Westmount Centre

Westmount Centre is a shopping centre in Edmonton, Alberta, located in the Woodcroft neighbourhood. It opened on August 18, 1955, originally as Westmount Shoppers' Park, and is widely described as Edmonton's first shopping mall. The original development contained more than 40 stores, approximately 3,000 parking spaces, and major anchor tenants including Woodward's, Johnstone Walker, and Kresge. Its opening represented an early Canadian transition toward planned, automobile-oriented retail centres rather than conventional downtown shopping districts. The property changed substantially over the following decades. In 1966, it was enclosed and converted into an indoor shopping mall. The conversion was designed by Edmonton architect Peter Hemingway, whose work later included the aquatic centre now named the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre. Westmount also developed a significant entertainment component. The Sahara theatre and restaurant opened near the property in 1956; the theatre later became the Westmount Theatre, was twinned, and was eventually known as Westmount Cinemas. A four-screen Famous Players cinema opened inside the mall in 1985, while a separate Cineplex Odeon four-screen cinema operated for a period before closing in 2000. Ownership and physical redevelopment have repeatedly reshaped the centre. Triple Five acquired Westmount from Woodward's in December 1984 for a reported $12 million. A major renovation completed in October 1985 added approximately 160,000 square feet, around 60 retailers, a food court, a cinema, and a new interior design. After Woodward's closed in 1993, its space became a Zellers department store. Triple Five sold the property in 1995 to GE Capital Corporation and Maurice Fagan. A further redevelopment between 1999 and 2000 added a regulation-size ice rink, a 540-seat food court, and a relocated Safeway. Stand-alone TD Bank and McDonald's locations were also built in the east parking area. First Capital Realty acquired Westmount Centre on March 14, 2007, for $70 million in cash. The new owner removed a non-functioning portion of the mall between Zellers and Shoppers Drug Mart to accommodate The Home Depot's first Edmonton infill store, which opened in November 2008. Zellers closed in June 2012, and Walmart took over the space later that year. Walmart subsequently closed on October 19, 2022, after plans to relocate its Westmount operation to Kingsway Mall. The centre remains a neighbourhood-oriented retail property, with Safeway and The Home Depot as prominent anchors and a mix of everyday shopping, services, food, and community-oriented uses. Its long history has left it with a hybrid identity: part enclosed mall, part open parking-oriented retail centre, and part redevelopment site. In May 2024, several tenants received 30-day termination notices for units along one side of a corridor between Safeway and the former Smitty's location. No formal reason was publicly given at the time, although affected tenants associated the changes with roof leaks above an abandoned second-floor theatre area. In March 2026, First Capital Realty announced plans to redevelop Westmount Centre as an outdoor shopping centre by 2028. The proposal would remove the mall's middle section, including the former theatre complex on the second level, create new pedestrian corridors, provide exterior access to existing tenants, and expand the west parking lot. The concept would return the property to an outdoor-access format resembling its original 1955 configuration while retaining its role as a local retail destination.

Westmount Centre opened on August 18, 1955, as Westmount Shoppers' Park in Edmonton's Woodcroft neighbourhood. The development was considered Edmonton's first shopping mall and initially offered more than 40 stores, 3,000 parking spaces, and anchor tenants such as Woodward's, Johnstone Walker, and Kresge. Its layout reflected the growing importance of suburban and automobile-based retail in postwar Edmonton. A nearby entertainment venue, The Sahara, opened on January 14, 1956, with a theatre and restaurant in one facility. The theatre was later taken over by Famous Players and reopened as the Westmount Theatre on August 12, 1965. In 1972 it was divided into two screens and renamed Westmount Cinemas. Westmount was enclosed in 1966, with the conversion designed by local architect Peter Hemingway. This change transformed the original open shopping-park concept into an indoor mall. Triple Five purchased the property from Woodward's in December 1984. The following year, Westmount underwent a $21 million renovation that was completed on October 17, 1985. The project added about 160,000 square feet, approximately 60 new retailers, a food court, a cinema, and a new interior. A four-screen Famous Players theatre opened inside the mall on November 8, 1985. A separate four-screen Cineplex Odeon also opened on December 20, 1985, but closed in 2000 when the southern part of the mall was demolished to make room for a relocated Safeway. The Famous Players cinema was sold to Empire Theatres in 2005 and ultimately closed on February 27, 2011. Woodward's closed in 1993, and its former location was converted into a Zellers store. In 1995, Triple Five sold Westmount to GE Capital Corporation and Maurice Fagan. A $30 million redevelopment followed in 1999–2000. It introduced a regulation-size ice rink, a 540-seat food court, and a relocated Safeway, while stand-alone TD Bank and McDonald's locations were added to the east parking area. First Capital Realty acquired the centre on March 14, 2007, for $70 million in cash. The company removed a non-functioning section between Zellers and Shoppers Drug Mart to create space for The Home Depot's first Edmonton infill store, which opened in November 2008. Zellers closed on June 6, 2012, and Walmart occupied the space later that year. Walmart closed on October 19, 2022, following a decision to relocate the store to Kingsway Mall. In May 2024, stores along one side of the corridor between Safeway and the former Smitty's restaurant received 30-day termination notices. Although no formal explanation was provided, some tenants believed roof leaks above the disused second-floor theatre complex were related to the change. In March 2026, First Capital Realty announced a redevelopment intended to return Westmount to an outdoor shopping-centre model by 2028. The proposed work includes demolition of the central section containing the former theatre complex, new pedestrian routes, exterior entrances for existing tenants, and expansion of the west parking lot.

• 2026

  Outdoor redevelopment announced

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  First Capital Realty announced a plan to redevelop Westmount as an outdoor shopping centre by 2028.

• 2022

  Walmart closes

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Walmart closed its Westmount location and relocated operations to Kingsway Mall.

• 2008

  The Home Depot opens

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A Home Depot infill store opened after part of the mall was removed.

• 2007

  First Capital Realty acquires the centre

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  First Capital Realty bought Westmount for $70 million in cash.

• 1999

  Major redevelopment begins

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A redevelopment completed in 2000 added an ice rink, food court, relocated Safeway, and new freestanding services.

• 1993

  Woodward's closes

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The former Woodward's space was converted into a Zellers department store.

• 1985

  Major expansion and renovation completed

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A $21 million redevelopment added retail space, stores, a food court, a cinema, and a redesigned interior.

• 1984

  Triple Five purchases Westmount

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Triple Five acquired the property from Woodward's in December.

• 1966

  Centre enclosed as an indoor mall

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Westmount was converted from an outdoor shopping park into an enclosed shopping mall.

• 1956

  The Sahara entertainment venue opens

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A combined theatre and restaurant opened northeast of the mall property.

• 1955

  Westmount Shoppers' Park opens

  [1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Westmount opened on August 18 as an open-air shopping development and was regarded as Edmonton's first shopping mall.

A long-established Edmonton neighbourhood shopping centre focused on essential retail, grocery shopping, home improvement, services, and convenient automobile access, with a planned transition toward an open-air retail format.

• Grocery anchor

  Safeway

  Safeway is one of Westmount Centre's principal anchor tenants, providing groceries, prepared foods, household staples, and related everyday shopping services. The store was relocated within the property during the 1999–2000 redevelopment.

• Home improvement anchor · 2008

  The Home Depot

  The Home Depot opened at Westmount Centre in November 2008 after First Capital Realty removed a non-functioning portion of the mall. It provides building materials, tools, hardware, appliances, garden products, and home-improvement services.

• Food and beverage

  Food court and dining

  Food and beverage facilities have been part of successive Westmount redevelopments, including a 540-seat food court introduced during the 1999–2000 project. Individual tenants have changed over time, and the former in-mall McDonald's closed around 2013–2014.

• Neighbourhood retail · 1955

  Retail and personal services

  The centre accommodates a changing mix of stores and services serving local residents, including pharmacy, banking, food, convenience, and personal-service uses. The exact tenant mix changes as leasing and redevelopment plans evolve.

• 2026

  Return to an outdoor shopping-centre formatStrategy

  Background

  First Capital Realty proposed a new physical format after changes to the tenant mix and issues associated with unused portions of the enclosed mall.

  Action taken

  The announced plan would demolish the central mall section, create pedestrian corridors, give existing tenants exterior access, and expand the west parking lot, with completion targeted for 2028.

  Aftermath

  If completed, the project would return Westmount to an outdoor-access concept resembling its original configuration.

  Source

• 2022

  Walmart relocation from WestmountStrategy

  Background

  Walmart announced that it would relocate its Westmount Centre operation to Kingsway Mall.

  Action taken

  The Westmount Walmart store closed on October 19, 2022.

  Aftermath

  The closure removed a major department-store tenant from the centre's retail mix.

  Source

• 2007

  Acquisition and Home Depot redevelopmentM&A

  Background

  First Capital Realty acquired Westmount and identified an underused mall section for redevelopment.

  Action taken

  The company acquired the centre and removed a non-functioning section to create space for a Home Depot infill store.

  Aftermath

  The Home Depot opened in November 2008 and became a major destination within the property.

  Acquisition price. $70 million in cash (March 14, 2007)

  Source

• 1999

  Neighbourhood-oriented redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Westmount underwent another major redevelopment after ownership changed in the mid-1990s.

  Action taken

  The project added an ice rink and food court, relocated Safeway, and built freestanding TD Bank and McDonald's locations.

  Aftermath

  The centre broadened its everyday retail and community-service role.

  Redevelopment cost. $30 million (1999–2000)

  Source

• 1985

  Expansion and interior redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Following Triple Five's acquisition, the centre required a substantial upgrade and expansion.

  Action taken

  The redevelopment added approximately 160,000 square feet, 60 retailers, a food court, a cinema, and a new interior.

  Aftermath

  Westmount gained additional retail capacity and a stronger entertainment component.

  Redevelopment cost. $21 million (1985)

  Source

• 1966

  Conversion to an enclosed shopping mallStrategy

  Background

  Westmount began as an open-air shopping park but was adapted to an enclosed mall format as Edmonton's suburban retail environment developed.

  Action taken

  The property was enclosed and redesigned under the direction of architect Peter Hemingway.

  Aftermath

  The conversion established Westmount as an indoor regional shopping destination for subsequent decades.

  Source

• 2026

  Westmount Centre redevelopment planned as outdoor shopping centre[1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  First Capital Realty announced plans to convert the property to an outdoor shopping centre by 2028, including demolition of the central section, new pedestrian corridors, exterior tenant access, and an expanded west parking lot.

• 2024

  Tenants receive termination notices amid Westmount Centre changes[1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Several tenants received 30-day notices affecting units along a corridor near Safeway and the former Smitty's location. The centre did not publicly provide an official explanation; tenants cited possible roof leakage above an abandoned theatre area.

• 2022

  Walmart closes its Westmount Centre location[1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Walmart closed the store on October 19 after announcing plans to relocate its Westmount operation to Kingsway Mall.

• 2012

  Walmart replaces Zellers at Westmount Centre[1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following Zellers' closure in June, Walmart took over the department-store space later in the year.

• 2008

  The Home Depot opens at Westmount Centre[1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  A new Home Depot store opened at the centre in November after redevelopment of part of the property.

• 2007

  First Capital Realty acquires Westmount Centre[1]Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  First Capital Realty purchased Westmount Centre for $70 million in cash and announced plans to remove an unused section of the mall to support a new Home Depot infill location.

1. 1Westmount Centreen.wikipedia.org