Amazon has announced the latest developments at its Vancouver and Toronto Tech Hubs, introducing new features and office space for more than 8,500 corporate and technology employees.
Today at an event opening a new 43,000 square foot atrium at The Post in Vancouver, Amazon announced plans to open the building’s North Tower in 2026.
The Post is the flagship office building at Amazon’s Vancouver Tech Hub, where more than 4,500 employees work across business teams including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Worldwide Amazon Stores and Devices.
The Post has historical significance for Vancouver, and its original architecture was restored as part of an ambitious heritage redevelopment by the property developer.
The atrium features 22-foot high ceilings and a nod to the building’s history as Vancouver’s Main Post Office, including an 18-foot mural resembling a pixelated postage stamp. Upon closer inspection, the mural features individual mailbox doors that date back to the building’s 1960s origin.
Amazon is the sole corporate tenant at The Post, with its 1.1 million square feet of office space that includes the new atrium connecting a 21-floor South Tower and 22-floor North Tower.
Amazon completed its move-in to the South Tower earlier this year, while the North Tower is on track to open in 2026.
Not to be outdone by awesome developments on the West Coast, Amazon’s Toronto Tech Hub launched Canada’s first in-office Just Walk Out Technology Store today at their YYZ14 office. Located at 120 Bremner Boulevard, the the store at YYZ14 offers a variety of ‘grab and go’ food and beverages.
Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), including computer vision, machine learning, and generative AI, as well as sensor fusion, Just Walk Out technology enables shoppers to grab what they want and simply leave the store.
To enter the store, Amazon employees use their credit card at the entry gate. Just Walk Out technology associates the shopper with their payment instrument, and detects the items taken from or returned to store shelves, creating a virtual shopping session. When employees have completed their visit, they simply leave the store, and their payment instrument will be charged for the items they took with them.
Amazon also announced that it plans to add three new floors at its YYZ18 office at 18 York Street in late 2024, adding 79,000 square feet of space. This Amazon location will be outfitted with Just Walk Out technology later this year.
“Just Walk Out technology has been a game-changer for shoppers around the world, removing the part of the shopping experience they enjoy the least – standing in line to pay – and allowing them to get on with their day more quickly,” said Jon Jenkins, Vice President, Just Walk Out technology.
“It’s exciting to bring this innovative technology to more of our employees, and we look forward to continuing to expand to new locations across Canada.”