The Bay Centre as seen on Google Maps. Credit: Google Maps.
Work has begun at the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria to welcome a 20,000 square foot., multi-level store, scheduled to open in the spring of 2019.
The major new tenant will be located on levels one and two.
“Our goal is to become a shoppers’ first destination by welcoming new tenants, events, and partners as we embrace the overall growth of downtown,” says Darlene Hollstein, General Manager of The Bay Centre.
“Over the long-term, the realignment of the stores and services that are in The Bay Centre is intended to further enhance the shopping experience for those who live, work, and play downtown.”
As part of normal industry practice, the name of the new tenant will be released when the retailer is prepared to make an announcement
Additional shopping centre enhancements planned for 2018 include entryway upgrades, interior and exterior lighting improvements, and redesigned marquee signs designed to strengthen the guest experience and attract new, long-term tenants to the downtown Victoria marketplace. As part of the new store opening, some tenants will move to new locations.
The shift in the merchandising mix of The Bay Centre reflects the ongoing changes to the city’s downtown core, Hollstein said in a release.
“With an increase of residential units – both market and rental – in the last few years, with buildings such as the Sovereign, Escher, Era, Janion, and the Hudson District completed and welcoming residents, more Victorians now call downtown their home,” Monday’s release said.
The recent population estimate for Victoria saw an increase of 7.2 per cent in Canada’s 2016 census. In addition, the City of Victoria’s Downtown Core Area Plan states that with increased residential growth, commercial stores, services, and dining establishments will also need to shift to fit the needs of residents.
“We’re growing up as a city, and it shows,” says Hollstein. “We continue to see more and more people choose to live downtown and seek out services, shopping, and restaurants that make an urban environment vibrant and welcoming.”
Ben O'Hara
