"We are pleased to have Wal-Mart join the already outstandinglineup of retailers at Quartier Dix30," says RioCan CEO EdwardSonshine, praising Divemco for executing a development and leasingcampaign that has led to more than 100 stores already opening sincelast autumn and a like amount anticipated to come on line throughnext year's fourth and final phase. By then, a 900-seat concert andtheater hall will begin welcoming guests, joining other featuressuch as a boutique hotel, gymnasium, spa and dozens of leadingrestaurants. The Montreal Canadians are building a $29 millionsports training facility on an abutting site that will have 800seats and include an indoor soccer field. According to Sonshine,Quartier Dix30 aims to create "an intimate, neighborhood-likefeeling within a world-class shopping and entertainment district"on Montreal's South Shore near the banks of the Saint LawrenceRiver.

Much like the host community, a suburb not yet a half-centuryold, Quartier Dix30 (1030) is defined by the roadway where it issituated, at the corner of Autoroutes 10 and 30. The lifestylecenter aims to provide suburbanites access to leading internationalbrands, many of which are already represented at Quartier Dix30.Tenants who have opened since the first phase was completed lastautumn include American Eagle Outfitters, Circuit City, H&M,Nine West, Pier 1 Imports and Tommy Hilfiger. The remaining unitsshould open by year's end.

RioCan has a 50/50 ownership in Quartier Dix30, giving theToronto-based REIT a portfolio of 30.7 million sf, all but 1.5million sf of it retail. Of the company's 198 retail investments,125 are in Ontario. The Brossard complex gives RioCan 31 propertiesin Quebec, followed by 18 in Alberta and 13 in British Columbia.RioCan is providing management oversight of Quartier Dix30.