Aritzia to open flagship store at old Nordstrom location in downtown Vancouver

Vancouver fashion retailer Aritzia is set to open a 40,000-square-foot flagship store in the CF Pacific Center space formerly occupied by Nordstrom.

The luxury fashion retailer already occupies space at Pacific Center but said in a statement Wednesday that it has reserved space for a “flagship boutique” at the intersection of Robson and Howe streets in 2027.

Aritzia, founded in Vancouver in 1984, has exploded in popularity. south of the border in recent years and his annual warehouse sale in Vancouver remains a popular attraction attracting thousands of shoppers.

The retail analyst and professor says the new Aritzia boutique will fill only a fraction of the space previously occupied by Nordstrom, which could be filled by other retailers.

WATCH | Aritzia plans to open a flagship store in Vancouver:

Aritzia Flagship Store Will Occupy Former Nordstrom Space

Many have wondered who will take over the old Nordstrom location in downtown Vancouver. Homegrown brand Aritzia has announced its move, Jonah Bailon reports.

“They only take up 20 percent of the space,” said David Ian Gray, a lecturer at Capilano University's School of Business. “He was too big even for Nordstrom. He was divided.

“I think signing with Aritzia—a world-class Canadian retailer, by the way—I think it will either help them strengthen their position, whoever they're negotiating with, or it will attract more target companies.”

Gray says this could mean new life for downtown Vancouver after Nordstrom. left in 2023 and Hudson Bay closed its doors earlier this year.

“The empty spaces at Hudson's Bay and Nordstrom create sort of a chasm, a void in the market for people walking down the street,” he said.

“It’s really good for neighboring businesses in the area and just for people who spend time downtown either working or living.”

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What's next for the former Hudson's Bay Mall in Vancouver?

The future of the former Bay Department Store in downtown Vancouver is once again in doubt. After mall owner Ruby Liu acquired three leases for former Bay properties in B.C. Liu has applied for more than two dozen other properties across Canada, although specific locations have not been disclosed. Vancouver city councilor Mike Klassen says the city is still waiting to see sites for the site.

In a statement, Aritzia said it plans to incorporate a “casual yet sophisticated dining concept” into the store, which will be spread over four floors.

“Vancouver is where our story began, and we are thrilled to bring an even more immersive Aritzia experience to the city’s core with our new flagship Pacific Center,” Aritzia CEO Jennifer Wong said in a statement.

Gray said Aritzia is among Canada's leading retailers, filling the “affordable luxury” niche that is becoming popular in other markets such as the United States.

“The product is great. They control everything from design to production, all their stores and e-commerce, and they just do a great job,” he said.

“And I think we sometimes forget that we have homegrown Canadian brands that can compete with anyone, and these are one of them.”