Edmonton City Centre Mall (Renovations) | ?m | 2s | LaSalle Investment Management

[IanO]

I had a recent discussion with someone who figures Holt Renfrew left because of the addition of the downtown and 102 Ave bike lanes.

Incorrect.

This was part of their overall removal of stores from 'secondary markets' as part of a new corporate strategy. Ottawa, Winnipeg all closed, with Calgary being spared because of the high amount of wealth and their significant renovation (investment). They had a press release sharing that their focus was on 'top tier' markets in Toronto, MTL, Van.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

According to a Facebook comment I read, the demise of the entire downtown is Sohi's fault for building the horrible LRT.

 

[bolo]

Could be an opportunity to double down on education. If retail isn't feasible, converting into classrooms could be a relatively low lift (e.g. Enterprise Square). That would also work well with some limited retail, food court, hotel, movie theater and public transit connections.

 

[Greenspace]

My thoughts once out of receivership:

- Consolidate remaining retail to east side. Dollarama could take prominent main floor space for example. Attract new tenants to remaining spaces, including new anchor for Sportschek
- Wall off all west area except connections to third floor, Delta Hotel, movie theatre, pedway connections. This might be difficult due to elevator and escalator locations.
- Parcel off Bay portion for redevelopment - Residential, seniors, student, etc c/w new 103 Street-facing retail.
- Look at educational (per bolo), medical, government, or other uses for remaining west portion. Not sure exciting but has works for other dying malls (Meadowlark).

 

[scyeg]

Could be an opportunity to double down on education. If retail isn't feasible, converting into classrooms could be a relatively low lift (e.g. Enterprise Square). That would also work well with some limited retail, food court, hotel, movie theater and public transit connections.

Please no more U of A-operated downtown buildings until they figure out how to use Enterprise Square properly. It might be the DT building that frustrates me the most, based on its location, its history, and how poorly used it is by an institution that could (in theory) very easily completely change the life of that part of DT if they cared at all to do so.

 

[davcocom]

My thoughts once out of receivership:

- Consolidate remaining retail to east side. Dollarama could take prominent main floor space for example. Attract new tenants to remaining spaces, including new anchor for Sportschek
- Wall off all west area except connections to third floor, Delta Hotel, movie theatre, pedway connections. This might be difficult due to elevator and escalator locations.
- Parcel off Bay portion for redevelopment - Residential, seniors, student, etc c/w new 103 Street-facing retail.
- Look at educational (per bolo), medical, government, or other uses for remaining west portion. Not sure exciting but has works for other dying malls (Meadowlark).

I know this might not be a popular opinion, but I think the Delta Hotel should relocate. It’s the only salvageable business on that side, and the city would be better served if it moved into a standalone building (either new or an office conversion). That would free up the west side to be transformed into something else.

 

[TAS]

Incorrect.

This was part of their overall removal of stores from 'secondary markets' as part of a new corporate strategy. Ottawa, Winnipeg all closed, with Calgary being spared because of the high amount of wealth and their significant renovation (investment). They had a press release sharing that their focus was on 'top tier' markets in Toronto, MTL, Van.

Thanks for insight. I didn't have that info to share but it was example of how some people figure they are 'experts' in planning and traffic engineering and it seems bike lanes being the hot button issue they are for some are to blame for the city's traffic woes and fiscal position.

 

[TAS]

I know this might not be a popular opinion, but I think the Delta Hotel should relocate. It’s the only salvageable business on that side, and the city would be better served if it moved into a standalone building (either new or an office conversion). That would free up the west side to be transformed into something else.

It it did move, maybe it could be part of a new building at the old BofM site at 101St.

 

[Gronk!]

Thanks for insight. I didn't have that info to share but it was example of how some people figure they are 'experts' in planning and traffic engineering and it seems bike lanes being the hot button issue they are for some are to blame for the city's traffic woes and fiscal position.

Bike lanes aren't the reason for downtown retail's decline despite what your "friend" is claiming. However, I do blame the Valley Line LRT construction and COVID for that.

 

[Seamusmuldrew]

I think the trouble with the design of City Centre Mall was cutting off 100A and 102 Streets. I’m not advocating to bring them back, but streets like 102A Avenue are barren.

I very much would advocate for their return, or more broadly for smaller blocks. That’s kind of what makes me like Rice Howard Way so much, it allows for a quieter, more flexible public realm where you can have markets, larger patios, and shared streets. Same goes for 103 Ave from City hall to Ice District, particularly by Edmonton Tower

 

[Whatup]

Edmonton is not a dieing rust belt type city and its downtown should be thriving - however, until all levels of government in Canada start to get more proactive about crime and punishment, enforcing crime and having tougher laws against selling and using hard core drugs Edmonton's downtown will flounder. Most citizens, investment and people in general avoid the downtown because its not safe, not fun or family friendly and its dirty. People don't want to go downtown and see all the human waste and carnage taking place. If governments can address this issue then more investment and people should start flowing into downtown, but without significant changes to public safety no real improvements will take place. The last time I was in Edmonton the only reason I went downtown was to show my kid about the dangers of taking drugs.

 

[inclusion]

My thoughts once out of receivership:

- Consolidate remaining retail to east side. Dollarama could take prominent main floor space for example. Attract new tenants to remaining spaces, including new anchor for Sportschek
- Wall off all west area except connections to third floor, Delta Hotel, movie theatre, pedway connections. This might be difficult due to elevator and escalator locations.
- Parcel off Bay portion for redevelopment - Residential, seniors, student, etc c/w new 103 Street-facing retail.
- Look at educational (per bolo), medical, government, or other uses for remaining west portion. Not sure exciting but has works for other dying malls (Meadowlark).

- Replace the carpet in the entrance by the LRT station across from the Delta with hard surface flooring.

 

[David A]

Please no more U of A-operated downtown buildings until they figure out how to use Enterprise Square properly. It might be the DT building that frustrates me the most, based on its location, its history, and how poorly used it is by an institution that could (in theory) very easily completely change the life of that part of DT if they cared at all to do so.

I agree 100%. Based on how U of A utilizes the space, unfortunately this is the very last thing I would recommend to revitalize any downtown building now. The food area has been vacant for years, they got rid of their book store which was the only area of any real public interaction or use years ago to and replaced it with a computer space that seems to only be used once or twice a week by only a few people.

Yes, there are people working here, but the supposed public space is a total dead zone. Even most of the escalators are out of service any have been for many. many months.

 

[David A]

Bike lanes aren't the reason for downtown retail's decline despite what your "friend" is claiming. However, I do blame the Valley Line LRT construction and COVID for that.

Yes, particularly COVID. The bike lanes can be a bit confusing and frustrating for people who occasionally come downtown, for instance I often see people turn right into the bike lane on 106 Street off Jasper.

There are some design or other issues, however you can figure out how to get around them without too much difficulty. So I don't think this is the biggest beef about downtown. It may not even be in the top 10.

 

[IanO]

I agree 100%. Based on how U of A utilizes the space, unfortunately this is the very last thing I would recommend to revitalize any downtown building now. The food area has been vacant for years, they got rid of their book store which was the only area of any real public interaction or use years ago to and replaced it with a computer space that seems to only be used once or twice a week by only a few people.

Yes, there are people working here, but the supposed public space is a total dead zone. Even most of the escalators are out of service any have been for many. many months.

Aren't they only in the office 'one day' a week?