Something unique is underfoot at the CF Shops at Don Mills. In 2016, the “lifestyle” retail destination underwent a rejuvenation of over 4000m2 of asphalt surface to lay down a safer, more stylish, and pedestrian-friendlier environment. Years later, the new look continues to draw attention.
The CF Shops at Don Mills’ surface rejuvenation was led by Ellis-Don and landscape architect Quinn Design Associates. Instead of brick pavers for its crosswalks, storefront parking, and other surfaces, project owner Cadillac Fairview selected TrafficPatternsXD as its stamped asphalt surface material.
“[TrafficPatternsXD] brought an improved aesthetic effect to the street by engaging colour and allowed us to install traditional modular pattern to the paved surface with a traffic calming effect,” notes John Quinn, Principal with Quinn Design Associates.
The material was supplied by Hub Surface Systems (HSS), which has helped road crews around Canada breathe new life into a variety of streets, school grounds, commercial districts, and public spaces. Doug Bain with HSS says TrafficPatternsXD was an ideal material for the CF Shops at Don Mills project as it provided a durable, maintenance-free method of achieving the design’s red cobblestone look: “Being able to achieve rich, bold colours that don’t fade or look washed out after years of use, keep the project looking as intended. Having a surface that integrates with the existing asphalt roadway means that there is much less maintenance needed as these features become part of the road surface.”
The ease and speed of installation were also welcome advantages, especially for a roadside project that needed to take shape while the busy commercial district was active.
“One of the great things about our TrafficPatternsXD system is it allows for very fast ‘return to service,’” recalls Bain. “Disruption is minimized with an eye towards maintaining flow throughout the site, while providing a decorative surface to enhance the space.”
It’s been nearly five years since work on the CF Shops at Don Mills’ street was completed. Since then, Bain reports that owner CF has been satisfied with the surface’s performance over those years, noting, “When we talk with people in the area, they are always amazed to learn that the surface is not bricks, but asphalt.”
Thanks to the project’s success, Cadillac-Fairview has gone on to use the TrafficPatternsXD system at CF Fairview Park in Kitchener, which recently underwent a complete re-design.
Overall, adds Quinn: “The client provided a positive review of the completed project and have since employed the process to other pedestrian traffic crossings of other streets within the Centre.”
Discover Hub Surface Systems’ portfolio of decorative paving solutions for asphalt and concrete surfaces at www.hubss.com.