside Eglinton Square two Dominion supermarkets thrived. One at each end. They served the community for many years. Then in 1963 change came. The western Dominion made way for a new giant. Morgan’s department store arrived. It was a two-story behemoth. It boasted 120,000 square feet of retail space. This was unprecedented for the time.
Morgan’s had a unique feature. It included a massive parking garage. It could hold 573 cars. Some parked on the store’s roof. This was a marvel of engineering. It showcased the forward-thinking design of the era. The Hudson’s Bay Company owned Morgan’s. It was their first store after acquiring the chain in 1960. Morgan’s eventually became a The Bay store. Another transformation.
Eglinton Square continued to evolve. In 1964 it grew again. Twenty-five more stores joined the existing 31. The plaza transformed. It became the enclosed shopping mall we know today. A multi-level parking garage for 500 cars was added on top. The two distinctive 1960s-style ramps remain today. They are a testament to the mall’s history.
Today Eglinton Square is vibrant. It’s a testament to its resilience and adaptability. It holds over 80 stores. It’s more than a mall. It’s a community hub. A place of memories for many. But the story of Eglinton Square is far from over. Major redevelopment is underway. This will shape its future. But its past will always be a part of it.