Aritzia to open flagship store in former Nordstrom location in downtown Vancouver
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Vancouver fashion retailer Aritzia is set to open a 40,000-square-foot flagship store in a space at CF Pacific Center previously occupied by Nordstrom.
The luxury fashion retailer already occupies a space at Pacific Center, but said in a statement Wednesday that it has secured the space for a “flagship boutique” at the intersection of Robson and Howe streets in 2027.
Founded in Vancouver in 1984, Aritzia has exploded in popularity South of the border In recent years, and this annual warehouse sales It remains a popular attraction in Vancouver attracting thousands of shoppers.
A retail analyst and professor says Aritzia’s new boutique will fill only a portion of the space previously occupied by Nordstrom — and more retailers could fill it.
Many have wondered who will take over the old Nordstrom location in downtown Vancouver. As Johnna Baylon reports, homegrown brand Aritzia has announced it is moving.
“They’re only occupying 20 percent of the space,” said David Ian Gray, an instructor at Capilano University’s School of Business. “It was too big even for Nordstrom. It’s being divested.
“Well, I think the signing of Aritzia – the world-class Canadian retailer – I think will either help them with who they’re negotiating with, or attract more major target companies.”
Gray says this could mean a new lease of life for downtown Vancouver after Nordstrom gone in 2023 and hudson bay closed your doors earlier this year.
“Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom’s, it kind of creates a void in the market for people walking down the street,” he said.
“It’s really good for the surrounding businesses in that area, and just for people who are spending their time working or living downtown.”
The future of the former Bay Department Store in downtown Vancouver is once again in question. Mall owner Ruby Liu secured three leases for East Bay properties in B.C. Liu has bid for more than two dozen other properties across Canada, although the specific locations have not been made public. Vancouver City Councilor Mike Klassen says the city is still waiting to see pitches for the location.
Aritzia said in its statement that it plans to include a “casual-but-elevated dining concept” at the store, which will be located over four floors.
“Vancouver is where our story began, and we are thrilled to bring an even more immersive Aritzia experience to the city center with our new Pacific Center flagship,” says Jennifer Wong, CEO of Aritzia, in the statement.
Gray said Aritzia is one of Canada’s top retailers, occupying the “affordable luxury” space that is becoming popular in other markets such as the US.
“The product is great. They control everything from design to production to all their stores and e-commerce and they’re doing a great job,” he said.
“And I think we sometimes forget that we have homegrown Canadian brands that anyone can compete with and they’re one of them.”
