Westmount Mall
A shopping centre in London, Ontario, that evolved from a 1971 neighbourhood mall into a rebuilt, multi-use retail property.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Westmount Mall is a shopping centre in London, Ontario, located at the northwest corner of Wonderland Road South and Viscount Road. It is also known as Westmount Shopping Centre and Westmount Commons. The property serves the west and southwest portions of London and has historically combined department stores, grocery retail, specialty shops, restaurants, entertainment and community-oriented services. The mall opened its first phase in 1971 with 15 stores. Dominion operated as the initial grocery anchor, giving the centre a basic retail and food-shopping role in the surrounding area. A substantial expansion followed in 1973, adding approximately 50 retailers and bringing Horizon in as the principal department-store anchor. At that point, the centre was described as the largest mall in Southwestern Ontario. Horizon closed in 1978 and its space was converted for Eaton's, reflecting the period's emphasis on large department stores as traffic generators. Westmount was subsequently transformed through a major redevelopment. Construction began in 1987 and was completed in 1989, replacing the earlier configuration with a two-storey enclosed mall, underground parking and more than 160 retail units. The centre's tenant mix later changed as the Canadian department-store sector contracted. Eaton's was converted to Sears around 1999–2000, while a Zellers location was eventually replaced by Target. Target closed in 2015, and Sears Canada closed its Westmount department-store location in 2018. During the mid-to-late 2000s, the mall experienced declining occupancy and reportedly lost roughly 40 stores over time. The departure of major anchors created pressure to reposition the property beyond a traditional department-store model. In February 2018, KingSett Capital, together with McCOR Management, acquired Westmount Mall from Penretail Management for C$31.5 million. The purchasers indicated that they intended to rebrand the centre, recruit new anchor tenants and explore mixed-use development. A later redevelopment step involved the former Target space, which was proposed for conversion into a Fit4Less fitness facility and office accommodation. The centre's more recent tenant strategy has emphasized value retail, fitness, entertainment, food and experiential uses. Dollarama opened in 2022, and Reptilia, a reptile zoo and educational attraction, opened in 2023. Urban Planet and a Cineplex Odeon theatre have continued to operate at the property, alongside restaurants and other retailers. Superking Supermarket occupies the former A&P grocery role. London Transit Commission service near the mall includes routes 7, 10, 15 and 24, supporting access by public transportation. In 2025, Farhi Holdings Corporation purchased the mall. The proposed future direction involved a mixed-use property incorporating professional offices, medical facilities and residential towers. This proposal indicates a continuing shift from a conventional enclosed shopping centre toward a broader urban-use destination. The mall remains active, but its long-term identity is tied to redevelopment, tenant diversification and the ability to use its location and existing infrastructure for retail and non-retail purposes.
History
Westmount Mall began operating in 1971 in London, Ontario, with an initial group of 15 stores. Dominion served as the first major anchor, establishing the centre as a grocery-supported shopping destination for the surrounding west London area. The property expanded significantly in 1973, when approximately 50 additional retailers were added and Horizon became the principal department-store anchor. The enlarged centre was regarded at the time as the largest mall in Southwestern Ontario. The department-store configuration changed in 1978 after Horizon closed and its premises were converted into an Eaton's store. The mall underwent a much larger physical transformation in the late 1980s. Redevelopment construction started in 1987 and concluded in 1989, producing a two-storey enclosed shopping centre with underground parking and more than 160 retail units. This rebuilding established the basic form of the property that continued into the following decades. By approximately 1999–2000, the Eaton's location had become a Sears department store. The centre also experienced changes among discount and general-merchandise tenants. Zellers was eventually replaced by Target, but Target closed its Canadian operations in 2015, leaving another large vacant space. Sears Canada's subsequent closure of its Westmount location in 2018 removed the mall's remaining traditional department-store anchor. The mall's performance weakened during the mid-to-late 2000s. Vacancies increased as approximately 40 stores left over time, creating a need for a different operating and development strategy. In February 2018, KingSett Capital and McCOR Management acquired the property from Penretail Management for C$31.5 million. The buyers discussed rebranding, attracting new anchor tenants and adding mixed-use elements. A redevelopment concept for the former Target premises called for a Fit4Less gym together with office space. The centre has since pursued a more varied tenant model. Retail, grocery, dining, fitness, cinema and experiential attractions have supplemented the traditional mall format. Dollarama opened in 2022, while Reptilia opened in 2023. Urban Planet, Cineplex Odeon, Superking Supermarket and a number of restaurants have also been identified as operating at the property. London Transit Commission routes 7, 10, 15 and 24 serve a nearby bus stop added in the early 2000s. In 2025, Farhi Holdings Corporation acquired Westmount Mall. The proposed future concept included professional office space, medical facilities and residential towers, suggesting that the property may evolve into a mixed-use complex rather than remain solely an enclosed retail centre. The mall's history therefore reflects several phases: initial grocery and department-store expansion, a major 1980s reconstruction, decline associated with anchor closures and rising vacancies, and a current repositioning based on diversified uses and redevelopment potential.
- 2025
Farhi Holdings acquisition
[1]Farhi Holdings Corporation purchased the mall and proposed a potential mixed-use future involving offices, medical facilities and residential towers.
- 2023
Reptilia opens
[1]Reptilia opened a reptile zoo and educational attraction at the property.
- 2022
Dollarama opens
[1]Dollarama became part of the mall's active tenant mix.
- 2018
KingSett and McCOR acquisition
[1]KingSett Capital and McCOR Management purchased the mall and outlined plans for repositioning and possible mixed-use development.
- 2015
Target location closes
[1]The Target store that had replaced Zellers closed, leaving a major vacant retail space.
- 2000
Transit access added
[1]A London Transit Commission bus stop was added near the mall, serving routes 7, 10, 15 and 24.
- 1999
Eaton's converted to Sears
[1]The Eaton's anchor was converted into a Sears department store around 1999–2000.
- 1989
Two-storey redevelopment completed
[1]The rebuilt centre opened with two floors, underground parking and more than 160 retail units.
- 1987
Rebuilding begins
[1]Construction began on a complete redevelopment of the mall.
- 1978
Horizon replaced by Eaton's
[1]The former Horizon space was converted into an Eaton's department store.
Products and positioning
A neighbourhood and regional shopping centre repositioning itself around value retail, food, entertainment, fitness, experiential attractions and potential mixed-use redevelopment.
Retail property · 1971
Enclosed shopping centre
The core offering is a multi-storey enclosed shopping centre with retail units, underground parking and services for local and regional shoppers. Its tenant base has changed substantially over time as department stores declined and value retail, food, entertainment and service businesses became more important.
Entertainment
Cineplex Odeon
The Cineplex Odeon movie theatre provides cinema entertainment and functions as a destination use that can generate visits beyond ordinary retail shopping.
Experiential attraction · 2023
Reptilia
Reptilia is a reptile zoo and educational attraction that opened at Westmount Mall in 2023, broadening the centre's offer into family-oriented experiential entertainment.
Fitness · 2018
Fit4Less
Fit4Less, a GoodLife Fitness brand, was proposed for the former Target space together with offices. The conversion represented an effort to replace a vacant big-box retail use with fitness and service-oriented occupancy.
Grocery
Superking Supermarket
Superking Supermarket occupies the grocery-oriented role previously associated with A&P, providing food shopping as part of the centre's tenant mix.
Brand decisions
2025
Farhi Holdings acquisition and mixed-use proposalM&ABackground
Westmount Mall had been undergoing long-term repositioning after department-store closures and rising vacancy concerns.
Action taken
Farhi Holdings Corporation purchased the mall and proposed possible professional office, medical and residential components.
Aftermath
The proposal positioned the property as a potential mixed-use development rather than a purely retail shopping centre.
2018
Acquisition and repositioning under KingSett and McCORM&ABackground
The mall faced anchor-store closures and elevated vacancies after the loss of Target and the Sears department store.
Action taken
KingSett Capital and McCOR Management acquired the property for C$31.5 million and stated plans involving rebranding, new anchors and mixed-use development.
Aftermath
The property moved toward a more diversified mix of retail, fitness, entertainment and service uses.
Purchase price. C$31.5 million (February 2018 acquisition)
2018
Conversion of former Target spaceStrategyBackground
Target's former space had been vacant since the retailer closed in 2015.
Action taken
The space was planned for a Fit4Less gym and office accommodation.
Aftermath
The proposal illustrated the mall's shift from department-store retail toward fitness and office uses.
Recent events
- 2025
Farhi Holdings Corporation purchases Westmount Mall[1]
M&A
Farhi Holdings Corporation acquired the property. A possible future redevelopment was described as including professional offices, medical facilities and residential towers.
- 2023
Reptilia opens at Westmount Mall[1]
Product launch
The reptile zoo and educational attraction opened at the mall, adding an experiential destination alongside retail and entertainment uses.
- 2022
Dollarama opens at Westmount Mall[1]
Product launch
Dollarama joined the centre's tenant mix, reinforcing its value-oriented retail offer.
- 2018
KingSett Capital and McCOR Management acquire Westmount Mall[1]
M&A
The property was acquired from Penretail Management for C$31.5 million. The new ownership group discussed rebranding, new anchor tenants and mixed-use development.
- 2018
Former Target space proposed for Fit4Less and offices[1]
Other
After Target's 2015 closure, the former store area was designated for conversion into a Fit4Less gym and office space.
Sources2 sources
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