Rideau Centre Expansion | Completed

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by SkeggsEggs

Retail Insider article on Rideau Centre.

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...tawa-to-increase-foot-traffic-interview/

Mall is 90% leased and here is a bit of info on the Imaginaire space:

Interesting, so I wonder how they're going to break up the rest of the third floor then if the bulk of their space is on the 4th floor?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SkeggsEggs

Retail Insider article on Rideau Centre.

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...tawa-to-increase-foot-traffic-interview/

Mall is 90% leased and here is a bit of info on the Imaginaire space:

Ok, so they are taking the theatre space. Interesting. Can't imagine 90% leased includes the empty Nordstrom space. It alone represents 12.5% of the space within the mall.

Originally Posted by nsavage

Not sure how I feel about the quote about the theatre "from a long time ago" and what that says about how old I'm getting.

March 11, 2013. It closed over 10 years ago.

[rdaner]

Though I am in Toronto I am in Ottawa annually and always end up at the Rideau Centre. Personally it looked fine and was busy. Also I always walk there so don't know or really care what the parking situation is like. What I wonder is how the rapidly increasing population in the central area of Ottawa is affecting such a large facility? I seem to remember reading that this mall is still one of the highest sales per sqf of NA malls so the owner is not losing money.

And if Ottawa is lucky to get an urban IKEA, I imagine that this is the place it will be.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by rdaner

Though I am in Toronto I am in Ottawa annually and always end up at the Rideau Centre. Personally it looked fine and was busy. Also I always walk there so don't know or really care what the parking situation is like. What I wonder is how the rapidly increasing population in the central area of Ottawa is affecting such a large facility? I seem to remember reading that this mall is still one of the highest sales per sqf of NA malls so the owner is not losing money.

And if Ottawa is lucky to get an urban IKEA, I imagine that this is the place it will be.

I think this was destined for the Carlingwood thread conversation, but if I'm going to move it, might as well move it here.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by rdaner

Though I am in Toronto I am in Ottawa annually and always end up at the Rideau Centre. Personally it looked fine and was busy. Also I always walk there so don't know or really care what the parking situation is like. What I wonder is how the rapidly increasing population in the central area of Ottawa is affecting such a large facility? I seem to remember reading that this mall is still one of the highest sales per sqf of NA malls so the owner is not losing money.

And if Ottawa is lucky to get an urban IKEA, I imagine that this is the place it will be.

Was there earlier this week and it was good and busy. Still a few empty or "coming in the spring" spots, and Nordstrom is a big hole. On the other hand, new stores like Uniqlo and Imaginnaire, plus Simons were packed.

It does make sense for an urban IKEA or an urban Canadian Tire to consider that location, as there are a tonne of people living close in all directions and many of them are car-free. I always assumed that they would be more likely to go into the bottom of a condo tower in Centretown or on Lebreton. Curious as to whether those destination-type stores will take advantage of cheaper commercial real estate, as they could easily thrive anywhere downtown. It's ridiculous that from central Ottawa you have to go to Heron or Coventry to get to a Canadian Tire.

As you note, Rideau Centre might be pretty expensive real estate for those types of stores, but I would imagine that anyone taking the whole Nordstrom spot might be able to negotiate a good deal.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by phil235

Was there earlier this week and it was good and busy. Still a few empty or "coming in the spring" spots, and Nordstrom is a big hole. On the other hand, new stores like Uniqlo and Imaginnaire, plus Simons were packed.

It does make sense for an urban IKEA or an urban Canadian Tire to consider that location, as there are a tonne of people living close in all directions and many of them are car-free. I always assumed that they would be more likely to go into the bottom of a condo tower in Centretown or on Lebreton. Curious as to whether those destination-type stores will take advantage of cheaper commercial real estate, as they could easily thrive anywhere downtown. It's ridiculous that from central Ottawa you have to go to Heron or Coventry to get to a Canadian Tire.

As you note, Rideau Centre might be pretty expensive real estate for those types of stores, but I would imagine that anyone taking the whole Nordstrom spot might be able to negotiate a good deal.

With all the Uottawa students in residence a stone throw away from the old Nordstrom, an Urban Ikea in there would make lots of sense

[CanadaGoose]

Originally Posted by SL123

With all the Uottawa students in residence a stone throw away from the old Nordstrom, an Urban Ikea in there would make lots of sense

In 6 years, they can take the LRT to Ikea station (Queensview).

Also, Ikea is 80 000 sq ft at STC. So, that could occupy one of the floors of Nordstrom. Nordstrom was total 155 000 sq ft approx.

[On Edge]

What might really work in the Nordstrom space is a Winners/Homesense combination like we see at Bayshore.

[Harley613]

Just imagine the severely undersized yet successful convention centre in the core of our nation's capital missing an opportunity like this... The Ontario Government should be frothing at the mouth for some of that space, but I have never heard it discussed outside of this forum. Just think of it, with the top floor of that space, Ottawa could have the same amount of convention space downtown as the bustling metropolis of Winnipeg!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Just imagine the severely undersized yet successful convention centre in the core of our nation's capital missing an opportunity like this... The Ontario Government should be frothing at the mouth for some of that space, but I have never heard it discussed outside of this forum. Just think of it, with the top floor of that space, Ottawa could have the same amount of convention space downtown as the bustling metropolis of Winnipeg!

Agreed. Really hoping the Convention Centre jumps at the opportunity. Might be happening behind closed doors. Probably not though. Highly doubt the Government of the GTA would invest in any such expansion of the Ottawho Convetion Centre.

So if it's not the Convetion Centre, I'd love a Canadian Tire and IKEA or Home Sense/Winners. Though HBC might already serve that market somewhat.

[Acajack]

Could an expansion of the Shaw (convention) Centre to take up the Nordstrom space actually work, logistically? Thinking of where both spaces are located.

[zzptichka]

IKEA or CT would've been so great.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Could an expansion of the Shaw (convention) Centre to take up the Nordstrom space actually work, logistically? Thinking of where both spaces are located.

Yes, extremely well. The back of the main hall lines up exactly with the 2nd floor of the old Nordstrom Space. Were they to take that floor, they could glass over the walkway between the two spaces and have to main halls directly adjacent. The 1st floor of the old Nordstrom could be something else entirely.

[Kitchissippi]

I still say move the HBC there temporarily and completely redevelop the Rideau/Sussex/George/Freiman block (HBC+old Chapters) Demolish it down to the facades and build a completely new structure behind them with underground connection to the LRT, superior interface with the ByWard Market, enough underground parking to replace all the surrounding surface street parking plus loading bays to create more pedestrian space in the market. It could be glorious!

[argus]

The Rideau Centre would be an ideal place for an urban IKEA. I'm sure local U of O students would find it convenient.

[rdaner]

I agree that an expansion of the convention centre makes sense plus an IKEA. However the site could probably be redeveloped with a large podium and two towers.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by rdaner

I agree that an expansion of the convention centre makes sense plus an IKEA. However the site could probably be redeveloped with a large podium and two towers.

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[movebyleap]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I still say move the HBC there temporarily and completely redevelop the Rideau/Sussex/George/Freiman block (HBC+old Chapters) Demolish it down to the facades and build a completely new structure behind them with underground connection to the LRT, superior interface with the ByWard Market, enough underground parking to replace all the surrounding surface street parking plus loading bays to create more pedestrian space in the market. It could be glorious!

Now THAT is a plan!!!

[CastlesintheSky]

I love the idea of moving The Bay into Nordstrom's old space.
It's not the foot traffic Canadian Behemoth it used to be, so it doesn't need the current space it has. That whole side of the Block should be re-developed as you said.

I'm probably in the Minority here, but I am sad they weren't ever able to bring an updated theatre back into the Rideau centre. I'm certainly dating myself here, but I have fond memories of going both to that theatre with friends, and also the one at World Exchange Plaza. With those two gone, there isn't much in the area that plays new release movies. You'd have to go to Lansdowne for that, which isn't the easiest for people in the Market these days. Even if just a 4 screen theatre, it could have been something quite fun and increase foot traffic. If I ever won the lottery, that would be something I'd do.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I still say move the HBC there temporarily and completely redevelop the Rideau/Sussex/George/Freiman block (HBC+old Chapters) Demolish it down to the facades and build a completely new structure behind them with underground connection to the LRT, superior interface with the ByWard Market, enough underground parking to replace all the surrounding surface street parking plus loading bays to create more pedestrian space in the market. It could be glorious!

I'd like to keep the old Freiman Building as is. Maybe open up the middle for a courtyard, restore the George Street side to the old brick and windows, but keep the rest. Chapters/Woolworth should get two extra floors, adding a bit of density while preserving the Freiman's sign. I'd demolish the Freiman Mall to build a new podium and tower (maybe 12 floors).

Originally Posted by CastlesintheSky

I'm probably in the Minority here, but I am sad they weren't ever able to bring an updated theatre back into the Rideau centre. I'm certainly dating myself here, but I have fond memories of going both to that theatre with friends, and also the one at World Exchange Plaza. With those two gone, there isn't much in the area that plays new release movies. You'd have to go to Lansdowne for that, which isn't the easiest for people in the Market these days. Even if just a 4 screen theatre, it could have been something quite fun and increase foot traffic. If I ever won the lottery, that would be something I'd do.

I'd also like to see a first run cinema Downtown. My first choice would be Place de Ville. I'd be happy with LeBreton or the Rideau Centre.