TORONTO - Cadillac Fairview Corp. says the Toronto Eaton Centre is about to get a $120-million facelift that will completely rework its food courts and give the rest of the mall a new look.

The changes at one of Canada's biggest shopping malls will turn the south food court into an upscale restaurant-style environment, while the north food court will be redesigned and expanded to become the main eating area.

Other renovations will include a replacement of the mall's entrance doors, tile floor, handrails and an expansion of the washrooms.

The major reworking of the mall's design will start on July 1 and is expected to last for two years, the company said.

Since it opened 33 years ago, the Eaton Centre has become a key tourist destination for visitors to Toronto and a prime location for popular international retailers to make their first foray into Canada, like the soon-to-open Victoria's Secret.

"We are thrilled to embark on this extensive revitalization, given Toronto Eaton Centre's prominent role in Canada's retail and cultural landscape," says senior vice-president of development Wayne Barwise.

"This is truly a transformative stage in our evolution: after 33 years of setting the standard for retail shopping, we now have a unique opportunity to reinforce our relevance in the hearts and minds of Torontonians and millions of visitors from around the world."

Cadillac Fairview said the new food courts will include a suspended wood ceiling to create a more comfortable environment. The eateries will also have reusable dishes and cutlery, replacing the disposable plates and cutlery, and a "pulping machine" that will turn food scraps into semi-dry compost.

The company also plans to install a custom-made light sculpture created by United Visual Artists, based in the United Kingdom.

Cadillac Fairview, wholly owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, owns or co-owns and manages more than 83 properties in Canada and the United States. The office buildings and retail centres are valued at some $17 billion.

Last month, the company announced a $110-million revitalization investment in the company's iconic Toronto-Dominion Centre complex in downtown Toronto.