Quote:
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).
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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.
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