{"id":7993,"date":"2025-02-25T14:20:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T20:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/?p=7993"},"modified":"2025-03-06T08:59:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T14:59:37","slug":"hudsons-bay-store-history-architecture-and-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7993-hudsons-bay-store-history-architecture-and-features","title":{"rendered":"Hudson\u2019s Bay Store: History, Architecture, and Features"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Since its early days, <a href=\"https:\/\/iedmonton.net\/uk\/eternal-fakty-pro-edmonton-yaki-vy-ne-znaly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edmonton<\/a> has been home to numerous small shops and grand department stores, each with its own unique history and architectural charm. Among them, Hudson\u2019s Bay Store stood out as one of the most beautiful and iconic landmarks. Many regarded it as an architectural marvel. Let\u2019s explore its history, design, and transformation over the years. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/\">edmonton-future<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0d290a779b3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0d290a779b3\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7993-hudsons-bay-store-history-architecture-and-features\/#A_Retail_Giant_in_Downtown_Edmonton\" title=\"A Retail Giant in Downtown Edmonton\">A Retail Giant in Downtown Edmonton<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7993-hudsons-bay-store-history-architecture-and-features\/#Expansion_and_Architectural_Excellence\" title=\"Expansion and Architectural Excellence\">Expansion and Architectural Excellence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7993-hudsons-bay-store-history-architecture-and-features\/#The_Fall_of_a_Legend_and_Historic_Designation\" title=\"The Fall of a Legend and Historic Designation\">The Fall of a Legend and Historic Designation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/eternal-7993-hudsons-bay-store-history-architecture-and-features\/#A_University-Owned_Landmark\" title=\"A University-Owned Landmark\">A University-Owned Landmark<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Retail_Giant_in_Downtown_Edmonton\"><\/span>A Retail Giant in Downtown Edmonton<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxcbgrlkjmdbdjowdtoqvxtthxnxuybjdm8bwvenzpwvgn4xcpp2mgi5cin-ngk8cua24s-wdlcxja6rowjyenxpbukcyitmkcup3rbyzn1wcjt5cjpa7x8kfnyim_yoqtfy3-iojqkeyxqqdcre0ehyna2oxzeutohb8.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>December 28, 1937, marked the end of the Great Depression for many Edmontonians. It was on this day that the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company announced its plans to build a massive $1,000,000 store in the heart of the city. At the time, this was an enormous investment, symbolizing not only the company\u2019s resurgence but also the city\u2019s and nation\u2019s economic revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hudson\u2019s Bay retail division had been present in Edmonton since the city\u2019s earliest days. As the small settlement evolved into a major city, the company\u2019s presence grew with it. The store, located at the corner of Jasper Avenue and 103rd Street, became a staple for Edmontonians, offering them the finest goods. Over time, the company had to expand the store nine times to keep up with the city\u2019s growing population. The result was a stunning architectural masterpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Expansion_and_Architectural_Excellence\"><\/span>Expansion and Architectural Excellence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxfuciriki_e3ktwi7w8uvqmsle9dltejen3ueyheofku6knqcwnbrr6ta-7mlgicd6w7mptzqskwghhik3qa7jehgwnijjw-rorrdwvhr-gbb1wgvzalkcmxwntybdpdtvpq-aoiakeyxqqdcre0ehyna2oxzeutohb8.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction of the new building began in the spring of 1938. To minimize disruption and financial losses, as well as to avoid inconveniencing customers, the owners decided to keep the old building operational throughout the process. To achieve this, the construction site was divided into three sections, with each part being demolished and rebuilt sequentially. Departments were relocated as necessary, and major construction work was carried out in the late afternoons and at night. By morning, the store was ready for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The construction proceeded smoothly, except for one significant challenge. The southwestern section of the building, dating back to 1905, contained approximately 2,000 tons of reinforced concrete. As a result, it had to be demolished using small amounts of explosives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The grand opening of the new store took place on November 14, 1939. A staggering 20,000 people attended the event\u2014an impressive number considering that it represented nearly one-fifth of the city\u2019s population. The building, which had come to symbolize the end of a decade of hardship, boasted breathtaking architecture. Its sleek corners, flowing lines, stainless steel door and window frames, glass blocks hidden under canopies, as well as black Quebec granite and Manitoba stone, all reflected a futuristic optimism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A unique feature of the building was its six hand-carved reliefs, depicting a York boat, a fur trader, and a settler\u2014symbols of the western pioneer era in which Hudson\u2019s Bay played a crucial role. Each corner displayed the Hudson\u2019s Bay coat of arms, with inscriptions marking the company\u2019s founding and the establishment of Fort Edmonton. The design not only heralded a new era of technology but also rode the wave of economic prosperity that defined the late 1930s and 1940s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside, the store welcomed shoppers with a rich array of colors: deep velvet reds, creams, blues, soft pinks, burgundy, browns, and greens. The interior featured elegant furniture, spacious staircases, convenient counters, carpeted floors, wide aisles, and clear signage\u2014all carefully designed to create a warm and inviting shopping environment. The new store proved to be a major success, bringing significant profits to the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ten years after its opening, expansion plans were set in motion once again. Former mayor Harry Ainlay noted that the construction of a third floor, spanning 36,000 square feet and costing $500,000, was a testament to the city\u2019s growing population and increasing demand for quality goods. However, Edmonton\u2019s prosperity, fueled by the oil boom, did not slow down Hudson\u2019s Bay. In 1954, as thousands of new immigrants arrived in the city, another expansion was announced. A 192,000-square-foot extension, costing $3,250,000, more than doubled the store\u2019s size, making it one of the largest department stores in the Dominion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Fall_of_a_Legend_and_Historic_Designation\"><\/span>The Fall of a Legend and Historic Designation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Changes in retail trends and an economic downturn led to the decline of Hudson\u2019s Bay\u2019s downtown flagship store by the late 1980s. In 1988, the company decided to open a new location in Kingsway Mall, further reducing traffic at the downtown store. As a result, the flagship store\u2019s selection shrank, and foot traffic dwindled. By 1990, the store occupied only 53,000 square feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1987, Stewart Green Properties acquired the building and immediately began converting it into Hudson\u2019s Bay Centre\u2014a retail complex featuring 100 stores. A smaller version of the Bay remained at the center. Recognizing the building\u2019s historical significance, an application was submitted to designate it as a municipal historic resource. However, some officials, including Alderman Bruce Campbell, opposed the designation. Despite this, the application was approved in 1989, officially protecting the building\u2019s facades. The later third-floor addition, however, was not included in the historic designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stewart Green had initially proposed an ambitious redevelopment plan, but it ultimately failed. High vacancy rates of nearly 50% and difficulty attracting visitors plagued the complex. In 1993, just two years after Hudson\u2019s Bay Centre opened, the company\u2019s president, Ron Renault, passed away. Following its acquisition of the struggling Woodward\u2019s chain, Hudson\u2019s Bay abandoned its historic Jasper Avenue location in favor of the Edmonton Centre Mall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_University-Owned_Landmark\"><\/span>A University-Owned Landmark<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxdk7pquxorzv-j7un9rhkisuwpqmr3pofyfcllqfrpinhxde3red5bbxcureozsblf4za2dyfxyxcbfoaixa0htwdcpzsiclq_nis3ehefmpzdvibnpmtzmqarzw-phlwu957cxoqkeyxqqdcre0ehyna2oxzeutohb8.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The building remained vacant until the 2000s when the University of Alberta purchased it. Vice President Carl Amrhein recalled that the university urgently needed additional space, and with construction costs skyrocketing at the time, the nearly empty department store, with its prime location and direct access to public transportation, became an ideal choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to government funding, restoration efforts began in 2007. The project included the addition of a fourth floor, the creation of a central 12-meter atrium, restoration of the Italian-tiled flooring, and installation of state-of-the-art video projection screens, retractable projectors, and wireless internet. By fall 2007, the building was open to students. Columnist Paula Simons described the interior, noting that its clean, structured lines harmonized beautifully with a contrasting white and deep-green color scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The building\u2019s official public reopening took place in January 2007. Today, it houses the University of Alberta\u2019s Faculty of Extension, the Alumni Affairs office, and two branches of the School of Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since its early days, Edmonton has been home to numerous small shops and grand department stores, each with its own unique history and architectural charm. Among them, Hudson\u2019s Bay Store stood out as one of the most beautiful and iconic landmarks. Many regarded it as an architectural marvel. Let\u2019s explore its history, design, and transformation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":510,"featured_media":7904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1118],"tags":[3738,3748,3740,3753,3749,3752,3760,3755,3747,3756,3746,3754,3757,3750,3758,3759,3751],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[22],"moimportance":[33],"class_list":{"0":"post-7993","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-architecture","8":"tag-architecture","9":"tag-collapse-of-legend","10":"tag-construction","11":"tag-department-store","12":"tag-expansion","13":"tag-features","14":"tag-flagship","15":"tag-funding","16":"tag-great-depression","17":"tag-hudson-bay","18":"tag-hudsons-bay-3","19":"tag-municipal-historic-resource","20":"tag-renovations","21":"tag-shoppers","22":"tag-store-history","23":"tag-university-of-alberta","24":"tag-visitors","25":"motype-eternal","26":"moformat-longrid-korotka","27":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/510"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7993"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8003,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7993\/revisions\/8003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7993"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=7993"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=7993"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=7993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}