Winnipeg Retail

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Curious... does anyone know if St. Vital Mall is designed / engineered to handle a second floor added? I ask because Sears and the Bay both have two floors, and it seems like a natural addition.

I was wondering about that too.

Polo Park is getting quite full of higher end retailers and the discount and smaller shops are quickly getting displaced. Winnipeg is really going to need an upgrade to one of their malls in order to attract new shops to the city.

Hopefully there is a list of new retailers a mile long waiting to get into Seasons of Tuxedo and that the development doesn't sit mostly undeveloped for a decade.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by h0twired

I was wondering about that too.

Polo Park is getting quite full of higher end retailers and the discount and smaller shops are quickly getting displaced. Winnipeg is really going to need an upgrade to one of their malls in order to attract new shops to the city.

Hopefully there is a list of new retailers a mile long waiting to get into Seasons of Tuxedo and that the development doesn't sit mostly undeveloped for a decade.

I have been wondering if Polo Park is contemplating any further additions. I believe the mall is at 99% capacity and with the current rush of new retailers into the city they will soon start to miss out on the current "latest and greatest" to hit town.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by Biff

I have been wondering if Polo Park is contemplating any further additions. I believe the mall is at 99% capacity and with the current rush of new retailers into the city they will soon start to miss out on the current "latest and greatest" to hit town.

Would be cool to see Polo Park move back up this list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...alls_in_Canada

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by Biff

I have been wondering if Polo Park is contemplating any further additions. I believe the mall is at 99% capacity and with the current rush of new retailers into the city they will soon start to miss out on the current "latest and greatest" to hit town.

Maybe they should expand the second floor of Polo Park to over the Transit Terminal, and fill that end with an possible H&M? Then, a gleaming glass store would be built over it, thus protecting some people from harsh Winnipeg winters AND reducing maintenance costs for Winnipeg Transit, as less sand would be needed for the snow. Also, a spare hall could be built to the side, and that could lead to a future LRT elevated station. That or BRT.

And yes, I am about to "SketchUp" it.

[Chadillaccc]

That would be sick!

And then kinda expand the skyline down Portage and form a "midtown" area in that district with the "megamall" as its anchor.



Very cool concept if they were to do it right.

[Biff]

I would think that if they were to expand the mall they should build out on the west side. The west side of the mall is such an eyesore - a two or three block long, two storey brown, brick wall. They should build out the centre portion to St James (around Ness) and build parkades on either side.

[Jammon]

My understanding with the Seasons of Tuxedo shopping centre is that they are close to filling the space. My sister works for a large American clothing company and they are opening a new retailer there. She said they had difficulty finding an appropriate space for the new store. This would be a store/brand not yet in Winnipeg.

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by Jammon

My understanding with the Seasons of Tuxedo shopping centre is that they are close to filling the space. My sister works for a large American clothing company and they are opening a new retailer there. She said they had difficulty finding an appropriate space for the new store. This would be a store/brand not yet in Winnipeg.

Wow, if they've leased out Phase I, then thats impressive.
How much space was originally available for lease in Phase I at Seasons of Tuxedo?

Are they leasing the super-big box stores separately? I'm speculating one of these will be a Lowes, another would be a Super-Target... (Wal-mart is expanding their Kenaston Store, so they won't be coming)
Maybe Superstore will build a new store, but thats pretty close to their Grant Ave. location... Which other MAJOR retailers in town would lease a super-big box that aren't already in the Kenaston Commons / Kenaston Crossing area?

Anyways, am looking forward to hearing what new names are coming to the city. American or Canadian, more choice means more reasons for shoppers to stay local. And I wonder if this whole thing is turning into a giant outlet mall, as some earlier speculation suggested that it might.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by Biff

I would think that if they were to expand the mall they should build out on the west side. The west side of the mall is such an eyesore - a two or three block long, two storey brown, brick wall. They should build out the centre portion to St James (around Ness) and build parkades on either side.

This would be the best thing too I think

the old Winnipeg Arena ground is going to become a new office ground, and the Stadium site is going to be something other than a Polo Park expansion most certainly

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Biff

I would think that if they were to expand the mall they should build out on the west side. The west side of the mall is such an eyesore - a two or three block long, two storey brown, brick wall. They should build out the centre portion to St James (around Ness) and build parkades on either side.

Definitely the best spot for expansion. Gives them an easy way to turn the mall into a loop on both levels.

However I would think that building underground parking (like they did at Chinook in Calgary) would probably be a better use of the space and allow for possible further expansion. Underground parking isn't exactly cheap to build, but neither are the lease rates at Polo Park.

A large expansion would allow Target to relocate to a new expansion where they could have a 2 level store instead of just the current little Zellers location. Target (or SuperTarget) would become a solid anchor and the old location could be broken up into smaller chunks or turn into a couple of larger units. There would then be room for perhaps a Crate and Barrel (to compete with IKEA), Holt Renfrew, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Banana Repubic, Zara etc.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Definitely the best spot for expansion. Gives them an easy way to turn the mall into a loop on both levels.

However I would think that building underground parking (like they did at Chinook in Calgary) would probably be a better use of the space and allow for possible further expansion. Underground parking isn't exactly cheap to build, but neither are the lease rates at Polo Park.

A large expansion would allow Target to relocate to a new expansion where they could have a 2 level store instead of just the current little Zellers location. Target (or SuperTarget) would become a solid anchor and the old location could be broken up into smaller chunks or turn into a couple of larger units. There would then be room for perhaps a Crate and Barrel (to compete with IKEA), Holt Renfrew, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Banana Repubic, Zara etc.

not to mention underground parking would be a huge draw in Winnipeg...good point there

by the Superstore in St James west (on Portage), the underground parking is packed in the winter. I know people, and have done myself, who go there to thaw their cars out...and while waiting go to Superstore to pick things up. Happens all the time. Forced some people to change their buying habits even, and relocate their spending dollars from a competing store.

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

In regards to Seasons of Tuxedo, I have a feeling Bass Pro Shops might take one of the big box sites. This city is prime demographic for their concept.

[Biff]

My guess for major big box retailers would be Lowes, Super Target and Cabela's. That is about 400,000+ sq ft right there. They are currently building a 180,000 sq ft "mid-run box format" strip that will house larger retailers such as Marshall's type of retailers. This is all in addition to the 400,000 sq ft IKEA under construction. Some of the big box will go on the North Site. There will also be a movie theatre and hotel and water-park facility.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Biff

There will also be a movie theatre

Seems odd considering that Famous Players is rebranding the Cinema City on McGillvary and turning it into a first run theatre.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Seems odd considering that Famous Players is rebranding the Cinema City on McGillvary and turning it into a first run theatre.

I thought the timing was curious for that announcement. I am wondering if the Seasons of Tuxedo development is/was courting AMC Theaters from the US. I know they have one location in Mississauga.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by Biff

I thought the timing was curious for that announcement. I am wondering if the Seasons of Tuxedo development is/was courting AMC Theaters from the US. I know they have one location in Mississauga.

The old forum in Montreal is now an amc theatre as well

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by Biff

AMC Theaters from the US. I know they have one location in Mississauga.

There's one at Yonge and Dundas...I like Famous Players better.

[Joshy]

Originally Posted by Biff

My guess for major big box retailers would be Lowes, Super Target and Cabela's. That is about 400,000+ sq ft right there. They are currently building a 180,000 sq ft "mid-run box format" strip that will house larger retailers such as Marshall's type of retailers. This is all in addition to the 400,000 sq ft IKEA under construction. Some of the big box will go on the North Site. There will also be a movie theatre and hotel and water-park facility.

Winnipeg was the first city in Canada to get a Cabela's, but we were short changed with the kind of store concept in comparison with the stores they have in the US, with live aquarium, animal displays and a much much larger store in general, as opposed to that little shack on Ellice. I hope they upgrade our store to something of the US nature.

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by Joshy

Winnipeg was the first city in Canada to get a Cabela's, but we were short changed with the kind of store concept in comparison with the stores they have in the US, with live aquarium, animal displays and a much much larger store in general, as opposed to that little shack on Ellice. I hope they upgrade our store to something of the US nature.

I heard on good word that there will be one in Seasons of Tuxedo. Might be one of the first stores to open.

[dsim249]

Originally Posted by Joshy

Winnipeg was the first city in Canada to get a Cabela's, but we were short changed with the kind of store concept in comparison with the stores they have in the US, with live aquarium, animal displays and a much much larger store in general, as opposed to that little shack on Ellice. I hope they upgrade our store to something of the US nature.

Originally Posted by Kinguni

I heard on good word that there will be one in Seasons of Tuxedo. Might be one of the first stores to open.

If Winnipeg built a new/second one, I'm sure it would be the same as the one being built in Saskatoon currently, which sounds similar to the US version.

The building’s exterior will reflect Cabela’s traditional store model with log construction, stonework, wood siding and metal roofing. The inside will highlight the company’s next-generation layout, which is designed to immerse customers in the outdoor experience and includes conservation-themed wildlife displays and trophy animal mounts. The store will also feature a Bargain Cave and a Fudge Shop. Construction is expected to start in July 2011.