The Amazing Brentwood — Attraction in Burnaby

A giant, confusing mess is what this is. The number one reason I strongly dislike this development is what it did to the Lougheed "Highway" and the ongoing traffic nightmare that has ensued. For that reason alone, I have avoided having to drive through this area. From Holdom to Gilmore this area has turned into a cold, soulless, over-priced physical representation of society's values today. If you're driving Westbound on Lougheed have fun meeting "The Wall (of towers)" that block out the world and put you right into dystopia.

I had pre-googled how to find parking since, as in true Metro Vancouver fashion, the signage is lacking and what is there makes no sense. My goal was to avoid underground parking but ended up exactly there because the entrances to the other parkades were unclear. Let me just start with the naming conventions of everything here: It's all extremely Vegas and the hyperbole on what should be the simplest of terms is made pompous and unclear. "The Amazing Brentwood" website seems to be targeted to one kind of consumer, the real estate buying kind. Everything that the day-to-day consumer would would find useful, seems to be on pages of afterthoughts. So here's the kicker, once you do find parking, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT! At a mall. You can argue and say it's not a mall it's a "community complex; it's a neighborehood; it's a lifestyle", but the bottom line is it's a collection of businesses who need consumers to spend money at so they can make profits by given them as little reason to leave once they are there. Whether there's a roof over it all or not, I don't care, that's a mall to me. Bottom line, I'm not paying for parking at a mall. I will note that you can get a few free hours of parking if you are there for the movies, or the Rec Room, but not if you're just there to browse and shop.

Accessibility seems to be a nightmare. There are stairs everywhere. I was with my 73 old mother and because of the poor signage and Vegas-style names for everything, I really had no idea where any of the connection points from the parkade to the "amazing" world above went. We chose poorly and ended up parking near an access that was only stairs. I'm going to harp on the naming thing because you have no idea what signage takes you to public spaces and what will take you to residencies and towers.

Their primary focus for where to put effort in this development was clear: F*!k the old and focus on the new. The once signature and skyline-icon, white roof that was always reminiscent to me of circus big tops all in a row, is hidden and uncared for. And so are all the handful of stores that remain in what is now "old Brentwood". It was just sad, empty and depressing and not a single Christmas decoration from the mall itself in sight.

We did go in to H&M Home as neither of us were aware they had expanded into that area and were curious. The first thing my mom pointed out was how dusty everything was. Yes, that's a very 73 year old first observation, but it was true. My first observation was something I hadn't seen since Pier 1, which was American prices sharing a sticker with the Canadian price. I personally find this both politically offensive and as someone living at the poverty line and would love to move out of B(ring).C(ash). because of the high cost of living, I don't need the reminder that most of what we pay for in goods and services compared to other nations is because of things like taxes, levies, tariffs, import fees, transportation and dock strikes, fuel costs, etc. While we there we did not see an employee in the housewares section, despite there being 7 or 8 shoppers and a door to the street.

All in all we were not "amazed" by the 25min we were there and definitely not worth the cost of...

Very lively place now! We always bike here and finally we got to see everything finished! A bit of space now to walk around, sit, and eat.

AREAS: Food court is upgraded! too small but bigger than the old Brentwood for sure. the distance between tables are a bit too near. Be careful when you have strollers and walking in between tables. There are different kind of chairs! Which I love about the place. There are bar chairs with high tables, these are a bit longer and THEY HAVE OUTLETS!!! They have couch with a coffee table for people who need more space and room. There are cushioned chairs for the people who like to relax and read and maybe sleep in them? There are normal food chairs and tables for a quick setup for a quick bite. I have seen high chairs but you will have to talk to someone. They have tray stations to segregate..PLS take a tray and help the staff out in bringing your finished food to the tray stations. They have OUTDOOR seating!!! Complete with umbrella and wooden benches. You can have food here with your dog! Downside is that there isn't a lot of ambiance and view from anywhere. The food court area also connects directly to the old Brentwood Mall.

Stores are not too diverse, maybe bec the old Brentwood Mall has already the generic stuff for family. Mostly makeup, treats/food, sporting goods, bank, and entertainment. There will be more stores opening for sure so I will have to update once everything is 'done'.

Walkways are very very spacious. You can bring your ANIMAL everywhere here!!! BUT some establishments will not allow animals inside the stores, so just be respectful of those signs and clean up after your pets. NO ACTIVE BIKING, SKATING, ROLLING. These are where people and kids walk freely so respect that. There is also a place infront of Starbucks that the floor is light up! Not everyone knows about it. There is also a very cool walkway bridge near the food court that looks AWESOME when the sun is at its peak! So summer is the best time to be in this multi colored window. They have seats in the walkway too!

Water fountain is nice and has lights. It keeps the air cooler. Lots of kids play on the fountain. Since it's very short so watch your kid.

Security is everywhere so I feel very very very very safe. Also pls respect them as they are also trying to make Brentwood last longer. Don't argue with them anymore and just start to enjoy walking around the place.

Parking is everywhere. They have underground, outside, paid (with security), handicap, wide loaders, and long ones for trucks. You seriously just need to actually roam around to see where these are. Not a whole LOT of free handicap parking though.

Washrooms are very NEW and I have yet to say anything bad about them.

Enjoy strolling here! I will update also when I get to enjoy...

Happened to be out at Brentwood area for a class. Was looking to get on SkyTrain to head back to Vancouver.

A very nice lady gave me directions to the elevators up to the train level (headed west) but neglected to say that you can't see WHERE the elevator is from that very busy intersection, so I walked around the huge ground level base of SkyTrain station & still no elevator & NOT one sign indicating where this single elevator was/is.....

Of course I walked around in circles looking for how to get into Whole Foods - lots of open doors and eating patios and finally found the (seemingly) only entrance to this grocery store, incidentally you may want to review your food selections & take lessons from your Vancouver store about your hot/cold buffet - slim pickings & looked like stuff had sat all day, pass on that @ 2 pm!

Well, yea, off to FIND myself at the North ground floor of the Skytain station facing three flights of stairs (ugh!) & still no more aware of where this bloody elevator is - & still NO signs. I guess it's only suitable if you live in the area & are familiar.

Now I understand why tourists look so confused (& please don't start me on the fiasco that we call Waterfront Station)!

I'm pretty familiar with Vancouver & most of surrounding suburbs but maybe you could do with some signage - God forbid I would have needed to locate a bus stop headed east because I'm pretty sure that's not any directional signage or indication of where that's hidden.

I used to know this area but now it's just one big concrete puzzle & this comment comes from someone who works in the construction industry & worked on the very first hi-rise (north east corner) and the beginning of Brentwood Mall renovation & redesign....If no one can bother putting up any signage or informational stands I'll stay in Vancouver because Burnaby isn't very welcoming.

PS Thank you to the lady who tried to provide directions to the west bound SkyTrain, she was very nice. That was a Saturday at the end...