Victoria is getting a fashionable new addition to its downtown retail lineup.
CBRE’s Jeffrey Lougheed helped Vancouver-based apparel brand KIT + ACE secure a new 2,200 sq. ft. flagship location on Victoria’s high-end Government Street, one of the city’s most iconic and active retail nodes.
“KIT + ACE was really interested in coming to Victoria,” says Lougheed. “I think they’re going to be a perfect fit for the city.”
The heritage building at 1221 Government St. was previously occupied by Victoria’s oldest continuously operating businesses, W&J Wilson, before it closed in 2021. It was succeeded by Spank Clothing, which occupied the space until 2025.
Lougheed worked quickly with the landlord to secure a competitive offer for the property.
“This is a location that has meant a lot to the people of Victoria and we wanted to build upon that history and support the retail sector with something new and exciting,” he says.
KIT + ACE specializes in technical, “9am to 9pm” apparel that’s suitable for everyday living. Since opening its first location in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood in 2014, they have expanded to 15 locations across Canada.
This marks the second major deal Lougheed has facilitated for KIT + ACE parent company Unity Brands in Victoria, recently securing a location for another one of their brands, Tilley, on Johnson Street.
A Happy Middle
Location was the most important factor for KIT + ACE in its search for a Victoria flagship. “They wanted a lot of walk-by traffic from both tourists and locals,” says Lougheed.
On average Victoria sees $4.8 billion in tourism spending each year. The season is short, however, only lasting about four to six months at the maximum.
“Which is why their new location gives them perfect exposure,” Lougheed says. “The northern end of Government Street is more frequented by locals who live close to the office sector, while also providing plenty of opportunities for tourists to explore.” Victoria’s iconic Empress Hotel, for instance, is only seven minutes away by foot.
KIT + ACE offers a happy middle option with its apparel, Lougheed adds. “Victoria’s fashion sector isn’t traditionally home to high-end retailers. KIT + ACE is perfectly placed between casual and formal wear, giving a level of casual sophistication that’s so common among Victorians.”
“The 9am to 9pm mentality is a really good fit here in a market that doesn’t have a huge number of higher-end clothing retailers.”
Canada-First Expansion
KIT+ ACE is poised for further expansion across Canada. CEO David Lui has indicated the company plans to open five or six more Canadian stores this year with the goal of having a total of 20 locations by the end of 2026.
“I believe the consumer is still focused on a made-in-Canada approach,” says Lougheed. “Victorians are really proud to be Canadians and so we want to support Canadian businesses, especially businesses that got their start in B.C.”
He adds that the new KIT + ACE flagship is a strong vote of confidence for Victoria retail.
“I think Victoria is a great place to do business. It’s a sophisticated market that has shown a lot of resilience in the face of economic headwinds,” Lougheed says.
“I believe our downtown core is strong and great retailers like this will help it flourish for years to come.”
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CBRE’s Jeffrey Lougheed helped Vancouver-based apparel brand KIT + ACE secure a new 2,200 sq. ft. flagship location on Victoria’s high-end Government Street, one of the city’s most iconic and active retail nodes.
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