The circa-1958 trademark of Calgary's first suburban shopping hub.
Graphic from Principal Investments, Limited
A circa-1958 physical layout depicts the newly-completed shopping complex. It was, in essence, a strip-type structure with small open-air mallway in the middle. Adjacent to this section were an upper level suite of office spaces and subterranean bowling alley. The CENTRE, which housed around forty-six stores and services, with free parking for 2,500 autos.
CALGARY CENTRE TENANTS 1958:
SIMPSONS-SEARS (with cafeteria, snack bar, optical centre, garden and farm department and freestanding Super Service Station & Auto Centre) / DOMINION supermarket (with snack bar and bakery) / LOBLAWS GROCETERIA / F.W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / ZELLER'S discount mart / Agnew-Surpass Family Footwear 1 / Agnew-Surpass Family Footwear 2 / Alberta Trophy & Gift / Bata Shoes / Betty Shoppes ladies' wear / Card & Candy Shop / Calgary Centre Bowling Lanes / Exquisite Flowers / Fabric Care Cleaners / Joe Mark Men's Wear / Jiffy Car Bar cafe / Lad & Lassie Shops / Lazy Susan Grill / Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio / New Method Cleaners / Otto's Lady Fair beauty salon / Park Lane Restaurant & Banquet Room / PMS Camera & Hobby Shop / Reed's China & Gifts / Silk-O-Lina ladies' wear / Reitman's ladies' wear / Sassville Paint & Wallpaper / Stauffer Slenderizing System / Tamblyn Rexall Drugs (with luncheonette) / The Bank of Commerce / The Barber Shop / Toronto-Dominion Bank / United Cigar Stores
SHOPPING CENTRE OFFICE BUILDING:
Canadian College Of Organists / Hervey W. Gimbel, Medical Doctor / Empire Life Insurance / H & S Kent Associates / MacDonald & Cowper-Smith Barristers & Solicitors / Prudential Life Insurance
Trademarks of some of the original CALGARY CENTRE tenants. Simpsons-Sears would be rebranded as a Sears in 1973. The store would anchor the complex for over 59 years.
Drawing from Zellers, Limited
A newspaper advert announcing Calgary's first bona fide "mall", which opened for business in August 1960. CHINOOK CENTRE, originally open-air in format, was anchored by a Vancouver-based Woodward's. Among its forty-five charter tenants were Holt-Renfrew, an S.S. Kresge 5 & dime and thirty-two-lane Bowladrome.
Graphic from Chinook Shopping Centre, Limited
Graphic from Chinook Shopping Centre, Limited
The plot directly north of CHINOOK CENTRE was developed as SOUTHRIDGE MALL. Opening in October 1965, the dual-level complex incorporated thirty-three stores and services...including Simpsons-Sears, Cross Drugs, One-Hour Martinizing and a Loblaws Groceteria.
Graphic from Oxford Leaseholds, Limited
Meanwhile, the Stampede City's first enclosed shopping hub had debuted in August 1964. WESTBROOK MALL, anchored by Woolco and a Safeway grocery, contained fifty stores and services under its roof.
Graphic from Westbrook Shopping Centre, Limited
The Stampede City's first suburban-style shopping facility was often referred to as the "North Hill Shopping Centre", although its official name was CALGARY CENTRE.
Graphic from Principal Investments, Limited
Graphic from the Fairview Corporation
By late 1965, the official name of the shopping complex had morphed into its present form; NORTH HILL CENTRE.
Graphic from the Fairview Corporation
A new entertainment facility. the Fairview Bowling Centre, was added to the north side of the complex in August 1962. The North Hill Cinerama Theatre was built alongside the Bowling Centre. The movie house opened in December 1967.
Advert from N.G.C. Cinemas, Limited / Cinema Treasures
To keep up with the proliferation of shopping malls in Calgary, NORTH HILL CENTRE was renovated, roof-wise, during 1973. A strip of stores (in gray) was added. By this time, the original supermarkets were operating under different nameplates. Loblaws was an Lmart (a discount division of Loblaws). The Dominion spot had been taken by Safeway Canada.
The original logo of Canada's first regional-class retail complex and first shopping mall. Known as GREATER HAMILTON CENTRE, or simply THE CENTRE, it was completed in stages between November 1954 and May 1957.
The first operational store at THE CENTRE was Simpsons-Sears. The fourth location in the Toronto-based chain, it followed stores in Stratford, ON (September 1953), Kamloops, BC (December 1953) and Burnaby, BC (May 1954).
Advert from https://torontoist.com / The Hamilton Spectator
C-Train, Calgary's light rail transit system, debuted in May 1981. Service on the initial 8 route mile system was extended to NORTH HILL CENTRE, via a Northwest Line. This 3.5 route mile expansion was inaugurated in September 1987. Today, the C-Train stretches for 37.2 route miles and services forty-five stations
Photo from Wikipedia / "Greenwood 714"
Photo from Wikipedia / "Greenwood 714"
A nighttime view of the area flanking the mall's North Entrance. On the left is Ricky's All Day Grill. A branch of the Toronto Dominion Bank is seen on the right.
Photo from http://www.bentallkennedy.com (Bentall Kennedy Canada)
In our first interior view, we see the East Court and a section of the East Mall corridor. The Orange Works Kitchen & Home store, seen on the left, has relocated away from the mall since this snapshot was taken.
Photo from http://www.bentallkennedy.com (Bentall Kennedy Canada)
In this view, we see the West Mall. A Shoppers Drug Mart storefront is on the left. Across the way is the mall entrance of a Coles bookstore.
Photo from http://www.bentallkennedy.com (Bentall Kennedy Canada)
At the time of this writing, the Food Court at NORTH HILL CENTRE featured vendors such as Tiki Ming Chinese, A & W Root Beer, Edo Japan and Taco Time.
Photo from http://www.bentallkennedy.com (Bentall Kennedy Canada)
CALGARY CENTRE / NORTH HILL CENTRE
16th Avenue NW and 14th Street NW
Calgary, Alberta
Edmonton's WESTMOUNT SHOPPERS' PARK opened, in August 1955, as the first post-war shopping complex in the province of Alberta. In Calgary, planning was underway for that city's first suburban shopping hub, which was being developed by Simpsons-Sears and a New York City-based firm. By 1956, the interests of the United States developer had been acquired by Toronto-based Principal Investments, Limited.
16th Avenue NW and 14th Street NW
Calgary, Alberta
Edmonton's WESTMOUNT SHOPPERS' PARK opened, in August 1955, as the first post-war shopping complex in the province of Alberta. In Calgary, planning was underway for that city's first suburban shopping hub, which was being developed by Simpsons-Sears and a New York City-based firm. By 1956, the interests of the United States developer had been acquired by Toronto-based Principal Investments, Limited.
Ground was broken for the "North Hill Shopping Centre" in late 1956. The facility was built on a 17-acre site, located 1.2 miles northwest of the Central Business District, in the city's Houndsfield Heights-Briar Hill district. The complex would be an open-air, strip-type structure with a small shopping concourse on its east end. Most of its forty-five stores and services would be situated on a single retail level.
The 18-lane Calgary Centre Bowling Lanes would occupy a basement section, with 30,000 square feet of leased office spaces situated on an upper floor. A 2-level (221,100 square foot) Simpsons-Sears would anchor the complex, along with a (19,000 square foot) Loblaws Groceteria. Simpsons-Sears became the first operational store on May 1, 1958.
Charter CALGARY CENTRE tenants included Reitman's ladies' wear, Tamblyn Rexall Drugs, Bata Shoes, a Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10, Zeller's variety store and Dominion supermarket.
Fourteen stores and services opened their doors on May 8, 1958. The Loblaws Groceteria welcomed first shoppers on May 22, 1958, with the dedication of the Dominion store occurring on July 16th. An official grand opening for CALGARY CENTRE was held on October 23, 1958.
The grand opening celebration continued with the "Wake-A-Thon" contest, held by CFAC radio. Disc jockey Doug Short broadcast live from a booth at the front of the Lazy Susan Grill. Contestants submitted bids for how long the D.J. could stay awake. Lastly, no festivities held in 1958 would have been complete without a Hula Hoop Contest.
Within months of the grand opening, Principal Investments was in financial trouble. They had overextended themselves with the construction of several Canadian shopping centres. Late in 1958, they sold seventeen properties, including CALGARY CENTRE, to Montreal-based CEMP Investments. CEMP, in turn, created a new subsidiary, known as the Fairview Corporation. This entity would manage the Principal Development acquisitions and build new shopping centres throughout The Dominion.
The first major CALGARY CENTRE upgrade replaced the basement Bowling Lanes with the ultra-modern Fairview Bowling Centre. This 48-lane facility included a snack bar, supervised nursery and score stand telephone system. The new Bowling Centre, built over a covered parking area, opened for business on August 30, 1962.
The original competitors of NORTH HILL CENTRE were CHINOOK CENTRE (1960) {4.5 miles southeast, in Calgary} and SOUTHRIDGE MALL (1965), which was built on a pad north of CHINOOK CENTRE. These shopping hubs were merged into a single complex, known as CHINOOK-RIDGE CENTRE, in 1972.
Other local malls were developed in the city limits of Calgary. These included MARKET MALL {2.4 miles northwest} and NORTHLAND VILLAGE CENTRE {2.6 miles northwest}, both dedicated in 1971. 1974 brought the completion of SOUTHCENTRE MALL {7.8 miles southeast}.
For NORTH HILL CENTRE to remain competitive, it was deemed necessary to modernize the open-air structure. Construction commenced in March 1973 on a 2 million dollar renovation. This added a block of twenty tenant spaces along the south-facing front of the existing store strip.
Designed by Abugov & Sunderland Architects, the enclosed concourse was done in "warm earthy colours", with paneled ceilings, "futuristic" furniture, circular seating areas, live greenery, rough brick walls and dark brown tile flooring. It was lined by large brick support columns, with the roof being of inconsistent heights.
Fourteen stores and services opened their doors on May 8, 1958. The Loblaws Groceteria welcomed first shoppers on May 22, 1958, with the dedication of the Dominion store occurring on July 16th. An official grand opening for CALGARY CENTRE was held on October 23, 1958.
The festivities were officiated by D.H. Mackay (Mayor of Calgary). Music was provided by the Lord Strathcona Royal Canadians military band. There were also a parade and nighttime fireworks display, as well as a dance presentation by the Sarcee Native Canadian Tribe.
The grand opening celebration continued with the "Wake-A-Thon" contest, held by CFAC radio. Disc jockey Doug Short broadcast live from a booth at the front of the Lazy Susan Grill. Contestants submitted bids for how long the D.J. could stay awake. Lastly, no festivities held in 1958 would have been complete without a Hula Hoop Contest.
Within months of the grand opening, Principal Investments was in financial trouble. They had overextended themselves with the construction of several Canadian shopping centres. Late in 1958, they sold seventeen properties, including CALGARY CENTRE, to Montreal-based CEMP Investments. CEMP, in turn, created a new subsidiary, known as the Fairview Corporation. This entity would manage the Principal Development acquisitions and build new shopping centres throughout The Dominion.
The first major CALGARY CENTRE upgrade replaced the basement Bowling Lanes with the ultra-modern Fairview Bowling Centre. This 48-lane facility included a snack bar, supervised nursery and score stand telephone system. The new Bowling Centre, built over a covered parking area, opened for business on August 30, 1962.
The CALGARY CENTRE mall moniker had morphed into the CALGARY NORTH HILL SHOPPING CENTRE by 1964. Within a year, the official name had been shortened to NORTH HILL CENTRE. By this time, there were over seventy stores and services. The National General Corporation North Hill Cinerama Theatre was built adjacent to the Bowling Centre. This single-screen venue opened on December 21, 1967, showing 20th Century-Fox's "Valley of the Dolls".
The original competitors of NORTH HILL CENTRE were CHINOOK CENTRE (1960) {4.5 miles southeast, in Calgary} and SOUTHRIDGE MALL (1965), which was built on a pad north of CHINOOK CENTRE. These shopping hubs were merged into a single complex, known as CHINOOK-RIDGE CENTRE, in 1972.
Other local malls were developed in the city limits of Calgary. These included MARKET MALL {2.4 miles northwest} and NORTHLAND VILLAGE CENTRE {2.6 miles northwest}, both dedicated in 1971. 1974 brought the completion of SOUTHCENTRE MALL {7.8 miles southeast}.
For NORTH HILL CENTRE to remain competitive, it was deemed necessary to modernize the open-air structure. Construction commenced in March 1973 on a 2 million dollar renovation. This added a block of twenty tenant spaces along the south-facing front of the existing store strip.
Designed by Abugov & Sunderland Architects, the enclosed concourse was done in "warm earthy colours", with paneled ceilings, "futuristic" furniture, circular seating areas, live greenery, rough brick walls and dark brown tile flooring. It was lined by large brick support columns, with the roof being of inconsistent heights.
The addition was formally dedicated, with an Enclosure Celebration, on August 30, 1973. New tenants included Fiesta Fashions, Aggies Shoes, Coffee Tea & Spice, Craig's Keyboards, a Flavor King ice cream parlour, Peking Duck Chinese restaurant and Royal Soap Box Hoover vacuum cleaner dealership.
The official name of the Simpsons-Sears at NORTH HILL CENTRE had been shortened to "Sears". The Loblaws Groceteria was now an Lmart, which was a short-lived discount foods division of Loblaws. The Dominion store had been operating under the Safeway Canada banner since 1971.
NORTH HILL CENTRE became accessible via light rail transit in the following decade. The Calgary C-Train 8th Street-to-University Northwest Line extension began revenue service on September 17, 1987. Its Lions Park station was adjacent to the mall's southwest parking area.
Rival shopping centres proliferated in Calgary during the 1980s and '90s. The first of these, DEERFOOT MALL {3.6 miles northeast}, opened in 1981. Then came WESTHILLS TOWN CENTRE {4.6 miles southwest}, inaugurated in 1993. This was followed by CROWFOOT CROSSING {6.1 miles northwest,} in 1999.
NORTH HILL CENTRE was sold in February 1999. It was acquired by a joint venture of Saskatchewan's Harvard Developments and Calgary's Ronmor Developers. Within months, they had initiated construction on a 26 million dollar reconfiguration of the 41-year-old shopping hub.
The Loblaws-Lmart structure, on the west end of the complex, had been rebranded as a Super Valu and then vacated in the mid-1990s. It was demolished, along with Bowling Centre-Cinerama building, on the north side of the centre. Moreover, the shopping concourse roof and its obtrusive support columns were ripped out, with a new ceiling installed.
The official name of the Simpsons-Sears at NORTH HILL CENTRE had been shortened to "Sears". The Loblaws Groceteria was now an Lmart, which was a short-lived discount foods division of Loblaws. The Dominion store had been operating under the Safeway Canada banner since 1971.
NORTH HILL CENTRE became accessible via light rail transit in the following decade. The Calgary C-Train 8th Street-to-University Northwest Line extension began revenue service on September 17, 1987. Its Lions Park station was adjacent to the mall's southwest parking area.
Rival shopping centres proliferated in Calgary during the 1980s and '90s. The first of these, DEERFOOT MALL {3.6 miles northeast}, opened in 1981. Then came WESTHILLS TOWN CENTRE {4.6 miles southwest}, inaugurated in 1993. This was followed by CROWFOOT CROSSING {6.1 miles northwest,} in 1999.
NORTH HILL CENTRE was sold in February 1999. It was acquired by a joint venture of Saskatchewan's Harvard Developments and Calgary's Ronmor Developers. Within months, they had initiated construction on a 26 million dollar reconfiguration of the 41-year-old shopping hub.
The Loblaws-Lmart structure, on the west end of the complex, had been rebranded as a Super Valu and then vacated in the mid-1990s. It was demolished, along with Bowling Centre-Cinerama building, on the north side of the centre. Moreover, the shopping concourse roof and its obtrusive support columns were ripped out, with a new ceiling installed.
Six stores were set up in existing mall space and a small northside addition. These faced outward and included Chili's Texas Grill, Moore's Clothing for Men, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Petcetera and Ricky's All Day Grill. The west end of the mall was also rebuilt, with a 1-level (46,900 square foot) Safeway and 13-bay Food Court.
The renovation of NORTH HILL CENTRE was completed in June of the year 2000. The mall now encompassed approximately 523,900 leasable square feet and contained eighty-four stores and services. The centre became a mixed-use facility when twin 8-storey condominium towers were built in the southwest parking area. Known as Renaissance at North Hill, these were completed between 2001 and 2004.
The renovation of NORTH HILL CENTRE was completed in June of the year 2000. The mall now encompassed approximately 523,900 leasable square feet and contained eighty-four stores and services. The centre became a mixed-use facility when twin 8-storey condominium towers were built in the southwest parking area. Known as Renaissance at North Hill, these were completed between 2001 and 2004.
In 2009, an additional NORTH HILL competitor opened for business. CROSSIRON MILLS {10.1 miles northeast} was located in neighboring Rocky View County. By this time, NORTH HILL CENTRE was being managed by Vancouver-based Bentall Kennedy Canada.
A (22,000 square foot) Winners apparel store opened in the mall on September 12, 2017. The 59-year-old Sears store was shuttered on January 21, 2018. Bentall Kennedy merged with New York City-based Green Oak Realty in July 2019. A new company, known as BGO (BentallGreenOak) Properties was formed.
Sources:
The Calgary Herald
http://northhillcentre.com
Sources:
The Calgary Herald
http://northhillcentre.com
http://northhillcentre.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
www.bentallkennedy.com
www.calgarytransit.com
http://movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
www.bentallkennedy.com
www.calgarytransit.com
http://movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
http://cinematreasures.org
https://bgo.com (BentallGreenOak Properties)
Trademarks for some of the major charter DEVONSHIRE tenants. As one might have guessed, each one of these chains are now out of business. Miracle Food Mart became the first to fold, in 1989, followed by Miracle Mart (a discount department store), in 1992. Aikenhead's Hardware was defunct by 1994. Technically, the Simpson's-Sears nameplate had been phased out in 1973. Sears Canada (its successor) would finally bite the proverbial dust in January 2018.
Between 1973 and '74, an eastward expansion was built onto the existing complex, increasing its gross leasable area to approximately 747,200 square feet. The project added two anchors; Toronto's Simpsons and C.H. Smith (a.k.a. "Smith's of Windsor").
Graphic 1 from the Robert Simpson Company, Limited
Graphic 1 from the Robert Simpson Company, Limited
Graphic 2 from the C.H. Smith Company
A circa-1975 physical layout. The East Wing, completed in October 1974, is shown in gray. Simpsons-Sears truncated their nameplate to "Sears" in the summer of 1973. The mall is now accessible via a recently-opened stretch of the E.C. Row Expressway. It has just been completed east of the Howard Avenue intersection. A western segment would open in 1977.
In a circa-1976 photo, we see the Sears Wing decked out for the yuletide season.
Photo from http://windsorite.ca
In this circa-1981 snapshot, we see the Simpsons Court, in the East Wing of the complex. At the time, Brit-based Marks & Spencer (on the right) was a junior anchor.
Photo from http://windsorstar.com
In September 1985, a second expansion of DEVONSHIRE MALL was dedicated. Indicated in dark gray, it added 53,000 square feet of selling space, centered on the Picnic Garden Food Court. At the time of this 1986 plan, the Miracle Mart anchor store has just been shuttered and Simpsons' space has been rebranded as The Bay.
The Bay, an operative of Ontario's Hudson's Bay Company, established a presence at DEVONSHIRE MALL in August 1986.
Graphic from The Hudson's Bay Company
An exterior view of The Bay department store at DEVONSHIRE MALL.
Photo from http://www.devonshireplace.ca
Here, we see the store's mall entry.
Photo from www.ivanhoe cambridge.com.en
In early 1996, a Toronto-based Chapters bookstore assumed space previously leased as a Miracle Food Mart (1970-1989) and A & P supermarket (1989-1995). Chapters, Inc. merged with Toronto-based Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in August 2001. The DEVONSHIRE Chapters would be rebannered as an Indigo store in October 2018.
Photo from http://mckaycocker.com / McKay Cocker Construction
A major expansion, built between August 1999 and September 2000, added a Southeast Wing. It was anchored by a Loews Cineplex 12-screener and added fifteen stores to the complex.
Photo from http://mckaycocker.com / McKay Cocker Construction
On a circa-2002 plan, a section of mallway created from a vacant Miracle Mart, in 1987, is shown in dark gray. An adjacent Zellers opened in 1995. The 1999-2000 expansion is indicated in medium gray. With this addition, DEVONSHIRE MALL spanned around 1,050,900 leasable square feet and contained 175 stores under its roof. Free parking is provided for 5,400 autos.
DEVONSHIRE MALL TENANTS 2002:
SEARS (with freestanding Auto Centre) / THE BAY / ZELLERS / A & W / A Buck or Two / A-E Sport Company / Addition-Elle / Aldo Shoes / American Eagle Outfitters / Ardene / Athena / Athletes World Superstore / Au Coton / Autobahn / Bank of Montreal / Bell World / Bentley Leather / Benix & Company / Bikini Village / Black's / Blue Bayou / Bluenotes (Thrifty's) / Boca / Bombay Company / Bootlegger / Bowring / Burger King / Campus Crew / Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce / Carlton Cards / Cartoon Kingdom / Caryl Baker Visage / Champs Sports / Chapters Books / Charm Diamond Centre / Cinema 1 / Cinnabon / Claire's Boutique / Cleo / Club Monaco / Compucentre / Cotton Ginny / Crabtree & Evelyn / Crossings / Dairy Queen / Danier Leather / Devonshire Mall Cinema 12 / Electronics Boutique / Fairweather / Feet First / Foot Locker / Fossil / Freyja / Fruits & Passion / Games Workshop / Gemtime / Globo Family Shoe Store / GNC / Grand & Toy / Green Earth / Griffin Jewellery Designs / Guess? / Gymboree / Hallmark / HMV / Illicit / InfoPlace / International Clothier / International News / J. Michaels / Jack Fraser / Jacob / Jacob Jr. / Jean Machine / Julie's International Frozen Yogurt / Kara Jewellers / Kernels / KFC / Koya Japan / La Senza / La Senza Girl / La Vie en Rose / Laura / Laura Petites / Laura Plus / Laura Secord / Le Chateau / Lenscrafters / Lewiscraft / modrobes / Manchu Wok / Mappins / Margarita's / Message In A Bottle / Miss Teen / Moxie's Classic Grill / Motherhood Maternity / Mr. Submarine / Mrs. Vanelli's Fresh Italian Food / Music World / National Sports Centre / Naturalizer Shoes / Nautilus, The Good Life Fitness Club / New York Fries / Northern Getaway / Northern Reflections / Northern Traditions / Nutrition House / Nygard / Old Navy / Orange Julius / Original Levi's Store / Pantorama / Payless Shoesource / Pegabo / Peoples Jewellers / Personally Yours / Pita Pizzaz / Please Mum / Precision Optical / Quilts / Radio Shack / Rafters / Randy River / Reflections / Reitmans ladies' wear / Ricki's / Rogers AT & T The Communications Store / Roots / Sabin's Hair Fashions / Shoppers Drug Mart / Showcase / Siblings / Silk & Satin / Sirens / Smart Set / SoftMoc / Spencer Gifts / Sport Chek / Starbucks Coffee / Stars of the Game / Stitch It, Canada's Tailor / Stitches / Sunglass Hut / Suzy Shier / Tabi International / Taco Bell / TD Canada Trust / Telus Mobility / The Barber's Chair / The Body Shop / The Children's Place / The Gap / The Garage Clothing Company / The Golden Razor / The Keeping Room / The Sony Store / The Telephone Booth / Things Engraved/ Tim Horton's / Tip Top Tailors / Trade Secrets / Transit / Urban Planet / Urban Trade / West 49 / WirelessWave / Xcetera
At one time, Ontario-based Zellers operated 350 discount stores across Canada. The chain ceased trading in the early 2020s, with the DEVONSHIRE MALL store closing in September 2012.
Graphic from Zellers, Incorporated
Minnesota's Target chain acquired several Zellers locations, including the DEVONSHIRE store. After a much ballyhooed start-up, in March 2013, Target Canada began to falter. The Ontario-based chain was eventually liquidated, with the DEVONSHIRE store going dark in April 2015.
Graphic from the Target Canada Company
The vacant Target, and adjacent South Wing, were gutted in August 2016. A 70 million dollar renovation brought a relocated Food Court, Shoppers Drug Mart, new Metro supermarket and eleven inline stores.
Drawing from http://www.devonshiremall.com
The DEVONSHIRE Sears closed for good in January 2018. The building was knocked down. A new mall entrance was built in the spot where the Sears mall entrance had been. Adjacent store space was gutted and rebuilt as a new Sport Check store, which relocated from another area of the complex.
Drawing from http://www.devonshiremall.com
DEVONSHIRE MALL
Howard and Sydney Avenues
Windsor, Ontario
Plans for the first interior mall in Canada's southernmost city were announced in June 1968. A 65-acre parcel, located 3 miles southeast of Windsor's Central Business District -and 4 miles southeast of Downtown Detroit- was developed as DEVONSHIRE MALL. The Devonshire Racetrack, an equestrian sporting venue, had occupied the property between 1916 and 1939.
The mall project was spearheaded by three executives from Toronto's Cambridge Leaseholds, Limited, an operative of Cambridge Shopping Centres, Limited. Financing was provided by Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential Insurance. The Toronto-based firm of Petroff & Jeruzalski designed the single-level shopping complex.
A mall-wide grand opening was held on August 12, 1970. The dedication was officiated by Frank Wansbrough (Mayor of Windsor). Stella Jamrog, "Miss Windsor 1970," was also present. Entertainment was provided by John Ganley, a well-known Irish bagpipe player.
The 15 million dollar mall encompassed approximately 497,200 leasable square feet and housed seventy stores and services. The original anchors were a 1-level (62,000 square foot), Montreal-based Miracle Mart discount department store and 1-level (20,000 square foot) Miracle Food Mart.
Charter inline stores included Fairweather Ladies' Fashions, Steak 'N Burger dining lounge & restaurant, Shoppers Drug Mart, Montreal Draperies, Sneaky Pete's Burgers, Tip Top Tailors, Kinney Shoes, Coles Books, Singer Sewing Centre and Aikenhead's Hardware.
The twin-screen Famous Players Devonshire Mall Cinemas held its grand opening along with the mall. A 3-level (205,000 square foot) Simpsons-Sears opened for business on September 2, 1970.
The only DEVONSHIRE competitors during the early years were TECUMSEH ["Tee-cum-see"] MALL {4.2 miles northeast, in Windsor}. This complex, an expansion of the circa-1963 KMART PLAZA, was dedicated in 1972. There was also a small, enclosed retail hub known as UNIVERSITY MALL (1973) {2.8 miles northwest, also in Windsor}.
An expansion of DEVONSHIRE MALL was announced in November 1972. It was to add 250,000 leasable square feet, and seventeen stores, in an eastward addition. The 13 million dollar project would be anchored by a 3-level (90,000 square foot) Smith's of Windsor department store and 3-level (175,000 square foot), Toronto-based Simpsons.
In August 1973, the Simpsons-Sears at DEVONSHIRE MALL was rebranded as a standard Sears. In April 1974, progress on the ongoing East Wing expansion was delayed by a tornado which damaged the existing shopping complex and its construction zone. Nonetheless, the addition was officially dedicated on September 11, 1974, with business commencing at the new Smith's store in October of the same year. The retail hub now spanned approximately 747,200 leasable square feet and housed eighty-seven stores and services.
The mall's second anchor store rebranding transpired in November 1975. Brit-based Marks & Spencer took over the Smith's of Windsor location. Marks & Spencer was downsized in March 1977, when 45,000 square feet were sectioned into a Leon's Furniture store. Marks & Spencer eventually moved to another location in the mall and closed for good in the 1990s.
Ground was broken for a second enlargement of DEVONSHIRE MALL in September 1984. This time around, 53,000 square feet would be added in a wing of forty-nine stores and services. The existing mall would also be given a face lift. The new shopping concourse would connect with an entrance into the circa-1974 expansion and circle around to a junction with the original mall's South (Miracle Mart) Court.
A grand opening celebration got underway on September 18, 1985. The highlight of the 10 million dollar project was the 11-bay Picnic Garden Food Court. Its vendors were Mr. Submarine, Kentucky Fried Chicken, A & W Root Beer, Mrs. Vanelli's Pizza, New York Fries and Orange Julius. New inline stores included Happy Hour Card 'N Party Shop, Active World, National Sports Centre, Japan Camera Centre and Micro Cooking Centre.
Further modifications were done in the mid-1980s. The twin cinema became a triplex in 1985 and Simpsons was rebranded as The Bay on August 1, 1986. Miracle Mart was shuttered either by this time or soon after, with its space being sectioned into inline stores. Miracle Food Mart continued under its original nameplate until it became an operative of A & P Canada in 1989. The grocery would shut down completely in September 1995, with a (24,200 square foot) Chapters book store taking its place. A new mall competitor came on the scene in 1999. WINDSOR CROSSING {2.2 miles south, in Windsor} was an open-air, power-format complex.
The only DEVONSHIRE competitors during the early years were TECUMSEH ["Tee-cum-see"] MALL {4.2 miles northeast, in Windsor}. This complex, an expansion of the circa-1963 KMART PLAZA, was dedicated in 1972. There was also a small, enclosed retail hub known as UNIVERSITY MALL (1973) {2.8 miles northwest, also in Windsor}.
An expansion of DEVONSHIRE MALL was announced in November 1972. It was to add 250,000 leasable square feet, and seventeen stores, in an eastward addition. The 13 million dollar project would be anchored by a 3-level (90,000 square foot) Smith's of Windsor department store and 3-level (175,000 square foot), Toronto-based Simpsons.
In August 1973, the Simpsons-Sears at DEVONSHIRE MALL was rebranded as a standard Sears. In April 1974, progress on the ongoing East Wing expansion was delayed by a tornado which damaged the existing shopping complex and its construction zone. Nonetheless, the addition was officially dedicated on September 11, 1974, with business commencing at the new Smith's store in October of the same year. The retail hub now spanned approximately 747,200 leasable square feet and housed eighty-seven stores and services.
The mall's second anchor store rebranding transpired in November 1975. Brit-based Marks & Spencer took over the Smith's of Windsor location. Marks & Spencer was downsized in March 1977, when 45,000 square feet were sectioned into a Leon's Furniture store. Marks & Spencer eventually moved to another location in the mall and closed for good in the 1990s.
Ground was broken for a second enlargement of DEVONSHIRE MALL in September 1984. This time around, 53,000 square feet would be added in a wing of forty-nine stores and services. The existing mall would also be given a face lift. The new shopping concourse would connect with an entrance into the circa-1974 expansion and circle around to a junction with the original mall's South (Miracle Mart) Court.
A grand opening celebration got underway on September 18, 1985. The highlight of the 10 million dollar project was the 11-bay Picnic Garden Food Court. Its vendors were Mr. Submarine, Kentucky Fried Chicken, A & W Root Beer, Mrs. Vanelli's Pizza, New York Fries and Orange Julius. New inline stores included Happy Hour Card 'N Party Shop, Active World, National Sports Centre, Japan Camera Centre and Micro Cooking Centre.
Further modifications were done in the mid-1980s. The twin cinema became a triplex in 1985 and Simpsons was rebranded as The Bay on August 1, 1986. Miracle Mart was shuttered either by this time or soon after, with its space being sectioned into inline stores. Miracle Food Mart continued under its original nameplate until it became an operative of A & P Canada in 1989. The grocery would shut down completely in September 1995, with a (24,200 square foot) Chapters book store taking its place. A new mall competitor came on the scene in 1999. WINDSOR CROSSING {2.2 miles south, in Windsor} was an open-air, power-format complex.
Toronto-based Ivanhoe, Incorporated began buying Cambridge Shopping Centres, Limited stock in 1998. By August 1999, they were the major shareholder. In February 2001, the companies were merged into an entity known as Ivanhoe Cambridge. This concern now owned and operated DEVONSHIRE MALL.
A 1-level (121,200 square foot) Zellers discount store had been added to the south end of DEVONSHIRE MALL in 1995. It was followed by a 25 million dollar expansion. This got underway in August 1999 and added the 12-screen Loews Cineplex Devonshire Mall Cinemas and fifteen new stores.
The 117,000 square foot addition was completed in September of the year 2000. DEVONSHIRE MALL now spanned approximately 1,050,900 leasable square feet, with a tenant list of 175 stores and services. In 2002, one of the mall's west side truck courts was repurposed. Adjacent store space was demolished, with the combined area becoming half of a (19,100 square foot) Old Navy. This store was completed in June of 2002.
A subsequent remodeling repurposed the mall's second west side truck court. Adjacent store space was torn out with a (12,600 square foot) Mark's Work Wearhouse and Tony Roma's restaurant built in the area. This project was finished in September 2004. DEVONSHIRE MALL now encompassed approximately 1,084,800 leasable square feet.
Hudson's Bay Company announced a department store name change in March 2013. All "The Bay" locations would be known, henceforth, as Hudson's Bay (Francophone stores would officially become La Baie D'Hudson). Various stores in the Zellers chain were acquired by Minneapolis-based Target in January 2011. A Mississauga, Ontario-based Canadian division was established, with the first three Target Canada stores opening on March 5, 2013.
The DEVONSHIRE MALL Zellers had closed on September 17, 2012. The store was renovated, with a new Target welcoming first customers on March 19, 2013. Alas, the Target Canada endeavor was a spectacular failure. The final stores -including the DEVONSHIRE MALL location- were shuttered on April 11, 2015.
Meanwhile, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) established full ownership of DEVONSHIRE MALL, buying a 50 percent share still owned by Ivanhoe Cambridge. The transaction closed in January 2015. In August 2016, construction commenced on a 70 million dollar renovation. The project would be completed in four phases. During the first, a (40,000 square foot) Metro Grocers supermarket was installed in a section of the vacant Target building. This new store was dedicated on August 24, 2017.
The second stage of the DEVONSHIRE redevelopment relocated the 1985-vintage Picnic Garden food court. A new 15-bay facility was built in space adjacent to the new Metro store and opened in June 2018. The third phase of the remodeling installed new ceilings and flooring in all common areas. When construction dust settled, the shopping centre encompassed approximately 1,085,900 leasable square feet and contained 165 stores and services.
A 1-level (121,200 square foot) Zellers discount store had been added to the south end of DEVONSHIRE MALL in 1995. It was followed by a 25 million dollar expansion. This got underway in August 1999 and added the 12-screen Loews Cineplex Devonshire Mall Cinemas and fifteen new stores.
The 117,000 square foot addition was completed in September of the year 2000. DEVONSHIRE MALL now spanned approximately 1,050,900 leasable square feet, with a tenant list of 175 stores and services. In 2002, one of the mall's west side truck courts was repurposed. Adjacent store space was demolished, with the combined area becoming half of a (19,100 square foot) Old Navy. This store was completed in June of 2002.
A subsequent remodeling repurposed the mall's second west side truck court. Adjacent store space was torn out with a (12,600 square foot) Mark's Work Wearhouse and Tony Roma's restaurant built in the area. This project was finished in September 2004. DEVONSHIRE MALL now encompassed approximately 1,084,800 leasable square feet.
Hudson's Bay Company announced a department store name change in March 2013. All "The Bay" locations would be known, henceforth, as Hudson's Bay (Francophone stores would officially become La Baie D'Hudson). Various stores in the Zellers chain were acquired by Minneapolis-based Target in January 2011. A Mississauga, Ontario-based Canadian division was established, with the first three Target Canada stores opening on March 5, 2013.
The DEVONSHIRE MALL Zellers had closed on September 17, 2012. The store was renovated, with a new Target welcoming first customers on March 19, 2013. Alas, the Target Canada endeavor was a spectacular failure. The final stores -including the DEVONSHIRE MALL location- were shuttered on April 11, 2015.
Meanwhile, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) established full ownership of DEVONSHIRE MALL, buying a 50 percent share still owned by Ivanhoe Cambridge. The transaction closed in January 2015. In August 2016, construction commenced on a 70 million dollar renovation. The project would be completed in four phases. During the first, a (40,000 square foot) Metro Grocers supermarket was installed in a section of the vacant Target building. This new store was dedicated on August 24, 2017.
The second stage of the DEVONSHIRE redevelopment relocated the 1985-vintage Picnic Garden food court. A new 15-bay facility was built in space adjacent to the new Metro store and opened in June 2018. The third phase of the remodeling installed new ceilings and flooring in all common areas. When construction dust settled, the shopping centre encompassed approximately 1,085,900 leasable square feet and contained 165 stores and services.
In January 2022, the Toronto-based Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust acquired eight properties in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan portfolio. With this transaction, DEVONSHIRE MALL became a Primaris holding.
Meanwhile, Sears, a charter mall anchor, was shuttered on January 14, 2018. The building was utilized as a temporary Covid-19 Vaccination Centre and, later, as a Spirit Halloween. Its demolition commenced in July 2024. A north mall entrance was created, flanked by a relocated (26,800 square foot) SportChek. This store opened for business in 2025. The truncated shopping hub now covered approximately 874,500 leasable square feet.
Meanwhile, Sears, a charter mall anchor, was shuttered on January 14, 2018. The building was utilized as a temporary Covid-19 Vaccination Centre and, later, as a Spirit Halloween. Its demolition commenced in July 2024. A north mall entrance was created, flanked by a relocated (26,800 square foot) SportChek. This store opened for business in 2025. The truncated shopping hub now covered approximately 874,500 leasable square feet.
Sources:
The Windsor Star
http://www.icleasing.ca.com
http://windsorite.ca
http://www.20vic.com
http://www.devonshiremall.com (website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
http://www.devonshiremall.com
http://www.movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
http://www.movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
https://www.primarisreit.com
https://www.cbc.ca
https://windsor.ctvnews.ca
https://toronto.citynews.ca
"Devonshire Mall" article on Wikipedia
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