TAS
Senior Member
I had a recent discussion with someone who figures Holt Renfrew left because of the addition of the downtown and 102 Ave bike lanes.
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Edmonton City Centre Mall (Renovations) | ?m | 2s | LaSalle Investment Management
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
I had a recent discussion with someone who figures Holt Renfrew left because of the addition of the downtown and 102 Ave bike lanes.
kcantor
Senior Member
IanO
Superstar
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
Senior Member
According to a Facebook comment I read, the demise of the entire downtown is Sohi's fault for building the horrible LRT. 
bolo
New Member
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
Senior Member
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).
- 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
Active Member
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
Active Member
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
Senior Member
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
Senior Member
It it did move, maybe it could be part of a new building at the old BofM site at 101St.
Gronk!
Senior Member
Seamusmuldrew
Active Member
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
Active Member
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
Active Member
- Replace the carpet in the entrance by the LRT station across from the Delta with hard surface flooring.
David A
Senior Member
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.