Rideau Street Hudson's Bay and Freiman Mall

[kwoldtimer]

I think that Freiman Mall, at least, could make an interesting shopping arcade.

[OTSkyline]

I wonder what this sale includes, is it just the HBC building or does it also include the Freiman Mall?

Pretty large floorplate and not entirely conducive for hotel/residential. Will be interesting to see what happens.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I wonder what this sale includes, is it just the HBC building or does it also include the Freiman Mall?

Pretty large floorplate and not entirely conducive for hotel/residential. Will be interesting to see what happens.

No doubt the Freiman Mall is included in the sale.

Only way to convert it to residential/hotel would be to hollow out the middle to create a courtyard, as they did the historic Victoria HBC about a decade ago, and the historic Winnipeg HBC more recently.

Sounds like the Calgary HBC will be converted to apartments. It's very much possible to do this while preserving most of the structure. A new building + facadism not necessary.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

The architecture for the downtown Ottawa store would suit a hotel too. But I was hoping Cadillac Fairview would've bought it to expand the Rideau Centre.

They can't fully rent out the existing Rideau Centre.

[Johnny Kit Kat]

I would love to see the former Bay repurposed into a hybrid entertainment complex with a next generation dual lazer imax screen and outdoor rooftop screen (seasonal), food hall and gaming (e.g. golf simulator, bowling, etcetera). It would be a good fit with the Ottawa History and Sandbox virtual reality venues next door.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

They can't fully rent out the existing Rideau Centre.

What do you mean? Taking some time to fill an empty department store isn’t the same as not being able to fill the existing mall. I’ve never seen anything other than demand for space at the Rideau Centre is very strong.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Johnny Kit Kat

I would love to see the former Bay repurposed into a hybrid entertainment complex with a next generation dual lazer imax screen and outdoor rooftop screen (seasonal), food hall and gaming (e.g. golf simulator, bowling, etcetera). It would be a good fit with the Ottawa History and Sandbox virtual reality venues next door.

What I'm hoping for as well. I don't think Claridge should plan a whole new redevelopment with everything else they have in the fire.

[Kitchissippi]

Let's just hope they don't do this:

https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...lding-bloor-yonge-storage-units-12229100

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Let's just hope they don't do this:

https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...lding-bloor-yonge-storage-units-12229100

I was just in Toronto and heard lots of chatter about this. With all of the condos nearby I can understand the demand for storage units, but it's hard to believe that is the highest and best use for real estate at that corner. Still, very different situation from Ottawa, as that Bay was a multi-storey concrete bunker, so the possibilities for adaptive re-use are pretty limited. They would need to take down the entire exterior to make it usable for anything else.

Not the case in Ottawa. The Bay has a historic frontage and beautiful windows that will need to be preserved. I just hope that Claridge doesn't use it for temporary storage or a pop up Halloween Spirit for a decade.

[TransitZilla]

My vote is to reopen Mosgrove St. https://www.facebook.com/LostOttawa/post...y-from-rideau-to-georg/1909896745776207/

(Same view today: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4260398,..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by phil235

What do you mean? Taking some time to fill an empty department store isn’t the same as not being able to fill the existing mall. I’ve never seen anything other than demand for space at the Rideau Centre is very strong.

It is hard to tell what is a plan that takes time to roll out (relocating stores to create a consolidated space, permits, etc) but there are a fair number of vacant store fronts and food court spaces and there seems to be a rising number of downmarket retail uses (nail salon, H&R block, tattoo shop).

[Richard Eade]

Originally Posted by TransitZilla

My vote is to reopen Mosgrove St. https://www.facebook.com/LostOttawa/post...y-from-rideau-to-georg/1909896745776207/

(Same view today: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4260398,..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

Ah, the olden days. The days of awnings to protect customers from the elements as they looked at the display of goods through the large windows. Displays that would regularly change as the store promoted their latest arrivals.

Nostalgia. Only the best memories.

Now we have barren sidewalks and marketing posters in windows, blocking the view of what’s inside and only changed after years of fading.

A few things to note about the old Lost Ottawa photo:

• The overhead pedestrian protection along the sidewalks, as mentioned above.
• The decorative lamp posts, which seem to be set at a height that illuminates the sidewalk – i.e., pedestrian scale, and not shining into the upper storey windows.
• The utility pole placement on the apex of the corners, which force vehicles to take a wider turn to protect their vehicles – thus protecting pedestrians from getting clipped. (Although, in modern times, an arc of bollards would allow for a clearer view.)

And one more observation: No traffic signals.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by TransitZilla

My vote is to reopen Mosgrove St. https://www.facebook.com/LostOttawa/post...y-from-rideau-to-georg/1909896745776207/

(Same view today:https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4260398,..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

I would be difficult to restore. Two of the "heritage" buildings to the east of Freiman's are now just facades in front of the larger Freiman Mall. The stone facade of the Freiman Building (and probably the windows) are probably all gone other than a small outline preserved.

A new building would then need to be rebuilt within the footprint of the four (two on Rideau, two on George) demolished for the Freiman Mall. I doubt

And finally, I doubt Claridge would want to give up that space.

I certainly wouldn't oppose bringing back Mosgrove, but I doubt it will happen.

Whatever they do, the Freiman Mall, and Freiman's, need major investment.

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Ah, the olden days. The days of awnings to protect customers from the elements as they looked at the display of goods through the large windows. Displays that would regularly change as the store promoted their latest arrivals.

Nostalgia. Only the best memories.

Now we have barren sidewalks and marketing posters in windows, blocking the view of what’s inside and only changed after years of fading.

A few things to note about the old Lost Ottawa photo:

• The overhead pedestrian protection along the sidewalks, as mentioned above.
• The decorative lamp posts, which seem to be set at a height that illuminates the sidewalk – i.e., pedestrian scale, and not shining into the upper storey windows.
• The utility pole placement on the apex of the corners, which force vehicles to take a wider turn to protect their vehicles – thus protecting pedestrians from getting clipped. (Although, in modern times, an arc of bollards would allow for a clearer view.)

And one more observation: No traffic signals.

So much more thought was put into the pedestrian realm. This is about 20 years before cars took over.

[J.OT13]

Rideau Street in the 1950s, not long before the streetcars were ripped out. Note Woolworth that became Chapters and soon "History". With a name like "History", it would have been nice if they restored the brick facade.


https://downtownrideau.com/about/

[phil235]

Originally Posted by acottawa

It is hard to tell what is a plan that takes time to roll out (relocating stores to create a consolidated space, permits, etc) but there are a fair number of vacant store fronts and food court spaces and there seems to be a rising number of downmarket retail uses (nail salon, H&R block, tattoo shop).

I was referencing the Nordstrom space, which is the only empty space that has taken an extended period to rent. The fact that a space of that size has taken a few years to fill is pretty consistent in malls across Canada, so I wouldn't take it as a sign that the Rideau Centre is having trouble filling its retail spaces. Retail chains in general have had a bad few years, so I think that the lack of national and international chains in expansion mode would contribute to the time it takes to fill spots.

What we do know is that the Rideau Centre was the 12th best performing mall in the country in 2025 (https://retail-insider.com/reports/2024/...ntres-by-sales-per-square-foot-analysis/) and that its revenues increased by 10% in 2025 (https://6ixretail.com/2026/04/canada-mall-productivity-rankings-2025-icsc/), so highy unlikely that rents are decreasing or moving downmarket.

There's a strong rumour of an Eataly opening in the Rideau Centre, which would be another high-end retailer moving in. I'd rather see that go in the Bay, but not sure how the Claridge acquisition would affect that.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

I was referencing the Nordstrom space, which is the only empty space that has taken an extended period to rent. The fact that a space of that size has taken a few years to fill is pretty consistent in malls across Canada, so I wouldn't take it as a sign that the Rideau Centre is having trouble filling its retail spaces. Retail chains in general have had a bad few years, so I think that the lack of national and international chains in expansion mode would contribute to the time it takes to fill spots.

What we do know is that the Rideau Centre was the 12th best performing mall in the country in 2025 (https://retail-insider.com/reports/2024/...ntres-by-sales-per-square-foot-analysis/) and that its revenues increased by 10% in 2025 (https://6ixretail.com/2026/04/canada-mall-productivity-rankings-2025-icsc/), so highy unlikely that rents are decreasing or moving downmarket.

There's a strong rumour of an Eataly opening in the Rideau Centre, which would be another high-end retailer moving in. I'd rather see that go in the Bay, but not sure how the Claridge acquisition would affect that.

Some discussions on the retail thread about the Nordstrom Space. Based on the list, seems they may have filled the entire space, or at least close to it.

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10593413#post10593413

[OTSkyline]

I've been thinking about potential development options for this space and I'm thinking something similar in size & scale to Lebreton Flats 2 building. Keep The Bay building as is, empty out middle to create an interior courtyard and add 2 midrise, mostly glass, towers at opposing ends to add residential on top. Base can be retail/office/social space.

A pass through from Rideau street, through the new courtyard, to the back would also be nice although I can already see it become a potential magnet for dangerous activities.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I've been thinking about potential development options for this space and I'm thinking something similar in size & scale to Lebreton Flats 2 building. Keep The Bay building as is, empty out middle to create an interior courtyard and add 2 midrise, mostly glass, towers at opposing ends to add residential on top. Base can be retail/office/social space.

A pass through from Rideau street, through the new courtyard, to the back would also be nice although I can already see it become a potential magnet for dangerous activities.

Not a bad idea actually. The Freiman Mall could be replaced with a mid-rise. With enough set-back, it could be near invisible from the street (kind of like the CBC building on Sparks). An open air pass-through can be added where Mosgove was, and another can be added near the middle to the courtyard. That courtyard can replicate the NCC courtyards.

[Kitchissippi]

I imagine they'd have to gut that building down to the facades if they want to do something substantial with that site. I always found it weird how creaky the floors were walking into the Bay, I wonder how much of the old structure is wood.

I really wish they keep the first three or four floors as retail, and somehow connect the basement with a direct access to the O-Train Station. Totally demolish the internal structure with a deeper basement, maybe even add underground parking deeper below to offset taking surface parking away from the Market, and then top it with several storeys more to even its height with 45 Rideau. A hotel would be nice with a small interior courtyard something like a mini version of the Hotel Bonaventure that sits on top of Place Bonaventure in Montreal.

from trip.com

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Ah, the olden days. The days of awnings to protect customers from the elements as they looked at the display of goods through the large windows. Displays that would regularly change as the store promoted their latest arrivals.

• The overhead pedestrian protection along the sidewalks, as mentioned above.

Awnings are effectively banned in Ottawa.