Canada's largest open-air outlet mall opens today in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The Outlet Collection at Niagara boasts 102 stores spanning a total of 520,000 square feet, including several retailers new to Canada. It's the first 'pure' outlet mall built by Ivanhoé Cambridge. The mall isn't completely finished: there are plans to potentially add another 130,000 square feet.

Sales estimates for the outlets are as high as $600/square foot. Ivanhoé Cambridge estimates that it cost $178 million to build. Sprawling over 63 acres, the mall offers 2,300 parking spaces, and employs roughly 1,500 people.

Several retailers made their Canadian debut in the mall, including Pandora Outlet, RUD by Rudsak, Michael Hill, White House | Black Market Outlet, and L'Occitane. A Chico's Outlet, also a Canadian first, will open later.

Other mall retailers not yet open include: Bass Pro Shops' 77,000 square foot store (opening in November) as well as Polo Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Diesel Surplus and Cole Haan.

The mall features dozens of other popular retailers including Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew Factory, Nike Factory Store, Coach, Fossil, Bench, Lacoste, North Face and Marshalls. The mall's new website includes a floor plan and corresponding list of all its retailers.

"We intend on becoming one of the area’s top tourist destinations, drawing value-seeking shoppers from all over the world," said Bri-Ann Stuart, Outlet Collection general manager.

According to David Baffa, Ivanhoé Cambridge's Senior Vice President of retail development, the mall could see a further expansion, bringing it to a massive 650,000 square feet.

Although it's the first 'pure' outlet mall location for Ivanhoé Cambridge, it won't be its last: the landlord will open another outlet mall in Edmonton in 2016. Teresa Spataro, VP of development and leasing at Ivanhoé Cambridge, says we can expect another outlet mall announcement in the very near future.

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