Holt Renfrew Thinks Vancouver Needs More Luxury Retail
Holt Renfrew will expand its Vancouver flagship by 40k SF, with an enhanced 200-foot storefront along Howe Street, updates to its streetfront and facade along Dunsmuir Street, and “comprehensive” renovations throughout the store. Designed by New York-based architectural firm Janson Goldstein, the revamped store “will draw upon its existing architectural language, with luxurious material finishes and custom-glazing details," the company said. There’ll also be a new 80-seat Holts Café, a first for Vancouver, where Holt Renfrew has had a presence since 1975, moving to its current location in 2007.
The renos, which will grow the flagship Holts to 190k SF, also will see the addition of a second atrium; an expanded women’s leather goods and footwear area; and upgrades to the personal shopping area (doubling to 7k SF to encompass the “luxury apartment” private shopping concept, seen above). Holt Renfrew president Mark Derbyshire said the company is “sharply focused” on its position as Canada’s speciality luxury retailer. Construction at the Vancouver shop, part of a national expansion in flagship markets, begins in August; the store will remain open throughout. The project's slated for an end of 2016 finish.
