Tenant Mix

Explore tenant mix in Canadian commercial real estate — how tenant selection influences traffic, synergy, and investment performance.

Tenant Mix

June 23, 2025


What is a Tenant Mix?

Tenant mix refers to the variety and composition of tenants within a commercial or mixed-use property, strategically curated to enhance customer traffic and overall profitability.

Why a Tenant Mix Matters in Real Estate

In Canadian commercial real estate, a balanced tenant mix supports stable rental income, reduces vacancy risk, and strengthens a property’s competitive advantage.



Tenant mix strategies include:
  • Combining anchor tenants with small businesses
  • Grouping complementary retailers (e.g., food + fitness)
  • Avoiding tenant redundancy or direct competition
  • Ensuring tenant types match target demographics



A successful tenant mix improves customer experience and increases foot traffic, particularly in retail plazas, malls, and mixed-use developments.



Understanding tenant mix is vital for property managers and investors optimizing asset performance.

Example of Tenant Mix in Action

The retail developer selects a grocery anchor, a pharmacy, and a café to create a well-balanced tenant mix that supports all-day customer visits.

Key Takeaways

  • Refers to the mix of tenants in a property
  • Affects customer traffic and sales synergy
  • Strategic mix reduces vacancy and boosts retention
  • Essential in commercial property planning
  • Impacts leasing and marketing success

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Recourse Loan

A recourse loan is a type of loan where the lender can pursue the borrower’s personal assets, beyond the collateral, in the event of default.. more

Pari Passu

A pari passu clause is a contractual provision ensuring that multiple creditors share equally in repayment priority from the borrower’s assets.. more

Non-Recourse Loan

A non-recourse loan is a type of loan where the lender’s only remedy in case of default is to seize the collateral property; the borrower is not. more

Net Operating Income

Net operating income (NOI) is the total income generated by a property after operating expenses are deducted but before taxes and financing costs.. more

Mechanic's Lien

A mechanic’s lien is a legal claim by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier for unpaid work or materials provided for a property.. more

Lis Pendens

Lis pendens is a legal notice filed in the land registry indicating that a property is subject to ongoing litigation that may affect its title.. more

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