International Village Revitalization | Idea Pool/Concept

mr.x · #1 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 4:58 AM**

It's one of the region's largest shopping centres, yet it's also by far the most dead and empty shopping mall. There have been some improvements to business, but it's still far short - so many corridors are still empty. I recall when it first opened, there were a ton of great stores but within a year or two nearly all had closed because well back then it wasn't exactly the best place to go around shopping.

With SFU Woodwards and the area being redeveloped, business has improved somewhat but it'll be many, many years before this place sees a business boom.

This idea has been shuffled around here many times before, but why not entice UBC to move in to occupy some of the top floors? Take a page from SFU Surrey at Central City. It'll do wonders in supporting businesses in the mall and it'll also help revitalize the DTES and Chinatown neighbourhoods.

By occupying the top few floors, they could easily house 5,000 students at the mall.

Some inspiration:

mr.x · #2 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 5:05 AM**

International Village, from Flickr:

Millennium2002 · #3 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 5:10 AM**

Not a bad idea... but then how do we improve the atmosphere around the local area? I have a good feeling that's the main deterrent keeping shoppers and therefore stores from wanting to come by... and UBC may not really like it either.

deasine · #4 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 6:50 AM**

The area is bound to improve as there are more developments and what the Intl Village Revitalization could act as a catalyst for this. While I think the idea of moving UBC into the area is nice, UBC's downtown campus isn't that big to begin with.

But I think we've discussed this at SSP before, one of the reasons why Intl Village is doing so poorly is because of the management there.

red-paladin · #5 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 7:12 AM**

International Village was built by Henderson Developments, which also did Henderson Centre in Coquitlam. It's also 75% empty.

jlousa · #6 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 1:57 PM**

International Village has improved quite a bit in the last 6months, when Espana completes in a few weeks there will be another flood of residents in the area which will only entice more stores. I imagine by the time NEFC gets built out in ~10-15yrs it'll finally be successful. In the meantime it remains a great casestudy on what not to do.

LeftCoaster · #7 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 2:43 PM**

Most things Henderson does provide great case studies on what not to do.

I too noticed IV filling out before i left, quite substantially in the last year or so. It is mainly lower end stores, one off stores and even some companies you would normally never find in a mall but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

s211 · #8 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 3:35 PM**

I have no idea what you're getting at. You're saying turn the place into a campus, and then show pictures of Eaton Centre in Toronto, the most successful mall in Canada (that doesn't need any propping up to be viable) ???

DKaz · #9 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 4:11 PM**

I think he's showing that Eaton Centre has a visible office component as well.

metroXpress · #10 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 6:10 PM**

Eaton Center and Surrey Central City....two fabulous malls

Quote:

International Village was built by Henderson Developments, which also did Henderson Centre in Coquitlam. It's also 75% empty.

I didn't know about this~

teriyaki · #11 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 6:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

Eaton Center and Surrey Central City....two fabulous malls

I didn't know about this~

I didn't know this either. They certainly had the right mindset, but the conditions just weren't right at the time for it. I have to say that the mall was beautifully designed, even today the architecture and design language is pretty top-notch.

SpongeG · #12 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 7:45 PM**

they don't know how to lease or manage properly perhaps - maybe let another mall company take over management

there are a lot of bigger stores that are not in downtown that could go there like Old Navy - never got a downtown spot after they had to move out of Pacific Centre as an example

But it really needs a decent anchor - Royal Centre Mall in New west is another dead mall in the heart of a dense area - they have no anchor but have done ok - they shut one level down to make space for offices and schools - whats left is pretty dull but serves the locals needs

Vancity · #13 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 8:31 PM**

I loved Eaten Centre when I was in Toronto. I visited the mall often. It's very lively, they did it right over there. The international village mall looks and feels dead. It's so dark inside the mall. There needs to be more lighting, and how is it sooo dead? So many empty spots that could be filled. That place has potential to be sure, but it's been like that for years O.o

Hopefully, things will change in the near future. As lively as downtown is, it's almost shocking that this mall is as dead as it is.

mr.x · #14 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 8:51 PM**

^ yea, i really do think International Village has the potential to become a smaller version of Eaton Centre....i agree, the place is really dark - and not just because of lighting, but also because of materials they use.

Install a ton more lighting along the roof and on pillars, and cover up all that concrete and re-do the floors.

By the time the mall becomes busy, which might take 15 years or more, it'll be in need of a major renovation.

It's unfortunate the mall wasn't built closer to Stadium SkyTrain, and it should have had T&T as one of its anchors.

wrenegade · #15 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 10:27 PM**

International Village will come around, but it will take at least another 10 years. Henderson looks at things from a 100 year perspective, they are in it for the long haul, they don't really care about today. From a retail perspective though, the place is a black hole. There is no daytime traffic there at all. It will improve a bit when Espana and Firenze have more residents, but there is no office crowd to fuel small shops/services/food court, and why would anyone shop there when they can hop on the skytrain and be at Pacific Centre in one stop?

I've thought about this site many, many times. I love going there for movies because I think it is the best theatre in the city. But it is hard to imagine what else would work there. Until there are more upscale major tenants wanting to be downtown, pushing the rents up so the Winners/Homesenses of the world can't make it, there is no reason for anyone to relocate in International Village. It is nearly impossible to draw anyone east to this location, the best bet for its improvement is an increase in density in Gastown in my opinion. While I like the viaducts as a transportation corridor, I believe they will still be psychological barrier to any new residents in NEFC.

SFUVancouver · #16 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 10:47 PM**

I've thought for some time that Army and Navy might relocate to International Village one day. The current buildings are old, and while they do have the advantage of owning them I wonder if the siren song of selling the buildings and relocating might one day seem more attractive than maintaining them.

djmk · #17 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 10:59 PM**

the firm i work for has/had clients from that mall. several were persuaded to sign leases because they were under an impression that the major tenant would be large BC Liquor Store.

i do not know whether the BC liquor store just never materialized or it was a lie...

hollywoodnorth · #18 Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 1:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by awvan

It is nearly impossible to draw anyone east to this location, the best bet for its improvement is an increase in density in Gastown in my opinion. While I like the viaducts as a transportation corridor, I believe they will still be psychological barrier to any new residents in NEFC.

costco sure seems to do well

why is that professor?

hollywoodnorth · #19 Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 1:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

I've thought for some time that Army and Navy might relocate to International Village one day. The current buildings are old, and while they do have the advantage of owning them I wonder if the siren song of selling the buildings and relocating might one day seem more attractive than maintaining them.

interesting idea and I like it. They would be a boon for the mall and the current location is a POS.

delboy · #20 Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 3:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by awvan

International Village will come around, but it will take at least another 10 years. Henderson looks at things from a 100 year perspective, they are in it for the long haul, they don't really care about today. From a retail perspective though, the place is a black hole. There is no daytime traffic there at all. It will improve a bit when Espana and Firenze have more residents, but there is no office crowd to fuel small shops/services/food court, and why would anyone shop there when they can hop on the skytrain and be at Pacific Centre in one stop?

I've thought about this site many, many times. I love going there for movies because I think it is the best theatre in the city. But it is hard to imagine what else would work there. Until there are more upscale major tenants wanting to be downtown, pushing the rents up so the Winners/Homesenses of the world can't make it, there is no reason for anyone to relocate in International Village. It is nearly impossible to draw anyone east to this location, the best bet for its improvement is an increase in density in Gastown in my opinion. While I like the viaducts as a transportation corridor, I believe they will still be psychological barrier to any new residents in NEFC.

I agree. I think they need to create something completely different. Casino perhaps? Nightclub, amusement arcade, bowling, novelty stores.....

Its not a bad building but I've heard its very poorly managed.