Dave Algra and Josh Vanderheide on the success of downtown Chilliwack through effective retail, hospitality, and experiential programming.
Day 2 of the Urban Experience Alliance Symposium featured Dave Algra (Co-Founder, Algra Bros) in conversation with Josh Vanderheide (Founder, Field House Brewing). The two entrepreneurs explored how retail and hospitality spaces have flourished as a result of the recent urban revitalization of Chilliwack’s Downtown core.
In the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, downtown Chilliwack was vastly underutilized – the construction of the freeway literally divided the city into North and South, and businesses gradually migrated south of the divide. No longer frequented, the once-bustling downtown core on the North side of the city fell into disrepair.
To reinvigorate the neighborhood, the City of Chilliwack put out a development RFP for the 4-acre downtown site, and Algra Bros, a commercial developer headed by Dave and his brothers, answered the call. After winning the RFP, Algra Bros redesigned and rebuilt the site as mixed-use residential and commercial, focusing on incorporating diverse architecture that paid homage to the region's rich history and designing the space to a pedestrian-oriented scale.
Independently owned retail and hospitality businesses local to the region were purposefully selected as tenants to add richness and depth to the vibrancy and culture of the development. Vanderheide’s own Field House Brewing joined the ranks of these diverse tenants and has continued to thrive as a part of this new community. And smartly programmed experiences – whether that be local buskers or the Christmas festival complete with ferris wheel and Christmas train – have become widely renowned beloved events.
Dave Algra, Algra Bros
Dave is one of three brothers who combined their skills and talents by forming Algra Bros – who together shared a new vision of development for the Fraser Valley. Across all projects, they focus on walkable and vibrant urban communities that connect business and entertainment to ultimately build a better way of living.
Josh Vanderheide, Field House Brewing
Josh is a passionate entrepreneur and creative professional with 15+ years of brand and design experience. He is passionate about finding ways to help communities realize their cultural potential and creating opportunities for the teams and stakeholders he works with.