[Burnaby] The Amazing Brentwood | 15 Towers | 186m | 56 flrs | U/C & Proposed

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Amazing Brentwood?

https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-in...o-close-in-canada-in-early-2020-analysis

It wasn't cancelled, since it was never really approved or confirmed. It was an aspiration that didn't have much basis in reality unfortunately.

Despite the wishes of several fourmers this mall is not going to be the new luxury node of Vancouver, replacing or even rivaling Alberni. I do think it will turn out to be a successful shopping centre with a good tenant mix, but it's not going to be a Harrods anchored lux experience or anything silly like that.

[Vin]

Cheap shot there Leftcoaster. No one said it would "replace" Alberni, and a wish for something like Harrods or something else different to set up shop there isn't the same as stating a confirmed anchor tenant. Stop saying silly things like that.

This mall will still be an anchor to the future of Brentwood Town Centre's retail vibrancy, and certainly can be rivaling downtown or even Metrotown. It is already a winner with Rec room and a movie theatre in place. That would help bring in foot traffic, especially if it it attached to a nice grocery market with a ready-to-eat dining area.

I think the food area, unlike other regional malls, should open very late to capture the younger crowd market, as well as workers out for a good time in the evenings. The mall should open a little later at 11pm but close late at 10pm or beyond. That would set it apart from other shopping centres in Metro Vancouver. Burnaby is never known for a robust nightlife, but the Station Square commercial area is starting to change that. Next would be Brentwood Town Centre.

[Spr0ckets]

They have a long way to go before you can even begin to speak of this mall being on that same level of retail experience, much less even rivaling or competing with Metrotown, let alone any district in Downtown Vancouver.

While I do agree with Leftcoaster that a lot of expectations on here initially were way overblown and way out of proportion, I also agree with you Vin, that they could get a bit of a leg up on next door Metrotown, at least, in terms of establishing a bit of a nightlife reputation by having more social spots open later (or even overnight on weekends. Why not?).
Especially now with Lyft and Uber becoming available and young people, especially not having to rely on Transit.

That's always been Metrotown's (and really, all of greater Burnaby's) biggest drawback in terms of establishing a social draw and entertainment epicenter.
Everything shuts down and 10pm essentially (or 11pm for the really 'risque' spots), ....pretty much like some old retirement community in Victoria or something.

[SpongeG]

it has H&M home, the place where i will just hand over my pay cheque. The store will be a draw for many people. I believe this will be the first H&M Home store in Canada. I know Toronto has some home stuff within their h&M store but it is not the new H&M Home concept store which is what H&M is opening the most of right now.


elledecoration.se


glamour.de

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Spr0ckets

While I do agree with Leftcoaster that a lot of expectations on here initially were way overblown and way out of proportion, I also agree with you Vin, that they could get a bit of a leg up on next door Metrotown, at least, in terms of establishing a bit of a nightlife reputation by having more social spots open later (or even overnight on weekends. Why not?).
Especially now with Lyft and Uber becoming available and young people, especially not having to rely on Transit.

Like I said, this mall will be a success and achieve a good mix of tenants, which definitely includes a strong F&B offering and experiential retail (ie rec room).

Whether this becomes more of a nightlife hub really depends more on the demographics and demand of local residents. I'm not convinced nightlife will flourish here, not because of restrictive rules, but because of limited demand. I think it could be a small hub of later activity, but I just feel for the 1-2 nights people may go out a week, they will still chose downtown over a night out in the burbs. Especially as nightbus service increases and Uber/Lyft make getting around easier.

[SpongeG]

I think people would stay closer to home if they had the option. The casino down there is packed on a weekend, they have multiple bars, a live band, a dance floor etc. Its a real meet market.

People just need choices. I know out Lougheed TC the restaurant pub by day is a packed bar on weekends, and wings too, there aren't many options. There is a new lounge on north road on the Burnaby side which seems to be drawing more people now.

[Spr0ckets]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Like I said, this mall will be a success and achieve a good mix of tenants, which definitely includes a strong F&B offering and experiential retail (ie rec room).

Whether this becomes more of a nightlife hub really depends more on the demographics and demand of local residents. I'm not convinced nightlife will flourish here, not because of restrictive rules, but because of limited demand. I think it could be a small hub of later activity, but I just feel for the 1-2 nights people may go out a week, they will still chose downtown over a night out in the burbs. Especially as nightbus service increases and Uber/Lyft make getting around easier.

This is true.

Which is why I believe they're still a ways away before remotely fulfilling any of those actual ambitions (if they even have them) - be it to become a nightlife hub or a even just the general retail and commercial center (high-end or not).

In either case it depends strongly on the neighborhood having, or reaching the critical mass of people and foot-traffic available justify having all those retail and businesses be around let alone be open all night.
Let's also not forget that Metrotown is a major transit hub, while Brentwood is not.
That alone helps businesses in the mall (during the day and evenings at least), just by default, which in turn mitigates not having a high population density.

Brentwood still has a lot of building out to do before it gets to that point.

[Tetsuo]

There is demand for nightlife in Burnaby, as Sponge noted, the Casino is always a big draw for locals.

Rev's is also always busy down the street.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I think people would stay closer to home if they had the option. The casino down there is packed on a weekend, they have multiple bars, a live band, a dance floor etc. Its a real meet market.

People just need choices. I know out Lougheed TC the restaurant pub by day is a packed bar on weekends, and wings too, there aren't many options. There is a new lounge on north road on the Burnaby side which seems to be drawing more people now.

Amen!

[LeftCoaster]

A bowling alley and a casino.... watch out yaletown!

In all seriousness there will be restaurants and bars with compliments like rec room, but it won't be anything like some of the nonsense floated in this thread earlier...

eg:

Originally Posted by Caliplanner1

High priced entertainment featuring such top acts as Michael Buble' or Celene Dion (as examples) alonside quiet jazz bars/hard-to-enter high quality dance clubs might deter the loud/"ignorant"/obnoxious (re: "unwashed"?) masses.

Originally Posted by Vin

Burnaby will be the leading retail/entertainment hub in Metro Vancouver within the next decade.

[vanman]

Originally Posted by Meraki

Walking to the SkyTrain past the fountain I was legit surprised by how much some of those tiles shifted when stepping onto them, like "am I going to fall" amounts.

I had the same experience.

[Tangeray]

H&M Home (just by looking at the photo), reminds me of Simons.

And personally, I'm glad it's not going to become the ultra-lux high end fashion district it that was envisioned.

This is going to be a cool mall with great eateries that foodies will flock to.

A supermarket to rival Whole Foods, but that isn't Whole Foods, will be icing on the cake and is what should come next in phase II, where the current presentation centre is.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Tangeray

A supermarket to rival Whole Foods, but that isn't Whole Foods, will be icing on the cake and is what should come next in phase II, where the current presentation centre is.

Maybe a Farm Boy if Sobey's brings the brand out West.
There's a Save-on down the road, so any Jimmy Pattison stores might be out (Urban Fare, Meinhardt's, Nesters, Choices).

[MetroYVR]

Will Nordstrom or Louis Vuitton open at Brentwood?

[GeeCee]

I really don't think there's any big need for another grocery store at Brentwood, between Save-on and Whole Foods within walking distance, and Costco and Walmart short trips away (even Superstore up at Metrotown, 10 minutes away). While I can imagine that residents would like another option on site, and there are brands that aren't currently represented in the immediate area, I can't imagine a full service grocery store knocking on Shape's door any time soon.

[MetroYVR]

Grocery is the last tenant Shape would want to sign. It will ruin the image of the mall, and agreed there are already way too many of them within 15mins walk or driving.

Asian grocery is best suited for the Gilmore project.

[officedweller]

No department stores given the change in floorplans (I guess Simons was not in the cards either).
Whether or not particular high end store locate there will depend on their market evaluations.

Way back, there was talk of a grocery store being in the podium of a later phase tower at Lougheed & Alpha. i.e. not "in" the mall itself.
Likewise, it could be in the basement level of Phase III (basement of Sears store site) which is not part of the main mall corridor.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Maybe a Farm Boy if Sobey's brings the brand out West.
There's a Save-on down the road, so any Jimmy Pattison stores might be out (Urban Fare, Meinhardt's, Nesters, Choices).

Jimmy Pat doesn't mind saturating with different brands (think Edmonds Save-on + Nesters/BuyLow)

HY Louie could also go with Fresh St. which would appeal.

Sobey's is clueless to the BC market, don't expect anything from them

[Vin]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Like I said, this mall will be a success and achieve a good mix of tenants, which definitely includes a strong F&B offering and experiential retail (ie rec room).

Whether this becomes more of a nightlife hub really depends more on the demographics and demand of local residents. I'm not convinced nightlife will flourish here, not because of restrictive rules, but because of limited demand. I think it could be a small hub of later activity, but I just feel for the 1-2 nights people may go out a week, they will still chose downtown over a night out in the burbs. Especially as nightbus service increases and Uber/Lyft make getting around easier.

Someone here said the same thing about Metrotown's wrong kind of "demographics" and potential lack of demand at Station Square's F&B street. However, just look at Earl's and Cactus Club now and tell me if you can hear a cricket chirp on most nights. Can't wait for the CRUs on the other side of the street to open up. I'm sure we won't be seeing any tumbleweeds rolling down that lane, sir.

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

A bowling alley and a casino.... watch out yaletown!

At least Brentwood will have two pretty large malls next to each other. That's pretty amazing for such a new Town Centre.

In all seriousness there will be restaurants and bars with compliments like rec room, but it won't be anything like some of the nonsense floated in this thread earlier...
eg:

Pray tell and elaborate a little more about the so-called "nonsense"?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by MetroYVR

Grocery is the last tenant Shape would want to sign. It will ruin the image of the mall, and agreed there are already way too many of them within 15mins walk or driving.

Asian grocery is best suited for the Gilmore project.

Urban Fare or Eataly will not "ruin the image of the mall" like how you think it.

Anyway, there are already some pretty decent tenants coming to the mall:
From Daily Hive:

Along the boulevard, expect nearly two dozen retailers, including Adidas, Nike, Wilfred by Aritzia, and a two-level H&M flagship store — complete with the H&M Home collection.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-amazing-brentwood-mall-construction-photos-july-2019