Hudson’s Bay redevelopment to include 1,500 homes, rooftop Nordic spa and street-front retail, Westrich says
New owners plan Hudson’s Bay redevelopment with 1,500 residential units on the former store site, street-front retail, a rooftop Nordic spa and entertainment.
Under new ownership, the Hudson’s Bay redevelopment could transform the former department store site into a largely residential enclave with new street-front retail and leisure amenities, Westrich announced Monday evening. The sale is expected to close before the end of the year, and the developer says plans call for roughly 1,500 new homes on the property. The proposal also outlines public-facing retail along the street, a rooftop Nordic spa and a mix of entertainment offerings designed to reactivate the shopping centre footprint.
Sale timeline and ownership
Westrich said the transaction is on track and is expected to reach completion before year’s end, pending customary conditions. The company declined to provide a firm closing date but confirmed that it will assume control once regulatory and financing steps are satisfied. The developer framed the acquisition as the first phase of a multi-year redevelopment strategy that repurposes the Hudson’s Bay site for residential and mixed-use purposes.
Scale of housing planned
The core of the Hudson’s Bay redevelopment is the proposed 1,500 residential units on the former store parcel. The developer indicated the new homes would range from one-bedroom units to larger family-sized layouts to appeal to a mix of households. Municipal planners and housing advocates will closely scrutinize the breakdown of unit types, affordability measures and long-term rental versus condominium tenure in coming months.
Retail frontage and street activation
Plans call for new street-fronted retail designed to restore a pedestrian-oriented experience along the mall’s edge. Westrich said retailers, cafes and small businesses would be recruited to occupy ground-floor spaces that open onto public sidewalks. Developers and city officials often point to street-level retail as a way to increase foot traffic and support local small businesses when major department stores close.
Rooftop Nordic spa and entertainment offerings
One of the more distinctive elements of the proposal is a rooftop Nordic spa and related entertainment amenities that the developer said would serve both residents and visitors. Westrich described the spa as part of a broader leisure component intended to diversify the site’s uses beyond shopping and housing. The inclusion of experiential amenities reflects a broader trend in redeveloping former big-box and department store sites into mixed-use destinations.
Design considerations and public spaces
Westrich emphasized that public realm improvements will be integral to the redevelopment, including new sidewalks, landscaping and potential plaza spaces for community events. The developer said design teams are preparing concepts that balance density with publicly accessible open areas. Neighbourhood groups and urban design reviewers will evaluate the proposals to ensure the project responds to local context, sunlight, view corridors and active transportation needs.
Planning approvals and municipal process
Any redevelopment of the Hudson’s Bay site will require municipal approvals, including zoning amendments, site plan approvals and possibly rezonings depending on final building heights and massing. Westrich signalled an intention to enter early dialogue with city planning staff and community stakeholders once the sale closes. Public consultation sessions, technical studies and statutory processes are likely to follow before a development permit can be issued.
Transit, traffic and infrastructure implications
A project of this scale is expected to trigger studies into transit capacity, traffic impacts and servicing infrastructure such as water, sewer and storm management. Westrich said the team will work with municipal engineers to coordinate upgrades as needed and to align the development with existing transit access. Neighbourhood residents and councillors will be closely watching how the proposal addresses parking, curbside loading and multimodal connections.
Economic impact and local jobs
The developer estimates that the Hudson’s Bay redevelopment will generate construction employment and longer-term jobs in retail, hospitality and property management, though specific figures have not been released. Local business associations have noted that repurposing vacant department store space could help stabilize broader shopping districts that have suffered anchor store closures. The project’s tax base implications and potential contributions to municipal revenues will be part of council and budget discussions.
Community members and local stakeholders can expect more detailed design materials and a schedule for public meetings once the buyer formally takes control of the property. Westrich’s announcement sets out an ambitious mixed-use vision, but the realization of the Hudson’s Bay redevelopment will depend on municipal approvals, market conditions and collaboration with neighbours. The coming months should clarify timelines, unit breakdowns and the suite of amenities proposed for the former department store site.
