Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has unveiled their ambitious Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project, which is set to cost over $350 million. This multi-phase renovation plan will touch almost all areas of the venue, from concourses and suites to premium clubs and retail spaces. Expect state-of-the-art technological innovations, new food and beverage options, and more exciting improvements in the works.
The Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination project is set to undergo multi-phase renovations, totaling more than $350 million. These enhancements will improve almost every area of the venue, including concourses, suites, premium clubs, retail spaces, food and beverage offerings, and technological innovations.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in February, the facility that houses the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and various live events is undergoing a renovation project. The project is a collaboration between Brisbin, Brook, Beynon Architects, DesignAgency, owner’s representative firm CAA ICON, and PCL Construction. This is a team that originally led the design and construction of the venue when it first opened its doors in February 1999.
Nick Eaves, chief venues and operations officer with MLSE, said over the summer work was completed on the 200 Level Mastercard Executive Suites. “The focus of that project was a brand new product called the Mastercard lounge over in the southwest corner where we used to have 15 or 16 traditional suites,” said Eaves. “We’ve created this 200-plus member social space where members have their dedicated seat at the front where the traditional suite seats used to be, but they’ve got their own members lounge in behind.”
The venue is scheduled for a major renovation, with improvements planned for almost all areas within the space.
From concourses, suites, premium clubs, retail spaces to food and beverage offerings and technological upgrades, every corner of the venue will be enhanced.
“The focus of that project was a brand new product called the Mastercard lounge over in the southwest corner where we used to have 15 or 16 traditional suites,” said Eaves. “We’ve created this 200-plus member social space where members have their dedicated seat at the front where the traditional suite seats used to be, but they’ve got their own members lounge in behind.”
The 46 traditional suites on the 200 Level have been completely renovated to include new finishes, cutting-edge technology, and vaulted ceilings, providing an even better viewing experience. Additionally, MLSE has partnered with Amazon to create two concession marketplaces with Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. These can be found at two locations: the 100 and 300 levels.
According to MLSE, an all-encompassing design makeover of the 100 Level concourse will begin following the conclusion of the 2023-24 Maple Leafs and Raptors seasons, along with the construction of new spaces within the walls of the arena.
“What we’re really excited about are the future phases, including next summer where we are going to be renovating this entire 100 Level Concourse…and ultimately other projects after that,” said Eaves. The concourse is original to when the building opened in 1999.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors call this arena home, along with many other live events. As of February, this venue will be commemorating its 25th anniversary.
We’re going to use technology in ways that will really amplify what is going on inside this arena,” Eaves noted. They are also making the arena more accessible and inclusive. “We’ll have some gender-neutral washrooms, we’re creating safe and reflective spaces for fans to be able to go to at different times of the day if they need that,” Eaves said. “The whole idea is for it to be bright, open and really use temporary modern finishes to begin to tell the story of this 25-year-old arena.”
The Molson Brewhouse will also be renovated “to capitalize on the beautiful old post office building finishes that are on that side of the arena but also bringing the contemporary finishes from the renovation, creating new social and gathering spaces that don’t really exist anywhere on this 100 Level concourse,” said Eaves.
They are also going to expand the retail footprint in the building. “Ours is one of the smallest footprints across any of the leagues that we play in so we’re going to significantly expand the real estate for Real Sports Apparel,” Eaves noted. “We’re going to create a second store.” “That work will continue through what will still be a busy concert season next summer and it will spill into the start of the 2024/2025 seasons,” said Eaves. “That’s not the end of things. We’ll be looking at other areas like the 300 Level concourse…a bunch of our back of house spaces where our artists come. The live music part of business has grown significantly and we need to create spaces that can accommodate those tours and those artists.”