In considering the key aspects of this project that make it award worthy, it is important to realize the extent of the attention paid to ensuring the design respects an understanding of the original Don Mills community and Don Mills Centre concept, its ongoing strategic importance in today's community and its future capability for ensuring an ongoing level of high quality sustainable commercial and retail service within the Don Mills community. The planning and design of The Shops at Don Mills has been carefully thought out to integrate and connect the shopping development within the existing residential community. The extension of a new set of shopping streets and development of the 'Town Square', with common green, interactive water feature, ice skating rink, and urban outdoor café seating areas, together create an exceptional outdoor experience and gathering place for Don Mills residents and regional shoppers alike.
Careful attention has been paid to the most current technologies in building and exterior site design and the integration of a major Toronto Transit light rail transit corridor planned to occur adjacent to the site, along Don Mills Road. The architecture and landscape architecture continue in the modern tradition of the original Don Mills Centre allowing for contemporary retailing and providing for an overall feeling of place, variety and attachment for those who visit or work at the Shops of Don Mills.
