Oshawa Centre
A major two-storey regional shopping centre in Oshawa, Ontario, serving Durham Region and surrounding communities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Oshawa Centre is a large enclosed shopping mall in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Positioned at the intersection of King Street and Stevenson Road, it is one of the principal retail and public-service destinations in Durham Region and is described as the largest mall in the region. Its tenant mix includes national and international retailers, food and beverage operators, personal services, and public-facing services. The centre also accommodates the Executive Office complex, which includes offices of Ontario's Ministry of Health, giving the property a role beyond conventional retail. The property began operating in 1956 as an open shopping plaza. It was enclosed in 1968, reflecting the broader development of climate-controlled shopping centres in Canada. Over subsequent decades, Oshawa Centre expanded its role as the dominant enclosed retail destination in the area, adding department stores, specialty retailers, entertainment uses, dining, and community-oriented services. Former major tenants included Eaton's, Famous Players, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Sears, Zellers, and Hudson's Bay. Their departures reflect wider changes in Canadian department-store retail, including the collapse or restructuring of several long-established chains. A major redevelopment began in summer 2013 under Ivanhoé Cambridge. The project involved an investment reported at approximately C$230 million and added about 60 stores, replaced the former 1950s-themed food court with a larger approximately 1,000-seat facility, and relocated the food court to the east side of the property within the new addition. Zellers was demolished in 2014 to support the redevelopment and associated parking changes. The renovated and expanded centre held its grand opening on September 29, 2016. Oshawa Centre is also integrated into the region's transportation network. A Durham Region Transit bus terminal is located near the mall's south-eastern entrance, with regular services connecting the centre to Oshawa and Whitby GO stations, Durham College campuses, and other destinations. This accessibility supports the mall's role as a regional rather than purely neighbourhood retail property. Ownership and management changed again in 2025, when Primaris REIT acquired Oshawa Centre together with a 50 percent interest in Southgate Centre. The centre remains an active retail property, although its tenant composition continues to evolve. The closure of Sears in 2018 followed the liquidation of Sears Canada, while Hudson's Bay closed in 2025 during the Hudson's Bay Company's liquidation and bankruptcy proceedings. Demolition of the former Sears space was reported as beginning in January 2026 to enable future development. The former Westmount Public School, a heritage building dating from 1925, had earlier been acquired in 1988 and demolished in September 2018 in connection with future expansion plans.
History
Oshawa Centre opened in 1956 as a shopping plaza in Oshawa, Ontario. Its early development established a significant retail node at King Street and Stevenson Road, an area that later became one of the city's most important commercial locations. In 1968 the plaza was enclosed, allowing it to operate as a conventional indoor shopping centre and strengthening its appeal during Ontario's colder months. The mall grew over the following decades as department stores and specialty retailers expanded across Canada. At different points, its major occupants included Eaton's, Sears, Zellers, Hudson's Bay, Mark's Work Wearhouse, and Famous Players. These tenants gave the centre a broad commercial profile spanning department-store merchandise, apparel, entertainment, and everyday services. Several subsequently disappeared from the property because of corporate closures, relocations, or changes in the Canadian retail market. Eaton's left in the mid-1990s, Famous Players departed after a new Cineplex cinema opened in north Oshawa, and Mark's Work Wearhouse moved to a location across the street near Canadian Tire. The property also absorbed and redeveloped adjacent land. In 1988, Oshawa Centre acquired the former Westmount Public School, a heritage building constructed in 1925. The building was eventually demolished in September 2018 as part of plans connected with future mall expansion. Zellers later closed and was demolished during the redevelopment process. The site had reportedly been considered for a Target store, but that proposed use never materialized. The centre's most significant modern transformation began in summer 2013. Ivanhoé Cambridge undertook a reported C$230 million renovation and expansion that added approximately 60 stores and materially changed the internal layout. The former food court, which had a 1950s theme, was replaced by a new facility seating roughly 1,000 people. The food court was relocated to the eastern section of the property in the new addition. Zellers was demolished in 2014 to create parking and support the revised site plan. The completed redevelopment received its public grand opening on September 29, 2016. Following the expansion, Oshawa Centre continued to function as a regional destination with more than 230 retail stores and public services. Its catchment extends beyond Oshawa into other parts of Durham Region. The property benefits from a Durham Region Transit bus terminal outside its south-eastern entrance, with services to Oshawa GO Station, Whitby GO Station, Durham College campuses, and other local destinations. The Executive Office complex also includes offices of Ontario's Ministry of Health, adding an institutional and administrative dimension to the site. The centre's department-store landscape changed again after Sears Canada entered liquidation, leading the Oshawa Centre Sears store to close in 2018. Hudson's Bay subsequently closed its location in 2025 during the Hudson's Bay Company's liquidation and bankruptcy proceedings. The former Hudson's Bay space was described as vacant, while demolition of the former Sears space was reported to have begun in January 2026 for future development. In 2025, Primaris REIT acquired Oshawa Centre together with a 50 percent interest in Southgate Centre. Primaris became the mall's owner and manager, replacing the previous ownership and management arrangement associated with Ivanhoé Cambridge. The property remains an active regional shopping centre whose future depends on tenant replacement, redevelopment of former department-store areas, transit connectivity, and continued adaptation to changes in Canadian retail.
- 2026
Former Sears space enters demolition
[1]Demolition of the former Sears space reportedly begins in January to make room for future development.
- 2025
Primaris REIT becomes owner and manager
[1]Primaris REIT acquires Oshawa Centre together with a 50 percent interest in Southgate Centre.
- 2025
Hudson's Bay location closes
[1]The Hudson's Bay store closes during the parent company's liquidation and bankruptcy proceedings.
- 2018
Sears location closes
[1]The Sears store closes during the liquidation of Sears Canada's operations.
- 2018
Westmount Public School demolished
[1]The former school building is demolished in September for plans associated with future expansion.
- 2016
Renovated and expanded centre reopens
[1]The redeveloped Oshawa Centre holds its grand opening on September 29, featuring approximately 60 additional stores and a new food court.
- 2014
Zellers site cleared
[1]The Zellers building is demolished to support the redevelopment and create additional parking.
- 2013
Major redevelopment begins
[1]Ivanhoé Cambridge begins a major renovation and expansion project reported at approximately C$230 million.
- 1988
Former Westmount Public School acquired
[1]Oshawa Centre acquires the former Westmount Public School, a heritage building dating from 1925.
- 1968
Centre becomes enclosed
[1]The shopping plaza is enclosed, establishing the indoor mall format associated with Oshawa Centre.
Products and positioning
A large regional shopping centre positioned as Durham Region's principal enclosed retail, dining, services, and transit-connected destination.
Apparel, department-store, specialty, and lifestyle retail · 1956
Retail stores
Oshawa Centre's principal offering is a large concentration of retail stores serving apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, electronics, home, and everyday consumer needs. The centre has historically hosted major department stores and national chains alongside smaller specialty retailers, making it a broad regional shopping destination rather than a narrowly focused specialist property.
Food and beverage · 2016
Food court and dining
The centre provides food and beverage options anchored by a large food court. During the 2013–2016 redevelopment, the former 1950s-themed food court was replaced and moved to the eastern addition. The new facility was designed to seat approximately 1,000 people, supporting shoppers, mall employees, and visitors using the property as a regional gathering place.
Public services and offices
Public and professional services
Beyond retail, Oshawa Centre accommodates public-facing services and an Executive Office complex that includes offices of Ontario's Ministry of Health. These uses diversify the property's activity and contribute to its role as a civic and administrative destination within Oshawa.
Transportation access
Transit-connected access
A Durham Region Transit bus terminal is located outside the mall's south-eastern entrance. Regular services connect the centre with Oshawa GO Station, Whitby GO Station, Durham College campuses, and other destinations, extending the property's reach across Durham Region and supporting access for customers without private vehicles.
Brand decisions
2025
Ownership transferred to Primaris REITM&ABackground
Oshawa Centre was transferred as part of a transaction involving the property and a 50 percent interest in Southgate Centre.
Action taken
Primaris REIT acquired and assumed ownership and management of Oshawa Centre.
Aftermath
The mall entered a new ownership phase under Primaris REIT while continuing to operate as an active regional shopping centre.
2016
Expanded retail and dining offer launchedProduct launchBackground
The redevelopment created additional leasable space and replaced the former food court.
Action taken
The centre opened approximately 60 new stores and a new approximately 1,000-seat food court in the eastern addition.
Aftermath
Oshawa Centre reopened as a larger and more contemporary regional shopping centre.
2013
Redevelopment and expansion approvedStrategyBackground
The ageing regional mall required modernization and additional space to maintain its position in Durham Region's retail market.
Action taken
Ivanhoé Cambridge began a reported C$230 million renovation and expansion, adding approximately 60 stores and redesigning the food and circulation areas.
Aftermath
The project culminated in a September 2016 grand opening and substantially expanded the centre's retail and dining offer.
Reported redevelopment investment. C$230 million (Project begun in 2013; grand opening in 2016)
Recent events
- 2026
Demolition begins on former Sears space[1]
Other
Demolition of the former Sears space was reported to have begun in January 2026, with the site intended for future development.
- 2025
Primaris REIT acquires Oshawa Centre[1]
M&A
Primaris REIT acquired Oshawa Centre along with a 50 percent interest in Southgate Centre, making it the mall's owner and manager.
- 2025
Hudson's Bay closes its Oshawa Centre location[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Hudson's Bay closed its Oshawa Centre store during the Hudson's Bay Company's liquidation and bankruptcy proceedings, leaving the former department-store space vacant.
- 2018
Sears closes at Oshawa Centre[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The Sears store at Oshawa Centre closed during the liquidation of Sears Canada's operations.
- 2018
Former Westmount Public School site cleared for future mall development[1]
Other
The former Westmount Public School, a 1925 heritage building acquired by the mall in 1988, was demolished in September 2018 to support future expansion plans.
- 2016
Oshawa Centre completes major renovation and expansion[1]
Other · Product launch
Ivanhoé Cambridge held the grand opening of the renovated and expanded Oshawa Centre on September 29, 2016. The project added approximately 60 stores and introduced a new, larger food court.
Sources2 sources
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