Three-storey retail space could replace popular downtown Vancouver atrium

A new proposal to replace a popular downtown space in Vancouver with a three-storey retail building is being presented to the city of Vancouver's urban design panel today.

Cadillac-Fairview, which owns the building, is proposing the Pacific Centre rotunda — the big, glass atrium and terrace on the corner of Georgia and Howe Street — be replaced with a three-storey retail space.

Craig Patterson, a retail analyst and editor-in-chief of Retail Insider, said Cadillac-Fairview has been interested in redeveloping the block for a while.

"Having such a valuable set of retailers so close makes this an extremely prominent and valuable site to redevelop," he said.

Patterson said Pacific Centre is one of the most productive shopping centres in North America.

"There are a number of retailers who are looking for larger spaces in downtown Vancouver and [redevelopment] provides them an exceptional opportunity."

Loss of 'an important public amenity'

Critics mourn the loss of the rotunda, a rare public space for downtown shoppers and workers looking for a spot to rest or eat lunch.

Former city planning director Ray Spaxman helped create the rotunda in the 1980s.

"It's not a very pleasant idea to replace something that has become an important public amenity with just more and more retail space," he said.

Spaxman said Vancouver needs more spaces like the rotunda to keep the city core vibrant.

"It's the little places that people can sit and enjoy a quiet moment...to get away from work... enjoy the view," he said.

"Many of these squares are very important places psychologically in the city, and we don't have enough of them."

Precedents set

Despite the concerns of people who use the space, others point out this is not public park land.

Retail analyst Craig Paterson said Cadillac-Fairview is a private landlord, so it is not likely the city would quash plans.

"It is not unprecedented that private park space — if you can call it that — is being taken out and redeveloped for retail," he said.

"I suspect that's what's going to happen with Pacific Centre."

The city has also approved nearby redevelopment on Alberni Street by Kingswood Capital Corporation which saw the razing of a cherry tree plaza in order to make room for two luxury retailers.

That approval proceeded despite an online petition to save the plaza.

With files from The Early Edition.

To hear to the full interview with Ray Spaxman, listen to the audio labelled: Ray Spaxman on redeveloping Vancouver's Pacific Centre rotunda