The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[spm2013]

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[connect2source]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Do you know how long Dollar Tree's lease is?

No idea but looks like they've invested a fair amount into the build-out as it's fairly slick inside and the entry was altered to include automatic doors and an escalator, so looks like they'll be there for a while.

[subdude]

Originally Posted by memememe76

You can stay right on Robson and still see quite a few "real" shops and restaurants (granted, they're almost all Asian, but whatever). There are at least two convenience stores that are not 7-11. An independent bakery (Breka). Two independent coffeeshops (WE and X-Spot--three if you add Artiggiano). Even a dry cleaners. And while Chapters has its share of detractors, Robson now has a huge library. I wouldn't be surprised if sooner than later someone opens a German restaurant on Robson that emphasizes the street's historic ties. I think it would work.

From one end to the other, Robson is still a very nice street to walk along. For the most part, it is continuously of interest. No real gaps.

Thank you. So tired of Robson bashing.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by subdude

Thank you. So tired of Robson bashing.

X2!!

I've loved Robson St since I moved here as a kid-it's never been perfect but IMO is better than ever given the ethnic mix that's there now.

I cycled from Granville to Denman today-had some great soup bought some bread/booze & dessert and couldn't have been happier.

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by theKB

wow... they really are stepping up the game! Looks great!

Now if only they could get rid of dollorama and micheals on that block

I'm one of those weird people who likes the contrast between the higher- and lower-end. It's amusing.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by spm2013

If you go buy 411 Dunsmuir the entire backwall has been removed while they renovate it. White Spot supposedly is opening a new restaurant here and a Triple Os is showing up somewhere near the library.

I saw that too.
The rendering actually shows a new skinny addition to the north side of the building - but there's no excavation (even for a shallow foundation) - so I wonder if the addition will be built?

http://omicronaec.com/omicron-projects/411-dunsmuir

[spm2013]

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[hollywoodnorth]

Olympic Village retail on the block

http://www.biv.com/article/20131011/BIV0111/131019984/0/BIV0324

[connect2source]

Some new details on the Park Royal expansion from Retail-Insider :

http://www.retail-insider.com/2013/10/west-vancouvers-park-royal-to-epand.html

As a frequent user of Park Royal, I have some concerns about the design of this expansion :

All the new 'hot' retailers such as Zara, Sephora, Anthropologie and LOFT will all be part of the expanded south-side Villiage and Artizia will obviously vacate their space on the north-side. IMO this will draw even more shoppers from the 'interior' malls which seem to be in decline especially with the elimination of the Food Court.

All the attention is being given to Park Royal South. The north-side has but one interior mall, I've noticed many retailers have vacated in the past year or so, what long-term effect with the mega-expansion on the south side do to the already suffering north side?

The whole expansion seems to lack cohesion and it creating a rather chaotic maze of streets, passageways and malls both indoor and out.

I'm a huge fan of the retail they are bringing in and of the expansion of more outdoor shopping, which I love but there seems no plan for the dying interior malls.

My plan would be to make the north side all outdoor and replicate the Village with more flagship retail and turn the remaining, dated and rather depressing, interior of the south mall 'inside-out' and expand the Village concept even further on the south-side.

Until then, I see a rapid decline of all interior malls, especially for the north side immediately following the opening of the expanded Village.

[jlousa]

I haven't been following the news closely on Park Royal for years. From my understanding the South side falls on reserve land correct? and the North side isn't?
If that's the case it might be possible that they are simply over time shifting commercial activity to the South side where reserve land is less an issue and at some point will seek to add serious residential density on the North side as it'd be an easier sell on none reserve land. Anyone have any insight on the long term plans?

[wrenegade]

Originally Posted by connect2source

The whole expansion seems to lack cohesion and it creating a rather chaotic maze of streets, passageways and malls both indoor and out.

This. 1000 times this. It will probably be better than it is now, but parking and wayfinding will be a mess. I look at the Oakridge proposal and think what could have been. Larco does have plans to renovate the North Mall following completion of the South Mall construction, but the plans are nothing to write home about. A couple restaurant pads in the parking lot off of the main entrance by the Gap and trying to make it a little more pedestrian friendly.

Though it wouldn't have been too attractive, the best place for the new 4 storey parkade would have been directly south of Marine Drive providing direct access off of Marine. That or directly at the back of the mall, renovating or completely re-doing the 3 storey parkade that is currently there. The traffic management is a mess. They need to widen Taylor Way all the way to Bridge road and install a traffic light there. That back road also needs to be widened (or have the south side parking removed) to create a dedicated right turn lane to get over the Cap River.

IF they get the parkade open by Christmas things should get a bit better, but I still think it will be more of a traffic disaster than usual this holiday season.

[phesto]

Not sure if this has been posted already...new retail building proposed for Denman and Pendrell.

http://www.taylorkurtz.com/P-Denman%20and%20Pendrall.html#

[Pinion]

With the south side now hugging up against Marine drive, I can see a time in the near future where the distance between sides will seem insignificant.

My wife and I go to the village area a few times per week year-round so we're pretty excited about this. It's definitely not the absolute best use of space though.

[s211]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Some new details on the Park Royal expansion from Retail-Insider :

http://www.retail-insider.com/2013/10/west-vancouvers-park-royal-to-epand.html

As a frequent user of Park Royal, I have some concerns about the design of this expansion :

All the new 'hot' retailers such as Zara, Sephora, Anthropologie and LOFT will all be part of the expanded south-side Villiage and Artizia will obviously vacate their space on the north-side. IMO this will draw even more shoppers from the 'interior' malls which seem to be in decline especially with the elimination of the Food Court.

All the attention is being given to Park Royal South. The north-side has but one interior mall, I've noticed many retailers have vacated in the past year or so, what long-term effect with the mega-expansion on the south side do to the already suffering north side?

I find this all rather interesting, because the lion's share of the north side is freehold land, whereas the south mall is all on land leased from the indian band.

[CBeats]

I am mostly confused about the food court changes. Why on earth are they moving the food court again? It just reopened ~5 years ago. And where would it even go on the 'second level of Park Royal South'?

[VanK]

Last retail spot at TV Towers Robson & Cambie has been leased.. does anyone know who is taking the spot?

[ED.SA]

A new Cupcakes location will soon be opening up in Metrotown Mall

[theKB]

Originally Posted by ED.SA

A new Cupcakes location will soon be opening up in Metrotown Mall

are cupcakes still a thing? I thought it was doughnuts now...

[spm2013]

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[spm2013]

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