Westmount Shopping Center – Progress on Redevelopment – Theater Now Open

Previous Posts on this Topic:

• Progress on Westmout Shopping Center Re Development
• Update-Update-Update-Westmount Shopping Centre

 

The day has come for all those wanting to have a  “new movie going experience”, as of today ( May 8th, 2009), the new Cineplex Odeon Theater is now open! –  Within this post there are a few pictures of the completed exterior of the new Cineplex Odeonmovie theater which features 8 screens and 3 VIP screens, a Licensed Lounge, and an Interactive Gaming Area. I still feel that it is unfortunate for the tenants of the shopping center that their newest attraction, expected to draw large crowds, is actually located outside of the mall with no internal connection.

The New free standing TD Canada Trust has also been opened.

It seems like Westmount is already taking the next steps and continuing their revival by demolishing the old Cineplex/TD building on the corner of Viscount and Wonderland. The plans call for two restaraunts at this location with a pedestrian square coming off the corner, between the two restaurants. One of the restaurants, that has been named by Westmount management, is to be Shoeless Joe’s a sport-themed restaurant, new to the London market.

Getting ready for demolition

New free standing TD Canada Trust

Getting ready for demolition

Seems like this will only be usefull for those exiting the theater from an Exit only door going into the mall…

I was happy to see bike racks, too bad they were all the way on the south side of the building! as far as possible from he entrance!- probably could of made a neat design feature by adding a roof to protect the bikes from rain

 

*JrUD

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!- Westmount Shopping Centre

UPDATE FROM MY LAST WESTMOUNT RE-DEVELOPMENT POST

Here are a few progress pictures I took while passing by Westmount on Family Day…

The bus terminal is now closer to completion, there has been few bus shelters added. Unfortunately this terminal reminds me of the Argyle Mall terminal… a vast open space of concrete and ashphalt… it just seems like the LTC uses what ever it has in stock to create these new terminals seeing as the same shelters are at its terminals as on the road, it is a shame because a terminal has so much more potential especially at Westmount mall with it being so close to the building(compared to Argyle and Masonville) there is potential to integrate the shelters with the mall it self. At the very least I wish the LTC would make its terminals a bit more exciting with different style bus shelters and layout, kind of like what they did at Fanshawe College (I will post a couple pictures in the coming days check back)

The movie theater is also moving along, even on Family Day construction workers were hard at work, since my last post about Westmount they have added the windows in what I presume to be the main entrance, they have covered the lower 6 feet all around the building with a stone material (similar to that of Silver City) and it seems like they are building some sort of over hang to protect people from the elements between the entrance to the mall(on the north side by Zellers)and the theater.

*JrUD

Progress on Westmout Shopping Center Re-development

As many of you know, Westmount has been struggling to keep tenants for the past decade. In its latest attempt to re-invent its self Westmount has decided to build 5 freestanding buildings along the perimeter of their property, demolish the corner building to create an urban square, and  build a brand new cineplex movie theater in behind the mall. All this sounds great, until you start looking at the design aspects of the plans.

FACT: they do intend to bring the buildings to almost 0 meters from the lot line which is great and will definitely improve  the streetscape along Wonderland and Viscount which have been huge parking lots ever since the mall was built, BUT   there doesn’t seem to be any entrances fronting the street at least not with the first of 5 buildings – Td Canada trust. I know some people may disagree with not having an entrance off the parking lot.. but really that extra 1 min walk will only do us good 🙂

Then if you look at the placement of the movie theater you notice that how its completely hidden behind the mall, the building seems to be just the typical generic cineplex theater that is being built everywhere in Canada.. its too bad Canadian movie theaters can all have a unique look or at least a hand full of different designs! One interesting thing to point out is that they have set the building really close to the mall but have no access from that side. make me wonder if they have future plans that they have yet to release…

Lastly, I wanted to talk about the new bus terminal(or lack there of) in my eyes a transit terminal should at least have some sort of shelter and seating.. which are both lacking at this new terminal, they basically took what was on the side of the mall and moved it across the street, only it was better where it was as people at least had the wall to sit on…

Here are some pictures of the new TD building, the progress on the Theater as well as a picture of the bus “terminal”; 

New TD Bank Relative to Wonderland Rd

View From Parking Lot South of Corner of Site

New Building is really close to the existing mall

View Upon Entering Parking Lot Behind the Mall Coming from Wonderland Rd

New Transit Terminal

 

Personally I think its great that Westmout is trying to do SOMETHING with their property and are still trying to bring in tenants as well as customers. However I think for them to do really well again they should totally re-invent themselves, I’m thinking tear down the whole mall, leave the Zellers, Sears and A&P as well as the underground parking and take it from there. That’s pretty much what Bayshore Mall  in Glendale (Milwaukee) Wisconsin did they turned it into Bayshore Town Center. While visiting it last October I was amazed at the feeling and sense of community it had. Its a true mixed use center with retail at grade, office and residential above, it also has a town square with a fountain and green space that is linned on two sides with restaurants and cafe’s.

Check out some photos of BayShore TownCenter here

“Town Centers”( a more upscale type of big box development)  are poping up all over the USA and just starting here in Canada just look at smart centers  Foundry District planned for Toronto.

I think it would be an interesting concept for London, especially in Westmout as there is a large number of residential units in close proximity, and the fact that they already have underground parking couldmake this project economically viable- maybe not right at this moment, with the economy crashing, but definitely in a few years.