General Retail News - Page 20

Acajack · #**381** Posted **Oct 27, 2011, 7:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cre47

I wouldn't rule that scenario out though, if Ivanhoe-Cambridge (same owners as Bayshore) would buy that land on the SE corner, they could built another section and connect both halves with a pedestrian walkway above Montclair. This is a fairly substantial lot. So it could fit a Simon's or maybe dozens more stores in a two-story addition. Maybe they could also integrate the Maxi store with the mall as well. We need to get rid of those disgusting empty lots on St-Joseph. It is getting ridicoulus how this boulevard considered as a Main Street is such in bad shape, it is embarrasing.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=45.4...Nq8iXYuP8XUvbtTYfLQ&cbp=12,93.45,,0,4.06

It would be fantastic for the streetscape along St-Joseph but it will never happen. Too imaginative for our people!

Radster · #**382** Posted **Oct 27, 2011, 7:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

A super long shot, but wouldn't be amazing if Simons went for the Portage area. Maybe on first two floors of 22 Eddy or somehow connected to Place du Centre (maybe in the old convention centre space)? It would really liven up that part of town and give old downtown Hull a defibrillator zap.

What old convention centre space? Do you mean the Palais des congres? Because it has been recently renovated, and is now under new management, and is a very attractive space compared to the old rundown palais des congres of a couple years ago. If only they would improve their website, it has floor plans, but no pictures, no availability calendar : http://www.congresgatineau.com/ they could at least get some ideas from the new Ottawa Convention Centre website.

I think like most of you, that a first choice for Simons in the Outaouais would be Les Promenades. They could do something similar to what they did at Carrefour Laval, where they basically built a 2 storey standalone store, with one side connected to the mall. This could be done easily and cheaply just South of the foodcourt area as like some of you mentioned, that is a big underutililized chunk of asphalt for the time being.

waterloowarrior · #**383** Posted **Oct 28, 2011, 11:34 PM**

RioCan planning Ottawa outlet mall
http://www.obj.ca/Real%20Estate/Non-resi...491/RioCan-planning-Ottawa-outlet-mall/1

LeadingEdgeBoomer · #**384** Posted **Nov 1, 2011, 3:48 PM**

I guess we can use an outlet mall. Particularly like that Riocan is doing it because I own units of their REIT. I like shopping at Riocan malls therefore.

Ottawan · #**385** Posted **Nov 1, 2011, 4:13 PM**

I particularly like the idea of Ottawa getting an outlet mall because it will be a real boost to the local economy.

Usually with these sorts of developments, there is some announcement of how many new retail jobs will be created, but I treat that with skepticism. Essentially, these are jobs that would exist anyway, just at a different store: the market is there for the retail opportunity in Ottawa, so a specific development does not create jobs that wouldn't otherwise be created.

However, in this case, Ottawa has a market for Outlet stores, but it is a market that is driving to the US to fill the niche. By building an outlet mall in Ottawa, we are actually creating jobs/growing the local economy (or rather, pulling them up to us locally from where they are currently located in upstate New York).

Cre47 · #**386** Posted **Nov 1, 2011, 8:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radster

What old convention centre space? Do you mean the Palais des congres? Because it has been recently renovated, and is now under new management, and is a very attractive space compared to the old rundown palais des congres of a couple years ago. If only they would improve their website, it has floor plans, but no pictures, no availability calendar : http://www.congresgatineau.com/ they could at least get some ideas from the new Ottawa Convention Centre website.

I think like most of you, that a first choice for Simons in the Outaouais would be Les Promenades. They could do something similar to what they did at Carrefour Laval, where they basically built a 2 storey standalone store, with one side connected to the mall. This could be done easily and cheaply just South of the foodcourt area as like some of you mentioned, that is a big underutililized chunk of asphalt for the time being.

Definitely much better, not sure if there is more space then before after I`ve compared it this April during a meeting regarding the 2011 Census to versus the times I was there for PS exams, the Salon du Livre or my high school graduation back in 2001.

Cre47 · #**387** Posted **Nov 1, 2011, 8:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It would be fantastic for the streetscape along St-Joseph but it will never happen. Too imaginative for our people!

They would prefer to do fancy stuff in new development but not on St-Joseph. Just sad how this artery is being neglected.

kevinbottawa · #**388** Posted **Nov 1, 2011, 9:53 PM**

With this news hopefully we'll see some expansion plans sooner than later.

Quote:

Rideau Centre handover complete

Cadillac Fairview looking to expand plaza, add new tenants

After gradually increasing its ownership stake in the Rideau Centre during the past decade, Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd. assumed full control of the downtown shopping mall Tuesday.

Topics : Cadillac Fairview , Rideau Centre , Ontario Teachers , Ottawa , Vancouver , Calgary
The real estate arm of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan became the mall's sole owner last year, but only took over full management responsibilities at the start of this November.

A Cadillac Fairview executive said the company intends to move ahead with the mall's long-awaited expansion, but offered no specific timeline.

"The mall is very successful, very high sales performance. We expect to, as we develop and increase the size, see additional new tenants - but I don't expect we'll see (existing tenants) leave. You'll see change as we see additions," said Andrea Stephen, executive vice-president of investment for Cadillac Fairview.

While declining to name potential tenants with whom the firm is in discussions, she said the company is talking with several "who would be new to the market" in Ottawa.

"There's been a fair bit of new leasing that's been done over the past couple of years that increased the sales performance," Ms. Stephen said.

One example is the Apple store, which has brought a lot of new traffic and sales to the 30-year-old mall, she said.

Rideau Centre general manager Cindy VanBuskirk and several other senior managers will remain through the transition, Ms. Stephen added.

The acquisition completes Cadillac Fairview's long road to taking over the centre, which began in the late 1990s.

Cadillac Fairview first garnered a 31-per-cent interest in the shopping centre when Eaton's, the original co-developer, sold out its position, Ms. Stephen said.

In 2008, most of the other owners chose to exit the mall and Cadillac Fairview acquired an additional 38-per-cent interest, as well as control of leasing activity.

Then owned by Viking Rideau Corp., other investors in the shopping mall at the time included Ontrea Inc., 885510 Ontario Ltd. and three minority individual shareholders, according to global credit agency DBRS.

Cadillac Fairview eventually bought out Viking Rideau in 2010.

The Rideau Centre's urban location in a city with an "affluent demographic" attracted Cadillac Fairview, Ms. Stephen said.

"We love urban centres; that fits our strategy as well," she said of the company, which also owns the Toronto Eaton Centre, Vancouver's Pacific Centre and Calgary's Chinook Centre.

"It's centrally located, lots of transportation (and has) lots of attributes that are very appealing."

In an earlier interview, Ms. VanBuskirk said there are several U.S. retailers who should already be in Ottawa, including Crate & Barrel, Victoria's Secret, J.Crew, Anthropologie and H&M, but that are being held back by the city's tight retail market.

"The reason they are not here is either that they are just coming to Canada and just going into the Toronto market, and Ottawa is a year or two away, or - as in the case of H&M - they haven't been able to get the right real estate here. They can't find the right location, with the right size at the right time," she said.

"(H&M) will be in Ottawa sooner rather than later, but probably not at the Rideau Centre because we don't have the space for them."

Other retailers Ms. VanBuskirk would like to see in Ottawa include Juicy Couture, Brooks Brothers, Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn.

"They are retailers that we talk to all the time. We just don't have the real estate for them," said Ms. VanBuskirk.

-With a report by Peter Kovessy

wingman · #**389** Posted **Nov 2, 2011, 2:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cre47

They would prefer to do fancy stuff in new development but not on St-Joseph. Just sad how this artery is being neglected.

Agree this would be fantastic, and a great decision. Too bad we will never see it. Could you imagine? Wow...

Also great news on Rideau Centre. Anxious to see how their expansion plans play out. It will be a big impact on the downtown shopping area.

Jamaican-Phoenix · #**390** Posted **Nov 2, 2011, 5:29 PM**

It'll be good to see the Ogilvy building saved and being used again.

Acajack · #**391** Posted **Nov 2, 2011, 5:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

It'll be good to see the Ogilvy building saved and being used again.

Sorry - does the article say this? I apologize if I missed it.

If so, good to see some people taking a chance on that stretch of Rideau. It's not the most pleasant place to walk around at the moment and nice that someone can look beyond the rough edges at its potential.

Jamaican-Phoenix · #**392** Posted **Nov 2, 2011, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Sorry - does the article say this? I apologize if I missed it.

It doesn't explicitly say so, but the Ogilvy building has been in renderings and floor plans for an expanded Rideau Centre. I'm assuming that just because ownership has changed, the expansion plans/renderings haven't.

Acajack · #**393** Posted **Nov 2, 2011, 6:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

It doesn't explicitly say so, but the Ogilvy building has been in renderings and floor plans for an expanded Rideau Centre. I'm assuming that just because ownership has changed, the expansion plans/renderings haven't.

Thanks. Good news if it happens.

eternallyme · #**394** Posted **Nov 3, 2011, 11:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

It doesn't explicitly say so, but the Ogilvy building has been in renderings and floor plans for an expanded Rideau Centre. I'm assuming that just because ownership has changed, the expansion plans/renderings haven't.

IMO, the expansion should bridge into it, use the old Ogilvy building (some department store might want that!) and have the 2nd and 3rd floors run to that building.

The existing surface parking lot, which would be covered by the 2nd and 3rd floors, should convert into a transit station and layover facility for OC Transpo buses terminating downtown.

Jamaican-Phoenix · #**395** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 1:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternallyme

IMO, the expansion should bridge into it, use the old Ogilvy building (some department store might want that!) and have the 2nd and 3rd floors run to that building.

The existing surface parking lot, which would be covered by the 2nd and 3rd floors, should convert into a transit station and layover facility for OC Transpo buses terminating downtown.

Sorry, but I strongly disagree with the bolded bit. We're trying to remake Rideau into a nice street again with street interaction. The last thing we need there is a miniature repeat of the covered bus station. What SHOULD happen is ground level stores with entrances facing Rideau, and with an open display, similar to what Forever 21 has done.

OttawaSteve · #**396** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 1:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternallyme

The existing surface parking lot, which would be covered by the 2nd and 3rd floors, should convert into a transit station and layover facility for OC Transpo buses terminating downtown.

It could be below grade, allowing for street-level retail along Rideau (is there enough space here for a ramp, bus bays, and layup facilities?)

The majority of passenger trips on buses travelling Rideau Street seem to originate at or be destined for the Rideau Centre stop, so I think such a facility makes sense in planning terms.

I wonder what percentage of those trips are walking transfers to/from buses on Mackenzie King. Ideally any off-street bus station on Rideau would have a direct connection to the LRT, and this would be on the wrong side of the mall for that. But I'm sure the Rideau Centre would be happy to see a walking transfer east-west through the first floor of the mall. The existing east-west corridor on the first floor actually seems well suited for that.

lrt's friend · #**397** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 3:16 PM**

We do not need a downtown urban transit terminal. Buses should flow through downtown and travel to terminals in the suburbs where land is less valuable and more abundantly available. The worst thing we could do is create a terminal on Rideau Street requiring buses to exit and enter Rideau Street. This would create congestion at the entrance of the terminal and create a pedestrian hostile environment. Downtown transit terminals are something for small cities and cities which have much smaller and less successful transit systems and for cities that can create large multi-modal transit complexes. We do not have the space for such a monster and without the possibility of commuter rail coming into downtown, what is the point? Flow through bus routes that connect with LRT is the most efficient way to operate.

Uhuniau · #**398** Posted **Nov 6, 2011, 3:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

We do not need a downtown urban transit terminal.

We do if OC Fucking Transpo keeps splitting otherwise perfectly good city centre routes.

Quote:

Buses should flow through downtown and travel to terminals in the suburbs where land is less valuable and more abundantly available.

The Rideau terminal doesn't move passengers to and from suburbs. It moves them to and from and between central neighbourhoods.

The bus mall was a fiasco, but so is the woefully inadequate transit amenities on the modern-day Rideau.

Quote:

Flow through bus routes that connect with LRT is the most efficient way to operate.

Another good reason to stop splitting cite-centre routes.

Uhuniau · #**399** Posted **Nov 6, 2011, 3:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamaican-Phoenix

Sorry, but I strongly disagree with the bolded bit. We're trying to remake Rideau into a nice street again with street interaction. The last thing we need there is a miniature repeat of the covered bus station. What SHOULD happen is ground level stores with entrances facing Rideau, and with an open display, similar to what Forever 21 has done.

There is no reason that can't happen, along with better shelter and information for the Rideau bus transit public. The redevelopment of that stretch of Rideau should include "passive" transit-friendly shelter and other features. (Think, e.g., of the overhang of the building with Prospero Books in it on Bank and Slater, which serves as a useful shelter for passengers transferring to or catching southbound Bank St. routes.)

WadiRum · #**400** Posted **Nov 19, 2011, 2:55 PM**

This announcement is from July 2011

The Rideau Centre under new owner Cadillac Fairview will see some big changes with LRT.

Ivan Boulva, vice-president of development, told council expansion plans are back on the front burner and the mall will consider more shops in the connections with the rail station.

Boulva wasn’t excluding any financial contributions to the LRT connection, but he said the company would have to clear it with its owner, the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan.

“We are delighted this project is moving ahead, continuing its path forward,” Boulva said, and he had special words for rookie Coun. Mathieu Fleury, “a breath of fresh air in the process.”
Fleury represents Rideau-Vanier ward, where the mall is located.