Why Is International Village Mall So Empty?

Confession: the real question I wanted to answer today was “Why can’t I stop calling International Village Mall ‘Tinseltown’ even though the Tinseltown theatre there changed its name in 2010?”—but it turns out that’s a question better tackled by my therapist. So here we are, pondering a different unknown: the mystery of why one of the most centrally located malls in Vancouver can be consistently, utterly, spookily unoccupied… and still have remained in business for nearly 25 years.

The International Village Mall website suggests it’s a “location like no other,” and, honestly, you can’t argue with that. International Village is the only shopping complex in town that boasts more cell phone repair kiosks than shoppers, and it’s the sole place to find both Amanda’s Shoes and Fancy Gifts under one roof. What you can argue with is the claim that it’s a “state-of-the-art entertainment and shopping venue,” because that is not really an accurate way to describe a half-empty place that’s equally famous for being home to both Einstein Wrap House and a high-profile stabbing.

If you weren’t there for shawarma or knife crimes, odds are high that the last time you were at International Village was to see an indie movie (e.g., Garfield Goes to Camp 2) at the top-floor Cineplex, forced to journey to the summit of the mall via a treacherous and never-ending series of escalators. (“Vancouver’s Everest,” as the locals call it.) It may be these escalators that, ironically, keep International Village from reaching its true heights. Civic historian and noted Person Who Takes My Calls John Atkin pointed out in a recent conversation that the mall isn’t designed like other North American malls—the tower structure is intimidating to shoppers here. In Hong Kong, ascending multiple storeys to access whatever the Hong Kong equivalent of the Gap is (the Chājù?) is totally typical, but here, we like our malls like we like our men: squat, straightforward and full of Orange Julius. So maybe IVM never had a chance.

It wasn’t intended to be like this. The vision for the mall was for it to be a designer fashion mecca, and during the development phase dozens of huge international brands were reportedly on board: Gucci and Chanel and the gang were sold a vision of a destination that would lure the high-spenders from Robson and Alberni with its upscale selection and some dazzling tile work in the atrium. But as these brands got more familiar with the mall’s, um, ungentrified Crosstown location, they pulled out, one by one. Did representatives come to visit and find the neighbourhood a little too rough around the edges, or did they get swept away by the flow of Canucks fans headed back on the Skytrain to Surrey and had to start a new life selling crocodile handbags on the King George Station platform? We’ll never know.

Hong Kong’s Henderson Development followed through with the $150-million project even without Burberry ’n’ friends, but, without any major retailers (no offence to Fashion Hut or Oh My Print), the mall never reached its intended heights. It’s sad that this vision of glitz and glamour crashed and burned before it even began, but, as it turns out, a 300,000-square-foot mall can operate at half-capacity for decades if it has one important feature—condos on top.

That’s right. The mall itself is just a base for a far more lucrative real estate venture: homes. Look up. Look wayyyy up. Atop the David Hornblow–designed building, you’ll find 191 apartments, occupied by folks who never have to think twice about where to get their cell phones repaired.

Of course, Henderson would like the shopping area to be more than just a cavernous lobby for the building’s residents… though, frankly, its pitch is a little weak. The website lists a few “compelling reasons” for retailers to be a part of the mall, one of which is “adjacent to the Millennium Gate,” and all of which are demonstrations that Henderson does not know what the word “compelling” means. If you really want to entice stores to set up here (can you imagine what an economic driver a lone Claire’s could be?!), you’ve gotta mention the big benefit here: easy access to folks who are ready to shop after getting all hopped up at the second-floor cat café.