Aritzia set to open 40.000 sqaure-foot flagship in former Nordstrom space

Aritzia is set to open one of its largest flagship stores at Vancouver’s CF Pacific Centre.

The 40,000 square-foot space at Robson and Howe is confirmed to take four levels of the former Nordstrom space. The space has sat empty since June 2023, when Nordstrom ceased all Canadian operations.

Aritzia’s announcement comes just days before the opening of New York City’s Flatiron flagship, a 25,000 square-foot store as the Vancouver-founded company expands their U.S. presence. The company also opened a 46,000 square-foot flagship on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue last year, which is, at present, the largest in its portfolio. 

“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,” says Jennifer Wong, CEO of Aritzia in a statement. “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 opened a new boutique on Kitsilano’s 4th Avenue in May 2025, taking over the former Urban Outfitters space. 

President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview, Sal Iacono, also issued a statement. “We are incredibly proud to support Aritzia’s continued growth across Canada. The new Flagship Boutique at Pacific Centre will be a true testament to our shared commitment to creating unparalleled retail destinations, and we can’t wait to see what Aritzia has in store for this landmark location,” he said in a press release. 

While unconfirmed, rumors are swirling that the brand will also open an A-OK Cafe inside the new space. Notably, Nordstrom operated their Bistro Verde restaurant on the third floor of their former store. The Lower Mainland saw the first addition of Aritzia’s coffee brand at Surrey’s new Guildford Center boutique in May, over six years after Toronto’s Bloor Street cafe made its debut. 

Aritzia has several stores in the downtown Vancouver core already, including an existing Pacific Centre location, as well as a Robson Street store. They also operate separate Wilfred and Babaton stores in the lower level of the mall. It’s unclear if Aritzia intends to maintain the current Pacific Center location in addition to the new boutique. BCBusiness has reached out for comment. 

The retail brand was founded by Brian Hill in his parents’ Vancouver-based department store, Hill’s of Kerrisdale, back in 1984. The first store opened shortly after in Oakridge Center. The brand expanded across Canada through the ‘90s, opening their first US store in the mid-2000s in Bellevue. Aritzia has launched several private label brands under their Everyday Luxury theme, including Babaton, Wilfred, TNA, Sunday Best and the ever-popular Super Puff jackets. 

More details are set to come about the new flagship.