AGO Announces Major Retail Transformation With New Community Space and Café
AGO Retail Transformation Will Create New Community Space in Toronto
TORONTO — The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is preparing to transform one of its most visible public spaces after announcing plans to redesign its retail area into a more welcoming destination that combines shopping, creativity, and community connection.
Supported by funding from the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant program, the project will see the AGO’s 5,068-square-foot Shop reimagined as a multifunctional space featuring a new coffee bar, maker space, expanded seating, and improved visitor amenities.
Importantly, the redesigned space will remain freely accessible to the public without requiring admission to the museum.
Reimagining the Visitor Experience
Located along Dundas Street West, the AGO Shop has long served as a destination for art books, prints, Indigenous-designed products, artisan jewellery, and unique gifts inspired by the museum’s collections and exhibitions.
The renovation aims to build on that foundation while creating new opportunities for visitors to gather, create, and connect.
“Thanks to the support of our partners at RBC Foundation, we’re reimagining both the first and last moments of the AGO experience to be more welcoming, accessible, and inspiring,” said Ros Lawler, the AGO’s Chief Brand & Business Officer.
“Visitors will have a comfortable space to connect over coffee before exploring the galleries, and a place to create something of their own before they leave.”
New Amenities Planned
The redesign will introduce a variety of new features intended to encourage longer visits and community engagement.
Plans include:
- A new coffee bar
- Additional public seating
- A dedicated maker and creative activity space
- Improved access to public washrooms
- New wood and glass display fixtures
- Enhanced retail displays for books, art prints, jewellery, and gifts
The project is being led by B+H Architects and CHIL Interior Design, both Toronto-based design firms with extensive experience in cultural and public spaces.
“We designed the new retail space and café at the AGO as a place for creativity, connection, and exchange,” said Diana Ellis, Director of Design at CHIL Interior Design.
“Rooted in principles of community and storytelling, the design invites people to gather, explore, and engage, transforming retail into a shared cultural experience.”
Construction Begins This Summer
Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026.
During the renovation period, the AGO said visitors will continue to have access to food and beverage options through the AGO Espresso Bar and the Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge. Retail operations will also continue through temporary satellite shop locations throughout the museum.
The refreshed retail space is expected to open in November 2026.
Supporting Future Growth
The project arrives as the AGO prepares for another significant milestone: the planned opening of the Dani Reiss Modern & Contemporary Gallery in 2027.
Museum officials say the retail transformation is part of a broader effort to enhance the visitor experience while strengthening the AGO’s role as a cultural gathering place within Toronto.
One of the largest art museums in North America, the AGO houses a collection of more than 120,000 works spanning Indigenous, Canadian, European, modern, and contemporary art.
The gallery continues to offer free admission to Ontarians under 25, AGO Members, Annual Passholders, and Indigenous peoples as part of its accessibility initiatives.
With the redesign, the AGO hopes to create a more welcoming front door to the institution—one that serves not only museum visitors but also residents, workers, students, and community members passing through Toronto’s downtown core.
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