Holt Renfrew is planning to significantly expand its flagship store in Vancouver, adding about 40,000 square feet and new luxury retailing concepts.

Plans call for a 30 per cent expansion throughout, with store growth reaching 190,000 square feet. Besides interior renovations, which will include a second signature atrium, features include a newly expanded 200-foot storefront along Howe Street and updates to its street front and façade along Dunsmuir Street.

“Our customers in Vancouver can look forward to more of the exceptional service and rich assortment of leading brands they have come to know and love at Holts,” said Mark Derbyshire, president of Holt Renfrew.

The many new retail experiences include:

• A new 80-seat Holts Café, a first for Vancouver.
• Significant expansion to the personal shopping area, which will almost double in size to 7,000 square feet and include the luxury apartment private shopping concept.
• An assortment of ready-to-wear and luxury accessories customized to the Vancouver.
• A distinct menswear experience, drawing inspiration from the Holt Renfrew Men concept.
• A major expansion in the women’s leather goods and footwear areas, which will each approximately triple in size.
• The jewellery area will increase by 50 per cent, with exclusive new first-to-Canada luxury brand offerings.

New York-based architectural firm Janson Goldstein has designed the revamp.

The store will remain open during construction, which begins in August 2015 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.