A major shopping mall in Ontario and the most favourite shopping destination for almost 7 million people each year is at the end of it’s redevelopment, started in 2012. Bayshore is one of the busiest malls in Ottawa and National Capital Region and is co-owned and operated by Ivanhoe Cambridge and it’s partner Kingsett Capital.
A $200-million investment in Bayshore Shopping Centre, started in 2012 with the plan to boost the centre’s retail area by 160,000 square feet (14,900 m2). During the reconstruction the mall was opened all the time, offering it’s visitors unique shopping experience in over 190 retail spaces. Some of them were Old Navy, Winners, Sephora, H&M, Hudson’s Bay, White House Black Market, Brown's Shoes, Steve Madden, Victoria's Secret, Desigual etc.
The makeover included an extensive interior and exterior renovations and upgrades, mostly done on the northern side of the property, in place of the existing parking tower. The food court was relocated and expanded with nearly three times bigger seating area, while the parking space was increased by 10 percent.
Bayshore is a commercial cornerstone for not only the community, but the entire west end of the city. These improvements will generate significant economic benefits and ensure that Bayshore Shopping Centre can continue to be a strong partner to the community, said Mr. Jim Watson, Ottawa Mayor.
Expanding Bayshore Shopping Centre will create over 400 new, permanent jobs, right here in Ottawa West-Nepean, commented Ontario Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Bob Chiarelli, at the beginning of this huge project.
About reconstructions
When the mall originally opened in 1973, it consisted of two floors. Its anchors consisted of The Bay, Miracle Mart, Steinberg and Eaton’s. In the 1980s, the mall underwent an extensive renovation, including the addition of a third storey, upgraded passenger lift, and an escalator going directly from the ground floor to the top level. The colour scheme was also changed to a green and tan marble design. That was part of first out of three stages of redevelopment.
Construction of the third stage started in 2012 for a further expansion of the mall. The former Zellers space has been converted to multiple retail outlets with an H&M on the first floor opened in 2013. Victoria's Secret was opened in October of same year along with store Pink. Walmart Canada opened on the 3rd level of the mall on January 28, 2016.
