[FW36]

If the mall was to be redeveloped it should have happened in the early 2010's when interest rates were lower. As of now its probably very expensive to teardown the mall, but probably very expensive to attempt to repair existing mall. I imagine to most likely out come will be the site will be abandoned similar to honeydale mall.

 

[swigg]

Considering what is the plan for next door at the casino, I'm really hoping they do something like shops at don mills.

https://www.woodbinelands.com/

 

[SubHuman]

... most likely out come will be the site will be abandoned similar to honeydale mall.

At this point, it's getting difficult to imagine anything else in the near future.
In May, it will be two years since the receivers started advertising that the property was for sale. You'd think that before much longer they will conclude that whatever it's costing them to keep the mall open isn't worth it.

 

[JasonParis]

It’s hard to envision a lifestyle centre here on the model of Shops at Don Mills. Even with the regional draw of Woodbine Live nearby, the surrounding neighbourhood doesn’t quite reflect the demographic profile that typically sustains that kind of development.

I’m not sure what the right answer is for Woodbine, but if there was a window for something transformative to take shape, it may have already passed — at least for the time being.

 

[PL1]

It’s hard to envision a lifestyle centre here on the model of Shops at Don Mills. Even with the regional draw of Woodbine Live nearby, the surrounding neighbourhood doesn’t quite reflect the demographic profile that typically sustains that kind of development.

I’m not sure what the right answer is for Woodbine, but if there was a window for something transformative to take shape, it may have already passed — at least for the time being.

Maybe something like the MacArthur Glen Designer Outlet Mall at YVR could work? Woodbine Centre is probably too far from YYZ to rely on travellers. Also, I'm not sure Pearson gets the same affluent foreign traveller demographic as does YVR

 

[FW36]

For Woodbine to be properly redeveloped into a lifestyle centre, a few things would need to occur:

1. The Finch West LRT would need to be expanded south toward a new Woodbine GO Station and Pearson Airport.

2. Both retail plazas across from Woodbine Mall would need to be redeveloped into office and residential space.

3. The mall would need to gain stable ownership, possibly under Primaris REIT.

4. Underused parking areas and vacant land would need to be redeveloped into condominiums and townhouses.

With all of these changes, Woodbine Mall could add approximately 1,000 to 2,000 residential units directly on the property, while also becoming better connected to the transit network. Stable ownership, combined with the redevelopment of nearby competing plazas, could create an opportunity for retailers to return to Woodbine.

Woodbine could potentially be transformed into an outdoor lifestyle centre with anchor stores such as No Frills, Winners, Talize Thrift Store, Hart Department Store, Cinestarz, and Fantasy Fair.

This could be combined with banks, medical offices, independent businesses, and national retail stores such as Staples, LCBO, Joe Fresh, Old Navy, Suzy Shier, Ardene, Bluenotes, Foot Locker, Reitmans, Penningtons, Showcase, SVP Sports, Bath & Body Works, Planet Fitness, and Shoppers Drug Mart.

For restaurants and entertainment, Woodbine could include Mandarin, possibly a Denny’s due to the nearby casino, and restaurants that could be converted into a nightclub on weekends to attract college students and concertgoers.

Other additions could include escape rooms, axe throwing, an art studio, a dance studio, and an arcade.

This type of redevelopment would combine retail aimed at middle- and working-class consumers with entertainment for young adults and casino visitors. While this vision would require significant coordination and investment, making it unlikely in the short term, it is not impossible.