By Canadian Press

major purchases

Nanaimo mall owner offers $6 million for three Hudson’s Bay leases: court documents

Jun 17, 2025 | 2:42 PM

New court documents show the B.C. mall owner hoping to buy dozens of Hudson’s Bay leases has offered $6 million to take over three of the properties the department store used in malls she owns.

The filing says Ruby Liu Commercial Investment Corp. offered $2 million each for Bay leases at Tsawwassen Mills, Mayfair Shopping Centre in Victoria, and Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo.

Liu owns all three of the malls under her Central Walk business and has bid on up to 25 other leases held by the Bay.

However, lawyers for the Bay have asked a court to approve the transfer of leases only for the three Central Walk locations so far.

Liu declined to say how much she has offered for the other locations, but says $6 million for three stores is an average price.

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She will use the properties to open a new, modern department store that will also include entertainment, food and children’s play spaces.

Liu purchased Woodgrove Centre in September 2020, promoting a similar vision of activities and educational opportunities for children and seniors.

Health and wellness facilities such as massage and acupuncture and an expanded global food court were all listed as goals for improvements to Woodgrove.

Speaking to NanaimoNewsNOW after purchasing the shopping centre, Liu said she wanted the mall to become a hub.

“We want to focus on the education (for children) and a better approach to health advancement for elders…we need to provide these facilities for them because they are the most important people in town.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.

Tara Deschamps and Nono Shen, The Canadian Press