Brentwood Town Centre: A Retail Evolution

Brentwood Town Centre, now known as 'The Amazing Brentwood', is a significant retail and community hub located in the north side of Burnaby, just east of Vancouver. This shopping centre boasts a rich history, dating back to its opening in 1961, making it one of Burnaby's oldest retail destinations. Its evolution from an open-air strip mall to a comprehensively redeveloped, master-planned neighbourhood reflects significant investment and strategic vision. Retail Insider recently visited the site to capture the ongoing transformation, providing a glimpse into its past, present, and future.

A Storied Past: From Brentwood Mall to The Amazing Brentwood

Brentwood Town Centre first opened its doors in 1961, predating other major Burnaby shopping centres like Metropolis at Metrotown. Initially conceived as an open-air strip mall, its early anchor tenants included Eaton’s and Zellers department stores. The early 1970s saw the first major renovation and expansion, which enclosed the open-air sections. A significant development in the late 1980s added a second floor and a food court, enhancing the shopping experience. A pivotal moment in its history was the opening of the Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain station in 2002, which solidified its role as a key transportation node for North Burnaby. In 2010, Shape Properties acquired the centre, recognising its potential and embarking on ambitious redevelopment plans. These plans aimed to transform Brentwood Town Centre into a vibrant, master-planned neighbourhood, integrating significant office, residential, and expanded retail components.

Redevelopment Vision: Expanding Horizons

The redevelopment strategy by Shape Properties was bold, intending to more than double the retail space from 500,000 sq. ft. to over 1.1 million square feet. This expansion was designed to create a modern, attractive destination catering to a wide range of consumer needs. By December 2020, while construction was still very much underway, the progress was evident. Shape Properties provided a leasing plan that illustrated the vision for the future state of the shopping centre. This plan highlighted the 'Town Centre Plaza' in the lower-left section and the revitalised legacy shopping centre in the upper-right, both undergoing significant overhauls, including a new food court. The juxtaposition of the new, architecturally striking 'Town Centre Plaza' with the renovated older sections represents a harmonious blend of modern design and established retail presence.

Town Centre Plaza: An Impressive Arrival

The 'Town Centre Plaza', situated at the prominent corner of Willingdon and Lougheed Highway, immediately impresses with its modern architecture. This section was clearly designed to make a striking first impression on visitors. The design features a captivating facade, intended to draw people in. A key element of the plaza is a water feature with a central tree, surrounded by stone staircases with integrated, colour-changing LEDs, creating an inviting and dynamic atmosphere. The south side of the plaza offers retail spaces with stunning views towards the future entertainment and cinema complex. One of the notable tenants here is Starbucks, strategically located to offer scenic vistas.

Future Retail Hub: Under Construction and Coming Soon

At the south-east corner of the Town Centre Plaza, a new retail complex was under construction during our visit. The prominent location, directly connected to the Brentwood Skytrain station platform, suggested its importance. Construction hoarding indicated that Sephora would be a key anchor tenant in this new development. Beyond Sephora, the plaza featured other retail offerings at ground level, including Sporting Life as a major commercial anchor. Other smaller, yet significant, retailers were also visible near the parking area before ascending the main staircase. These included Body Energy Club, Express News, and Presotea, adding to the diverse retail mix.

Exploring the Interior: Legacy and New Entrances

Accessing the interior retail sections presented an interesting experience. A grand entrance, marked by a large 'WELCOME' sign above double doors, was unfortunately locked during our visit. This entrance, designated as the 'Grand Lobby' on the leasing plan, hinted at the premium experience intended for shoppers. Passing by these doors, we navigated an exterior corridor that led to another section of storefronts. These were also behind construction hoarding, adorned with promotional materials announcing future openings. Notably, Suit Supply was prominently advertised, positioned on Halifax Street, indicating further retail expansion. To the left of Suit Supply, the original shopping centre's exterior was visible. Here, retailers like Nike were already open, with food trucks adding to the temporary offerings. Promotional signage indicated that Adidas and Saku would also be joining soon. The entrance to the interior retail section of this older part of the mall was located to the right of the Nike showroom.

Interior Retail Landscape: Lower and Upper Levels

Upon entering the legacy portion of the shopping centre, we explored both the lower (ground) and upper (second) levels. The lower level was divided into 'right' and 'left' zones. The 'right zone' featured retailers such as:

• Nike
• Sporting Life
• Sephora (under construction)
• Suit Supply (under construction)

The 'left zone' on the lower level offered a different array of retailers, including:

• Apple Store
• H&M
• Zara
• Lululemon
• Aritzia

Moving to the upper level, the centre of the floor was marked by construction hoarding promoting the future 'The Food Lounge'. This dedicated 'Food and Beverage' section, as indicated on the leasing plan, promises to be a significant culinary destination within the centre. Further along the upper level, the 'right zone' was historically anchored by Sears Canada. At the time of our visit, this space was occupied by 'Accents @ Home'. Other retailers in this vicinity included:

• Hudson's Bay
• Indigo
• Starbucks
• Tim Hortons

In addition to retail, non-retail services like Wanna Do Beauty Studio and Instant Tailoring were also operational. The final retail area on the upper level, adjacent to the future food court, featured the London Drugs anchor tenant. The 'left zone' on the upper level, while not anchored by a major department store, housed notable tenants such as:

• Best Buy
• Mark's
• Winners
• HomeSense

Future Potential and Luxury Aspirations

The redevelopment of Brentwood Town Centre clearly aims to establish it as more than just a shopping destination; it's envisioned as a vibrant community hub. While the ongoing construction presented some limitations in December 2020, the potential for 'The Amazing Brentwood' to flourish upon completion is immense. The plans include a corridor dedicated to luxury retail, signalling an aspiration to attract high-end brands. L Catterton, an investment arm of LVMH, acquired a stake in the centre in 2017, with earlier plans suggesting a luxury run anchored by a Holt Renfrew store. Although Holt Renfrew reportedly cancelled its second Vancouver-area store plans, the underlying strategy to elevate the retail offering remains. The success of securing these luxury tenants will be crucial in defining the centre's future positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Brentwood Town Centre located?

Brentwood Town Centre is located in the north side of Burnaby, British Columbia, just east of Vancouver, at the corner of Willingdon Avenue and Lougheed Highway.

What is the new name for Brentwood Town Centre?

The centre is currently undergoing redevelopment and is known as 'The Amazing Brentwood'.

When did Brentwood Town Centre originally open?

Brentwood Town Centre originally opened in 1961.

What are the main anchor tenants planned for the redevelopment?

Key tenants include Sporting Life, Sephora, and London Drugs. Plans also included a luxury retail section, potentially anchored by Holt Renfrew, though this is subject to change.

Is Brentwood Town Centre easily accessible by public transport?

Yes, the Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain station is a major transportation hub and connects directly to the shopping centre, making it highly accessible.

The transformation of Brentwood Town Centre represents a significant investment in creating a modern, mixed-use urban centre. Its strategic location, coupled with ambitious redevelopment plans, positions 'The Amazing Brentwood' to become a premier retail and lifestyle destination in the Metro Vancouver area. As construction progresses and new tenants open, the centre promises to offer an enhanced and diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment experience.