Aritzia to replace former downtown Vancouver Nordstrom

A local retail giant is ready to move in and set up shop in the empty former Nordstrom in Pacific Centre.

After years of speculation around what would replace the massive Nordstrom department store at Pacific Centre, a new retailer has announced that it is moving in.

Vancouver-based clothing company Aritzia—well known for creating hours-long lines downtown during its warehouse sales—revealed Wednesday it plans to open a flagship boutique at the corner of Robson and Howe, with a tentative opening date set sometime in 2027.

The former Nordstrom space has four levels and spans about 40,000 square feet, which Aritzia says would make it one of the brand’s “most expansive and immersive retail destinations to date.”

The store has sat empty since Seattle-based retailer Nordstrom closed all of its Canadian locations in the summer of 2023.

“Vancouver is where our story began, and we’re thrilled to bring an even more impactful Aritzia experience to the heart of the city with our new Pacific Centre Flagship,” CEO Jennifer Wong said, in a news release.

“Expanding our collection of iconic flagships, this boutique represents an exciting step in our growth strategy as we continue to build our presence in North America and beyond.”

Aritzia also said it plans to open a “casual-yet-elevated dining concept” within the new store.

Founded in Vancouver in 1984, Aritzia now has more than 140 stores in North America across several in-house brands including TNA, Babaton and Wilfred. Aritzia currently has three flagship locations, two in New York City and one in Chicago.