Quebec City-based fashion retailer La Maison Simons will open its second Alberta location in downtown Calgary. What's remarkable is how the four-level store will occupy part of Calgary's first skyscraper, The Lancaster Building, as well as the adjacent ground-floor TD Bank space within downtown Calgary's CORE shopping centre. The 92,000 square foot store tentatively opens in March of 2017, and we interviewed CEO Peter Simons to learn more.

The new store will be designed by innovative Calgary-based design firm McKinley Burkart, which will maintain the Lancaster Building's architectural heritage. As with other Simons locations, the interior is expected to be bright and modern. Mr. Simons confirms that a significant art installation will be featured in the store, as is the case with all new Simons locations. The 10-floor Lancaster building was constructed in the year 1919, and the top floors of the building will continue to be dedicated to office space.