Saskatoon's Landmark Shopping Centre Begins Construction
On November 27, 1959, a significant chapter in Saskatoon's commercial development began as construction crews broke ground on the Grosvenor Park Shopping Centre. This project, along with the Avalon Shopping Plaza, represented a major investment in the city's retail landscape, with both centers approved for a combined total of nearly $2 million.
A Pillar of Saskatoon's Building Boom
The development provided substantial momentum to what was already a record-breaking year for construction in Saskatoon. The city was experiencing an unprecedented building surge, with the total value of construction projects reaching an impressive $33 million. The Grosvenor Park project stood out as one of the cornerstones of this economic activity.
Located in the 2100 block of Eighth Street East, the shopping centre took shape rapidly. Construction progress was evident as the steel frame rose for the new $400,000 Loblaw Groceteria, while a $200,000 Canada Safeway store was already nearing completion on the site.
Expanding Retail Options Across the City
The building boom extended beyond Grosvenor Park. On the same day construction began, the city's planning and building department issued a permit for a $44,000 store to Shop-Rite Stores, planned for construction at the intersection of Ruth Street and Melrose Avenue. This demonstrated the widespread retail expansion occurring throughout Saskatoon during this prosperous era.
This historical insight comes from the StarPhoenix archives, curated by the City of Saskatoon Archives, as part of their weekly Throwback Thursday series featuring images from Saskatoon's past. The archival photograph from November 27, 1959, captures the early construction phase of what would become a familiar shopping destination for generations of Saskatoon residents.
