With ground now officially broken and 90 per cent of the space leased, The Shops of Canmore project is quickly moving toward reality.
On Friday (Feb. 9), owners, future tenants, friends, family and political officials braved cold weather for a sod (snow) turning event at The Shops of Canmore location at Old Canmore Road on the corner of Bow Valley Trail and Benchlands Trail.
The Tanner Properties project will feature four buildings in two phases, of about 65,000 square feet. Currently 18 tenants have their spots in the first phase, with businesses ranging from a liquor and convenience store to Wolverine Lounge and Restaurant, H+R Block, Embody Pilates Studio, Innovate Canmore, a hostel, Beamer’s Coffee, Freshii and Edo Japan, among others.
The two-story project, said Neil Tanner, became immediately popular, “due to its visibility and being on the highest traffic corner in Canmore. “It’s going to be a high quality building, with low maintenance and long lasting materials.
“And by the conversations I’ve already had, we’re well on the way to having tenants for the second phase lined up. I’m happy with the take-up for phase one, of course, it’s been a little quicker than I thought it might be.
“Actually, at this point, I’ve got more interest than I have space. Some of the tenants are new and some people have outgrown their space.”
Phase one is scheduled for opening in December, with phase two construction expected to begin in spring of 2019. Phase two will include underground parking.
“It’s going to be pretty much an active centre, not a passive centre. People will be able to have a coffee at Beamer’s at 6 a.m. and then have a glass of wine in the evening at Wolverine,” said Tanner.
At the official sod turning, Tanner said, “we’re very fortunate today to have members of the town, mayor and member of parliament and lots of great tenants for The Shops of Canmore, as well as my partners, as well as friends and family.
“I’m very proud to be hosting this event today. About 54 weeks ago, we signed an agreement and waived conditions on this forest that was here. To move this forward in this quick a time, it takes an awful lot of cooperation, not only from the Town of Canmore, but also from my architectural team.
“It’s been a great team for the whole last year.”
“Imagine having an integrated centre that responds to the needs of the surrounding community and visitors by offering services such as a hostel, healthy food options and is geared toward entrepreneurial community ventures,” wrote Tanner in a press release.
