Place d'Orléans Shopping Centre - Page 12

J.OT13 · #**221** Posted **Mar 21, 2025, 2:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrostyMug

I'm at Place D'Orleans weekly to walk and shop. I find it incredible that this location isn't viewed by developers as a massive opportunity. I look at as examples, Scarborough Town Centre or Square One and the development around both, then reflect on the LRT being right there literally attached to the mall and wonder why we aren't seeing the influx of residential into this general area? Keep in mind the transportation hub is also on this property.

The mall certainly has excess property on it's perimeter. There is land along St Joseph that is mostly underutilized and there is the vast property to the west where the No Frills plaza is that is also ripe for growth. There are also the empty fields across the 174 where so far, the best we can do, is a 5 story seniors residence!

There's no vision. I think the mall should be partially re-imagined into something no mall in Ottawa offers. They have the space and they need to bring people in. Orleans is full of young families. Yet there are no kid friendly spaces within the mall other than for special events. How about a play place of some kind? Along the lines of Cosmic Adventure as an example. Then something for their parents and teens. Altitude has a climbing gym in the former YMCA building almost next door. The Bay space would be suitable height wise for something similar. How about something crazy like IFly (the indoor skydiving place) or a year round ice/roller skating rink? IMAX? Something unique would draw people from across the city and since it's right on the LRT the college/university crowd would also have easy access.

There are currently government offices in the mall. Why not a medical facility or legal or financial offices? This can be the 15 minute city example if done properly. Farmboy is there already. Why there aren't shovels in the ground on multiple projects in this general area has mystified me for several years. I get maybe NIMBYism has played a roll but the trains will be rolling within 12 months or likely less. Why not be building to take advantage of that?

To me, with the right vision this mall is actually positioned to be a massive success story and is surrounded by opportunity. It's just a matter of the will to make it happen.

DCDLS who bid on LeBreton 10 years ago should build their vision here or at Palladium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dundas

Replying back to what FrostyMug posted.

I recently received news that St-Joseph Family Medicine Clinic will shut down at the medical building at 2555 St-Josheph blvd and move into Place d'Orleans.

For a moment, I thought the whole building will be demolished. It's the only place in Orleans where you have to PAY for parking.

Tesladom · #**222** Posted **Mar 21, 2025, 5:50 PM**

The Bay site would be a perfect footprint for a 30 story residential building IMO

J.OT13 · #**223** Posted **Mar 24, 2025, 12:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tesladom

The Bay site would be a perfect footprint for a 30 story residential building IMO

Yup. Empty anchors should be replaced with residential towers. Built-in clientele.

MichelKazan · #**224** Posted **Jun 30, 2026, 8:09 PM**

Walmart to open new store in the old Bay location in 2027.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/wa...-hudsons-bay-location-at-place-dorleans/

J.OT13 · #**225** Posted **Jul 3, 2026, 12:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

Walmart to open new store in the old Bay location in 2027.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/wa...-hudsons-bay-location-at-place-dorleans/

Dear God! It's a two story monstrosity!

Harley613 · #**226** Posted **Aug 28, 2026, 1:02 PM**

Closed store count is 26 this morning. My last three were 20, 13, and 10.

J.OT13 · #**227** Posted **Aug 31, 2026, 1:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Closed store count is 26 this morning. My last three were 20, 13, and 10.

Yeah, we went Tuesday last week. Place is dead. Huge contrast with St. Laurent that's always bustling. Helps that they've been able to attract new stores and entertainment options, unlike the Orleans mall.

Truenorth00 · #**228** Posted **Aug 31, 2026, 3:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Yeah, we went Tuesday last week. Place is dead. Huge contrast with St. Laurent that's always bustling. Helps that they've been able to attract new stores and entertainment options, unlike the Orleans mall.

It's so huge. I can't understand what the hell justified building a mall that big given the population of the area.

Truenorth00 · #**229** Posted **Aug 31, 2026, 3:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrostyMug

I'm at Place D'Orleans weekly to walk and shop. I find it incredible that this location isn't viewed by developers as a massive opportunity.
....
To me, with the right vision this mall is actually positioned to be a massive success story and is surrounded by opportunity. It's just a matter of the will to make it happen.

It's not a matter of vision or will. It's a matter of dollars. The owners see more value in letting it sit than redeveloping it.

J.OT13 · #**230** Posted **Aug 31, 2026, 3:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

It's so huge. I can't understand what the hell justified building a mall that big given the population of the area.

The mall's size peaked around 1990, and even after converting the entire second floor to offices and moving the food court downstairs, taking up even more former retail space, it's still struggling. I highly doubt the Walmart will help.

I don't understand how the mall owner hasn't built a few residential high-rises on the property to gain built in potential customers.

Truenorth00 · #**231** Posted **Aug 31, 2026, 3:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The mall's size peaked around 1990,....

This is what I don't get. What justified that size of mall? The population of Orleans (and Clarence-Rockland, etc) was even smaller back then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't understand how the mall owner hasn't built a few residential high-rises on the property to gain built in potential customers.

Land banking. Perversely, the land is worth more they longer they wait and the rest of Orleans gets developed. To them, there's no point even entertaining this discussion till every spare lot they don't own in the area gets developed.

Just look at the giant field that Richcraft owns near Cyrville Station. Not being touched while other developers are putting up 20 - 30 storey buildings in the area. I wish there was some way to penalize this practice.

Williamoforange · #**232** Posted **Aug 31, 2026, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

This is what I don't get. What justified that size of mall? The population of Orleans (and Clarence-Rockland, etc) was even smaller back then.

Land banking. Perversely, the land is worth more they longer they wait and the rest of Orleans gets developed. To them, there's no point even entertaining this discussion till every spare lot they don't own in the area gets developed.

Just look at the giant field that Richcraft owns near Cyrville Station. Not being touched while other developers are putting up 20 - 30 storey buildings in the area. I wish there was some way to penalize this practice.

There is a way, it's called property taxes that skew towards LVT style & forces all owners to pay the value of the Land.... But that's going to result in a lot of sfh in the core paying very high tax bills, and require the city to actually have zoning match the available resources to a location. Instead of zoning based on feelings like whats happening at 403 Richmond rd

other than that the city shouldn't do anything.