Vaughan Mills, Canada’s First Enclosed Regional Shopping Centre in 14 Years, Opens Its Doors
Vaughan, Ontario – The Mills Corporation and Ivanhoe Cambridge today celebrated the grand opening of Vaughan Mills, the innovative 1.2 million-square-foot enclosed shopping centre located in Vaughan, Ontario. Vaughan Mills will feature more than 200 anchor and in-line retailers, and many unique dining and entertainment options. The centre is 93% leased.
The first enclosed regional shopping centre to be opened in Canada in 14 years, Vaughan Mills is one of the largest shopping and entertainment centres in the region, and will be an exciting destination for millions of Canadian and American consumers, families and tourists alike.
“Across the U.S., consumers flock in record numbers to The Mills centres for the innovative blend of retail and entertainment that has redefined the shopping exp erience,” said Laurence C. Siegel, chairman and CEO of The Mills Corporation. “We are thrilled to bring the excitement and fun of a Mills-branded destination to Canada.”
Vaughan Mills boasts Canada’s first Hudson’s Bay Company’s designer Depot, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World®, NASCAR® SpeedPark™, Lucky Strike Lanes, Burlington Coat Factory®, Town Shoes Outlet, Tommy Bahama Outlet, and Benetton Outlet. With an emphasis on value retail, Vaughan Mills also features many of the fashion names Canadian consumers already know and love. Among them, the largest Tommy Hilfiger Outlet in the world.
Other major anchor stores include H&M® (Hennes & Mauritz), La Senza/La Senza Girl, Linens ‘N Things®, Urban Behavior, The Children’s Place Outlet®, and Winners and Home Sense.
“Vaughan Mills has attracted a number of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues that will be the first of their kind in Canada,” said René Tremblay, president and CEO of Ivanhoe Cambridge. “We are delighted to partner with The Mills in bringing these and all the dynamic, innovative Vaughan Mills retailers to Canadian consumers.”
Families and sports enthusiasts will find plenty of action at Vaughan Mills. Outdoorsman’s paradise Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World contains a live trout pond, natural waterfall and instore fishing demonstrations. NASCAR SpeedPark features a state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor go cart track and ultra hip bowling mecca Lucky Strike Lanes brings its brand of bowling chic to Canada for the first time.
“Unlike any other shopping centre in the region, Vaughan Mills is a destination for the entire family, catering to all ages and tastes,” said Carol Hyams, general manager, Vaughan Mills. "Only at Vaughan Mills will you be able to find fabulous designer deals at brand name outlet stores, drive a go cart and enjoy a great meal all under one roof.”
During construction, Vaughan Mills generated 2,500 jobs. During operation, the centre will provide approximately 3,500 full- and part-time jobs, and is anticipated to add significantly to local annual tax revenues.
Vaughan Mills is divided into six unique neighbourhoods based on the design theme “Discover Ontario,” which celebrates the beauty, diversity and icons of the Province of Ontario.
Vaughan Mills is located at 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive in Vaughan, Ontario, 32 kilometres (20 miles) north of downtown Toronto, at the corner of Highway 400 and Rutherford Road. The centre will open with holiday hours, which are Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Regular business hours resume on January 2, 2005, which are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. For information call 905-879-2110.
About Vaughan Mills
Vaughan Mills is the first enclosed regional shopping centre built in Canada in more than 14 years. The 1.2 million-square-foot enclosed shopping, leisure and entertainment destination will ultimately feature 16 anchor tenants and more than 200 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. Many are the first of their kind in Canada, including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Burlington Coat Factory, NASCAR SpeedPark, Lucky Strike Lanes and Hudson's Bay Company's designer Depot. The centre also features the world’s largest Tommy Hilfiger Outlet. Located at the southeast corner of Highway 400 and Rutherford Road, in the City of Vaughan, Ontario, Vaughan Mills is owned by a 50/50 joint venture between The Mills Corporation and Ivanhoe Cambridge.
About The Mills Corporation
The Mills Corporation is a self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) based in Arlington, Virginia that owns, develops, leases, acquires, redevelops, expands and manages a portfolio of 38 retail and entertainment destinations totaling approximately 46 million square feet. Currently, the Company has six projects under construction or development around the world.
About Ivanhoe Cambridge
Recognized leader of the Canadian real estate industry, Ivanhoe Cambridge is one of the country’s pre-eminent property owners, managers, developers and investors. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, the Company focuses on quality regional and super-regional shopping centres located in urban areas. Its real estate portfolio of more than 39 million square feet of retail space consists mainly of 50 regional and super-regional shopping centres. As at December 31, 2003, the fair market value of Ivanhoe Cambridge’s assets was over CAD $6.8 billion.
Ivanhoe Cambridge is a member of CDP Capital, the asset manager for the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Amongst its shareholders, the Company also counts four Canadian pension funds.