Holiday displays to return to the windows of defunct Hudson’s Bay in downtown Toronto

A young boy gazes at the Santa's workshop display window at the Hudson Bay Company in Toronto on Friday, December 24, 2014.

The once highly visited holiday displays at the historic downtown Hudson’s Bay building are coming back this season, despite the department store’s defunction.

A spokesperson for Cadillac Fairview confirmed to CTV News Toronto that it is reviving the holiday window experience at the building, located at Yonge and Queen streets, so that it can continue to be a “vibrant destination this holiday season.”

Cadillac Fairview confirmed one “major” brand has secured the windows facing Yonge Street; it did not say who is putting up the display or what will be featured in it.

The windows will continue to be used for experiential marketing throughout the year, the mall owner says, adding that it is open to brands, cultural institutions and charities to bid for its use.

Up until 2023, Hudson’s Bay would set up various window displays to get Torontonians and visitors into the holiday spirit. Grammy Award-winning singer Mariah Carey once performed her 1994 holiday classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” as part of the window reveal in 2016.

What was once Canada’s oldest department store, Hudson’s Bay filed for creditor protection after being deep in $1.1 billion in debt. Unable to find a buyer, it liquidated and shuttered all of its stores nationwide.

The holiday display will be unveiled on Dec. 14, and passersby can see the decorations through the new year.