Plans for the long-vacant Sears location at the Oshawa Centre are moving forward, with the mall’s owner confirming demolition is part of the upcoming Oshawa Centre Sears site redevelopment.
Primaris REIT, which owns the Oshawa Centre, says it is close to formally announcing redevelopment plans for the former department store space, which has remained largely unused since Sears closed eight years ago.
In an email to Oshawa This Week, Primaris REIT president and CEO Patrick Sullivan confirmed the plans will involve demolishing the existing building. During a recent visit to the mall, the area was fenced off and construction equipment was visible on site.
Although the Sears space has been vacant for years, it has recently hosted temporary attractions, including a pop-up roller skating rink and a holiday market. Suso Skate announced in December that it would be closing its Oshawa Centre location earlier than expected, despite it being the company’s busiest pop-up to date.
Organizers of the Picks & Giggles Handmade Market have also stated they are searching for a new venue large enough to host their 2026 event.
At the south end of the Oshawa Centre, the former Hudson’s Bay location has also remained empty since the retailer went out of business last spring. Primaris REIT confirmed that space is likely to be subdivided for multiple tenants, with leasing discussions already underway.
According to the mall’s owner, overall sales at the Oshawa Centre remain strong, and leasing activity continues to be positive despite recent store closures.
