Luxury jewellery brand Bulgari, part of the LVMH Group, has unveiled its Canadian flagship store on Bloor Street West in Toronto.
Located at The Colonnade, this store is the sole location in Canada offering Bulgari’s high jewellery collection, along with a variety of exclusive products and unique design elements.
Store Design and Unique Features
Spanning over 3,000 square feet, the Bloor Street store boasts a distinctive curving glass facade inspired by Bulgari’s iconic Tubogas, reflecting the brand’s signature craftsmanship. The facade also incorporates white marble elements echoing the entrance portals of Bulgari’s historic flagship in Rome. Inside, visitors are greeted by a spacious ‘threshold’ leading to multiple interconnected rooms showcasing jewellery, watches, leather goods, and a private lounge, all centred around a gallery of Bulgari jewels.
Notably, the store features a Serpenti chandelier by Venini in Murano glass and an inlaid marble eight-point star at the entrance, embodying a contemporary interpretation of the Rome flagship’s design. Additionally, artwork by Andy Warhol and Canadian contemporary artist Nicolas Ruel is displayed.
Exclusive Collections and High Jewellery
The Bloor Street flagship is the only location in Canada to house Bulgari’s high jewellery collection, including pieces from the Diva’s Dream Peacock collection. Bulgari has indicated that this store offers “one of the most robust assortments” of its high jewellery in North America. Prices for some high jewellery items exceed $1 million.
Besides high jewellery, the store offers exclusive styles of jewellery and handbags, including limited-edition exotic skin bags available in very small quantities in North America. Bulgari’s ‘Le Gemme’ and ‘Bvlgari Allegra’ fragrance collections are also exclusive to this location.
Market Impact and Strategic Expansion
The opening of Bulgari’s Bloor Street flagship represents a significant expansion of the brand’s presence in Canada. Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari Group, expressed enthusiasm about the store’s launch, highlighting its design and materials that reflect Bulgari’s heritage, stating: “I am thrilled to celebrate the expansion of Bulgari’s presence in Canada with the opening of the Bloor Street West flagship boutique in Toronto. The store’s contemporary designs and luxurious materials seamlessly reflect Bulgari’s heritage, creating a multi sensorial experience. I look forward to welcoming our clients to Bloor Street West to discover Bulgari’s exquisite craftsmanship in all of its creations and share the Italian Art of Living with this vibrant community.”
Herve Perrot, President of Bulgari North America, added: “Bulgari is synonymous with the finest luxury experiences around the world through creations that testify to the incredible mastery of craftsmanship and purely Italian design. The flagship boutique on Bloor Street West is a new brand gem where we are eager to share the magnificent world of Bulgari with our Canadian customers.”
Strategic Location and Lease Details
Bulgari’s new store is situated in The Colonnade, a historic mixed-use building designed by architect Gerald Robinson and completed in 1963. Managed by landlord Morguard, The Colonnade has attracted several luxury brands, including Dior, Ferragamo, Prada, Cartier, and Moncler. Jane Baldwin of Lennard Commercial Realty represented Bulgari in the lease deal.
This new flagship joins Bulgari’s existing Toronto location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, which was expanded to about 2,900 square feet in 2022. Bulgari also opened a concession boutique inside Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street in the fall of 2019, which is expected to close with the opening of the standalone flagship nearby. Additionally, a concession at Holt Renfrew at CF Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver is expected to remain open even after a larger standalone storefront opens at Oakridge Park in 2025.
Bulgari is also present in travel retail, with boutiques operated by Dufry at Vancouver International Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport (Terminals 1 and 3). Multi-brand retailer Château d’Ivoire in Montreal also carries Bulgari products.
Bloor Street’s Luxury Transformation
The opening of Bulgari’s flagship is part of a broader transformation of Bloor Street into a luxury retail destination. Numerous high-end brands have established a presence between the Harry Rosen store (82 Bloor St. W.) and Avenue Road. Brands such as Rolex, Dior, Ferragamo, Prada, Cartier, Moncler, and others contribute to the street’s upscale appeal.
Looking Forward
Bulgari’s Bloor Street flagship is a significant milestone in the brand’s Canadian expansion, offering a new shopping experience with high jewellery and unique products. This move underscores Toronto’s growing status as a luxury retail destination, attracting major brands and catering to high-end consumers.
