Dead mall in Toronto coming back to life for one day
One of Toronto's infamous 'dead malls' is getting its swan song this weekend, as one local collective prepares to restore it to its former glory even if just for a fleeting moment.
If you're familiar with the concept of dead malls in Toronto — malls that, while technically still operation, have few tenants and even fewer customers, eliciting a sense of empty nostalgia in the visitor — you've likely also come across Liminal Assembly, the collective that offers tours of them and other so-called 'liminal spaces' around the city.
Founded by Toronto-based designer, Aryeh Bookbinder, Liminal Assembly promises tours that highlight "real liminal spaces in Toronto," putting spotlights on forgotten or transitional spaces that give one a forlorn sense of another time.
Think Fantasy Fair at Woodbine Mall or Honeydale Mall. I get chills just thinking about it.
The latest mall in Toronto to get the Liminal Assembly treatment is none other than Yorkville's Cumberland Terrace, which, after years of talk, proposals and delays, is finally slated for demolition in order to make way for a spiffy new development.
While the shopping centre has been virtually dead for years, boasting only a small handful of still-operational businesses, Aryeh and his fellow liminal space-lovers believe that it's still worthy of one last hurrah — so that's exactly what he's doing.
This Saturday, March 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Cumberland Terrace will be brought back to its glory days for one afternoon only, with shopping, music and, of course, liminal space exploration added to the mix.
In short; "a good ol' fashion [sic.] mall day," as a post on Liminal Assembly's Instagram announcing the event describes it.
"Let’s show those remaining businesses some love; get your hair cut, bring your clothes for tailoring, measure your artwork for framing, purchase a 16th century Chinese amphora," Aryeh writes in the caption.
While the promise of near-constant evolution that comes with the territory of living in Toronto is certainly exciting, there is something to be said for paying homage to the places we grew up going to — whether they've grown to become totally eerie over the years or not.
And, ultimately, if liminal spaces give you, like me, the creeps, there's perhaps no better time to say goodbye than when the community rallies together in an effort to make it un-liminal. Right?
If you'd like to attend, you can RSVP for the latest updates through Eventbrite.
Cumberland Terrace is located at 820 Yonge.
As of Feb. 27, 2025, registration for this event has closed.
Liminal Assembly
