General Retail News

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by teej1984

I sincerely hope they do small scale redevelopment in this area as well (6-10 stories) to keep with the feel of the neighbourhood.

0% chance. Further, I would argue that Rideau in that end, say between Nelson and the bridge has very little to do with the surrounding communities in terms of "feel" or "character".

What the area needs is a dynamic, bustling high street. There are already plenty of buildings taller than 10 storeys on Rideau Street, why try to "keep" something that really isn't there.

[OTSkyline]

Okay I know I am a genius and that people will thank me after saying this great idea but I've always believed H&M should move in the 5 story building RIGHT NEXT to the Rideau Centre, fronting Rideau St. (Approx. adress 130 Rideau St)? I've been all over Europe and H&M usually always places itself on high desirable streets and in 4 or 5 story heritage buildings. This building is prime location and is in definite need of a makeover. (Does anyone know why it's been vacant for so many years?). Plus, they could integrate it into the Rideau Centre once there is the expansion and the underground connection to LRT. Also, it would bring in more people on Rideau Street iself and revitalize the frontage a bit, while also bringing a bit more people to the great Urban Behavior right in front. Plus, they could start renovations and open up in a couple of months (a year top) and not wait for the Rideau Centre to build an actual extension.

[J.OT13]

Yes, Ogilvy's.

Abandoned since Ogilvy's closed down in the 90s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogilvy%27s

Back in the 80s, they wanted to be part of the Rideau Centre project, but it never happend for some reason.

Original final Rideau Centre plan;
http://www.punkottawa.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=86216&sid=5e4dc36c6c5d1d3798308c4a73314e58

Back in 2006, when the then owners Viking Rideau wanted to expand, they wanted to tear down Ogilvy's and rebuild (using mostly the original material) the old 1909 façade which was only 3 floors and about half as long on the Nicholas façade.

Rideau Centre 2006 expansion proposal: City of Ottawa
http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/a-lacac/2006/03-23/ACS2006-PGM-APR-0079.htm

Picture of Ogilvy's in the 1910s or 1920s (first building on the left);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rideau_Street_06.jpg

[RTWAP]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

And again, I there are definitive arguments to build a Bank-Rideau (and eventually extend to Montreal, then split Rockliffe Base north and La Cité Collégiale/Blair south) subway line. This line should come before the Carling Tram.

The problem is the Carling streetcar would we way cheaper than a subway on the route you described.

[McC]

Originally Posted by teej1984

. Whoever has purchased these houses has let them decay when they could have been perfectly fine businesses until redevelopment (fmr Angelo's Pizza for example)..

it's Richcraft, and it's a favorite MO of theirs. We're pretty lucky that they (appear) to be moving much faster with 159-167 Parkdale. Still haven't heard a marketing name for that one, by the way, typing that address is pretty Nnoying, but not as bad as the newly-revealed Tega site at Parkdale and Burnside.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by RTWAP

The problem is the Carling streetcar would we way cheaper than a subway on the route you described.

No doubt. It would have to be built in stages; maybe 1. Lansdowne to King Eds, then 2. east to Eastview Plaza followed by 3. CFB Rockliffe and finally 4. south east to Blair via LCC and south central (not the neighbourhood) to Billings bridge.

If it's 600 million for the downtown tunnel (2.5 km), I estimate about 3.9 billion (+-16 km) if it was built and completed tomorrow.

[kevinbottawa]

Here's an article from Urban Toronto about Cadillac Fairview's Sherway Gardens expansion. Could give us an idea of what the Rideau Centre will look like.

http://www.urbantoronto.ca/news/2012/10/...ans-350-million-makeover-sherway-gardens

It's interesting that the mall will have both an expanded Holt Renfrew and a new Nordstrom. It shows that both stores could find a home at the Rideau Centre.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Here's an article from Urban Toronto about Cadillac Fairview's Sherway Gardens expansion. Could give us an idea of what the Rideau Centre will look like.

http://www.urbantoronto.ca/news/2012/10/...ans-350-million-makeover-sherway-gardens

It's interesting that the mall will have both an expanded Holt Renfrew and a new Nordstrom. It shows that both stores could find a home at the Rideau Centre.

I hope the Rideau Centre plans are up by December.

But if we lcompare the plans for Sherway with what we know about Rideau;

Sherway; 350 million for 210,000 sqft new retail and 90,000 sqft renovation

Rideau; 250 million for 180,000 sqft, including dismanteling a fairly large building, undeground garage, restauration of part of a historic façade, renos to the old Sears space, move the food court, transform former food court into street level retail and renos to... the whole Centre, right?

Seems like we might get the short end of the stick, again.

Of course, I might be wrong, as I often am. Maybe they are not planning to fix up the whole existing mall (last time was 2000, I believe, so not realy outdated) and it is possible that 250 million is a ballpark figure that might go up. Too bad we don't have a price for the Pacific Centre's redevelopement plans.

[kevinbottawa]

Simons' West Edmonton Mall store is opening tomorrow. It sounds great:

The store will include changing stalls that descend from the ceiling and photo studios allowing customers to photograph themselves in outfits to send to friends for opinions.

It's weird to think Edmonton is getting a Simons before Ottawa and Gatineau.

http://www.retail-insider.com/2012/10/ma...son-simons-opens-new-edmonton-store.html

[J.OT13]

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Holt+Renfrew+discount+division/7465663/story.html

Holt Renfrew, ‘discount’ division
Upscale retailer to target wider audience with new line of outlets

OTTAWA — Iconic upscale Canadian fashion store Holt Renfrew has announced it will soon open a “discount” retailer that aims to bring high fashion to a broader audience.

Called “hr2,” the new stores will be between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet, smaller than traditional Holt Renfrew locations and designed in a more open concept style to help shoppers find the products they are looking for. Most current Holt Renfrew stores are between 60,000 and 80,000 square feet.

“We can deliver this new concept because of the strong and enduring relationships we have with the world’s leading brands,” said Heather Arts, vice-president of hr2. “The brands we’re partnering with are thrilled to be involved with this new initiative. The depth and breadth of their brand portfolios is impressive. Not all of it fits within the Holt Renfrew luxury model.”

Both hr2 and Holt Renfrew will offer the same brands, but the products supplied to hr2 will be different to prevent competition between the new retailer and its parent. Prices will also be lower to attract a different clientele.

The first hr2 will open in the Montreal area community of Brossard early next year. The company said a second store will open in Ontario soon afterward, but it would not offer specifics on that store’s location or how many other outlets are planned. There are nine Holt Renfrew stores across Canada, including an Ottawa outlet at 240 Sparks St..

Holt Renfrew is privately owned by Wittington Fashion Retail Group, a company chaired by W. Galen Weston, who also sits as chair of the board of Loblaw owner George Weston Ltd.

The hr2 announcement follows a September announcement that Holt Renfrew will update and expand its existing stores. The retail chain is preparing for the arrival of American competitors such as Nordstrom, which is scheduled to open at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre in 2015. Nordstrom offers many of the brands and products available at Holt Renfrew. Other new rivals coming into Canada include Ann Taylor and even Target. It also must deal with a revitalized Hudson’s Bay Co., which threatens to take away some of its business.

Holt Renfrew doesn’t report its sales publicly, but estimates put its annual sales at about $800 million.

“This is pre-emptive,” Barry Nabatian, director of market research at Shore Tanner & Associates, said of the hr2 plans. “Holt Renfrew is perceived to be exclusive, even more than Harry Rosen. They know that market is thin. They don’t want the mass market, but they want more of the upper market.”

Nabatian said the “discount” label being tied to the new hr2 stores is a bit misleading. Discount retailers such as TJX, which owns Winners and Marshalls, cater to a mass audience with low prices, but hr2 will not be following that model.

“The term discount is relative,” Nabatian said. “It’s not really discount. But for Holt, it’s discounted.”

According to researcher the NDP Group, off-price fashion retail is one of Canada’s fastest growing apparel segments.


Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Holt+Renfrew+discount+division/7465663/story.html#ixzz2AuXtRoz0

[toaster]

A new Joe Fresh standalone store is under construction at the St-Laurent centre. It is relatively big, I would guess about 2-3 regular (for that mall) sized stores. I believe this is the first Joe Fresh that is not part of a Loblaws/Superstore in Ottawa.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by toaster

A new Joe Fresh standalone store is under construction at the St-Laurent centre. It is relatively big, I would guess about 2-3 regular (for that mall) sized stores. I believe this is the first Joe Fresh that is not part of a Loblaws/Superstore in Ottawa.

That's gonna attract a lot of people. Where is it being built exactly?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by toaster

A new Joe Fresh standalone store is under construction at the St-Laurent centre. It is relatively big, I would guess about 2-3 regular (for that mall) sized stores. I believe this is the first Joe Fresh that is not part of a Loblaws/Superstore in Ottawa.

I thought I heard they were going to do it in the US, but alright then. It's good to seperated from the grocery stores; It's seems weird to buy your clothes at the same place you buy your food.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

That's gonna attract a lot of people. Where is it being built exactly?

I'm fairly certain it is being built where Fairweather was a few stores down from Sears next to Guess

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I thought I heard they were going to do it in the US, but alright then. It's good to seperated from the grocery stores; It's seems weird to buy your clothes at the same place you buy your food.

They already have one on Fifth Avenue. Mike Bloomberg called Joe Fresh the best Canadian import since Justin Beiber. When I went to Mississauga last Christmas they already had a stand alone Joe Fresh in Heartland.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

They already have one on Fifth Avenue. Mike Bloomberg called Joe Fresh the best Canadian import since Justin Beiber. When I went to Mississauga last Christmas they already had a stand alone Joe Fresh in Heartland.

Realy!? I didn't know they already started to open the stand alones.

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I'm fairly certain it is being built where Fairweather was a few stores down from Sears next to Guess

Makes me wonder if they will open in the Rideau Centre, taking over from Fairweather that has "lease expired" sales on.

[toaster]

Yes. It is next to West 49, near Sears. (in St. Laurent).

[Acajack]

According to LeDroit, Simons is now looking at Les Promenades de l'Outaouais after being shut out by both Rideau Centre and St. Laurent, which were its first choices for a store in the region.

http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/economie...simons-se-tourne-vers-les-promenades.php

[J.OT13]

Promenades de l'Outaouais looking to expand. Oxford properties is looking to do so from here to 3-4 years from now. They also say something about kicking out the feds from the small office building on the south side of the mall and the possible re-location of the food court (so safe to say the expansion would be at the south/east corner of the mall).

Article in French only;


http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/economie...presse_vous_suggere_4591906_article_POS2