Major Guildford Mall upgrades coming soon [pics]

Guildford Shopping Centre, at one time, one of the largest malls in the region, is set to receive a major upgrade and expansion. The mall currently looks extremely dated compared to others in Metro Vancouver – I would bet that it’s one of the ugliest around – just take a look:

However, this is all about to change. Ivanhoe-Cambridge is going to invest some major capital to “position GTC to regain it’s market share and to integrate and modernize a new identity for the centre, capitalizing on its location.”

The Mall is going to get a 414,100 sq. ft. retail expansion – 212,000 sq. ft. of which will be a new Wal-Mart Supercentre. There will be rooftop parking above the Wal-Mart, along with two new parkades featuring 5,870 parking stalls.

The other 212,000 sq. ft. of expansion will be in the south end of the mall, home to a new food court and high-end retail tenants (just like the Metrotown refurb!!).

The rooftop parking on Wal-Mart will feature the “Nature Walk”, a weel landscaped north-south pedestrian collector. In it’s center, a pavilion atrium will house escalators leading to the Wal-Mart on the lower level.

The ‘Terrace Steps’ allow easy access to the upper level separating the pedestrian flow from the vehicular flow to the mall. Passing the reflecting pool at the foot of the feature waterfall pedestrians are drawn deep into the site on the lower level along a treed walkway, well lit by natural light from a very generous 40-foot opening over the extent of the lower ‘Terrace Walk’.

Here’s some sketches:

The Masterplan

The “Nature Walk” and the entrance Pavilion

The “Terrace Steps”

The “Lower Terrace”

“The Village”

Entrance to the Mall and view of “The Village” from 152nd St.