The ManuLife Centre, Toronto

The ManuLife Centre is located at the centre of Canada's most prestigious shopping district and has the potential to become Canada's premium commercial & residential address. However it has historically been plagued with design and vacancy problems. Talbot Consultants International Inc. was retained by Manulife Financial to provide them with recommendations as to how The Manulife Centre should be re-positioned, re-designed and re-merchandised. Three surveys were conducted. One in-mall exit survey with the shoppers and two self-administered surveys with the residential and office tower tenants. An extensive analysis was also carried out on the competition and the demographics in the surrounding trade area. The study concluded that the retail component of The Manulife Centre should be re-positioned as an “casual lifestyle entertainment retail” shopping centre. Based on this new positioning we then provided redevelopment and remerchandising recommendations including a suggested tenant "hit-list". Our recommendations are currently being implemented.