Canadians are giving mixed-use development a warm reception, with nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of the adult population deeming it “very important to have daily destinations nearby,” says a new ICSC report.
Roughly nine out of 10 Canadian adults say they would consider living in “live, work, shop, play” environments that encompass housing, offices, restaurants and recreation in close proximity, according to the report, titled Mixed-Use Properties Appeal to the Canadian Shopper. The report’s release coincides with this week’s Canadian Conference & Deal Making, in Toronto. Its findings echo those of a similar ICSC survey in the spring that found enthusiasm in the U.S. for mixed-use projects.
Developers in Canada are responding to this appetite for mixed-use development through such projects as the Manulife Centre, in Toronto, with its accessibility to downtown retail; the soon-to-be-completed Humaniti building, in Montréal; the M2 building, next to the Bow River, in Calgary; and the proposed addition to Yorkdale Shopping Centre of homes, offices and, possibly, a hotel.
“Consumers’ preferences for convenience are being met, as shopping centres become destinations that offer a symbiotic mix of retail and services incorporating living necessities and leisure activities into a seamless existence”
Existing retail centers are also reflecting the growing demand for an array of proximal uses, having expanded their nonretail offerings over the years. Since January of this year, about 90 percent of shopping center visitors have patronized a food-and-beverage tenant, be that a casual or fine-dining restaurant, a fast-food venue or a coffee shop, the report found. Half of them say they have spent money on leisure and entertainment at a retail center, and nearly as many again (47 percent) reported having used a fitness or medical facility there.
A rendering of the soon-to-be-completed Humaniti building, in Montréal
“Shopping centres are inextricably woven into the fabric of Canadian life,” the report concludes. “These venues continue to play a vital role in the everyday lives of consumers. … Consumers’ preferences for convenience are being met, as shopping centres become destinations that offer a symbiotic mix of retail and services incorporating living necessities and leisure activities into a seamless existence.”
By Edmund Mander
Director, Editor-In-Chief/SCT
