Elte Partners With Italian Legacy Brands on Two New Toronto Showrooms
B&B Italia and Cassina are now bringing the best of Italian furniture to the city’s Castlefield Design District
Andrew Metrick’s approach to design is anchored in a profound admiration for the past. When he’s not designing furniture for Elte, where he serves as co-president alongside his brother Jamie, he injects this philosophy into Elte’s global partnerships and collaborations. Most recently, with two world-renowned names in Italian design.
“We want to partner with brands that we believe are pushing design forward, are innovating, and are telling rich stories that come from a place of authenticity,” says Metrick, who celebrated the opening of Toronto’s first monobrand B&B Italia and Cassina showrooms developed in partnership with Elte this spring. “These are two brands that are expanding their global footprint. Toronto was an important market for them and they were looking for a partner who could help them achieve that.”
Jamie (left) and Andrew Metrick are the co-presidents and chief product officers of Elte along with its sister brands Mkt and Ginger’s.
Piero Lissoni and Antonio Citterio serve as the creative visionaries behind B&B Italia and Maxalto, respectively. Their distinctive design philosophies permeate every aspect of the showroom, from the meticulously curated products to the elegant fixtures on display. “Our goal was to step back and provide a platform for these creatives to tell their story,” says Metrick. “If you were to visit one of B&B Italia’s showrooms in Milan, Paris or New York, you’ll find the same DNA in each of those spaces.”
These new showrooms mark a significant addition to the Castlefield Design District—where Elte opened its Ronald Avenue showroom 35 years ago—further establishing the area as a hub for high-end design and decor.
B&B Italia showroom, Toronto.
The showroom features an eclectic mix of B&B Italia classics alongside new designs and a section designated for Maxalto products.
In-house design consultations are available upon request.
The Up chair designed by the late Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia.
For spring, B&B Italia’s expansive outdoor furniture collection is on display at 125 Tycos Drive.
B&B Italia, 2024.
Both housed under one expansive roof at 125 Tycos Drive, the B&B Italia and Cassina showrooms offer a combined 17,000 square feet of innovative design.
Elte co-president Andrew Metrick giving a welcome speech at the B&B Italia showroom opening in March.
B&B Italia. 125 Tycos Drive.
The B&B Italia showroom floor made a naturally comfy lounge area during the showroom’s opening in March.
Designer Diego Olivero assembling a product demonstration at the Cassina showroom opening.
Curated in collaboration with creative director Patricia Urquiola, the Cassina showroom was designed for guests to experience the iconic designs in the precise way they were intended to.
Metrick highlights the significance of Toronto for global design brands, stating, “I think Toronto has an incredible design community. We have some of the world’s best designers and architects. I think the best brands should be here—including brands like B&B Italia and Cassina that bring to Toronto more of what I think is already here and accentuates what makes the city’s design scene so great.”
Where B&B Italia boasts a classic collection of furniture (indoor and outdoor), Cassina stands out for its artful collection full of iconic silhouettes and bold punches of colour. From iconic 1920s pieces to collaborations with today’s leading designers, Cassina offers a spectrum of furniture that transcends time and trends. Each item, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, exemplifies Cassina’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship.
“I think as you walk through both of these showrooms, you’ll naturally gravitate towards different products for various reasons,” explains Metrick. “B&B Italia leans towards minimalism and timelessness, whereas Cassina, under Patricia Urquiola’s leadership, is bold and striking. However, exploring both brands reveals that their designs can complement each other when mixed.”
Cassina Showroom, Toronto. 125 Tycos Drive.
Cassina’s Sahara Grid rug makes a statement in one of the showroom vignettes.
An installation celebrates Echoes: Cassina. 50 Years of iMaestri. The book explores the significant contribution to design culture made by Cassina, the first company to develop and industrialize timeless reeditions in the Cassina iMaestri Collection.
Every vignette in the Cassina showrooms displays a mix of vintage and modern designs. The
The Starburst chandelier makes a statement in the new showroom.
Cassina Toronto.
The arrival of B&B Italia and Cassina’s showrooms in Toronto, courtesy of Elte, highlights a growing appreciation for global design innovation, merging traditional elegance with modern flair to enhance the city’s cultural tapestry. For homeowners and designers in the city alike, these new abundant showrooms position the city as a vibrant hub for both shopping and creative inspiration.
