Japanese streetwear retailer BAPE to open in downtown Vancouver | Daily Hive

A Bathing Ape: Canada's first BAPE store to bring Japanese streetwear to downtown Vancouver

BAPE at 1020 Alberni St., Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)

Two of the biggest names in global streetwear — Japan’s A Bathing Ape, also referred to simply as BAPE, and New York City’s Supreme — have long been compared for their cult followings, high-profile collaborations, and ability to turn limited drops into fashion cultural phenomena.

While Supreme built its reputation on skate culture and minimalist logo-driven designs, BAPE carved out its own lane with edgy designs, camouflage prints, playful graphics, and statement-making pieces.

And now, BAPE is set to bring its style to downtown Vancouver, with a highly prominent brick-and-mortar store in the Alberni Street luxury retail district.

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According to Mario Negris with commercial real estate firm Marcus & Millichap, BAPE has just leased 1020 Alberni St. — a space that has been left vacant since early 2021, when the Michaels arts and crafts store closed.

Furthermore, the storefront windows are now fully wrapped in BAPE’s signature branding, featuring the iconic ape head logo.

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BAPE at 1020 Alberni St., Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)

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Ralph Lauren at 1026 Alberni St., Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)

Daily Hive Urbanized reached out to BAPE, but did not hear back in time for publication.

According to the company’s store listings, this will be BAPE’s first Canadian store, and the retailer’s ninth location in North America — after the New York City stores, as well as the locations in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and New Jersey. The chain has 19 stores in Japan and about three dozen locations internationally.

BAPE was founded in Tokyo in 1993, providing lifestyle and streetwear for men, women, and children. They are known for their limited-run exclusivity, pop culture and media references, and collaborations with numerous globally-recognized artists and brands.

BAPE store in Ginza, Tokyo. (Ned Snowman/Shutterstock)

BAPE store in Hong Kong. (Sorbis/Shutterstock)

BAPE, alongside the newly opened full-line Ralph Lauren store next door, will inject fresh energy and renewed confidence into the Alberni Street retail district and its luxury positioning. Ralph Lauren replaced Brooks Brothers, which closed in early 2024.

Nearby at the northwest corner of the intersection of Robson Street and Burrard Street, Arc’teryx has opened a brand new replacement and expanded downtown Vancouver flagship store. The location replaces the Roots flagship store, which relocated earlier this summer to a nearby new space next to Robson Square.

The area’s original Arc’teryx flagship store has now closed, and is set to be converted into a new Peak Performance store — another outdoor apparel and equipment brand owned by the same parent company as Arc’teryx.

Ralph Lauren at 1026 Alberni St., Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)

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Arc’teryx’s new downtown Vancouver flagship store at 1001 Robson St. (Kenneth Chan)

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Peak Performance store to open at 813 Burrard St., replacing the original Arc’teryx flagship store space in downtown Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)

Within the immediate vicinity, JD Sports also recently opened its Robson Street flagship store, replacing Club Monaco.

And to the north on West Georgia Street, construction continues to advance on the complete overhaul to the base of the Royal Centre office tower to provide a brand new and expanded office lobby, a new two-storey commercial addition for a 9,000 sq. ft. restaurant (which will also feature a 4,600 sq. ft. outdoor patio on its rooftop), a new 1,700 sq. ft. cafe, and a new canopy covering the entrance plaza area. It is expected to reach completion late this year.

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JD Sports at 1042 Robson St., Vancouver, as seen on June 1, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

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Construction progress on the new Royal Centre office tower lobby expansion, restaurant, cafe, and canopy covering, as of July 29, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

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