'A lot more change': Downtown Edmonton flush with fresh retail vacancies

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News 'A lot more change': Downtown Edmonton flush with fresh retail vacancies While there are notable vacancies in the area, a CBRE report said business interest is picking up thanks to revitalization efforts Author of the article: By Liam Newbigging Published Sep 11, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation A new report from commercial real estate company CBRE said Edmonton's core is currently evolving. While there are notable vacancies in the area, the report said business interest is picking up thanks to revitalization efforts. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia, file Article content Downtown Edmonton saw a fresh batch of new openings in the retail market at the year’s halfway point. Article content A new report from commercial real estate company CBRE said Edmonton’s core is currently evolving. Article content Article content While there are notable vacancies in the area, the report said business interest is picking up thanks to revitalization efforts. Article content CBRE senior sales associate Matthew Hanson said overall, Edmonton is a resilient and steady market, but there’s likely to be big moves Downtown. Article content Article content “Edmonton has an opportunity to see a lot more change with all these vacancies in the Downtown core, so I’m excited to see where that goes,” Hanson said. Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content A key item for that momentum, according to Hanson, is the main-floor and second-floor retail spaces at the National Bank Centre, a multi-million-dollar renovation which is now nearing completion. Article content The report said revitalization efforts are still in early stages and are going to be dependent on completed projects like the National Bank Centre in order to keep momentum. Article content Article content ‘Bring more value’ Article content The report comes after summer saw a steady line of exits from Downtown, with notable food and beverage spots leading the march. Article content However, CBRE’s report said the restaurant sector is now seeing persistently low vacancy at high-performing centres nationwide. Article content Big chain fast-food outlets are able to push through…