Great West Life Realty Advisors’ upgraded landmark downtown Toronto office tower will feature five restaurants

The building’s renovation is now underway. Located at 33 Yonge Street, the tower has been rebranded as Berczy Square given that it is situated next to Berczy Park and straddles two neighbourhoods in the downtown core.

The five eateries will be a combination of new and refreshed restaurants. They are latest restaurant additions designed to help revitalize Toronto’s downtown core, following on the recent openings of the Wellington Market at the Well and the Waterworks Food Hall in a converted industrial heritage building.

“The commercial office market is evolving, and projects like Berczy Square will meet the needs of today’s workplaces while setting a new standard for amenities and design,”: said Steffan Smith, GWLRA’s vice-president of asset management, in a news release.

“Our investments will transform the lobby into an active, welcoming space for workers and visitors and revitalize the collection of restaurants on the ground floor.”

Chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci will bring their latest entry to Toronto’s culinary scene, Sammarco, which is described as “an interpretation of the classic Italian steakhouse.”

“There is a renaissance of restaurants happening in Toronto, and we look forward to opening in one of the most iconic parts of the downtown core,” said Rossi.

Local hospitality firm Oliver & Bonacini will operate three of the restaurants: The Joneses, Ceci Bard and Biff’s Bistro, which is being refreshed.

“We’ve been serving guests at 33 Yonge Street for almost 25 years and we’re excited to play a major role in the corridor’s transformation,” said Anthony Walsh, O&B’s corporate executive chef. “From retro Americana at the Joneses to spicy Latin-inspired cooking and cocktails at Ceci Bar to classic French fare at the newly revitalized Biff’s Bistro, there’s no shortage of chef-driven culinary experiences for guests to explore.”

Café Landwer is the fifth restaurant addition, giving the chain nine locations. The Joneses and Café Landwer are open. Biff’s Bistro and Ceci Bar are are scheduled to open this summer, followed by Sammarco in November.

The building’s renovations include a lobby makeover by Alison McNeil of DIALOG. The revamped lobby will include a nine-storey trellis-like structure wrapped around the elevator bay

Gensler-designed façade upgrades are intended to bring a feeling of warmth and uniformity to the retail experience. Other upgrades will include an exclusive gym for building tenants, bike storage, showers and a change room.

GWLRA manages the tower on behalf of its owners, the Great-West Life Canadian Real Estate Investment Fund No.1 (CREIF) and the London Life Real Estate Fund. 

Rendering: Courtesy of GWLRA