The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

That hmv wasn't there long. Are they planning opening up another store.

yes they are looking at taking a slightly larger space in the same area. there seems to be lots of options on Robson at the moment

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

The Blenz/NB/HMV spaces to be replaced by the Lulu flagship have all been vacated.

Of all the blenz in Vancouver that was my favourite too bad.

[SpongeG]

when did starbucks open in the urban fare on alberni?

[osirisboy]

Few months ago

[spm2013]

....

[connect2source]

Some Robson Updates :

I know this was mentioned earlier but here's the future Lululemon flagship site now with Blenz, New Balance and hmv vacated.

Photo By : connect2source


After 20 years on Robson, Below The Belt shuts it's doors. I had noticed lately the store had really gone downhill. These days even Hudson's Bay stocks more Diesel, G-Star and many of the lines the used to dominate Below The Belt.

Photo By : connect2source

[Prometheus]

Thanks for the updates.

It will be interesting to see how much the Lululemon flagship conversion will physically alter the exterior of the building. I understand that they will be enclosing the open space on the corner.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Thanks for the updates.

It will be interesting to see how much the Lululemon flagship conversion will physically alter the exterior of the building. I understand that they will be enclosing the open space on the corner.

Thanks!

I think it will add a lot of 'punch' to a very visible corner and update it nicely! Blenz really didn't have a lot of presence nor did New Balance, I'll be excited to see this one.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Thanks for the updates.

It will be interesting to see how much the Lululemon flagship conversion will physically alter the exterior of the building. I understand that they will be enclosing the open space on the corner.

I guess we'll expect a glass cube on the corner?

I liked the pointy awning (which was a retrofit in the 90s(?)), but I agree that it needed lighting etc. to stand out.

i.e. it'll have to be a brightly lit cube to stand out next to Victoria's Secret's wall of pink across the street.

I wonder if they are cringing now that the former Bebe space is available. - That's a bit higher profile as a stand alone site.

[SpongeG]

thanks for the info re starbucks/urban fare

i wonder what will take over the below the belt space and if they will alter it by brining the entrance more to the street and reconfigure the restaurant entrance

[theKB]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i wonder what will take over the below the belt space and if they will alter it by brining the entrance more to the street and reconfigure the restaurant entrance

and another vacant space on that block... who knows how long lululemon build will take but that will put another vacancy on that block at some point in the very near future as well!

I think reconfiguring that below the belt space all depends on who owns that building. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a typical Vancouver CRE property owner who had no desire to spend any money improving their space.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i wonder what will take over the below the belt space and if they will alter it by brining the entrance more to the street and reconfigure the restaurant entrance

That entire 80's stucco hideous complex needs a serious makeover, it's the key complex on the suffering 1100 block and it could and should be the catalyst for the beginning of redevelopment on that block. The complex lacks any form of street-presence or style and the sidewalk in front is an absolute uneven mess.

The Robson Fashion Park complex as it was previously known as, is the key reason any hip or forward thinking business is avoiding this block.

[officedweller]

I remember when "Robson Fashion Park" was actually a mall - with the barrel vault over the mall part. Then it was renovated to create a big retail space under the barrel vault for Below the Belt.

[spm2013]

....

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I remember when "Robson Fashion Park" was actually a mall - with the barrel vault over the mall part. Then it was renovated to create a big retail space under the barrel vault for Below the Belt.

Yup with a large Ralph Lauren Polo as the anchor at the east-end and Alfred Sung as the anchor on the west-end. It was a first for Robson and current in it's day, it would be great to see it redeveloped a-la Robson Galleria ( Forever 21 ) whereby the interior court was filled-in and the complex was brought to the street thus creating large and sought after retail spaces and updated to current architectural styles.

The London Drugs complex at Bute and Robson is in an even sadder state.

[officedweller]

Robson & Bute may be too far from the retail core nowadays (which has shifted to the east with Winners and Homesense plus Granville Street stores) to plow money into for redevelopment...

*******

Unrelated ... went into Capilano Wal-Mart the other day - first time since the reno was completed.
It looks much better (McDonalds still looks old and dated though).
It's a full on SuperCenter now with fresh produce and groceries.
The shelves facing the cashiers have been replaced with windows looking into the mall.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Robson & Bute may be too far from the retail core nowadays (which has shifted to the east with Winners and Homesense plus Granville Street stores) to plow money into for redevelopment...

*******

Unrelated ... went into Capilano Wal-Mart the other day - first time since the reno was completed.
It looks much better (McDonalds still looks old and dated though).
It's a full on SuperCenter now with fresh produce and groceries.
The shelves facing the cashiers have been replaced with windows looking into the mall.

That's because the area of Robson east of Burrard are not restricted by the West End community plan which has always been anti-development. Hence there won't be much huge scale urban renewal near bute.

[SpongeG]

that's too bad

its such an awkward space and nothing really ever grabbed your attention to want to go in there - unless its a wanted unique brand going in as is which will make people look for it its kinda dead

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

that's too bad

its such an awkward space and nothing really ever grabbed your attention to want to go in there - unless its a wanted unique brand going in as is which will make people look for it its kinda dead

Back when I used to buy a lot of Diesel and G-Star, they were the only game in town, now, as mentioned earlier, Hudson's Bay stocks more than Below-The-Belt ever did, not to mention Holts. They also never reno'd the store and recently it looked very dated, shabby and understocked. Might make an ok restaurant space but I'd prefer to see the entire complex overhauled and updated.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Robson & Bute may be too far from the retail core nowadays (which has shifted to the east with Winners and Homesense plus Granville Street stores) to plow money into for redevelopment...

Still shouldn't die-on-the-vine and become a total dump, even a little TLC, perhaps replace the awnings with glass and renovate the interior of the London Drugs. I believe the 1100 block will still attract some national and international names but not likely all the way to Bute.