archited
Senior Member
No-one at the hotel = no-one in the parking lot.
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- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
Gus Haynes
Active Member
I love the City Centre theater and support it very frequently, but I agree that the parking situation is atrociously non-user friendly. Even when you have managed to learn what the correct lot is (lots 507/508, accessible from 103 Street only), it's extremely easy to accidentally select the incorrect lot on the payment kiosk. This has happened to me more than once. Not that I would ever pay a "ticket" from a private lot operator, but the whole setup is byzantine and annoying for people who are trying to play by their rules. I don't blame anyone for preferring one of the suburban theaters.
Calfaer
New Member
Looks like Table Top shut down in the mall, next to Caffe Sole. It seems like it only lasted a few months at most. Really a shame - it was a nice little set up. I found their prices on board games quite reasonable but admittedly didn't have high hopes for them to last in the mall.
While I applaud the owner for trying to come back into a central location a couple of times now with Diced (on 124) and here, he doesn't seem to be having any success as both shut down within months of opening.
While I applaud the owner for trying to come back into a central location a couple of times now with Diced (on 124) and here, he doesn't seem to be having any success as both shut down within months of opening.
Gus Haynes
Active Member
With Table Top, I'm pretty certain that the ECC location was explicitly set up as a seasonal pop-up, rather than a permanent retail location. I wouldn't be surprised to see them back open next Christmas.
Calfaer
New Member
Oh interesting, that actually makes more sense. I was hoping it was a permanent spot as I enjoyed browsing it, but seems smarter to have it as a pop up. Thanks for the clarification!
Gronk!
Senior Member
I was at ECC today and the noon hour crowd was comparable to pre-COVID levels.
IanO
Superstar
Definitely more people working Downtown since the pre-xmas break, but far from 'pre-COVID levels'.
Gronk!
Senior Member
But the crowds are still big enough to warrant opening more shops and services, right?
I for one am getting a bit tired of walking past all of these empty stores in the mall.
I for one am getting a bit tired of walking past all of these empty stores in the mall.
Gus Haynes
Active Member
ECC West is basically a well-used, fancy pedway with a flag store and a bank now.
Kosy123
Senior Member
That's probably the most accurate description of ECC West tbh. ECC East is getting busier over the last year and it's rebounding slowly.
Crazy idea but they should put a flea market in ECC West lol
Crazy idea but they should put a flea market in ECC West lol
archited
Senior Member
Maybe a full-blown study/concept proposal is in the works. It could include:
1. opening street level up to 102nd Avenue (south) and 103rd Street (west)
2. redeveloping the former Bay space
3. studying the effectiveness of adding residential towers above a revamped mall
4. working with the CoE to "pedestrianize" 102 Avenue and 103rd Street
5. creating street-level Retail/Hospitality for the Parkade facing 103rd Street and 103rd Avenue.
1. opening street level up to 102nd Avenue (south) and 103rd Street (west)
2. redeveloping the former Bay space
3. studying the effectiveness of adding residential towers above a revamped mall
4. working with the CoE to "pedestrianize" 102 Avenue and 103rd Street
5. creating street-level Retail/Hospitality for the Parkade facing 103rd Street and 103rd Avenue.
Offworld
Active Member
ECC West is the most logical portion of the overall complex to bulldoze. The high vacancy in it could be part of a plan to redevelop, although the longer it drags on the costs to keep the heat and lights on, not to mention hefty property taxes, in that mall quickly add up.
There is no need in the market for all that retail space in ECC West. None.
There is no need in the market for all that retail space in ECC West. None.
Gus Haynes
Active Member
As much as I rag on ECC for being a husk of its former self, I would miss the theatre badly if ECC West was razed to the ground.
Barnaby
Senior Member
Quality mall retail space is essentially full throughout the city in the big 3 malls.
Any money wasted on demolition could be spent on development of 1-3 residential towers on ECC property.
We've gone over how the old Bay space has dummy piles on the roof. The northwest corner parking lot by itself could support two substantial towers.
Demolishing the mall would just be lighting money on fire, as any newly available land would probably be equal to the cost of demolition.
Any money wasted on demolition could be spent on development of 1-3 residential towers on ECC property.
We've gone over how the old Bay space has dummy piles on the roof. The northwest corner parking lot by itself could support two substantial towers.
Demolishing the mall would just be lighting money on fire, as any newly available land would probably be equal to the cost of demolition.
David A
Senior Member
I feel they are, but it can take a long time for perceptions to catch up with reality. Someone who seldom goes downtown just said to me last week they thought it was still very dead. No that was 2021.
As someone who goes through there regularly, usually several times a week, I can see there are more people around and it is steadily increasing as more people return to work in the offices nearby.
Of course someone far away planning store locations may have no idea about this yet.