Leyad Repurposes Retail Portfolio with Tech-Driven Leasing Strategy
Event summary
- Leyad completed over 600,000 sq. ft. of leasing across 102 transactions in the past year.
- Achieved 82.7% occupancy within 12 months at former Hudson's Bay locations post-bankruptcy.
- Grocery tenants (Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro) now represent nearly 10% of Leyad’s retail portfolio.
- Sold a single-tenant asset to Costco, achieving a ~50% value increase in under one year.
The big picture
Leyad’s strategy reflects a broader industry shift toward repurposing malls as community hubs, blending necessity-based retail with experiential offerings. The firm’s rapid leasing recovery post-Hudson’s Bay bankruptcy highlights operational agility in a challenging market. With grocery tenants now anchoring nearly 10% of its portfolio, Leyad is positioning itself for defensive income stability amid evolving consumer behaviors.
What we're watching
- Portfolio Diversification
- How Leyad’s shift toward grocery anchors and experiential retail will impact long-term traffic generation.
- Tech-Driven Leasing
- Whether AI-driven analytics can sustain competitive leasing advantages across diverse markets.
- Regional Growth
- The pace at which Prince Albert’s proximity to alumina reserves will influence retail demand.