Money-transfer giant Western Union is among the first to lease space in the second phase of the Uptown shopping centre in Saanich.
Uptown general manager Roberta Ferguson said the second phase, scheduled for completion this fall, will also include a number of other businesses as well as fashion retailers "that are new to Vancouver Island." The identity of those businesses will be announced as leasing deals are signed, she said.
Western Union will take an entire floor of one of the new office buildings, Ferguson said. "We have signed deals or opened locations for a wide-range of service and office tenants recently," said Ferguson. "From medical and dental to communications and financial, our leasing has been very strong."
Royal Bank, Shaw, Bell Mobility, Dominion Lending Centres, Cruise About Cruise Specialists, Kids and Company, Eccotique Salon & Spa and Zennkai Salon will open in the coming weeks, she said.
Recent openings at Uptown have included Uptown Dental Centre, Telus Mobility and Biosundara medi-spa.
Uptown Dental Centre recently opened its doors on the second floor of phase one above Qoola Frozen Yogurt, offering general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry as well as free LED whitening treatments for new patients. "Our bright clinic has a look and feel that truly reflects the level of care we offer our patients," said Dr. Dave Dhillon, owner of Uptown Dental Centre. "We use the latest technology, making our patients' visits shorter and more comfortable. We chose Uptown because it is a convenient location for not only our patients but all of Victoria."
Phase 1 of Uptown, which includes Walmart, Best Buy and Future Shop stores, is currently 90 per cent leased to retail, food and service stores and office tenants B.C. Assessment, Consumer Protection B.C. and Ricoh Canada.
A project of Morguard Investments Ltd., Uptown will have 860,000 square feet of open-air shopping, Class A office space and restaurants at full build-out. Phase three, including a possible residential component, is currently in the predevelopment design stage.
