Laurier Québec
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA large enclosed shopping centre in Quebec City and one of Quebec’s earliest indoor malls.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Laurier Québec is a major enclosed shopping centre in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, located in the former city of Sainte-Foy. The property opened on November 11, 1961, under the name Place Laurier and is recognized as the first enclosed shopping centre in the province. It began as a two-level mall with approximately 50 stores and several department-store and supermarket anchors, then expanded repeatedly over the following decades. The development ultimately became one of the largest shopping destinations in the Quebec City region. The mall’s early anchor lineup included Pascal’s, Syndicat, Kresge’s, Towers and Dominion, alongside the eight-storey Tour Frontenac office building. During the 1960s, a substantial western expansion replaced and incorporated the former Towers area, adding a second Dominion supermarket, relocated department stores, restaurants, banking services and additional retail space. Pascal’s also expanded, while Paquet moved into a new two-level building. These changes established the mall as a large regional retail complex rather than a conventional neighbourhood centre. A northern expansion in the early 1970s brought a Simpsons-Sears store and a new section of shops. The mall changed ownership in 1976 when Marathon Realty, the real-estate arm of Canadian Pacific, acquired it from Les Immeubles Delrano. In the 1980s, the property experienced another major growth phase. Following the 1981 bankruptcies of Paquet and Syndicat, their former spaces were reorganized for new tenants. Zellers opened in part of the former Paquet space in 1982, while a large The Bay store and two connected retail wings were added during the same period. By the middle of the decade, the centre had undergone nine expansions. The 1990s brought further tenant restructuring and changes in management. A second Zellers location was created through the conversion of Bonimart, briefly giving the mall two stores under the same banner. Marathon sold a half interest to OMERS Realty in 1994, and Oxford Properties became manager in 1996. Ivanhoé Cambridge assumed management in 2000 and acquired Oxford’s half interest in 2001 after its merger with Cambridge Shopping Centres. The property was renamed Laurier Québec in April 2007, giving the centre a more explicitly local identity. In the 2010s, Laurier Québec continued to replace traditional department-store tenants with large-format specialty, discount and general-merchandise retailers. Ivanhoé Cambridge acquired OMERS’s remaining interest in 2010, making it sole owner at that time. Best Buy opened in 2011. Target Canada replaced the remaining Zellers store in 2013, but after Target withdrew from Canada, Walmart Canada took over the lease and opened a supercentre in 2016. Marshalls opened the same year in space formerly occupied by Future Shop. Sears closed in January 2018 as part of the chain’s Canadian liquidation. In late 2021, Sports Experts opened a large two-level store in the former Sears premises. The approximately 84,000-square-foot location was described as the retailer’s largest store and became one of the mall’s principal attractions. Hudson’s Bay, which had occupied the large two-level department-store space added in the early 1980s, closed on September 11, 2022. The former department-store site is intended for redevelopment, including residential uses. The proposed long-term project would substantially increase the broader property’s floor area and is being pursued by Ivanhoé Cambridge with Quebec development group Douville, Moffet et Associés. Today, Laurier Québec contains approximately 215 stores and restaurants across three levels, supported by underground, multilevel and outdoor parking. Its tenant mix includes national chains and Quebec retailers across sports, electronics, apparel, home goods, books, jewellery, eyewear, music, toys, pets, beauty and food. Major tenants identified in reference material include Sports Experts, Best Buy, Walmart Canada, Marshalls, Sunrise Reco…
History
Laurier Québec opened as Place Laurier on November 11, 1961, in Sainte-Foy, now part of Quebec City. The original two-level centre had about 50 stores and anchors including Pascal’s, Syndicat, Kresge’s, Towers and Dominion. An eight-storey office building, Tour Frontenac, also opened in 1961. The mall expanded during the decade with a three-level western wing, a second Dominion supermarket, relocated department stores, restaurants and banking facilities. The northern portion was enlarged in the early 1970s. Simpsons-Sears opened in October 1971, followed by the remainder of the new section in 1972. Marathon Realty acquired Place Laurier in 1976 for $40 million. In 1981, Paquet and Syndicat entered bankruptcy. Zellers opened in part of the former Paquet premises in 1982, while a major southern expansion added a two-level The Bay store and 65 additional shops. The property had undergone nine expansions by 1986. In 1991, a former Bonimart store was converted to Zellers, temporarily giving the mall two Zellers outlets. Marathon sold half its interest to OMERS Realty in 1994. Oxford Properties became manager in 1996 after Marathon was acquired by Olympiad Acquisitions, a joint venture involving Oxford and GE Capital. In 2000, Ivanhoé Cambridge became manager and acquired Oxford’s half interest in 2001 following the creation of Ivanhoé Cambridge through the merger of Ivanhoe and Cambridge Shopping Centres. Sears renovated and enlarged its store in 2004. The property adopted the Laurier Québec name in April 2007. Ivanhoé Cambridge bought OMERS’s remaining interest in June 2010. Best Buy opened in September 2011. The remaining Zellers was converted to Target Canada in October 2013; Walmart Canada later took over the premises and opened in 2016. Marshalls also opened in 2016, while Sears closed on January 14, 2018. Sports Experts occupied the former Sears site in late 2021 with a large two-floor store. Hudson’s Bay, formerly The Bay, closed its approximately 157,000-square-foot location on September 11, 2022. The former department-store property is planned for redevelopment, including residential buildings. Ivanhoé Cambridge and Douville, Moffet et Associés are associated with a long-term project that would significantly expand the overall property. Laurier Québec currently operates as a roughly 215-store regional mall with retail, dining and service tenants distributed over three levels.
- 2022
Hudson’s Bay closes
[1]The large department-store location closed and was earmarked for redevelopment.
- 2021
Sports Experts opens its largest store
[1]A two-level Sports Experts store opened in the former Sears premises.
- 2016
Walmart and Marshalls arrive
[1]Walmart opened in the former Target premises and Marshalls opened in former Future Shop space.
- 2013
Target Canada replaces Zellers
[1]The remaining Zellers location was converted to Target Canada.
- 2011
Best Buy opens
[1]A Best Buy store opened in September alongside another Quebec City-area location.
- 2010
Ivanhoé Cambridge obtains full ownership
[1]The company acquired OMERS Realty’s 50 percent interest.
- 2007
Name changes to Laurier Québec
[1]The property officially changed its name from Place Laurier to Laurier Québec.
- 2001
Ivanhoé Cambridge is formed
[1]Ivanhoe merged with Cambridge Shopping Centres, creating Ivanhoé Cambridge and consolidating the mall’s management structure.
- 1996
Oxford Properties becomes manager
[1]Management transferred to Oxford Properties after the Marathon-related ownership transaction.
- 1982
Major southern expansion
[1]The Bay and two linked retail wings were added, while Zellers opened in part of the former Paquet store.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
A large regional enclosed shopping centre combining department-store replacements, specialty retail, discount and general merchandise, dining, services and future mixed-use redevelopment in the Quebec City market.
Sporting goods retailer · 2021
Sports Experts Laurier Québec
A large two-level sporting-goods store opened in the former Sears premises in late 2021. At approximately 84,000 square feet, it was described as the largest Sports Experts store and became a major anchor within the centre.
Consumer electronics · 2011
Best Buy
Best Buy operates a major electronics and technology retail location at Laurier Québec, offering consumer electronics, computing products, appliances, entertainment equipment and related services.
General merchandise · 2016
Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a supercentre in premises previously occupied by Target Canada. The store contributes general merchandise and grocery traffic to the regional mall.
Off-price apparel and home goods · 2016
Marshalls
Marshalls occupies space formerly used by Future Shop and provides off-price apparel, accessories, footwear and home merchandise.
Books and entertainment
Renaud-Bray
Renaud-Bray is a Quebec-based bookseller represented among Laurier Québec’s major tenants, with books, educational products, gifts and entertainment merchandise.
Home goods
Linen Chest
Linen Chest operates a large-format home-products store offering bedding, kitchenware, bath goods, décor and related household merchandise.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Best Buy opening promotion
Quebec City · Canada
The opening of Best Buy at Laurier Québec included autograph appearances by former hockey players Guy Lafleur and Alain Côté, as well as a free concert by singer Marie-Mai.
Outcome. The opening was used as a high-profile launch event for the new anchor tenant.
Brand decisions
2022
Redevelop the former Hudson’s Bay siteStrategyBackground
Hudson’s Bay closed its large two-level store after the department-store format had become less central to the mall’s tenant mix.
Action taken
The site was designated for redevelopment that includes residential buildings. Ivanhoé Cambridge partnered with Douville, Moffet et Associés on a long-term expansion and mixed-use plan.
Aftermath
The proposal would substantially increase the property’s overall floor area and reshape Laurier Québec as a mixed-use destination over an extended development period.
2021
Open a flagship-scale Sports Experts storeProduct launchBackground
The closure of Sears created a large vacant anchor space in the mall.
Action taken
Sports Experts opened a two-level store of approximately 84,000 square feet in the former Sears premises.
Aftermath
The store was described as the largest Sports Experts location and became a significant new anchor.
2013
Replace Zellers with Target CanadaOtherBackground
The remaining Zellers store was part of a broader transition of former Zellers locations in Canada.
Action taken
The space was converted to a Target Canada store, which opened on October 18, 2013.
Aftermath
After Target Canada withdrew from the country, Walmart Canada acquired the lease and opened a supercentre in 2016.
2010
Consolidate ownership under Ivanhoé CambridgeM&ABackground
Ivanhoé Cambridge already managed the centre and held one half of the property after earlier ownership changes.
Action taken
Ivanhoé Cambridge purchased OMERS Realty’s remaining 50 percent interest.
Aftermath
Ivanhoé Cambridge held full ownership before later partnering with Douville, Moffet et Associés on redevelopment plans.
2007
Rebrand Place Laurier as Laurier QuébecStrategyBackground
The shopping centre had operated for decades under the Place Laurier name and was seeking a more locally distinctive identity.
Action taken
The property changed its official name to Laurier Québec in April 2007.
Aftermath
The Laurier Québec name remains the centre’s current identity, while Place Laurier continues to be used as a historical or colloquial reference.
Recent events
- 2022
Hudson’s Bay closes at Laurier Québec[1]
Other
The large two-level department-store location closed, with the site identified for future redevelopment including residential buildings.
- 2021
Large Sports Experts store opens in former Sears premises[1]
Product launch
Sports Experts opened a two-level store of approximately 84,000 square feet, described as the chain’s largest location.
- 2018
Sears closes at Laurier Québec[1]
Bankruptcy
The Sears store closed as part of the final shutdown of Sears Canada locations.
- 2016
Walmart opens in former Target space[1]
Product launch
After Target Canada exited the country, Walmart Canada acquired the lease and opened a supercentre at the mall.
- 2016
Marshalls opens at Laurier Québec[1]
Product launch
Marshalls opened in retail space previously occupied by Future Shop.
- 2013
Target replaces Zellers at Laurier Québec[1]
Product generation
The remaining Zellers location was converted into a Target Canada store.
- 2011
Best Buy opens at Laurier Québec[1]
Product launch · Campaign
Best Buy opened a Laurier Québec location, accompanied by promotional appearances and a free concert.
- 2010
Ivanhoé Cambridge acquires full ownership of Laurier Québec[1]
M&A
Ivanhoé Cambridge purchased OMERS Realty’s remaining half interest in the property and became its sole owner at that time.
- 2007
Laurier Québec is renamed from Place Laurier[1]
Other
The shopping centre adopted the Laurier Québec name, replacing the long-used Place Laurier identity.
Sources2 sources
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