Retail Profile: CrossIron Mills in Calgary (March 2021)

Retail industry news delivered directly to you. Subscribe to Retail-Insider.

Retail Insider continues its Photo Tour series of Canadian malls to provide a glimpse into shopping centres which may be less frequented lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition takes us to CrossIron Mills next to Calgary, Alberta. The shopping centre is often referred to as being a ‘hybrid outlet’ model as it combines 191 full price retailers under the same roof as 100 outlet and factory stores. The shopping centre has affiliated ‘Mills’ located in the greater Toronto area (known as Vaughan Mills) and the greater Vancouver area (known as Tsawwassen Mills).

CrossIron Mills location on Google Maps
CrossIron Mills location (between Airdrie and Calgary city limits) on Google Maps. Photo: Google Maps
Aerial photo of CrossIron Mills just north of Calgary, Alberta
Aerial photo of CrossIron Mills just north of Calgary, Alberta. Photo: CrossIron Mills.
CrossIron Mills Mall Map. Photo: CrossIron Mills Website

As with most Canadian retail spaces, CrossIron Mills is an indoor shopping centre which was developed — and is now owned and operated — by Ivanhoé Cambridge. The retail and designated tourist attraction has resulted in 9.4 million annual visits (as of December 2019), $689 sales per square foot (as of December 2019), and $547 million gross sales volume (as of December 2019). The shopping centre sprawls across 1.2 million square feet and boasts 17 large format anchors which includes:

  • Bass Pro Shops (148,911 square feet)
  • Toys “R” Us (51,069 square feet)
  • Sport Chek (38,990 square feet)
  • Bed Bath & Beyond (31,950 square feet)
  • Winners (30,941 square feet)
  • Saks OFF 5TH (30,009 square feet)
  • Pro Hockey Life (25,306 square feet)
  • HomeSense (24,141 square feet)
  • Skechers (20,901 square feet)
  • H&M (20,708 square feet)
  • Indigo Books (20,585 square feet)
  • Designer Shoe Warehouse (20,565 square feet)
  • The Children’s Place (20,536 square feet)
  • Old Navy (20,145 square feet)
  • Tommy Hilfiger Outlet (20,069 square feet)
  • Laura Outlet (20,003 square feet)
  • Urban Planet (20,003 square feet)

History of CrossIron Mills

Vaughan Mills near Toronto, the predecessor and sister shopping centre to CrossIron Mills, was designed and built by Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Mills Corporation in 2004 based on the highly-successful ‘race track’ format for outlet malls in the United States. Mills Corporation was subsequently acquired by Simons Property Group in 2007; however, Ivanhoé Cambridge completed the sale of its interest in Vaughan Mills in October 2006 prior to the acquisition. Ivanhoé Cambridge planned for four Mills shopping centres in Canada, including:

  • Toronto (Vaughan Mills in Vaughan, Ontario which opened in November 2004)
  • Calgary (CrossIron Mills)
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen Mills in Delta, B.C. which opened in October 2016)
  • Montreal (Laval Mills in Laval, Quebec which was abandoned in May 2011)

Ivanhoé Cambridge continued riding its success from its now wholly-owned Vaughan Mills and began construction of its second Canadian “Mills” in Calgary. CrossIron Mills opened in phases throughout 2009 and its final phase, the Entertainment Neighbourhood, opened in the summer of 2010.

A $60 million major renovation was announced by Ivanhoé Cambridge in 2014 to relocate the original food court (located off the “Happy Trails Entrance” circled in red below) and opened the new food hall in the Entertainment Neighbourhood in July 2016. The original food court location was then converted into 46,000 square feet of additional retail space.

CrossIron Mills Map with Food Court relocation
CrossIron Mills Map with Food Court relocation.

Breaking up CrossIron Mills

Retail Insider has done several retail mall tours and one of the major distinguishing features of a Mills concept centre is the design. With over 1.4 million square feet on a single level, connected by 2.7 km of internal raceway, visual appeal, and architectural variation. The concept was to divide the centre into “Neighbourhoods” that have themes representative of the local area. The architecture of CrossIron Mills is innovative, contemporary, and reflects Alberta’s unique heritage. We will follow the following neighbourhoods in our retail tour:

THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF CROSSIRON MILLS

  • Fashion Neighbourhood – The latest fashion trends at their finest.
  • Ranch Neighbourhood – A salute to Alberta’s rich western history.
  • Resources Neighbourhood – Celebrating Alberta’s resources: oil, wind, agriculture, natural gas ,and more.
  • Fossil Neighbourhood – Recognizing the history of the badlands of Alberta.
  • Sports Neighbourhood – Commemorating Alberta’s athletic accomplishments.
  • Entertainment Neighbourhood – A nod to Alberta’s industrial growth.
CrossIron Mills Map (updated by Retail Insider with relocation of Food Court by Exit 5 in 2016).
CrossIron Mills Map (updated by Retail Insider with relocation of Food Court by Exit 5 in 2016).

In addition to each neighbourhood, there are six ‘courts’ spread amongst the six neighbourhoods with artwork symbolizing different characteristics of the Albertan way of life.

Zone 1 – Fashion Neighbourhood 

Entrance 1 leading to the "Fashion Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
“Gumby Girl” at Entrance 1 leading to the “Fashion Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go/Zenergy Communications

The Fashion Entrance is on the far northwest side of the centre and is characterized by what is colloquially known as the ‘Gumby Girl’ outside and leads into the Fashion Neighbourhood which has 12-foot-tall store fronts.

CrossIron Mall Map - Fashi on Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Fashion Neighbourhood
Fashion Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Fashion Neighbourhood
Fashion Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Key anchor retail tenants for this neighbourhood include Bass Pro Shops, Sport Chek, Bed Bath & Beyond, Laura, and Saks OFF 5TH The Saks OFF 5th opened in fall 2016 measuring 30,000 square feet.

Bass Pro Shops at CrossIron Mills
Bass Pro Shops at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at CrossIron Mills
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the neighbourhood include Coach, Oak + Tonic, Tommy Bahama, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors, Brown’s Outlet, Melanie Lyne, Lacoste Outlet, Kate Spade, Geox, Tip Top, Cleo, Little Burgundy, Fairweather, Naturalizer, La vie en Rose, Lenscrafters, Miniso, The Shoe Company, GNC, Michael Hill, Ben Moss, Lush, Guitarworks, and Mountain Warehouse.

Fine Arts Court – The Fine Arts Court transitions from the Fashion to Ranch neighbourhoods and features geometric shapes, bright colours, stark white abstract sculptures, and a coffee shop with spacious seating area. This area is a nod to Alberta’s trendy art scene.

Fine Arts Court
Fine Arts Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Zone 2 – Ranch Neighbourhood

Entrance 2 leading to the "Ranch Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 2 leading to the “Ranch Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Ledcor Group
CrossIron Mall Map - Ranch Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Ranch Neighbourhood
Ranch Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Ranch Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Ranch Neighbourhood
Ranch Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

The Ranch Neighbourhood is a nod to the Old West. It is often referred to as the Ranch Spine as it runs through the middle of the centre. The Ranch Neighbourhood boasts 8 different types of hardwood flooring with theatrical western store fronts and huge sheriffs badges in-set in the floor at either end. Also at opposite ends of the Ranch Neighbourhood are the “Good Guy” and “Bad Guy” gunslingers that stand at 23 feet tall, and customers walk beneath them as they enter the space.

The two retail Anchors in the Ranch neighbourhood are Tommy Hilfiger and H&M.

Tommy Hilfiger at CrossIron Mills
Tommy Hilfiger at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
H&M at CrossIron Mills
H&M at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Select retailers in the Ranch neighbourhood include True Religion Outlet, ECCO shoes, Johnston & Murphy Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Guess Accessories, TUMI, Call It Spring, Logo Gifts, Nike, Levi’s, and Zumiez.

Washrooms between Purdy's Chocolates and Aveda at CrossIron Mills
Washrooms between Purdy’s Chocolates and Aveda at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Campfire Court – Back to the basics of nature. The Campfire Court is at the west end of the ranch spine and is designed as a night sky with stars, the moon, and embers from the blown glass fire which is surrounded by tall trees and rustic log furniture. The ceiling treatment transitions from this court through the Ranch Neighbourhood, getting lighter and lighter toward the far end where the rodeo court is in full sun.

Additional select retailers in the Ranch neighbourhood include a Lululemon pop-up, TELUS, No Excuses Perfume, Vision Quest, and Saneal Cameras. 

Wind Court
Wind Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Wind Court – The Wind Court transitions between the Ranch and Resources Neighbourhoods and is inspired by the Chinook winds that are part of southern Alberta’s culture. Here you find the “Chinook Girl” gently blowing wind across ribbons and banners at the ceiling level to create activity. In this court is a central seating area of wave-shaped benches and if you look up you’ll see several banners with facts and lore about the Chinook winds.
 

Zone 3 – Resources Neighbourhood

Entrance 3 leading to the "Resource Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 3 leading to the “Resource Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Travel Alberta
CrossIron Mall Map - Resources Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Resources Neighbourhood
Resources Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Resources Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Resource Neighbourhood highlights the importance of agriculture, wind and, of course, oil & gas in Alberta. With an enormous stylized oil derrick as the entrance icon, this neighbourhood contains sculptures representing fields of grain, hay-accented store fronts, giant overhead ceiling fans, and an interactive piece of modern art modelled after a working oil rig.

The key retail anchor tenants in the Resources Neighbourhood include The Children’s Place, Indigo, HomeSense, and Winners.

Other retailers include Zumiez, Guess, Disney Outlet, Hot Topic, Milk Run, Below the Belt, Van Heusen Outlet, Discovery Hut, Just Cozy, Ricki’s, Underground, Foundry, Urban Behaviour, Footlocker, Stokes, QE Home, Urban Kids, Lindt, Zwilling J/A/ Henckels, and Clogs for Comfort.

Resources Neighbourhood
Resources Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Between the Resources Neighbourhood and the Fossils Neighbourhood is a court/play-area where children can turn the wheels and watch the ‘oil’ bubble through the rig.

Zone 4 – Fossils Neighbourhood

Entrance 4 leading to the "Fossil Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 4 leading to the “Fossil Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Wolsey Structural Engineering Ltd.
CrossIron Mall Map - Fossils Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Fossils Neighbourhood
Fossil Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Fossil Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Fossil Neighbourhood was designed as a tribute to the badlands of Alberta. With Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum mere hours away, they deemed it to be an important aspect of Alberta history to incorporate. Natural Cork linoleum represents the strata of earth as you dig for fossils. This area also features two more unique sculptures, the ‘Layers of Time’ statue representing the fossils left behind from various eras, and the ‘CrossIron Caveman’ holding a coffee and shopping bags frozen in a block of ice.

Fossil Neighbourhood
Fossil Neighbourhood with the ‘CrossIron Caveman’. Photo: CrossIron Mills

The main retail anchor tenants for the Fossils neighbourhood included Urban Planet, Sketchers, Toys “R” Us, and DSW Shoes.

DSW at CrossIron Mills
DSW Shoes at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the Fossils neighbourhood include Scentsitively, Claire’s, EB Games, Aldo, Dynamite, Le Chateau, American Eagle, Portage & Main, Bath & Body Works, GAP Factory, Roots Outlet, Labels, Sunrise Records, Softmoc, Globo, Suzy Shier, Show Warehouse, Ardene Outlet, Bentley, All Pretty Things, Saje, Sparkle, Asics, Polo Talph Lauren, Aritzia, Aerie, Sephora, Garage, and Hugo Boss Outlet.

Rodeo Court at CrossIron Mills
Rodeo Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Rodeo Court – Between the four connections where Fossils, Sports, Entertainment, and Ranch Neighbourhoods meet is the Rodeo Court where hard-fought rodeo battles are paid homage. It is bright and airy, depicting many of the rodeo events with 4 metal sculptures of a saddle bronc rider, a roping cowboy, a bull rider, and a steer wrestler. Stylized cowboys look down on the Rodeo Court from their perch on the coral rail above.

Zone 5 – Sports Neighbourhood

Entrance 6 leading to the “Sports Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills
Sports Neighbourhood
Sports Neighbourhood Map at CrossIron Mills

The “Court of Champions” can be found in the Sports Neighbourhood entry court. A suspended ring hangs centre court with stadium seats below, displaying still and broadcast imagery representative of the diversity of Sport. The trophy cases and hanging medals above give interesting facts and recall the pay‐off of the hard-fought competitions of days past. Calgary is known internationally for having hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Sports Neighbourhood
Sports Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Winter is also represented throughout the Sports Neighbourhood, with a prominent chairlift feature incorporating embossed graphic wood chair slats featuring names and locations of Alberta’s best. The summer sport seating “oasis” area includes a nod to Spruce Meadows and the equestrian world, while the ceiling beyond showcases a tight race, as stylized rowing skulls battle toward the finish.

Sport Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Sport Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Sports Neighbourhood hosts three main retail anchors including Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, and Pro Hockey Life.

Victoria's Secret at CrossIron Mills
Victoria’s Secret at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Old Navy Outlet at CrossIron Mills
Old Navy Outlet at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the Sports Neighbourhood include a VANS outlet, The Running Room, Showcase, Puma Outlet, Under Armour, Boathouse, Jack & Jones Outlet, International Clothiers, Jersey City, Torrid, Adidas Outlet, West 49 Outlet, Blue Notes, Sully’s, Bootlegger Outlet, Carter’s Osh Kosh, Journeys, Oksana, RW&CO, Fossil Outlet, Watch Station, La Senza, Exmore, Calvin Klein Outlet, Oakley Vault, Swarovski Outlet, and Sunglass Hut.

Sports Courtyard in Sports Neighbourhood
Sports Courtyard in Sports Neighbourhood. Photo: Jessica Finch.

Wildlife Court – The Wildlife Court transitions from the Sports Neighbourhood to one of the major anchor tenants, Bass Pro Shops, and acknowledges the beauty and natural diversity of Alberta. Along each side of the water you’ll find a clearing where visitors can rest on rustic style furniture, and almost hear the sleeping bear snore. Animal images etched in bronze tiles dot the surrounding floor, artfully displaying different styles to capture their image. Above, rear illuminated transparent blue images of Alberta wildlife represent some of the great diversity that can be found. Flying gracefully above the trees, carved geese sculptures transition from simple forms to detailed representations as they exit the Court towards Bass Pro Shops.

Wildlife Court
The Wildlife Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Zone 6 – Entertainment Neighbourhood

Entrance 5 leading to the "Entertainment Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 5 leading to the “Entertainment Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications
Sports Neighbourhood and Food Court Map
Sports Neighbourhood and Food Court Map at CrossIron Mills
Entertainment Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Entertainment Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Entertainment Neighbourhood adds approximately 200,000 square feet of additional retail space and common area which is modelled after a dynamic 1930’s urban area. The state-of-the-art SilverCity entertainment area features more than 1,300 stadium seats and 7 auditoriums with wall-to-wall curved screens and digital surround sound. In addition, guests can enjoy the amenities in the approximately-13,000-square-foot XSCAPE Entertainment Centre which features a variety of the latest games and activities as well as a licensed lounge. Select auditoriums have RealD 3D technology where guests will be able to enjoy a totally immersive 3D experience like no other.

Nestled in with the restaurants and theatres is the main retail anchor, Shoppers Drug Mart.

Shoppers Drug Mart at CrossIron Mills
Shoppers Drug Mart at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Entertainment Neighbourhood is home to the 45,000-square-foot SilverCity entertainment centre, three fully licensed sit-down restaurants; Boston Pizza, Fionn McCool’s, and Milestones.

Food Hall entrance in "Entertainment Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Food Hall entrance in “Entertainment Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications

The new-and-improved food hall now offers 1,400 seats and 24 restaurants and features a new entrance located on the north side of the property. This access features a 40-foot-high (12-metre) glass vestibule, a curved metal roof, and a glass curtain wall with metal columns and masonry accents. Its strategic location and the food hall’s numerous skylights improve brightness as well as enhance the overall shopping experience at the centre.

We had a very interesting photo walk around CrossIron Mills in Calgary and we hope you enjoyed coming along with us. Don’t forget to check out our other retail photo tours over the past few months. Thank you for taking this tour with us.

Article Author

Lee Rivett
Lee Rivetthttps://retail-insider.com
Lee Rivett, based in Vancouver, supports the digital distribution and technical backend operations of Retail Insider. This includes providing technical support for the editors during the digital publication cycle, streamlining virtual tools for the cross-country team and a variety of other duties which keeps the publication running smoothly.

More From The Author

Michael Kors To Open in CF Pacific Centre

The multi-platform retailer, owned by parent company Capri Holdings Ltd who also owns Versace and Jimmy Choo, will be bringing women's wear, menswear, handbags, footwear and other luxury goods back to the shopping centre in summer 2023.

Holiday Photo Series: City Square Mall in Vancouver

The unique shopping centre across from Vancouver City Hall features integrated heritage buildings and a mix of retailers.

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

Latest Stories

No posts to display

Follow us

4,265FansLike
6,734FollowersFollow
10,764FollowersFollow

all-time Popular