The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[SpongeG]

maybe uniqlo could take over the old american eagle and is moxies old space above still empty?

[Locked In]

^ No, AllStar Wings opened in the old Moxie's space a few weeks ago: http://www.allstarwingsandribs.com/locations.php

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

maybe uniqlo could take over the old american eagle and is moxies old space above still empty?

Don't think so unless they basically demolished the entire structure and re-built to suit them. Uniqlo does high-impact flagship style stores similar to a build-out for say Sephora, H&M or in some cases Apple. I also think the location may be a bit too far west, I feel they'd rather be in the 'thick' of things on say, Granville near Robson or no further west than the 1100 block Robson.

My hope is that they do an exciting flagship street-level store and not a boring, low-impact mall location.

Here's the Shanghai store

source : http://uebermorgen.blog.nzz.ch/2013/04/1...gel-das-sind-die-besten-laeden-der-welt/

[Retail-Insider]

"Robson CentrePlace is a highly successful 56,000 square foot urban retail development. It takes full advantage of the busiest street corner in Western Canada. Located on the southwest corner of Robson Street and Thurlow Street, the development commands among the highest commercial rents in the City of Vancouver. The concept of the near full block development was to provide the appearance of five small-scale individual buildings initially built at different times, but since refurbished at the same time by one overall developer."

http://www.thehulbertgroup.com/Robson.htm

Interesting fact - L'Occitaine's new Vancouver store (replacing part of the former Bebe space at 1000 Robson Street) recently broke all Robson Street leasing records by paying in excess of $300/sq ft annually.

In 1999, the entire building sold for just over $1,000/sq ft - a record at the time (now a standard per square foot price for a good apartment in Coal Harbour - how times have changed).

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Don't think so unless they basically demolished the entire structure and re-built to suit them. Uniqlo does high-impact flagship style stores similar to a build-out for say Sephora, H&M or in some cases Apple. I also think the location may be a bit too far west, I feel they'd rather be in the 'thick' of things on say, Granville near Robson or no further west than the 1100 block Robson.

My hope is that they do an exciting flagship street-level store and not a boring, low-impact mall location.

Here's the Shanghai store

source : http://uebermorgen.blog.nzz.ch/2013/04/1...gel-das-sind-die-besten-laeden-der-welt/

yea i've been to the new york stores, i don't think there is anything big enough currently unless they can get into the telus building for robson, the ae site could have been built out to accomodate them, unless they take over where red robin is otherwise it will be a small boring space with what is available on robson

the old theatre on space on granville cold work for them

[jlousa]

The Telus site couldn't find any retailer willing to take the space hence the second floor was converted to office. Contrary to some people's belief there is not the much demand for retail. Outside a few key areas is an abundance of vacant or under-leased retail space downtown.

[spm2013]

....

[connect2source]

As I've stated many times, we are sorely lacking suitable spaces for international flagships. Most other cities are building-to-suit but we don't seem to be getting on it very quickly. Huge opportunities here for the right developers. At present, we have almost no multi-storey high-impact flagship styles stores in Vancouver. Hopefully many of the new-to-Vancouver international chains won't be placed in the 'hallway' style Pacific Centre extension, the low ceilings means zero-impact, zero presence and zero excitement.

[spm2013]

....

[connect2source]

Already seems to be happening. Park Royal has Loft and is getting Simons, Richmond Centre has True Religion ...to name a few. The Zara ( and to a lesser degree J. Crew ) at Park Royal are true flagships, far lager and more up-to-date than the Robson locations. I predict this will continue especially with centres doing the 'high street' lifestyle concepts like Park Royal and soon Oakridge, these fake streets are perfect for building flagship type build-outs.

[Jougho]

The new proposals for the 1000 block of Robson are amazing, down Thulow, and back to Georgia, and back to Burrard, creating an almost perfect circle. Most of the new 2 story "flagship" stores will be there. Forget about anything east of Granville. Obviously, there would be some trickle down on some side streets like Alberni St. And the 1100 block of Robson.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Retail-Insider

"Robson CentrePlace is a highly successful 56,000 square foot urban retail development. It takes full advantage of the busiest street corner in Western Canada. Located on the southwest corner of Robson Street and Thurlow Street, the development commands among the highest commercial rents in the City of Vancouver. The concept of the near full block development was to provide the appearance of five small-scale individual buildings initially built at different times, but since refurbished at the same time by one overall developer."

http://www.thehulbertgroup.com/Robson.htm

Interesting fact - L'Occitaine's new Vancouver store (replacing part of the former Bebe space at 1000 Robson Street) recently broke all Robson Street leasing records by paying in excess of $300/sq ft annually.

In 1999, the entire building sold for just over $1,000/sq ft - a record at the time (now a standard per square foot price for a good apartment in Coal Harbour - how times have changed).

[Vin]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Don't think so unless they basically demolished the entire structure and re-built to suit them. Uniqlo does high-impact flagship style stores similar to a build-out for say Sephora, H&M or in some cases Apple. I also think the location may be a bit too far west, I feel they'd rather be in the 'thick' of things on say, Granville near Robson or no further west than the 1100 block Robson.

My hope is that they do an exciting flagship street-level store and not a boring, low-impact mall location.

Here's the Shanghai store

source : http://uebermorgen.blog.nzz.ch/2013/04/1...gel-das-sind-die-besten-laeden-der-welt/

There are also examples of high-impact street and 2nd floor level mall Uniqlo around in some cities. You get the best of both worlds. They can both be accessed from the street level as well as inside the mall. Saw those in Hong Kong, Singapore and KL.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by connect2source

As I've stated many times, we are sorely lacking suitable spaces for international flagships. Most other cities are building-to-suit but we don't seem to be getting on it very quickly. Huge opportunities here for the right developers. At present, we have almost no multi-storey high-impact flagship styles stores in Vancouver. Hopefully many of the new-to-Vancouver international chains won't be placed in the 'hallway' style Pacific Centre extension, the low ceilings means zero-impact, zero presence and zero excitement.

I was told many times here that there is simply no demand for them, and therefore not ever going to happen. Let the suburbs take the credit. To pursue this issue further would arouse some uncalled for wrath! Lol.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by spm2013

Hopefully there's a major tenant in a Canada Post rebuild to draw in traffic and I also wonder what kind of retail the new casino development will include.

For the new casino, I think there will only be restaurants but no retail. I really wish it could be like Melbourne's Crown Casino or Singapore's Sand or Genting Casinos where retail abounds. Another wasted opportunity was that when the new convention centre was built, indoor retail wasn't included: a floor or two could be dedicated to retail which could easily link up to the skytrain stations. If that were to happen, the waterfront convention centre could be a greater hit than it is now. Just look at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. The convention centre is always crowded with shoppers and diners. Very lively and urban.

[SpongeG]

i went to H&M home in edmonton yesterday, it was alright, could do well here, quite cheap, nothing spectacular, i wonder if apple is going to move to the expansion in pac centre if H&M would put its home store in that old/current site since its next to their store

edmonton and wem have a number of stores vancouver is missing or brands that left vancouver like crocs there are two crocs stores in edmonton, the one in the mall was crazy busy

simons was really busy, big sale on some great deals on designer duds like $450 marked down to $99

[Denscity]

I think most people in Vancouver laugh at Crocs. It would better fit in around Langley and Abbotsford.

[SpongeG]

i love them for work. the kitchen ones are impossible to find now in vancouver. only online now. considering the amount of cooks/chefs in the city its a loss

[theKB]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i love them for work. the kitchen ones are impossible to find now in vancouver. only online now. considering the amount of cooks/chefs in the city its a loss

There was a crocs store on robson and it shut down.

There are a few stores that still carry them. I know Art Knapp does but they were a trend and that's about it, I am surprised a place like gourmet warehouse or some of the other supply companies don't sell them if they have ones produced for the restaurant industry?

---

It still boggles my mind at the 300/ft that was paid for the bebe location. Nothing in this city is worth that currently.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by jlousa

The Telus site couldn't find any retailer willing to take the space hence the second floor was converted to office. Contrary to some people's belief there is not the much demand for retail. Outside a few key areas is an abundance of vacant or under-leased retail space downtown.

Not at the price nor the spaces they were offering

[jlousa]

Office space doesn't charge nearly as much as retail space so you can form your own opinion on the amount of demand out there for second floor retail.