An inverted-pyramid office tower clad in dark brown brick, designed by Maxwell Miller as the landmark headquarters of Sears Canada.
At a glance
This ten-storey Brutalist structure stands as a distinctive landmark on Toronto’s Jarvis Street, its striking silhouette immediately recognizable. The building’s geometric form and material expression exemplify mid-century commercial architecture in Canada.
History
Completed in 1971, 222 Jarvis Street was purpose-built as the head office for Sears Canada, the department store chain that shaped Canadian retail for decades. The timing of its construction marked a pivotal moment in Toronto’s downtown development during the post-war building boom.
What you see
The building’s most striking feature is its inverted-pyramid form, which defies conventional tower geometry. Architect Maxwell Miller constructed the facade from pre-cast concrete panels skinned in dark brown brick veneer, creating a unified, austere surface. The ten-storey structure contains 58,336 square metres of gross floor area, accommodating extensive office functions.
Cultural significance
222 Jarvis Street represents a bold expression of Brutalism in Canadian institutional architecture. Its uncompromising design and geometric audacity made it an icon of 1970s commercial modernism, reflecting both the ambitions of Sears Canada and the aesthetic confidence of the era.
Key facts
- Country: Canada
- City: Toronto, Ontario
- Completed: 1971
- Architect: Maxwell Miller
- Style: Brutalism
- Storeys: 10
- Gross floor area: 58,336 square metres (627,920 sq ft)
- Coordinates: 43.65796, -79.375588
Practical information & getting there
The building is located on Jarvis Street in downtown Toronto. As an office building, public access may be limited; check ahead before visiting.
Sources & resources
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