Toronto, ON

IKEA Toronto Downtown – XS Aura

IKEA XS Aura, the first urban-format IKEA store in Canada, was a major renovation of an existing downtown Toronto retail space with sustainability as a guiding principle. Designed to support urban living, the store prioritizes natural daylight, an efficient layout, and proximity to transit, cycling routes, and walkable amenities. From the outset, IKEA Properties Ltd. brought all project stakeholders together to pursue a high-performance, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible design, using the LEED® framework to push beyond typical green building requirements.
Exterior view of the IKEA store entrance at Aura in downtown Toronto, featuring a large digital “Now open” sign above the doors.
IKEA Toronto Downtown - XS Aura

Project Overview

A major focus of the project was responsible material selection, emphasizing products with Environmental Product Declarations, recycled content, take-back programs, and verified low-emitting or non-toxic ingredients. Through this approach, the team significantly reduced embodied carbon impacts and improved indoor air quality. Waste reduction also played a key role: during construction, 73% of waste was diverted from landfills through careful sorting and recycling, with operational recycling systems established for ongoing waste management.

Energy and water efficiency strategies were integrated throughout the design. The store uses an advanced HVAC system tied into the base building, with energy recovery ventilation, variable-speed equipment, and demand control ventilation to reduce energy use and improve air quality. LED lighting and smart controls further lower electricity consumption. Water-efficient fixtures and appliances reduce indoor potable water use by 39%. Together, these measures create a healthy, efficient, and low-impact retail environment that reflects IKEA’s commitment to circularity and climate-positive operations.

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IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

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66,186.22 ft² (2 floors)

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LEED® Gold

IKEA Toronto Downtown - XS Aura

IKEA Canada Limited Partnership was committed to designing, constructing and operating a space with a reduced environmental impact by incorporating sustainable initiatives.

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Commissioning

Fire Protection

Sustainability Consulting

Building Automation

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IKEA Toronto Downtown - XS Aura
Interior view of the IKEA Swedish Deli counter with bright orange signage, food displays, and refrigerated items.

The Swedish Deli offers quick, convenient food options inspired by classic IKEA flavours.

IKEA showroom bedroom display featuring a bed, lighting, soft furnishings, and windowed street-level backdrop.

A curated bedroom vignette showcases IKEA’s functional design and home-inspired layouts.

IKEA store interior with shelving units, storage products, and greenery displayed along wide aisles.

A spacious showroom area highlights IKEA’s storage, shelving, and home organization solutions.

Close-up of the iconic blue and yellow IKEA sign mounted above the store entrance.

The recognizable IKEA sign marks the entrance to the downtown Toronto location.

IKEA sustainability signage reading “Small change, big impact. Food is too precious to waste,” displayed inside the store.

IKEA promotes its commitment to reducing food waste through simple, meaningful actions.

IKEA planning area with wall signage, computer stations, and lighting for customer workspace and design support.

Dedicated planning stations help customers visualize and customize their living spaces with expert support.

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