Checking up on Swatow: Chinatown’s Newest Development
December 7, 2009 by Deyanira Bautista
Filed under Development & Construction, Neighborhoods
Photo: Deya Bautista
We were due to give you an update on the latest (and best looking) chinatown construction. So, here you have it: The all new and completely finished Swatow Plaza. Looking sharp, looking proud. It even looks sexy, if that can be possible for a building. There is only one tenant moved in, and so far it looks like the rest of the building is pretty much empty. Not sure what kind of shops will be occupying the shopping plaza, let’s just hope it isn’t going to be another import-type of business. Looking forward to new restaurants, boutiques and whatever higher-endish business they can come up with.
This is a sneak peek of the first tenant, an antique furniture store. Not yet 100% settled in, but the owner Mr Cheung seems quite accommodating.
Will be posting on the new shops as they move in. Any additional info you may have on the new shops coming to the Plaza please share them on the comments section!
Posted by: Deya Bautista - Affiliated Real Estate Agent working as part of the McGill Immobilier team. Specializing in condos and revenue property in the metropolitan area of Montreal. For buying or selling contact Deya at: 514.917.7889 
Thanks for the stories on Chinatown's Swatow Plaza.
I left Montreal before construction was finished.
A lot of Swatow's success will depend on the economy and whether prospective small business owners and entrepreneurs will be willing to start new businesses and whether or not they can afford the rent. Unfortunately, Montreal has a relatively small Chinese community, parts of which have chosen to disperse to the suburbs.
Since the initial idea was to imitate something like Toronto's Pacific Mall, I suspect most of the stores will be of the import-type (clothes, electronics, toys, etc.).
A restaurant was supposed to occupy one of the upper floors however with several Chinatown restos having already succumbed to the Great Recession, it is not known if this will actually happen.
One of Chinatown's grocery stores was also planning to relocate to Swatow.
I hope Swatow succeeds but with my take on the Economy (long sluggish recovery) and the improbability of non-Chinese setting up shop inside Swatow, my guess is that it will have a somewhat difficult time doing so.