90-store fashion outlet mall coming to Winnipeg

Amassive outlet mall is coming to Winnipeg,set to opennear Ikea in spring 2017.

The 385,000-square-footOutlet Collection at Winnipeg will be attheSeasons of Tuxedo development at KenastonBoulevard and Sterling LyonParkwayin southwest Winnipeg.

The project is apartnership between three realestate companies: Regina-basedHarvard Developments and ForsterProjects, andQuebec-based IvanhoeCambridge.

"Outlet Collection at Winnipeg will be the first pure outlet centre in Greater Winnipeg and willoffer superior brandsfrom more than 90 renowned retailers, all housed under oneroof," stated a news release from the companies.

Blair Forster, vice-president of Harvard Developments,told CBC News he isn't prepared yet toreveal the stores that will be part of the mall but said many of the retailersare from the U.S. and will be new to Winnipeg.

We are thrilled to work alongside established real estate players to bring the Outlet Collectionexperience to Winnipeg, which promises to offer an unparalleled retail mix to local shoppers andtourists from neighbouring provinces and U.S. states, John Scott, senior vice-presidentatIvanhoeCambridge, stated in a news release.

Tourism Winnipeg echoed Foster's statement, saying the outlet mall could keep local shopaholics fromcrossing the border for deals, andit may evenattract more tourists.

Shoppers likeJenny Prest and her mom are looking forward to having the mall in Winnipeg.

Having big brand name stores and lots of them all in the same place is just exciting, said Prest. It's nice to have it here especially in such a central place

Outlet Collection is also opening locationsin Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., in May and inEdmonton, Alta., in 2016.

The site for theOutlet Collection at Winnipegis part of an overall 117-acreparcel owned by Harvard, which also just became a co-owner of one of the city'stallest office towers.

Harvard, along with Saskatchewan-based GreystoneManaged Investments, announced Monday that it purchased the formerCanWest Global Place at 201 Portage Avenue.

The 32-storey tower islocated at the corner of Portage and Main.