Massive expansion planned for Willowbrook Mall

Bentall Kennedy

One of the largest shopping centres south of the Fraser in Metro Vancouver will receive a significant expansion and aesthetic upgrade over the coming years.

Earlier this summer, Langley Township Council approved a development permit that would allow commercial property developer and mall owner Bentall Kennedy to expand the mall by 140,000 square feet to include a new pedestrian-friendly outdoor mall with new shops, services, and restaurants.

There would also be renovations to the interior and exterior of the existing 1979-built shopping centre with a focus on enhancing natural light and creating new wood finishings, and greenery. Additionally, the large space vacated recently by now-defunct Target will be retrofitted to become the new and relocated spaces of Sport Chek and Toys R Us.

Upon completion, it is expected that the number of shops and restaurants found at the mall will grow from 150 to over 200. Existing ground level parking spaces that will be used for the footprint of the expansion will be replaced with 1,000 new underground parking stalls.

Bentall Kennedy has contracted Vancouver-based Dialog Architecture and urban planning consultancy group Brook Pooni Associates to design the project.

Metro Vancouver has been experiencing a retail expansion and renewal boom over the past few years. Construction is already well underway on an expanded Brentwood Town Centre, and Tsawwassen Mills is nearing completion and set to open early this fall.

Renewal and expansion projects are also planned for Park Royal, Oakridge Centre, YVR Macarthur Glen Airport Outlet Mall, and Coquitlam Centre.

Before

Image: Bentall Kennedy

After

Image: Bentall Kennedy