Originally opened in 1959 as Oakridge Centre, the mall was developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) on a then-undeveloped 32-acre forested site at West 41st Avenue and Cambie Street. Built with a construction budget of $25 million, the open-air shopping centre became Vancouver’s first major mall, anchored by the Woodward’s department store and surrounded by 2,500 surface parking spaces.

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Walking through the front doors of the new Oakridge Park reveals just how much Vancouver has evolved over the decades — from a quiet forestry town into a global city preparing to host FIFA and attract visitors from around the world.

Offering a luxury shopping experience

The all-new Oakridge Park is centred entirely around luxury retail. There are no fast-fashion outlets here. Instead, shoppers stroll along expansive marble floors lined with brands ranging from local favourites such as Lululemon and Aritzia to prestigious European fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Brunello Cucinelli, and Bvlgari.

Surprisingly, several luxury boutiques, including Dior, were still not open despite the redevelopment having been underway for more than a decade. Most remaining tenants are expected to be operational by the fall.

Inside the mall, suspended glass art installations hang overhead, while a small indoor amphitheatre featuring church-style wooden pew seating offers space for live performances and cultural programming.

Time Out Market

Located above the shopping centre is the new Time Out Market, the internationally recognized food hall concept founded in Lisbon with locations around the world. My most recent visit to a Time Out Market was in Barcelona last year, and stepping into the Vancouver location immediately brought back memories of enjoying authentic Spanish paella.

The food hall promises an elevated culinary and cultural experience, featuring cuisine from some of the city’s top chefs. Visitors can choose from 18 kitchens, three bars, a coffee shop, and a main stage dedicated to arts and cultural events.

Dining here, however, comes at a premium. A basic burger from Feenie’s starts at $13.99, but add foie gras, port wine jus with mushrooms, and the price climbs to $62 before taxes.

Most seating consists of large communal bench-style tables accommodating up to 1,000 guests. During the summer months, visitors can also dine outdoors on the rooftop patio while enjoying some of Vancouver’s best people-watching.

Luxury fashion and dining converges at Oakridge Park

Oakridge Park’s upscale retail tenant mix targets affluent shoppers and has historically posted the highest sales per square metre among malls across Canada.

Strategically located between downtown Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport, with access to the Skytrain, Oakridge Park appears well-positioned for long-term success despite a recent slowdown in global luxury goods spending.

Beneath the mall are 2,000 underground parking spaces, including 200 electric vehicle charging stations. Valet parking is available on the P1 level at both the north and south atriums, while the first two levels of underground parking remain free for up to three hours.

The Oakridge Park redevelopment was approved by the City of Vancouver in 2014 as a then-$1.5-billion project. Since then, it has expanded into a $5-billion development that includes five luxury condominium towers nearing occupancy, future office towers, and a proposed street-style shopping district still awaiting a construction timeline.

From luxury fashion to contemporary streetwear, Oakridge Park aims to bring together some of the world’s most established and innovative names in fashion. Vancouver has certainly grown since its beginnings. 

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