Wal-Mart gives itself a makeover

The Star reports that retail giant Wal-Mart is not known for housing its stores in interesting buildings and after a lot of criticism over how the stores don't fit in with the surroundings, the company has decided to construct an upscale version of itself. The new store will be opened in a upscale locality of Toronto in summer 2007.

Looking more upscale than the average big-box retail store, the new 135,000-square-foot building has an exterior — if not for its sheer frontage — that might be mistaken for a condo, constructed with tasteful beige and brown brick and surrounded by tree-lined streets. Decorative paving, benches and pedestrian lighting give the area a neighbourhood feel.

"This is a first-rate design that is unlike any other Wal-Mart store in Canada," Wal-Mart Canada Corp. spokesperson Kevin Groh said. "We are making sure the stores we build are appropriate to their surroundings and architecturally relevant."