CF Pacific Centre Developments

[phesto]

Didn't think it would happen, but money talks, and Cadillac paid a very big number not to play a longer waiting game with Sears. Store closes Oct 31.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business...477/story.html

[cc85]

This is the biggest rumour to ever come true! hahah

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle2356330/

[connect2source]

This will be transformational for downtown Vancouver to say the least, we've had to deal with this filthy eyesore of a building for years now while Sears profits eroded and their loyalty and respect, locally, decayed. Here's to a wonderful new life for this building and a revitalization for the Robson and Granville area!

[sacrifice333]

Does that site have height restrictions since it's along Robson?

Wonder if CF will go for the short-term gain -- new tenant. Or long-term profit -- build to suit WITH residential or office component?!

I don't know of any possible tenant that could make a go of the entire space and I don't know how you'd really chop it up without hurting the potential tenants... unless you cut it up vertically and gave at least two tenants access to most floors.

[J. Will]

Originally Posted by sacrifice333

Does that site have height restrictions since it's along Robson?

Wonder if CF will go for the short-term gain -- new tenant. Or long-term profit -- build to suit WITH residential or office component?!

I don't know of any possible tenant that could make a go of the entire space and I don't know how you'd really chop it up without hurting the potential tenants... unless you cut it up vertically and gave at least two tenants access to most floors.

There's no way all of it becomes retail. You could try to turn some of the top floors to office space, but it would be anything but prestigious space with the lack of windows. I really hope they tear the ugly, near-windowless box down and build something more appropriate for a downtown environment there.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by J. Will

There's no way all of it becomes retail. You could try to turn some of the top floors to office space, but it would be anything but prestigious space with the lack of windows. I really hope they tear the ugly, near-windowless box down and build something more appropriate for a downtown environment there.

I still think of the Crystal Court in Minneapolis. Of course, that's at the base of the 59-floor IDS Tower there, so I don't think we could expect anything as big, light, and airy for the Sears site.

[twoNeurons]

Before you all get carried away, my guess is that they'll lease out the store to a US department store, rather than tear down the buildling.
If it's going to be another department store, I'd love to see something styled like this Daimaru in Kobe:

source

Of course, the Japanese department store concept, with a food floor on the bottom, would be really nice. Just not sure if it would fly here.

[Vin]

Sure seems like a heck of a long wait before Nordstrom would open. In the meantime, I hope to see a new announcement of a large-format retail coming to downtown Vancouver. Doesn't need to be lux, mid-range is OK.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Vin

Sure seems like a heck of a long wait before Nordstrom would open. In the meantime, I hope to see a new announcement of a large-format retail coming to downtown Vancouver. Doesn't need to be lux, mid-range is OK.

Where would you most probably imagine seeing it located?
In the Central Shopping District (Bay, Nordstrom) or elsewhere?

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Where would you most probably imagine seeing it located?
In the Central Shopping District (Bay, Nordstrom) or elsewhere?

i'd like to see something on georgia on the old budget site - the block between telus and the library

perhaps a saks, or if they went the other way a marshalls, an apple flagship store, uniqlo - something that would normally be on robson but isn't this time

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i'd like to see something on georgia on the old budget site - the block between telus and the library

perhaps a saks, or if they went the other way a marshalls, an apple flagship store, uniqlo - something that would normally be on robson but isn't this time

a Saks! That might be asking a bit much, but one never knows .....
I think that Budget site (and it is hideous) would do well with being replaced with a retail building. IMO just one department store would not be enough.
I'd like to see a major upscale-ish retail anchor tenant, in a building with other retail, maybe a bit like something out of Bloor Street in Toronto,

[Vin]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Where would you most probably imagine seeing it located?
In the Central Shopping District (Bay, Nordstrom) or elsewhere?

Spread it out a little: One at the Davie/Burrard/Yaletown neighbourhood would be divine, makes shopping a lot easier around there. Perhaps another one could be somewhere in the OV/Broadway neighbourhood. Of course, the old general post office/distribution centre site would be a potentially awesome place for a prime shopping site. Hope they don't waste that space on just condos or office blocks. A mixed development comprising of hotels, retail, restaurants, condos and offices all-inclusive is a must.

Getting really off-topic we should get back to Nordstrom and the new PC extension, which, according to the current renderings, is just ok and not a jaw-dropping project. Nonetheless, still hope to have some pleasant surprises in store.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Vin

Getting really off-topic we should get back to Nordstrom and the new PC extension, which, according to the current renderings, is just ok and not a jaw-dropping project. Nonetheless, still hope to have some pleasant surprises in store.

compared to what it is replacing, it's the Taj Mahal

[wrenegade]

This is excellent news. I'm sure we'd all love to see it torn down, but I doubt that will happen right away. My money is on a Nordstorms. I'd love to be proven wrong though, and see a wrecking ball show up Nov 1st.

[TwoFace]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but for me and many others this is not a very positive thing for the Downtown retail consumer.
Sears has always proved to be very affordable with a great selection of product.
When the "new" department store comes up from the States I foresee that it will be more in-line with The Bay's pricing.
Another "overpriced" alternative for most.

[mezzanine]

^ one thing about sears is that I could always find a vaccum cleaner part/filter there. They also had a watch/clock repair service that was handy for a watch i had that took unusual batteries not found at london drugs.

however, Overall this is a good thing, especially if they build a new structure at the sears site.

I'm not a retail analyst, but I am pessimistic about nordstrom's moving in. I don't think they can lease out all the space - i'm sure who really could of any retailer, at the rates CF are going to ask for. i'm thinking a redevelopment - they can even re-do/build over the vancouver city centre station entrance.

[Prometheus]

I have always maintained that if the Vancouver Art Gallery had to move, then this site would be the ideal, most culturally-relevant location for a stunning, iconic, starchitect-built new Gallery. I have also maintained, however, that the genius of the building would lie in its ability to be a coherent work of art that seamlessly houses a high-brow cultural institution on the Howe half of the block while functioning as an exciting, funky commercial building on the Granville half of the block.

Assuming the Rattenbury building continued to function as a cultural institution (possibly even as a second building for the Vancouver Art Gallery, connected to the new Gallery by a glass sky-bridge over Howe), then the virtue of the above solution is its success in solidifying the Robson Square area as the cultural/political epicentre of the city while maintaining and enhancing Granville Street as the premiere funky retail/entertainment district.

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by wrenegade

... and see a wrecking ball show up Nov 1st.

Personally, I'd prefer dynamite. A lot of dynamite.

[Valley_Refugee]

The Bay is not overpriced, it's gone more upmarket. If a consumer wants value brands (and the quality level that comes with them), then there are Wal-Mart and Zellers/Target. I think it's a great thing for downtown. The Bay is slightly upmarket, Nordstrom moreso, and Holt Renfrew at the top.

[phesto]

The preliminary concept plans from Cadillac Fairview posted on here 6 or 7 years ago showed a new or renovated retail podium with office and residential above. Maybe someone can shed some light on if this is still in the works?