The Webster Yorkville
Toronto, ON

Repositioning a historic Yorkville Victorian residence from an unassuming office space into a home for The Webster, Cumulus combined expertise in boutique retail, adaptive reuse and conservation for this one of a kind space.

The project is synonymous with the luxury retailer whose brand is synonymous with the retooling of vintage properties that reflect the locale yet modify to suit the unique aesthetic - be it the vibrant flagship Art Deco hotel in South Beach or cast iron SoHo store that celebrates the soul of downtown. For their first location outside of the U.S, The Webster chose an 1884 home on Scollard, fitting in with the prestigious company that makes up Yorkville.

Doused in The Webster’s signature hue, the building is hard to miss. The distinctive colour continues inside carrying you into the intimate illuminated sculpted terrazzo staircase connecting three levels, transporting you through a uniquely curated shopping experience. All three levels encourage you to lounge and explore. A seamless addition at the back takes on the “The Whisper room”- a domed circular space designed to emulate the hues and feel of a sunset. Large palms reach toward an oculus skylight paying homage to Miami roots. Terrazzo flooring is used in shades of black, beige, and white in a daisy pattern that is echoed in design elements throughout the store. Finely detailed display cabinets finished in honed travertine and brass pull the building structure into a seamless design expression.

The Yorkville area is known for its north-south pedestrian passages that connect its blocks. Special attention was paid to reconnecting the historic pedestrian walkway to Yorkville Avenue that will further link the neighbourhood and reinforces Scollard St. as a retail destination.

The project showcases Cumulus’ expertise in custom retail, adaptive reuse, heritage and conservation to bring the intimate brand experience expected of The Webster to this storied Victorian. In 2023, The Architect’s Newspaper awarded the project a Best Of Design prize for their Commercial-Retail category. Check out more of our work in Yorkville here