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

[David A]

Are some of you on the same street drug many are? Man-o-man.

It's embarrassing and appalling where things are at from a retail and 'where do we explore at lunch' standpoint.

Maybe a few of you need to get of out dodge more often; 104st is fine, but not much to write home about.

I used to have to go to Calgary regularly from time to time for business and events, but haven't for a long time. My impression of Stephen Ave then was mixed - parts of it were great, other parts were run down. It was uneven.

The only thing that consistently impressed me about it was the character of the all the older smaller commercial buildings, which we unfortunately don't have here much downtown and I don't think we can replicate. But I do still get out from time to time and there is more to the world than just Calgary.

I had more recently went to Montreal and saw St. Catherine's street, which IMO is far superior to what Calgary has. I don't know how we would replicate that either, but that would be a model I would like to try follow somehow.

 

[Kosy123]

International Clothiers just opened right by the larger Ardene location on the east portion of ECC. It's not fancy retail but it's retail and a vacancy removed so good news?

 

[Gus Haynes]

I'm surprised International Clothiers still exists. Talk about a blast from the past!

 

[MacLac]

That reminds me, my 8-ball multi-patchwork leather jacket needs replacing…..

 

[Kosy123]

So that furniture/decor store is finally open. It's called "Dreamscape Designs". I wasn't able to grab a pic while walking but it seems to have furniture, decor and gifts. It also says it does interior design consultancy. I'm not sure how in demand this is, but hopefully they do well. They're in a decent spot on the west side of the mall where foot traffic from Commerce Place/Manulife come in so they've got some visibility I guess.

That's at least two retailers opening up in City Centre this month alone. Curious if this trend continues.

 

[David A]

So that furniture/decor store is finally open. It's called "Dreamscape Designs". I wasn't able to grab a pic while walking but it seems to have furniture, decor and gifts. It also says it does interior design consultancy. I'm not sure how in demand this is, but hopefully they do well. They're in a decent spot on the west side of the mall where foot traffic from Commerce Place/Manulife come in so they've got some visibility I guess.

That's at least two retailers opening up in City Centre this month alone. Curious if this trend continues.

Yes, it looks very nice. I would have expected something like this in Manulife, but perhaps with the bank moving in they are busy dealing with the space for that. However, it is close by in an area with good visibility and traffic.

 

[Kosy123]

Yes, it looks very nice. I would have expected something like this in Manulife, but perhaps with the bank moving in they are busy dealing with the space for that. However, it is close by in an area with good visibility and traffic.

Yeah, full agreement with you there, I was surprised at how nice it is. I'm hoping it's a success and a few more "upscale" or boutique retailers take a chance on this portion of the mall.

 

[Airboy]

Based on the instagram post they also have a spot at Southgate.

 

[Offworld]

Reading in between the lines of the tenanting situation at the mall, it has the hallmarks of filling space with month-to-month groups that can't afford to pay much. That way, if and when the mall owner is able to execute on a much larger program, they can de-tenant without much holding things up.

 

[David A]

They have done a fairly good job of filling a number of empty spaces over the last year, which is what I feel they needed to do. The mall now has a much better feel to it and seems busier too.

Other more popular malls like Southgate and Kingsway seem quite full now with little available space, so City Centre could become a choice for new or expanding retail businesses to look at as it has available space.

So the remaining availalbe smaller spaces may continue to fill up. I feel the biggest challenge in the upcoming year or so, will be to try fill some of the larger spaces that are empty.

 

[Gronk!]

Dreamscape Designs is halfway between RBC and the Manulife pedway entrance

 

[EdmTrekker]

Linda reminds me of Bombay - when we had a couple of Bombay stores in Edmonton.

 

[David A]

It actually reminds me of a local store that was previously downtown and successful, but closed not too long ago because of owners health issues.

 

[Gus Haynes]

^Bling, I assume you mean. It was more than just a health issue -- the owner died, sadly. RIP.

 

[David A]

^Bling, I assume you mean. It was more than just a health issue -- the owner died, sadly. RIP.

I didn't want to get into more details for some reasons, but yes you are correct. It was unexpected and sad, he was a fine person.