The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[s211]

Originally Posted by csbvan

I believe the coty is planning to transform the Alberni retail district. It is in the West End Neighbourhood plan

And the city also took two decades to finally start work on the park at Richards and Smythe. I frankly have zero confidence for this city to do anything about beautification. And the new city manager making a comment about cleaning up all the trash downtown? I'm sorry, but HA.

[csbvan]

The Davie Street improvements are going full steam ahead and they were part of that same neighbourhood plan. I see no reason to believe that the Alberni Street improvements won't happen, although I understand that viewpoint might not be held by most on this forum where the tendency is toward knee jerk cynicism and negativity.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by csbvan

The Davie Street improvements are going full steam ahead and they were part of that same neighbourhood plan. I see no reason to believe that the Alberni Street improvements won't happen, although I understand that viewpoint might not be held by most on this forum where the tendency is toward knee jerk cynicism and negativity.

I'm sorry but what improvements are happening on Davie? I haven't seen a single thing happen. Although I don't really find anything wrong with Davie. It's more the buildings that need improving. The only thing they need to do is pressure wash the sidewalks way more frequently

[connect2source]

Agreed, the city has dropped the ball in this dept., even Robson should have had mid-block crossings and more attractive sidewalks years ago. Davie has seen no improvements except for the pride-crossing at Bute.

I sat on the Board of a major BIA for many years and it was a battle to get anything improvements including some new street furniture.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Agreed, the city has dropped the ball in this dept., even Robson should have had mid-block crossings and more attractive sidewalks years ago. Davie has seen no improvements except for the pride-crossing at Bute.

I sat on the Board of a major BIA for many years and it was a battle to get anything improvements including some new street furniture.

Yes, and this applies not only to Davie, but as you said, very much to Robson, and is way overdue on Alberni. They say Alberni is all in the works, and quite iminent, but it's strill awaiting.

[domusile]

The courtyard outside the Grosvenor building on Alberni was fenced off at the end of last week, perhaps the infill retail building is happening soon.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by domusile

The courtyard outside the Grosvenor building on Alberni was fenced off at the end of last week, perhaps the infill retail building is happening soon.

And the cherry blossom trees are gone I think! Sneaky sneaky to have them cut down before they bloom.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by csbvan

The Davie Street improvements are going full steam ahead and they were part of that same neighbourhood plan. I see no reason to believe that the Alberni Street improvements won't happen, although I understand that viewpoint might not be held by most on this forum where the tendency is toward knee jerk cynicism and negativity.

Improvements??! Full steam??! Is it election time now with all the "positivity" going on?

Frankly, with the exception of Granville Street and and some buildings being built and upgraded, I don't think the entire downtown has seen any improvements for decades. With the higher amount of property tax money received by the City Hall due to an increase in downtown's population, much more should have been done, especially around retail centres.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Vin

Improvements??! Full steam??! Is it election time now with all the "positivity" going on?

Frankly, with the exception of Granville Street and and some buildings being built and upgraded, I don't think the entire downtown has seen any improvements for decades. With the higher amount of property tax money received by the City Hall due to an increase in downtown's population, much more should have been done, especially around retail centres.

Agreed. The street level aspect of downtown, has been wrongly underemphasized, IMO; that is. A lot could be done (without mega$$$) to refine it & make it "smarter"

[s211]

Originally Posted by Vin

And the cherry blossom trees are gone I think! Sneaky sneaky to have them cut down before they bloom.

They were there last Thursday in full bloom.

[Sheba]

Target Canada reaches deal with former landlords as it nears vote on plan

Target Canada Co. said Friday it has reached an agreement with its former landlords whose leases were terminated as part of the company's plans to shut down its Canadian stores.

The retailer said the settlement provides a framework for a resolution of its court-supervised windup and deals with the landlords' claims against both Target Canada and Target Corp.

Under the agreement, the landlords will support the company's plan under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

Landlords holding guarantees from Target Corp. will receive payment in exchange for a contractual release.

The U.S. retailer announced last year it was shutting all of its Canadian stores, only two years after its highly anticipated launch north of the border.

Target said the monitor overseeing the process estimates that unsecured creditors will receive approximately 66 per cent to 77 per cent of what they are owed.

The company said it expects creditors to have a chance to vote on its plan on May 25 and, subject to approval, intends to seek court approval on June 2.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/ta...ords+nears+vote+plan/11763079/story.html

So there might be some action this year on the black hole in Metrotown that used to be Target?

[logan5]

IGA on Main Street in Mt. Pleasant is closing in a couple of weeks, and will be replaced by Save-on-Foods. Small store for a Save-on. None the less they should still have a decent bulk section compared to IGA. Prices are about the same I believe.

[SpongeG]

Danier Leather stores liquidating as retailer starts winding down

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/danier-leather-liquidation-1.3479161

another retail loss. I know there is one in coquitlam.

[mcminsen]

Originally Posted by logan5

IGA on Main Street in Mt. Pleasant is closing in a couple of weeks, and will be replaced by Save-on-Foods. Small store for a Save-on. None the less they should still have a decent bulk section compared to IGA. Prices are about the same I believe.

I can't help but wonder how extensive the renos will be on both the Main Street IGA and the Dunbar IGA (last pic below), which are both closing soon to become Save On Foods stores. I've always thought that both properties would be candidates for a major redevelopment to medium density. They both have lots of surface parking and the Centrepoint Mall is pretty under-utilized. Maybe the new small versions of Save On Foods stores will just be placeholders until major redevelopment is viable.



IGA at Centrepoint Mall, Main Street, Vancouver, March 9 '16, my pics







IGA in Dunbar on W.41st Ave. near Dunbar Street, Vancouver, March 3 '16, my pic

[Retail-Insider]

This is interesting. The article says that the downtown Canada Post redevelopment will include 300,000 square feet of retail over three levels. Those looking for a new downtown shopping centre might be in luck, and tenants such as Saks and Simons might finally be able to secure downtown space (not so sure about the location though) -- http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Dev...wers/11774176/story.html?__lsa=828e-ee2b

[quobobo]

Originally Posted by logan5

IGA on Main Street in Mt. Pleasant is closing in a couple of weeks, and will be replaced by Save-on-Foods. Small store for a Save-on. None the less they should still have a decent bulk section compared to IGA. Prices are about the same I believe.

Same with the IGA at Kingsway and Willingdon in Burnaby.

[Spork]

Originally Posted by quobobo

Same with the IGA at Kingsway and Willingdon in Burnaby.

Nooooo! The last decent grocery store nearby where I can get quality steaks (their New Zealand cuts are AWESOME and a great price). Save On Foods' steaks are like a shoe soaked in ammonia and blood.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Retail-Insider

This is interesting. The article says that the downtown Canada Post redevelopment will include 300,000 square feet of retail over three levels. Those looking for a new downtown shopping centre might be in luck, and tenants such as Saks and Simons might finally be able to secure downtown space (not so sure about the location though) -- http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Dev...wers/11774176/story.html?__lsa=828e-ee2b

Uh oh, somebody restrain Vin

The developer wants to convert the former mail processing plant to a mixed-use building with retail, residential and offices on roughly six levels. To pay for what's being called the largest heritage revitalization project in the city's history, the developer wants to add four towers to the top of the building:

One would be an office tower of 19 storeys overlooking Georgia; the other three would be residential towers of between 12 and 16 storeys on the northern side. Altogether, the complex would include 850 rental and condominium units, about 300,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 500,000 sq. ft. of offices.

...

Inside, each floor plate is about 115,000 sq. ft. in size; average height between floors and ceilings is between 20 and 24 feet. The building is a welded steel frame covered with concrete for fire protection and added strength.

Under the proposal, the former post office building will be converted to three floors of retail and three floors of residential and office. Underground, an existing single level of parking will be doubled in size to two floors by excavating down and reinforcing existing columns. Three interior floors of parking will be added above the three floors of retail; vehicles will access the upper parking stalls from Homer Street. Parking also will be provided for up to 1,000 bikes.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Dev...ge+towers/11774176/story.html?__lsa=null

[cairnstone]

wow that will quite an undertaking on the rehab of the canada post building. Some serious structural work

[Axe]

Originally Posted by Spork

Nooooo! The last decent grocery store nearby where I can get quality steaks (their New Zealand cuts are AWESOME and a great price). Save On Foods' steaks are like a shoe soaked in ammonia and blood.

Try Keas meats. its a little ways down Kingways but its a great family run place.
NO I don't get pay to say this. lol
6616 Beresford Street, Burnaby

I drive 40 mins out of my way to go here.