Cactus Club Cafe: Sherway Gardens

Assembledge+ has continued its ongoing collaboration with Cactus Restaurant Group in support of the Vancouver-based company’s expansion into Canada’s eastern provinces.

The new 17,000 sf flagship location, with seating for nearly 450 guests across two floors. The ground-level lounge and dining rooms are clad in the signature material palate, consisting of the cornerstone finishes rift-cut white oak, oil-rubbed bronze, and dark leather. A continuous ribbon of wood ceiling transverses the space, creating a cohesive design element that unifies the experience.

The entry marks one’s arrival with a dramatic double-height space. The glass and bronze stairway is enveloped with an intricate wood slat feature element that wraps to become the ceiling. From there dozen glowing Louis Poulsen Artichoke pendants in a custom oak finish are suspended overhead, inviting guests up the rooftop.

The exterior has a more muscular expression with cladding in a rough, textured concrete plank. The patio, featuring a full island bar and green wall, is capable of being operated year-round, made possible with a combination of retractable roof canopies, sliding glass walls, and radiant heat arrays that are seamlessly integrated into the architecture.

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Size: 14,244 sf w/ 3,180 sf patio

Design Team: David Thompson (Principal-in-Charge), Cesar Quinones (Project Manager), Scott Nusinow (Project Architect), Ignacio Bruni, Jooyoung Chung, Jennifer Garrett

Photography: Michael Weschler

2019 AIA|LA Restaurant Design Award, Finalist

2019 Vancouver Magazine, Restaurant Awards, Best Chain Restaurant