Shoppers packed lululemon’s new Oakridge Park store shortly after it opened on May 28, as the Vancouver-founded retailer returned to one of its earliest shopping centre homes with one of the first Canadian examples of its newest store concept.
The 5,900-square-foot store opened as part of the first phase of Oakridge Park, the massive redevelopment that is transforming the former Oakridge Centre property into a mixed-use district featuring luxury retail, residential towers, office space, public amenities and extensive parkland. While the shopping centre portion is now welcoming visitors, substantial construction activity continues throughout the broader site as additional phases move forward.
For lululemon, the opening carries additional significance. Oakridge was among the company’s earliest shopping centre locations, long before the brand expanded into a global athletic apparel retailer. The new store marks a return to that location while also introducing a retail concept that reflects the company’s evolving approach to store design.
Retail Insider visited the store shortly after opening and found it crowded with shoppers exploring the new space. Despite the heavy traffic, the store felt noticeably open and easy to navigate. Compared with some older lululemon locations, including the company’s Yonge and Bloor store in Toronto, the Oakridge Park store appears lighter, more spacious and less compartmentalized.
The location also occupies a distinctive position within Oakridge Park. While the redevelopment has attracted luxury retailers including Chanel, Dior, Moncler, Saint Laurent and Harry Rosen, lululemon offers a different type of experience. The store feels approachable from the moment visitors encounter it, with an open storefront, active sales floor and a familiar brand that resonates with a broad customer base.
For visitors who may not be shopping for luxury goods, lululemon represents one of the more accessible retail experiences within Oakridge Park’s current tenant mix. Located toward the south end of the shopping centre, the store is somewhat removed from many of the luxury tenants while remaining fully integrated into the project’s premium positioning.
“We love it. We’re so excited to bring back Oakridge,” said Carleana Lesyk, Regional Manager at lululemon. “Oakridge is one of the first stores we opened in the brand, and to open with our new brand concept is really exciting.”
New Design Language Reflects Pacific Northwest Influences
The Oakridge Park store is among the first locations built under lululemon’s new “Playbook 2.0” design standard, which introduces a softer and more locally inspired design language.
“This design is part of our new Playbook 2.0 design standard,” said Jay Park, Senior Store Designer at lululemon. “This is one of the first stores that we’re building in this new design language.”
According to Park, the concept draws heavily from the landscapes and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Rather than relying on sharp angles and rigid forms, the store incorporates curved fixtures and architectural elements intended to create a sense of flow throughout the space.
“We take inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, from the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest,” said Park. “We’re trying to bring in soft forms, we’re trying to bring in warmth, and we’re trying to bring in flow.”
Those ideas are visible throughout the store. Curved tables, display fixtures, hanging rails and fitting room entrances create a softer visual experience while maintaining clear sightlines across the sales floor. The approach contributes to the open feeling that stands out when moving through the space.
Natural materials also play a central role. Wood fixtures, plaster wall treatments, terrazzo flooring and textured finishes reinforce the connection to the region.
One of the most distinctive elements is a wall treatment inspired by Vancouver’s North Shore mountains.
“We’ve got a beautiful raked pattern on the wall behind the tank fixture, and that is a nod to the North Shore mountains,” said Park. “We’re trying to bring the peaks and the valleys from the North Shore mountains into our stores and to our guests.”
Park said the design reflects both the brand’s identity and the Pacific Northwest lifestyle that helped shape lululemon from its earliest days.
“The movement speaks to our brand, but it also speaks to this culture in the Pacific Northwest where it’s about wellbeing and it’s about nature,” he said.
Programming Extends Beyond the Store
The store’s design is only part of the concept. Lululemon is also using the location as a hub for programming and local engagement.
A dedicated board near the fitting rooms highlights ambassadors, upcoming events and local activity routes. The feature is designed to connect guests with fitness leaders and activities taking place both within Oakridge Park and throughout the surrounding community.
“This is a big part of how we engage with our guests through our community,” said Lesyk.
The company works with local ambassadors to support events and activities tied to Vancouver’s fitness and wellness culture.
“We work with them to bring events to life and to really just support them in their journey with growing our community and the sweat community in Vancouver,” said Lesyk.
The Oakridge location will also make use of one of the redevelopment’s most distinctive amenities: the rooftop running track. According to Lesyk, the store plans to launch run club programming this summer, with routes and event details communicated through the in-store board.
The store is also expected to participate in movement-focused activations on the rooftop throughout the season, connecting retail activity to the broader public spaces being introduced at Oakridge Park.
A Different Presence Within Oakridge Park
The Oakridge Park store demonstrates how lululemon is adapting its physical retail strategy while remaining closely tied to its Vancouver roots.
The redevelopment has attracted significant attention for its luxury retail offerings, yet lululemon brings a different energy to the project. The store is active, welcoming and rooted in local references. Its design draws from the Pacific Northwest, while planned run clubs and rooftop activations connect the space directly to the surrounding neighbourhood and broader Oakridge development.
At the same time, the store showcases one of the company’s newest retail concepts in a city where the brand was founded. The combination of thoughtful design, local references and experiential programming provides insight into how lululemon continues to invest in physical retail as an important part of its business.
During Retail Insider’s visit, shoppers continued flowing through the store as staff assisted guests and visitors explored the new environment. The scene suggested that while Oakridge Park is drawing attention for luxury retail, there is also strong demand for brands that combine premium product, approachable design and local relevance.
Rather than simply opening another location, lululemon has used Oakridge Park to introduce one of its newest store concepts in the city where the company was founded. The result is a space that feels distinctly connected to Vancouver while offering an indication of where the retailer’s store strategy is headed next.
