Nanaimo has been shown an attractive vision for Woodgrove Centre: an H-Mart supermarket, an Asian-inspired dining market, recreational facilities, a performance venue and a large illuminated art installation.
It sounds exciting. It may even succeed.
But before declaring it proof of Nanaimo’s economic strength, taxpayers should ask a more important question:
Is this simply an attempt to fill empty stores—or the beginning of a much larger transformation of north Nanaimo?
One reasonably firm announcement
The most substantial part of the announcement is a proposed 30,000-square-foot H-Mart on the second floor of the former Hudson’s Bay store.
H-Mart is an established supermarket chain specializing in Korean and other Asian foods. Its products also attract customers from outside its traditional Asian base, particularly shoppers interested in seafood, produce, prepared foods and imported products.
The company says it hopes to open at Woodgrove in 2028.
That could make Woodgrove a regional shopping destination. But 2028 remains two years away, and the announcement did not disclose whether a binding lease has been signed, when construction will begin or how much money will be invested.
Nor was the total size of the former Bay premises provided. H-Mart’s 30,000 square feet will occupy only part of that large, two-storey space. What will happen to the remainder?
The “night market” vision
The first floor is expected to contain a TM Wander attraction described as a “Hong Kong temple style night street market.”
A 24,000-square-foot version has opened at Tsawwassen Mills, another Central Walk property. The Nanaimo announcement, however, did not provide its proposed floor area, confirmed vendors, construction cost or opening date.
An indoor food-and-entertainment hall may have broad appeal. But Nanaimo is not Richmond or metropolitan Vancouver. Traditional Asian night markets are supported by dense populations, tourism, large cultural communities and established late-evening activity.
Will Nanaimo residents make this a regular destination—or visit a few times because it is new?
That is not criticism of the concept. It is a basic market question that should be answered by a credible business plan.
Look beyond the mall
The announcement becomes much more interesting when it is compared with the City of Nanaimo’s long-term plans for the surrounding area.
City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined identifies Woodgrove as a Secondary Urban Centre.
That harmless-sounding planning term describes something approaching a second downtown.
The City wants Woodgrove to become Nanaimo’s northern commercial and transportation hub, containing apartments, offices, stores, recreation, cultural facilities and public gathering spaces.
Buildings would generally range from two to 12 storeys, with additional height possible on selected sites.
The overall residential target is 200 housing units per hectare.
What does that mean?
One hectare is approximately 2.47 acres. After allowing for streets and other infrastructure, it might accommodate roughly 10 to 15 conventional detached houses. Reaching 200 units per hectare requires apartment-style development.
The City is therefore not planning to preserve the Woodgrove area in its present form. It expects a much denser and more urban district.
A more detailed plan is already underway
The City launched a separate Woodgrove Area Plan process in January 2025.
According to the City, the plan is intended to guide the area’s evolution over the next 25 years, determine where new development will go and identify the infrastructure and public amenities needed to support it.
The City describes the plan as a tool for the development community to help realize that vision.
Council gave the proposed plan first and second readings on May 25, 2026. A public hearing is anticipated for September 24, 2026.
That means the future of Woodgrove is not a distant or theoretical issue. Important planning decisions are being advanced now.
Was Metral Drive built for that future?
Between 2020 and 2022, Nanaimo transformed Metral Drive at a projected total cost of approximately $13.6 million.
Some of that work was clearly necessary. The project included pavement renewal, water-main replacement, stormwater improvements and street lighting.
But it went considerably further. Taxpayers also funded continuous sidewalks, protected bicycle lanes, landscaped boulevards, benches, redesigned intersections and more than 100 trees.
Much of this “complete street” was constructed in front of detached homes that had existed for decades. Measured against the neighbourhood presently occupying Metral Drive, parts of the project appeared excessive.
They make considerably more sense if those properties are eventually replaced by higher-density housing.
No owner needs to be forced to sell. As residents age, downsize or die, older homes will come onto the market.
A young family may see an expensive aging house on a busy street. A developer may see land that can be combined with neighbouring properties and redeveloped into dozens—or hundreds—of housing units.
The City supplies the density permissions. Taxpayers provide upgraded infrastructure. The economics gradually produce the transformation.
The pieces appear to fit
| City’s Woodgrove vision | Mall announcement |
|---|---|
| Regional commercial centre | H-Mart as a regional shopping attraction |
| Recreational and cultural uses | Recreational hub, performances and Asian market |
| Public gathering places | Food hall, events and illuminated attraction |
| Higher residential density | A larger nearby customer base |
| Northern transportation hub | Island-wide shopping and entertainment destination |
None of this proves that City Hall and Central Walk have an undisclosed joint development plan.
It does demonstrate that the mall owner’s vision fits remarkably well with the future already described in City planning documents.
What has not been disclosed?
Woodgrove was placed on the market in 2025. Is it still for sale?
Has Central Walk submitted a long-term master plan for the entire property? Is residential development eventually contemplated on its extensive parking areas? What discussions have occurred between the company and City officials?
- How much private money is committed?
- Has H-Mart signed a binding agreement?
- What is the complete construction schedule?
- How many permanent jobs will be created?
- How much of the former Bay and Toys “R” Us space will remain vacant?
- Will the City be asked for further infrastructure, concessions or assistance?
- What additional public spending is planned for the Woodgrove Urban Centre?
- How much will future developers contribute toward the required infrastructure?
Mayor Leonard Krog described the announcement as evidence of confidence in Nanaimo. Perhaps it is.
But confidence is ultimately measured in signed agreements, committed dollars and construction—not renderings and promotional language.
Growth for whose benefit?
The larger question is whether Nanaimo is accommodating necessary growth or pursuing growth as an objective in itself.
Developers gain units to sell. Landowners gain development value. The City gains additional tax accounts. Businesses gain potential customers.
Existing residents may gain services and employment. But they may also receive congestion, prolonged construction, higher infrastructure costs and the gradual loss of the lower-density community many moved here to enjoy.
Growth is not automatically progress.
The Woodgrove proposal could revitalize an important commercial property. It could also be the first public glimpse of a much larger plan to remake north Nanaimo.
If that is the plan, residents should be shown the complete picture: what will be built, how many people will live there, what taxpayers will be expected to finance and who will receive the resulting financial benefits.
Nanaimo has heard the exciting announcement.
Now show us the real plan.
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