Huge expansion announced for Aritzia Robson Street flagship store

Vancouver-based women’s fashion retailer Aritzia will add 4,837 sq. ft. to its Vancouver flagship, giving it a corner presence and creating one of its largest locations in the world, according to Retail Insider.

Aritzia currently operates out of three adjacent Robson Street storefronts. When the expansion is completed in 2016, it will be Aritzia’s largest Canadian store with an estimated 9,999 sq. ft., excluding the adjacent 3,028 sq. ft. Wilfred, at downtown’s Robson and Thurlow.

Image credit: Retail Insider

“We feel that Aritzia’s strong brand and market presence brings a revitalized energy to this area. The expansion of Aritzia shows the confidence in the 1100 block of Robson Street, arguably one of the busiest retail centres in Vancouver.”

– Jay Lirag, Vice President of Development and Leasing at Deecorp

Image: Deecorp

In keeping with the west coast’s love of nature, Aritzia’s store design utilizes quality natural materials, ambient lighting and luxuriously warm finishes, making for a casual lounge-like atmosphere. The retailer has a Social & Environmental Responsibility team whose sole mission is guiding employees and partners toward socially and environmentally responsible decisions, a third-party social compliance auditing company and is active in reducing wasteful practices within their stores.

Aritzia also supports women’s programs in B.C. through the Salvation Army’s Deborah’s Gate and Kate Booth House facilities and helps the United Way with their international refugee programs.

The Aritzia expansion shows a continuing interest and demand for Robson Street, as is evidenced by the influx of some high profile tenants in the past year like Sephora, L’Occitane and lululemon.