Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens transformation has earned a World Architecture News (WAN) Retail and Leisure Interior award.

The WAN awards accept global nominations and recognize the best in international design.

The former home rink of the Toronto Maple Leafs was honoured with first place in the category for retail outlets larger than 200 m² (2152 sf). The project turned the facility into a Loblaws grocery store with a bakery, tea emporium, and 5.5-m (18-ft) tall wall of cheese.

Toronto’s Turner Fleischer Architects and Australian firm Landini Associates were honoured for the project, which has a design that plays tribute to the original building by incorporating stadium lighting and sculptures of old arena chairs.

Other Canadian firms were also recognized with awards. Toronto’s Yabu Pushelberg firm won in the restaurants and bars category for its redesign of Chicago’s Pump Room restaurant, while Montréal’s Lemaymichaud was honoured in the hotel and service retailer category for Hôtel La Ferme.

The 2013 awards program is accepting entries until June 14. Click here for more information.