The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[officedweller]

Toys 'R' Us Canada closes at least 38 stores this year, puts another 12 up for sale
https://edmontonjournal.com/feature/toys...es-this-year-puts-another-12-up-for-sale


Proposed Costco in Surrey's Grandview Heights sparks petition from neighbours
https://vancouversun.com/news/proposed-c...-heights-sparks-petition-from-neighbours

[whatnext]

Wow, who had this on their radar?

Aritzia to open 40,000 sq. ft. Vancouver flagship store at former Nordstrom space
Kenneth Chan
Nov 19 2025, 9:57 am

The first of several new retailers set to open in the former Nordstrom space in downtown Vancouver has now been announced.

Aritzia revealed this morning that it is further solidifying its hometown presence by establishing a new flagship store within CF Pacific Centre mall.

The new Aritzia Vancouver Flagship Boutique will span 40,000 sq. ft. across four levels at the former Nordstrom space’s prominent corner with the intersection of Robson Street and Howe Street — just across from Sport Chek, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Robson Square...

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/aritzia-flagship-store-pacific-centre-mall-vancouver

[whatnext]

I wonder if CF has tenants lined up for the other three spaces yet?

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Wow, who had this on their radar?

Aritzia to open 40,000 sq. ft. Vancouver flagship store at former Nordstrom space
Kenneth Chan
Nov 19 2025, 9:57 am

The first of several new retailers set to open in the former Nordstrom space in downtown Vancouver has now been announced.

Aritzia revealed this morning that it is further solidifying its hometown presence by establishing a new flagship store within CF Pacific Centre mall.

The new Aritzia Vancouver Flagship Boutique will span 40,000 sq. ft. across four levels at the former Nordstrom space’s prominent corner with the intersection of Robson Street and Howe Street — just across from Sport Chek, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Robson Square...

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/aritzia-flagship-store-pacific-centre-mall-vancouver

This move likely keeps Simons out of Pacific Centre; at least in the old Nordstrom space.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by whatnext

The new Aritzia Vancouver Flagship Boutique will span 40,000 sq. ft. across four levels at the former Nordstrom space’s prominent corner with the intersection of Robson Street and Howe Street — just across from Sport Chek, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Robson Square...[/I]
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/aritzia-flagship-store-pacific-centre-mall-vancouver

Nordstrom was only 3 levels - so are they taking some of the mall space or office space above
- or maybe inserting a mezzanine to create the 4th floor.

Not keen on the new facade.
Although it will clean up the columns and protrusions, etc. the arches are alien to the building and will make it look like a dog's breakfast. That could be a big video screen though.
The City will probably require them to add awnings.


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/aritzia-flagship-store-pacific-centre-mall-vancouver

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Nordstrom was only 3 levels - so are they taking some of the mall space or office space above
- or maybe inserting a mezzanine to create the 4th floor.

Not keen on the new facade.
Although it will clean up the columns and protrusions, etc. the arches are alien to the building and will make it look like a dog's breakfast. That could be a big video screen though.
The City will probably require them to add awnings.

Personally I like it. The current building is just various blocks of glass and that stone so I don't think some kind of arched feature corner does anything to ruin the current "design"

I think those lines below the flags are some kind of glass awning?

I wonder if any of the tenants would want to take over some of the basement units to connect to the rest of the mall?

EDIT: Just noticed the Aritizia sign also seems to be some kind of protruding awning from that corner arch.

[osirisboy]

I’m thinking they’ll connect into the basement

[officedweller]

I was wondering about those lines by the windows.
Could be delicate awnings like at Library Square.

The main doorway is recessed like it is now, but will be more enveloped.
Looks like no more double doors/vestibule style.

The Hugo Boss is under them.


https://assets.cadillacfairview.com/m/55ae2e548adad6b6/original/PCCCT21_LEASINGPLAN.pdf

[Denscity]

Sounds like Costco in South Surrey got third reading approval.

[jollyburger]

I was looking at Streetview and it seems like it would be really tight to fix in any kind of mezzanine.

I guess any down ramp into the parkade from Robson is gone?

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I was looking at Streetview and it seems like it would be really tight to fix in any kind of mezzanine.

I guess any down ramp into the parkade from Robson is gone?

Interesting. I think it’s still there in the rendering with a dip in the curb

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Interesting. I think it’s still there in the rendering with a dip in the curb

Actually there's that concrete divider with the guardrail so maybe it's still there. But the current driveway is very close to the columns so I have no idea how that will work with the entrance being extended right out past those columns.

Just noticed you can see the office levels so the glass arches will extend past where the balcony is on level 4 (?) close to that light pole on the parkade wall.

The far right arch also seems to have the digital sign extend into that section. And that arch extends all the way to the ground unlike the other ones which have raised walls under the glass.

CBC has a non-cropped image



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/aritzia-robson-square-former-nordstrom-9.6985623

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Sounds like Costco in South Surrey got third reading approval.

That's what CBC is saying - "City council approved wholesale retailer's application on Monday"

While I can appreciate that this will 'change the character of the neighbourhood' I still don't care for Nimbys.

Terry McManus, who lives in the townhome complex just opposite the new Costco site, said hundreds of residents there signed a petition opposing the new location — and dozens attended a Monday public hearing.

...

McManus said a newly-built elementary school is a block away from the Costco location, and there may be other uses for the large parcel of land.

"A park, a dog park, a community garden — there's lots of opportunities there for the city to improve, but to drop a major warehouse in our residential area might not be the best idea," he said.

...

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I guess any down ramp into the parkade from Robson is gone?

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Actually there's that concrete divider with the guardrail so maybe it's still there. But the current driveway is very close to the columns so I have no idea how that will work with the entrance being extended right out past those columns.

Yeah, probably artistic licence.
The concrete retaining wall for the ramp is also visible, just no unsightly height restriction bar.
That sidewalk has always been narrow through there.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by Sheba

That's what CBC is saying - "City council approved wholesale retailer's application on Monday"

While I can appreciate that this will 'change the character of the neighbourhood' I still don't care for Nimbys.

It’s a sprawled out pos, surrounded by surface parking. What are we doing still building this 🞵🞵🞵🞵?!

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Sheba

That's what CBC is saying - "City council approved wholesale retailer's application on Monday"

While I can appreciate that this will 'change the character of the neighbourhood' I still don't care for Nimbys.

isn't it going right next to the Superstore and Walmart across the street which have already brought his concerns to the area years ago, probably before his townhouse was built.

Looking forward to a new option, I go to the Langley location the most, its pretty crazy but around 8 pm it's not too bad. by 8:40 the parking lot is pretty close to empty when leaving.

[SpongeG]

Oomomo posted on their instagram that their lease is expired at Metropolis and will be shutting down and they are actively looking for a location and to stay tuned. It leaves only the Richmond Aberdeen location left. I don't know when the Robson location shut down but it was all empty a few weeks ago on my last stroll down Robson. The previous walk it was still open a few months ago at least.

[SpongeG]

Uniqlo Victoria opens on Friday Nov 21. I was in Victoria about two weeeks ago, the store was near the Sport Chek and the food court, looks like a biggish store similiar to Coquitlam centre.

some special gifts for first 100 guests

https://cheknews.ca/uniqlo-releases-deta...his-weekend-including-free-swag-1290059/

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

isn't it going right next to the Superstore and Walmart across the street which have already brought his concerns to the area years ago, probably before his townhouse was built.

Looking forward to a new option, I go to the Langley location the most, its pretty crazy but around 8 pm it's not too bad. by 8:40 the parking lot is pretty close to empty when leaving.

No. It’s a little further south. It is a weird area to propose this imo

[milkilio]

40,000 sq. ft for an Aritzia is nuts, if they pull it off it'll really make a statement.

I also like the design of the facade, the current setup isn't anything special in my view.

I'll be very curious to see how the rest of the Nordstrom space is divided up.