Outlet Collection Winnipeg will become Central Canada’s only dedicated outlet shopping centre with its official grand opening on May 3.

“We think it’s going to be incredibly well-received,” said John Scott, the senior vice-president of development for Ivanhoé Cambridge, which co-owns Outlet Collection Winnipeg with Regina-based Forster Projects and Harvard Developments Inc.

“Outlet shopping malls typically have an open-air format, but in Winnipeg we think our guests are going to be very pleased to shop in a fully enclosed climate-controlled environment.”

Plenty of first-to-market outlet stores

Ground broke on the 400,000-square-foot shopping centre near Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway in September 2015, and its construction created 400 jobs.

More than 1,300 will work at Outlet Collection Winnipeg’s 100 stores, including anchor tenants Saks OFF 5TH, Old Navy, F21 Red, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and Winners, as well as such first-to-market outlet stores as Banana Republic Factory Store, Browns Outlet, Guess Outlet, Mountain Warehouse, Samsonite Outlet and Under Armour.

Outlet Collection Winnipeg, which cost just over $200 million to build, will feature 2,300 parking spaces and is seeking a LEED certification. Ivanhoé Cambridge will manage the mall, which includes warm natural finishes, innovative day-lighting strategies, and bold graphic patterning and materials.

“Our designers have coined the term ‘industrial chic,’ ” said Scott. “A layman’s description would be contemporary, but very warm and comfortable.”

First-time partnership

Outlet Collection Winnipeg marks Ivanhoé Cambridge’s first time working with Forster and Harvard.

“It’s been a really great relationship from the perspective of developing an overall unified customer experience,” said Scott. “We’ve got the enclosed outlet shopping environment and they’ll be adding additional outdoor freestanding retail, food and beverage, and other amenities.”

Outlet Collection Winnipeg is part of the larger Seasons mixed-use project set on a 117-acre property in the southwest part of Manitoba’s capital that was purchased by the two Regina developers four years ago.

Premium Outlet Collection Edmonton International Airport

Ivanhoé Cambridge is also making good progress with a similar project to Outlet Collection Winnipeg called Premium Outlet Collection Edmonton International Airport that’s part of the airport’s 340-acre master plan.

The real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is the developer and manager, while the property is being jointly leased with Simon.

The Edmonton outlet mall is located at the main interchange leading into the Albertan capital’s airport. It will include more than 100 stores in about 428,000 square feet as well as 2,200 parking spots. The enclosed shopping centre is slated to open in the fall.