View source for Maple Leaf Square

{{Short description|Mixed-use development in South Core, Toronto, Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Maple Leaf Square
| logo = Maple Leaf Square logo.png
| image = Maple Leaf Square 2025-05-06.jpg
| caption = Maple Leaf Square
| map_type = Canada Toronto
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Toronto
| map_size =
| map_dot_label =
| coordinates = {{coord|43.642632|-79.380200|region:CA-ON|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| start_date = January 2007
| status = Complete
| building_type = Public square, Hotel, Condominium, Office, Retail
| address = 15 York St.
| location_city = [[Toronto]], Ontario
| location_country = Canada
| floor_count = 54 (topped out)
| completion_date = 2010
| roof = {{convert|186|m|abbr=on}}
| floor_area = {{convert|1800000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| grounds_area = {{convert|2.1|acre|ha|abbr=on}}
| number_of_units = 872
| elevator_count =
| architect = Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects with Page & Steele Architects (Architect of Record)
| main_contractor = [[PCL Construction]]<ref name="PCL">[http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/article/id32854 - Construction Update] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221339/http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/article/id32854 |date=July 8, 2011 }}
</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://www.cadillacfairview.com/maple-leaf-square/}}
}}
'''Maple Leaf Square''' <!--- Do not add "Jurassic Park" here without first gaining consensus for the addition on the talk page. --->is a multi-use complex and [[public square]] located in the [[South Core, Toronto|South Core]] neighbourhood of [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada. It is located to the west of the [[Scotiabank Arena]] on the former [[Railway Lands]]. The $500 million development was jointly developed by [[Cadillac Fairview]], Lanterra and [[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]] (MLSE), who own the nearby Scotiabank Arena. The complex has {{convert|1800000|sqft|m2}} of usable space covering {{convert|2.1|acre|ha}} on one city block.<ref name="June08 Update">[http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/news.asp?story_id=345 Maple Leaf Square Update {{!}} June 9, 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910075555/http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/news.asp?story_id=345 |date=September 10, 2008 }}</ref>

==Name==
Maple Leaf Square is named after [[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]], which owns the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and [[Toronto Raptors]], both of which play in [[Scotiabank Arena]] next to the square.<ref name=jp>[http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/05/04/gallery-toronto-raptors-fans-pack-maple-leaf-square-for-game-7-against-brooklyn-nets/?__federated=1 Toronto Raptors fans pack Maple Leaf Square for Game 7 against Brooklyn Nets] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20140928152304/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/05/04/gallery-toronto-raptors-fans-pack-maple-leaf-square-for-game-7-against-brooklyn-nets/?__federated=1 |date=September 28, 2014 }}, National Post, May 4, 2014</ref><ref name="ground">{{cite news|last1=Levinson-King|first1=Robin|title=Why Jurassic Park is ground zero for Raptors fans|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2016/04/26/why-jurassic-park-is-ground-zero-for-raptors-fans.html|website=Toronto Star|date=April 26, 2016}}</ref> During the 2014 postseason for the Raptors, the public square became a popular gathering area to view playoff games, and was nicknamed by fans as '''Jurassic Park''',<ref name="ground"/><ref name=ap_05262019>{{cite news|title=Toronto's Jurassic Park adds college vibe to NBA Finals|date=May 29, 2019|newspaper=The Oklahoman|agency=Associated Press|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/feed/9918508/torontos-jurassic-park-adds-college-vibe-to-nba-finals|access-date=May 29, 2019|quote=Officially, it's called 'Raptors Tailgate in Maple Leaf Square,' but it's better known as Jurassic Park.}}</ref> in reference to the [[Jurassic Park|film]] from which the Raptors team name originated. The square is now colloquially referred to as Jurassic Park by the fans and media in addition to the real name, the '''Raptors Tailgate'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/raptors/playoffs18/tailgate|title = Raptors Tailgate presented by Sportchek|website = [[NBA.com]]}}</ref>

On September 25, 2014, it was reported that the official name of the square would be changed to Ford Square from Maple Leaf Square, after the [[Ford Canada|Ford Motor Company of Canada]]'s purchase of [[naming rights]] to the square.<ref>{{cite news|title=maple leaf square gets renamed|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1582070/maple-leaf-square-to-become-ford-square/|access-date=September 25, 2014|issue=Sep 25, 2014|publisher=Global News|date=September 25, 2014}}</ref> After public uproar to the rename,<ref name="STARM"/><ref>[https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2014/09/never_mind_what_mlse_wants__the_square_s_name_stays_the_same.html Never mind what MLSE wants, the square's name stays the same], September 26, Toronto Star</ref><ref name="CITY"/><ref>[http://www.globalnews.ca/news/1589758/maple-leaf-square-will-not-be-renamed-ford-square/ Maple Leaf Square will not be renamed Ford Square after all], Global News, September 30, 2014</ref> five days later, MLSE said that those reports were "premature and unfounded" and that they would not get rid of the name.<ref name="STARM">[https://www.thestar.com/business/2014/09/30/maple_leaf_square_will_live_on_mlse_says.html Maple Leaf Square will live on, MLSE says], Toronto Star, September 30, 2014</ref>  Instead, they announced that the square would be rebranded as the '''Ford Fan Zone at Maple Leaf Square'''<ref name="STARM"/> due to a five-year sponsorship deal with Ford Canada.<ref name="CITY">[https://toronto.citynews.ca/2014/09/30/maple-leaf-square-will-not-be-renamed-ford-square-report/ Maple Leaf Square will not be renamed Ford Square], CityNews Toronto, September 30</ref>

==History==
Construction on the project began in January 2007.

The two glass and [[cast-in-place concrete]] towers are 65 storeys, containing 872 residential units, a 167-room Hotel LeGermain Boutique [[Hotel]], {{convert|230000|sqft|m2}} of office space, {{convert|110000|sqft|m2}} of retail space, a {{convert|7000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} daycare centre, a high-definition theatre that broadcasts [[Leafs Nation Network]] and [[NBA TV Canada]] 24-hours a day, and four levels of underground [[parking]] with nearly 900 spaces.

The retail complex includes a [[Longo's]] grocery, a {{convert|24000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[sports bar]] called Real Sports Bar and Grill, a sports retail store called Real Sports Apparel, a fine dining restaurant called E11even, a fan apparel specific location of Sportchek and a branch of the [[Toronto Dominion Bank]]. For residents, there is a [[Roof garden|rooftop garden]] and [[swimming pool]]. The development was designed to achieve LEED ([[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design]]) Silver status for the project's [[environmental sustainability]].

The building partly served as inspiration for [[LECOM Harborcenter]], a multi-use building built near [[KeyBank Center]] in [[Buffalo, New York]] by [[Buffalo Sabres]] and [[Buffalo Bills]] owner [[Terrence Pegula]]'s [[Pegula Sports and Entertainment]]. The similarity is most noticeable in the design of the restaurant: LECOM Harborcenter's 716 Food and Sport was largely based on Maple Leaf Square's Real Sports Bar and Grill.

<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
Maple Leaf Square Shopping Arcade.jpg|Retail complex
Maple Leaf Square Shopping Arcade-1 2021.jpg|Longo's Supermarket
Maple Leaf Square, North Tower.jpg|North Tower
TorontoPano.jpg|Maple Leaf Square topped out in Spring 2010
</gallery>

==Public square==
{{Infobox urban feature
|name=Maple Leaf Square
|image_place=First period play gets a little rowdy.jpg
|image_caption=Fans watching the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] play the [[Boston Bruins]] in the [[2013 Stanley Cup playoffs]]
|other_names= Jurassic Park
|area= 
|surface= 
|address1= 
|address2=[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
|owner=[[City of Toronto government|City of Toronto]]
|coordinates = {{coord|43|38|35.5|N|79|22|49.4|W|region:CA-ON}}
|pushpin_map=Canada Toronto
|pushpin_map_caption=Location of Maple Leaf Square in Toronto
|place_type=[[Public square]]
|construction= 
|features=Video screens
|open=2010
|height= 
|manager= 
|designer= 
|website= 
}}
The public square has a capacity of 5,000 people. It hosts pre-game gatherings and other sports-related events.<ref name="GlobeRenos">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/freeheadlines/LAC/20080910/ACC10/sports/Sports |title=ACC could look better than Leafs this season |author=Shoalts, David |date=September 10, 2008|access-date=September 12, 2008|work=Globe & Mail}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

In conjunction with the project, the Scotiabank Arena itself on the side of Maple Leaf Square was renovated.<ref name="GlobeRenos"/> The renovations included a {{convert|20000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} atrium addition to the west side of the arena which abuts the plaza. The outside wall of the atrium features a 50 by {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=on}} video screen overlooking the plaza which was inspired by similar plazas at [[L.A. Live]] in [[Los Angeles]], and [[American Airlines Center#Architecture|Victory Park]] in [[Dallas]].<ref name="GlobeRenos"/> Games going on inside the arena are often displayed live on the outdoor screen.

The square was the first such plaza in Canada. It has been since emulated in [[Edmonton]] with a plaza in the [[Ice District]] by [[Daryl Katz]], owner of the [[Edmonton Oilers]] and in [[Winnipeg]] with [[True North Square]] by [[True North Sports and Entertainment]], owners of the [[Winnipeg Jets]].

===Viewing space for sports===
The public square holds special outdoor viewings of significant games like home openers and playoff games for both the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and [[Toronto Raptors]] on a giant video screen affixed above the west entrance of [[Scotiabank Arena]]. [[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]], which owns both franchises, puts concession and merchandise stands on the square during such occasions.<ref name=ground/> These viewings happen regardless of whether the team is playing at home or on the road. Popularity of this fan experience has risen over the years and has required heightened security and traffic control.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/jurassic-park-fan-experience-1.3569836|title=Welcome, Raptors fans, to Jurassic Park|last=Blum|first=Benjamin|date=May 6, 2016|work=CBC Sports}}</ref> Interest in attendance reached a new level on May 25, 2019, to watch the Raptors win Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the [[2019 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.680news.com/2019/05/25/jurassic-park-line/|title=Thousands gather to watch Raptors at Jurassic Park|date=May 25, 2019|work=680 News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5316761/toronto-raptors-game-6-fans-jurassic-park/|title=Raptors fans overload Toronto's Jurassic Park for Game 6, spill onto street|last1=McQuigge |first1=Michelle |last2=Rizza |first2=Alanna |date=May 25, 2019|work=Global News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/raptors-fans-gather-at-jurassic-park-to-be-part-of-history|title=Raptors fans gather at Jurassic Park 'to be part of history'|last=Stevenson|first=Jane |date=May 25, 2019|newspaper=Toronto Sun}}</ref> Following the Raptors' historic win in the [[2019 NBA Finals]], the City of Toronto renamed as Raptors Way a portion of Bremner Boulevard from York Street to Lake Shore Boulevard.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/raptors-way-bremner-toronto-1.5182215
|title=The Raptors are getting their very own street in downtown Toronto
|publisher=cbc.ca|date=19 June 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[South Core, Toronto]]
*[[List of tallest buildings in Canada]]
*[[List of tallest buildings in Toronto]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.mapleleafsquare.com/}}
* [http://www.mapleleafsquarecondos.com/ Maple Leaf Square Condos]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/st-even/3876914384/ Photos of the project]
* {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20140711114055/http://www.emporis.com/fr/il/pc?id=233360&aid=19&sro=1&yr=2009&mt=/ Photos of the Building]}}

{{Toronto skyscrapers}}
{{Parks and squares in Toronto}}
{{Cadillac Fairview}}
{{Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment}}
{{Toronto Maple Leafs}}
{{Toronto Raptors}}

[[Category:Squares in Toronto]]
[[Category:Path (Toronto)]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Toronto]]
[[Category:Entertainment districts in Canada]]
[[Category:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design basic silver certified buildings]]
[[Category:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified buildings in Canada]]
[[Category:Commercial buildings completed in 2010]]
[[Category:Railway Lands]]
[[Category:Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]]
[[Category:Cadillac Fairview]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Toronto]]
[[Category:Retail buildings in Canada]]
[[Category:Residential skyscrapers in Toronto]]
[[Category:Skyscraper hotels in Canada]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs]]
[[Category:Toronto Raptors]]