Brunswick Square (building complex)

Brunswick Square is a building complex located in Uptown Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It consists of a 3-storey shopping mall as well as a 19-storey Class A office tower. The complex contains a 700 capacity parking garage.

Not to be confused with the Brunswick Square in New Jersey, United States.
Brunswick Square
Brunswick Square logo
Brunswick Square's 19-storey office tower
LocationSaint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Coordinates45.2733°N 66.0609°W / 45.2733; -66.0609
Opening date1976
OwnerSlate Office REIT
No. of stores and services60+ (2012)
around 20 (2022)[1]
No. of floors3 (shopping mall)
19 (offices)
ParkingParking garage
Websitewww.brunswicksquare.ca

Brunswick Square also utilizes the Inside Connection, a large pedway system connecting the complex to other prominent locations in the city such as the Saint John City Market, Delta Hotels, the city hall, TD Station, and other areas.[2][3]

It is the location for the New Brunswick Black History Society's Black Heritage Site, the first of its kind in New Brunswick.[4]

History

Before its establishment, the site of Brunswick Square was once home to Manchester Robertson Allison (MRA's), a department store established in 1866 by James Manchester, James F. Robertson, and Joseph Allison. After its closure in 1973 following 107 years of business, the entire block comprising King, Germain, and Prince William Streets would be demolished to pave the way for the development of Brunswick Square,[5] which completed in 1976.[6] In November, a celebratory event took place, featuring the premier, Richard Hatfield, who cut a replica cake of the complex using a sword.[7]

In 2015, Brunswick Square, along with 13 other office and retail buildings in Atlantic Canada, was acquired by Slate Office REIT for $430 million.[8] It was previously owned and sold by Fortis Properties, a subsidiary of Fortis Inc.[9]

Closures
Former Pizza Hut site in the mall

Brunswick Square’s shopping mall has witnessed a noticeable decline in both business and popularity over time, going from housing over 60 business locations in 2012, down to just over 20 by 2022, with nearly 40 vacant storefronts within the mall.[1] The already-prevalent trend of declining tenants was intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] Apart from the location of a Cora restaurant, the third floor of the mall is almost entirely empty.[9]

Numerous businesses have permanently closed their locations in the mall, including The Source,[10] Starbucks,[11] GoodLife Fitness,[12] McDonald's,[13] Coles Books,[14] Pizza Hut,[15] Laura Secord[9] and several other establishments.

References
  1. "'It just used to be booming': Another business leaves Brunswick Square - New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca". Global News.
  2. "General Info". Brunswick Square.
  3. "Fortis Properties – Brunswick Square". Fortis Properties Corporation. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. Perry, Brad. "Black History Society Opens New Heritage Room". Country 94.
  5. "Manchester Robertson Allison (firm) - ArchivesCANB". search.canbarchives.ca.
  6. Urquhart, Mia. "Owners of beleaguered Brunswick Square say they're committed to keeping it vibrant". CBC News.
  7. Moore, Nick. "Uptown Saint John mall expects turnaround as more stores leave". ctvnews.
  8. REIT, Slate Office. "Slate Office REIT Completes Transformational Acquisition of 14 Properties in Atlantic Canada". www.newswire.ca.
  9. Urquhart, Mia (25 September 2020). "Owners of beleaguered Brunswick Square say they're committed to keeping it vibrant". CBC. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. Letson, Cherise (31 October 2016). "Saint John's Brunswick Square No Longer Grande". Huddle.Today.
  11. "Starbucks Uptown Is Closing". Country 94.
  12. Perry, Brad. "GoodLife In Brunswick Square Closing For Good". Country 94.
  13. Perry, Brad. "Another Brunswick Square Business Closes". Country 94.
  14. "Brunswick Square Coles Closing For Good". Country 94.
  15. "'It just used to be booming': Another business leaves Brunswick Square - New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca.

Media related to Brunswick Square & Tower at Wikimedia Commons

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