Is the new Oakridge mall too bougie? Vancouver residents sound off
We recently learned that after several opening date delays, the new Oakridge Park mall in Vancouver has set its sights on a Spring 2026 launch.
Daily Hive Urbanized previously reported that late 2025 was the highly anticipated opening date.
The PR team behind the new development also told Daily Hive Urbanized that several retailers would be marking their “firsts” at Oakridge Park, including luxury Italian retailer Dolce & Gabbana, which will be getting its first standalone Vancouver store.
“With a population exceeding 2.6 million in the metropolitan area, Vancouver continues to be a major player on the international stage, particularly in sectors like luxury retail and real estate,” the folks behind Oakridge Park told Daily Hive Urbanized.
We also have a partial list of some of the stores that will be launching when the mall opens next year, and some of our Vancouver readers feel that the focus is a bit too luxurious.
Along with D&G are brands like Boss, Coach, Valentino, Alo, Petit Point, Thom Browne, Maje and Loewe. There will also be a Rolex store at the new Oakridge.
To give you a rough idea of some of the Canadian prices these brands charge for certain items, a pair of plain grey sweatpants ordered from the Alo website would set you back $168, a tad bit pricier than a similar style purchased from lululemon. An oversized flannel shirt from Thom Browne’s website is listed for $1,594. This white cotton shirt from D&G is listed for $990.
Aritzia and lululemon will also have stores in the new Oakridge mall, with Aritzia being a bit more on the affordable side compared to some of the luxury brands listed above.
What our Vancouver readers are saying about the new Oakridge Park mall
April 2025 construction progress on Oakridge Park mall. (Westbank)
Our last article about Oakridge Park received many comments about the store selection.
One reader asked, “Who is running out to buy a $6,000 Valentino purse? Where are the actual stores for local residents?”
They added that so far, we haven’t heard about stores like H&M, The Gap, and Zara, which typically have more reasonably priced items.
“We couldn’t even maintain a Nordstrom in this city. I guarantee half these luxury stores will be closed after the first year,” they boldly predicted.
Another reader suggested that the mall feels like it was designed for tourists, rather than people living in Vancouver, saying, “Many locals are struggling just to cover basic needs — eating out is already a luxury, let alone shopping for expensive brands.”
Someone else suggested that we don’t need luxury brands in this day and age, adding, “Nothing of interest in this mall if that is the case.”
“So basically, luxury brands that most people can’t afford. Very disappointing,” said another Daily Hive reader.
A&W is one of the stores on the official list of those opening in the initial launch phase, which some of our readers were celebrating.
“The initial phase is going to be pretty unappealing. However, once the Time Out Market, the Safeway, and the park and community centre opens, there should be at least something. For now, there’s an A&W’s,” one reader commented.
We’ve reached out to the PR team behind Oakridge Park to inquire about potentially more affordable stores that could open in the new mall in the future.
Do you agree with the readers who feel like the mall is too luxury-focused so far?