Nordstrom out, new brands in: Who should set up shop in the old downtown location?

Ever since Nordstrom left Canada’s downtown Vancouver, the giant space is a ghost town right in the heart of the city.

The former Nordstrom location at CF Pacific Centre isn’t just another empty storefront — it’s a highly valuable and sought-after space in the country. 

Vancouver might have a real opportunity to make downtown feel exciting again. Brands must’ve been waiting for this to happen, dreaming about being at this location and the opportunities it would bring.

So far, Vancouver’s Aritzia and Quebec-based department store Simons are expected to take over large portions of the building, which makes complete sense. They both have their own Canadian success stories and loyal following — and they understand how to attach themselves to the market and the demographics that flood downtown every weekend.

In order to take this huge step, you should be confident in your customer loyalty and brand name. It’s really impressive that Canadian retailers are stepping into a space once occupied by an American department store. It feels great when homegrown companies take over the city’s biggest retail landmarks.

But even after those two move in, there would still be plenty of space remaining — and the bigger question remains if Vancouver uses this opportunity creatively, or will it simply end up with another polished cluster of luxury bags and overpriced activewear?

For me, this feels like a perfect opportunity for Uniqlo to finally open a proper downtown flagship. Though not a Canadian brand, a Vancouver location is a must.

Uniqlo fits Vancouver‘s culture really well. It checks off everything on a Vancouverite’s checklist, be it neutral-coloured outerwear, comfortable but stylish work clothes, or last-minute formal meeting attire.

Vancouverites are dressed up like unofficial Uniqlo ambassadors. Most of the time, people travel to Burnaby or Richmond to shop at its stores. This location would instantly become one of the busiest stores in the city if opened. It’s already the talk of the town, so it won’t need to work too hard to fit in. The brand is getting younger, trendier, and cheaper for Canadians.

Another big opportunity to celebrate local brands would be Vessi. Vessi is a strong addiction to this city, especially due to its waterproof identity, which is built around surviving the rainy weather.

Instead of having just another retail store, they could create an immersive experience for their target consumers focused on sustainability — mixed in with Pacific Northwest flair — and create interactive product testing to show how waterproof their shoes are.

Whether people love or laugh about it, Vancouver’s unofficial uniform consists entirely of black leggings and puffer jackets with white socks.

If you haven’t guessed by now, Lululemon has undeniably become a part of the city’s identity. The company launched in Vancouver and grew a global athleticwear empire, while helping shape the city’s wellness culture along the way.

That said, I do not want to see Lululemon set up shop at the old Nordstrom site to sell their goods. What would help is a next level flagship concept, something innovative, community-driven, and relatable rather than transactional.

Lululemon needs to bring in fitness studios, yoga spaces, wellness cafés, meditation rooms, speaker events, and collaborations with local instructors, which could make the space feel alive throughout the day instead of functioning as a regular retail store.

More broadly, if you think about it, the site could benefit from having a joint bookstore with reading lounges and cafés — things that would thrive in a rainy city like Vancouver. How about a small rotating marketplace for Canadian businesses and local creators to create more exposure for them?

Something else that would be fun is a gaming and tech hub from companies like Nintendo or Samsung to attract younger crowds and tourists alike. There could be an unconventional space for rooftop gardens, music spaces, or cultural popups, which would really add personality to the downtown core. After all, what Vancouver is missing is personality.

Vancouver wants big city energy, yet whenever the rare opportunity arrives to create something bold, the conversation circles to luxury retail and upscale basics. We do not need another mall with the corridors of brands that people can find elsewhere. 

The old Nordstrom space definitely deserves better than becoming a giant shrine of beige. 

If done properly and taken advantage of, this redevelopment could become one of the defining social spaces in the city — somewhere people actually want to visit rather than just pass through on the way to the SkyTrain.