CrossIron Mills

CrossIron Mills is a large enclosed shopping and outlet centre located in Rocky View County, Alberta, immediately east of Balzac and just outside Calgary's northern city limits. It was developed and is owned by Ivanhoé Cambridge, the Canadian real-estate company associated with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. The centre was conceived as an Alberta version of the large, racetrack-format outlet and entertainment malls associated with the Mills concept, while ultimately being completed without The Mills Corporation as a development partner. Planning followed the success of Vaughan Mills in Ontario, which opened in 2004. Ivanhoé Cambridge initially worked with The Mills Corporation on a broader Canadian expansion strategy, but The Mills withdrew from the project in 2006 after financial and accounting problems and the sale of its non-U.S. properties. Ivanhoé Cambridge continued with the Alberta development. Construction began in June 2007 on a roughly 700-acre site. Rocky View County approved the commercial and retail development in January 2008, subject to infrastructure and stormwater requirements that included constructed wetlands and stormwater-management ponds. JPRA Architects and Cohos Evamy, now DIALOG, worked on the design, while Ledcor Construction served as general contractor. The first tenant was Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, which opened in March 2009 while the rest of the centre was still under construction. Its Alberta debut helped establish the project before the main opening. Most of CrossIron Mills opened on August 19, 2009, making it Alberta's first new enclosed regional shopping centre in more than two decades. The opening combined outlet retail, conventional stores, dining, and entertainment in a single-level racetrack layout. Initial tenants included several retailers that were new or distinctive to the Alberta market, including Bass Pro Shops, Gap Generation, and a large Toys "R" Us location. The centre expanded its entertainment offer in 2010 with SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas and the Xscape Entertainment Centre. The seven-screen cinema was the first in Western Canada to introduce Cineplex's UltraAVX format, combining a larger screen with enhanced digital sound. CrossIron Mills subsequently became a regional and tourist shopping destination, drawing visitors from Calgary, surrounding communities, and travellers using nearby transportation routes. By 2012, the property was reported to be approximately 90 percent leased, with additional fashion and athletic brands entering the tenant mix. A major redevelopment began in the mid-2010s. The original food court was moved to a new, larger facility, while its former space was converted into additional retail and restaurant premises. The CrossIron Mills Food Hall opened in July 2016 with approximately 24 food outlets, around 1,400 seats, and a new mall entrance. The project also incorporated updated mechanical systems, LED lighting, recycling facilities, and additional green space. The redevelopment added roughly 46,000 square feet of retail area and strengthened the centre's role as a combined shopping, dining, and leisure destination. Occupancy remained strong in the late 2010s. In 2018, management reported occupancy above 98 percent, supported by new tenants such as Skechers, Kate Spade New York, Aldo, Auntie Anne's, and MINISO. The centre marked its tenth anniversary in 2019 with the Roll With It programme, which included a temporary indoor roller-skating rink, a fashion and art event, light displays, promotional activities, and themed installations. CrossIron Mills temporarily changed operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its hours were reduced in March 2020, and the centre closed to the public later that month except for essential services. It reopened in May 2020 with physical-distancing and other public-health measures. In 2021, Jones Lang LaSalle was announced as the company taking over leasing and management responsibilities. Subsequen…

CrossIron Mills originated in Ivanhoé Cambridge's effort to reproduce the large-scale, outlet-oriented shopping-centre model that had gained attention in Canada after Vaughan Mills opened in 2004. The proposed Alberta project was planned with The Mills Corporation, whose racetrack-style centres combined outlet stores, themed dining, entertainment, and a broad regional catchment. The partnership changed before construction was completed. In 2006, The Mills Corporation faced a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation concerning accounting and financial-reporting irregularities and sold its properties outside the United States to Ivanhoé Cambridge. The Mills subsequently left the Alberta project, but Ivanhoé Cambridge retained the concept and proceeded independently. The CrossIron Mills site occupies approximately 700 acres east of Balzac and immediately beyond Calgary's northern boundary. Construction started in June 2007. Rocky View County approved the commercial and retail development in January 2008. Approval included requirements for stormwater controls, including constructed wetlands and ponds incorporated into the site's landscape and master-development planning. JPRA Architects and Cohos Evamy, now known as DIALOG, were involved in the design, and Ledcor Construction was the general contractor. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World became the first tenant to open, launching in March 2009 while the wider centre was still being built. It was the retailer's first Alberta franchise and provided an early anchor for the project. The majority of CrossIron Mills opened on August 19, 2009. The centre was presented as a major new enclosed regional shopping destination and used a single-level racetrack plan influenced by the Mills format. Its mix included outlet and value retail, conventional branded stores, dining, and entertainment. The opening attracted very large crowds, and the property quickly developed a catchment extending beyond the Calgary metropolitan area. The entertainment component grew in 2010 when SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas and the Xscape Entertainment Centre opened. The facility contained seven auditoriums and introduced UltraAVX, a premium cinema format with a larger screen and enhanced sound, to Western Canada. Visitor numbers in the early 2010s reinforced the centre's role as a destination rather than simply a neighbourhood shopping facility. Fashion and athletic tenants continued to be added, including Hugo Boss Outlet and Puma, while the centre's leasing position strengthened. A substantial redevelopment followed in the mid-2010s. Ivanhoé Cambridge announced plans in 2014 to move and modernize the food court, freeing the original food-court footprint for retail and restaurant uses. Construction began in 2015, and the new CrossIron Mills Food Hall opened on July 27, 2016. It included approximately 24 restaurants, about 1,400 seats, a new entrance, more green space, updated kitchen exhaust systems, improved recycling amenities, LED lighting, and modern HVAC infrastructure. The former food court was converted into additional retail space, later accommodating tenants and restaurants including Victoria's Secret, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Milestones Grill and Bar. The redevelopment added approximately 46,000 square feet of retail area. By 2018, CrossIron Mills had added a range of international and national tenants, including a large Skechers store, Kate Spade New York, Aldo, Auntie Anne's, and MINISO. Mall management reported occupancy above 98 percent. The centre's tenth anniversary in 2019 was marked by the Roll With It campaign, which used an indoor roller rink, a light show, fashion and art programming, promotional gifts, and themed visitor installations to emphasize the property's entertainment positioning. The centre was also the site of a serious targeted shooting on September 16, 2019. One man was seriously injured in the parking area near the food-court entrance. Police activity led to a lockdown and the safe evacuation of thousands of shoppers and employees. Multiple individuals were later charged in relation to attempted murder and conspiracy allegations, and at least one participant received a prison sentence in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted normal operations. CrossIron Mills reduced its hours on March 15, 2020, closed to the public on March 28 except for essential services, and reopened on May 14 with distancing and related public-health measures. In 2021, Jones Lang LaSalle was announced as the new leasing and management provider. The tenant mix later reflected broader changes in Canadian retail, including the departures of Nordstrom Rack and Bed Bath & Beyond in 2023. CrossIron Mills remains an active super-regional shopping centre serving Calgary, Rocky View County, Alberta, and visitors from farther afield.

• 2021

  JLL assumes management and leasing role

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Jones Lang LaSalle was selected to handle leasing and management responsibilities.

• 2020

  Pandemic closure and reopening

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The centre temporarily closed except for essential services and reopened in May under COVID-19 safety measures.

• 2019

  Tenth-anniversary Roll With It programme

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The centre celebrated its tenth anniversary with a multi-day campaign combining retail promotions, fashion, art, lighting, and indoor roller skating.

• 2016

  CrossIron Mills Food Hall opens

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The relocated food hall opened after a major redevelopment that also created additional retail space and a new entrance.

• 2010

  Cinema and entertainment phase opens

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas and the Xscape Entertainment Centre opened with seven auditoriums and Western Canada's first UltraAVX location.

• 2009

  Bass Pro Shops opens

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World became the first tenant and opened Alberta's first location in March.

• 2009

  Main centre opens

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Most of CrossIron Mills opened on August 19, establishing a major enclosed outlet and regional shopping destination near Calgary.

• 2008

  Rocky View County approves the development

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The county approved the commercial and retail development, including required stormwater-management and constructed-wetland features.

• 2007

  Construction begins

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Construction of CrossIron Mills began in June on the site east of Balzac.

• 2006

  The Mills Corporation exits the project

  [1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The Mills Corporation's financial and reporting problems led to its withdrawal from the Alberta development. Ivanhoé Cambridge continued the project.

Showing the 10 most recent.

A super-regional, single-level outlet and lifestyle shopping centre combining value-oriented retail, full-price brands, dining, entertainment, and tourist appeal.

• Retail and outlet shopping centre · 2009

  CrossIron Mills shopping centre

  The core offering is a large, single-level enclosed shopping centre using a racetrack-style layout. It combines outlet stores with full-price fashion, footwear, sporting goods, home, toy, specialty, and service retailers. Its regional scale and location near Calgary support both local shopping and destination visits from across Alberta.

• Food and dining · 2016

  CrossIron Mills Food Hall

  The Food Hall is the centre's principal dining area, opened as part of the mid-2010s redevelopment. It brought together numerous quick-service and casual dining concepts, expanded seating, and a new entrance. Its design incorporated updated ventilation, lighting, recycling, and green-space features.

• Cinema and entertainment · 2010

  SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas and Xscape Entertainment Centre

  This entertainment facility opened with seven auditoriums and helped broaden CrossIron Mills beyond retail. It introduced UltraAVX to Western Canada, providing a larger-screen and enhanced-audio cinema experience within the shopping-centre complex.

• Outdoor retail anchor · 2009

  Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

  Bass Pro Shops was the first CrossIron Mills tenant to open and served as an early anchor for the development. The store was the retailer's first Alberta location and brought outdoor equipment, apparel, recreation merchandise, and destination-store appeal to the centre.

• 2019

  Targeted shooting at the shopping centre

  A targeted shooting took place in the parking area near the food-court entrance on September 16, 2019. One man was seriously injured. The mall was locked down and thousands of shoppers and employees were evacuated. Four people were later charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder; a participant was sentenced to prison in 2020.

  Source

Read more

• 2019Roll With It

  Canada · Alberta · Calgary region

  A ten-day tenth-anniversary programme built around the theme Roll With It. Activities included an indoor roller-skating rink, a light show, the PARKSHOW fashion and art event, promotional giveaways, a themed birthday-cake area, and visitor photo installations.

  Outcome. The campaign positioned CrossIron Mills as an entertainment-led destination as well as a shopping centre and commemorated its first decade of operation.

  Source

• 2021

  Appoint JLL for leasing and managementStrategy

  Background

  The property required ongoing tenant leasing and shopping-centre management after the pandemic disruption and broader changes in retail real estate.

  Action taken

  Jones Lang LaSalle was announced as the provider taking over leasing and management responsibilities for CrossIron Mills.

  Aftermath

  The change added an external commercial real-estate services provider to the centre's operating structure.

  Source

• 2020

  Temporarily close and reopen under pandemic controlsOther

  Background

  The COVID-19 pandemic led to public-health restrictions and reduced retail activity in Alberta.

  Action taken

  CrossIron Mills reduced its hours, closed except for essential services, and later reopened with distancing and related safety measures.

  Aftermath

  The centre resumed public operations in May 2020 under modified conditions.

  Source

• 2014

  Redevelop and relocate the food courtStrategy

  Background

  The original food court occupied space that could support additional retail and restaurant uses, while the centre sought to improve its dining offer.

  Action taken

  Ivanhoé Cambridge announced a redevelopment involving a new food hall, a new entrance, and conversion of the original food-court area into additional retail space.

  Aftermath

  The CrossIron Mills Food Hall opened in 2016, and the former food-court space was redeveloped for additional tenants.

  Redevelopment cost. (Announced in 2014; opened in 2016)

  Source

• 2006

  Continue the project after The Mills Corporation's withdrawalStrategy

  Background

  The original development concept involved Ivanhoé Cambridge and The Mills Corporation, but The Mills encountered financial and accounting problems and exited the project.

  Action taken

  Ivanhoé Cambridge retained control of the Canadian development strategy and proceeded with CrossIron Mills without The Mills Corporation as a continuing project partner.

  Aftermath

  The centre opened in 2009 using a Mills-inspired racetrack and outlet format, but it was not developed by The Mills Corporation.

  Source

• 2023

  Nordstrom Rack announces Canadian closure[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Other

  Nordstrom Rack announced that its CrossIron Mills location would close as Nordstrom exited the Canadian market.

• 2023

  Bed Bath & Beyond closes Canadian stores[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  Bed Bath & Beyond shut its Canadian locations during the company's broader bankruptcy-related wind-down, affecting its presence at the centre.

• 2021

  JLL takes over leasing and management responsibilities[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Jones Lang LaSalle was announced as the new leasing and management provider for CrossIron Mills.

• 2020

  Temporary COVID-19 closure and reopening[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Operating hours were reduced in March during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a temporary closure except for essential services. The centre reopened in May under physical-distancing and other public-health requirements.

• 2019

  CrossIron Mills marks its tenth anniversary[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  The centre held the Roll With It anniversary programme, featuring a temporary indoor roller rink, light displays, fashion and art programming, promotional giveaways, and themed installations.

• 2016

  Food Hall redevelopment opens[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  A new food hall opened after the original food court was relocated. The redevelopment added dining capacity, a new entrance, upgraded building systems, recycling facilities, and additional retail space in the former food-court area.

• 2010

  SilverCity cinema and entertainment centre opens[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The centre added a seven-auditorium SilverCity cinema and Xscape Entertainment Centre, including the first Western Canadian UltraAVX venue.

• 2009

  CrossIron Mills opens to the public[1]CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The main portion of the shopping centre opened on August 19, following the earlier opening of Bass Pro Shops. The launch attracted substantial public attention and established the centre as a major new regional retail destination in Alberta.

1. 1CrossIron Millsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2CrossIron Mills official websitecrossironmills.com