Designed by Maxwell Miller, Sears in-house architect.

Sandra Parks: “Why build fake brick-and-beam when we already have real mid-century modern?"

Karl Kessler: “It’s almost a rule; we feel often strong disaffection towards architecture that is about 50-60 years old. We are fast approaching a situation in which good examples from this important, striking architectural era have mostly vanished, creating a conspicuous gap in our cultural heritage.”

Jean Haalboom: “The Sears building has put its stamp on our sense of place. It demonstrates the tastes of its time. Surely, we can use our innovative talents to demand reuse instead of destruction”.

Prof. Rick Haldenby, University of Waterloo School of Architecture: “It's got dignity, it's got rhythm, it's got grace. The mid-century buildings that popped up in Waterloo Region from the early 1950s to the early 1970s are representative of a booming era in local history. They should be protected.”

Finley McEwen, Cadillac Fairview Senior VP Development responded: It would "essentially render the property undevelopable".

November 19 2018, City council voted to reject Heritage Committee recommendation to preserve the façade, except a section of it on the north side of the new building.