The redevelopment will result in the addition of 75000ft² of retail space. The conversion of one of the office towers at the mall will result in 45000ft² of retail area. The balance of 30000ft² is linked to the renovation of the Fairlanes Bowling area which was located on the lower level. It will be converted to a new food court.
The managers of the property, 20 Vic Management Inc, believe that the final product will appeal to both customers and retailers.
Construction should commence during this month and the completion target is during fall 2016. The project will provide 120 construction jobs. One of the top architectural firms in Canada, MMC Architects is involved in the project, as well as retail design firm, GH&A Design and EllisDon Construction Ltd.
The new food court will be accessible via a new entrance on the west side of the building. It will have a fireplace, a patio, elevated seating and floor-to-ceiling windows. New washrooms are due to be installed, with a 14000ft² skylight.
There have been recent additions, such as Victoria’s Secret, Hollister, Apple and Sephora to the center, which have proven to be extremely popular.
Halifax Shopping Center is one of many centers owned by the real estate division of the Ontario pension Board, OPB Realty Inc. It also owns the West End Mall.
It has been speculated that H&M will take over the existing food court area, but management has said that new retailers will be added and the details will only become available once all the plans have been finalized.
