The wraps are coming off the massive Tsawwassen Mills in South Delta, which opens October 5 as the second-largest shopping centre in British Columbia.
The region’s largest new mall project in years, the 1.2 million-square-foot centre by Ivanhoé Cambridge boast more than 160 tenants, including a 32,687-square-foot Saks OFF Fifth store, the outlet banner associated with the luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue.
The mall will also have destination stores, such as a 145,000-square-foot outlet operated by the fishing, hunting and outdoor-equipment seller Bass Pro Shops. That store is slated to have many interactive installations to draw shoppers.
The 550,000-square-foot Tsawwassen Commons Shopping Centre, adjacent to Tsawwassen Mills, is expected to have a phased opening this fall, although it is unclear how many of its tenants will be open by the holiday season.
Tsawwassen Mills will face competition in the high-end market.
Robert Thurlow, general manager of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Richmond, said the mall is considering May 2017 for the opening of its 150,000-square-foot Phase 2.
“We’re still finalizing plans,” he said.
Thurlow’s current 240,000 square-foot outlet mall in Richmond near Vancouver International Airport opened in July 2015 and is now almost fully leased.
“Metro Vancouver is nowhere near served by as much retail space on a per-capita basis as there is a capacity for,” said James Smerdon, Colliers International vice-president and director of its retail consulting.
