Tacoma Mall Changes - What Could It Mean? (22. March 2006, 08:52 by Derek) ~ An Icon That Destroyed... nevermind.
The News Tribune is reporting that “significant changes” will be announced for the Tacoma Mall today.
“The announcement will trigger a significant change to Tacoma and the view drivers have as they pass the mall on I-5 north- and southbound,†mall officials said.
The press conference is at 10:30. The News Tribune will have an update by noon it says. You have a couple hours to speculate. What changes are afoot? What do you expect? If this announcement showed us your dream come true, what would it be?
Update Announcement made. Details in the comments.
(Thanks Jake)
Link to the News Tribune
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My dream come true? The Tacoma Mall is closing for good and all retail will return to Downtown.. maybe to big of a dream?
Im guessing we are going to see an Alderwood Mall style redo.
1 | Posted by Jake | Mar 22, 09:30 AM
Maybe they will tear the whole mall down and forget it ever happened. That would be an improvement in the view from the freeway. Yeah, right.
But more realistically, I think a great improvement would be to reconfigure and make it more of a pedestrian mall, something more in the vein of University Village. Since we’re not getting rid of the mall, they could at least make it a more appealing place…
2 | Posted by jamie | Mar 22, 09:31 AM
Maybe a very tall spire?
4 | Posted by jamie | Mar 22, 10:08 AM
Lowest of my low expectations: They could be building gasp a new giant billboard and a new concrete tombstone, I mean parking garage. Wouldn’t that just be fine and dandy?
Highest hopes: Maybe Simon is deciding that the operation just isn’t making any more money and the whole mall will just shut down. I would have to pinch myself after such an announcement.
What I think is happening: Housing probably. There’s a large apartment building going up near the mall, luxury apartments if I’m not mistaken. Maybe they’re trying to take advantage of the booming condo market, or perhaps just trying to offer workers local apartments. They could be master planning some kind of park-ish new urbanism on the eastern side of the mall to make it look more appealing to passersby. They’re going to have to do something about the noise level, but a solid wall of new-urbanist three or four story buildings could blunt its effects to a point. We’ve only got another hour or so before we hear what’s really going on.
5 | Posted by Chris, UWT Urban Studies | Mar 22, 10:53 AM
Nordstrom to Build New Store at Tacoma Mall
22.03.2006 19:32:00
SEATTLE, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc. , a leading fashion specialty retailer, announced it has signed a letter of intent with Simon Property Group, Inc. , the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of quality retail real estate, to relocate and build a new store at the Tacoma Mall. The new, two-level, 144,000 square foot store is scheduled to open fall 2008. Nordstrom will remain open in its current location until the new store is completed.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO )
“We have a strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing our existing store base,†said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom. “Relocating and building a new store in Tacoma gives us a chance to bring our newest design concepts to our long-time customers. The community has been very supportive of us over the past 40 years and we look forward to serving our customers here for many years to come.â€
In addition to the new Nordstrom store, Simon announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar facelift of Tacoma Mall highlighted by a lifestyle expansion that will be located adjacent to the food court entrance off of South 48th Street and will occur in two phases. The first phase, scheduled to start construction in early 2007 with a completion date of late that year, will consist of 45,000 square feet and feature seven to eight new stores, including restaurants. The second phase consists of approximately 60,000 square feet and will be located on the site of the current Nordstrom store.
“This is a very exciting day for Tacoma Mall and its loyal shoppers,†said Rick Sokolov, president and COO of Simon. “The new Nordstrom location will be a great showcase for a terrific retailer and demonstrates their continuing commitment to Tacoma Mall.†Commenting on Tacoma Mall’s makeover Sokolov said, “The lifestyle addition will enable us to attract the newest and freshest retail and restaurant concepts to Tacoma Mall.†Sokolov added that leasing activity for the lifestyle addition was very strong and that specific tenant names would be released soon.
Nordstrom offers a large selection of quality fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. Nordstrom at Tacoma Mall first opened in 1966. Tacoma Mall is a 1.3 million square foot mall located at I-5 and Tacoma Mall Boulevard.
Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, development and management of retail real estate, primarily regional malls, Premium Outlet® centers and community/lifestyle centers. The Company’s current total market capitalization is approximately $42 billion. Through its subsidiary partnership, it currently owns or has an interest in 286 properties in the United States containing an aggregate of 200 million square feet of gross leasable area in 39 states plus Puerto Rico. Simon also owns interests in 51 European shopping centers in France, Italy, and Poland; 5 Premium Outlet® centers in Japan; and one Premium Outlet® center in Mexico. Additional Simon Property Group information is available at http://www.simon.com/.
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading fashion specialty retailers, with 156 US stores located in 27 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 99 Full-Line Stores, 49 Nordstrom Racks, five Faconnable boutiques, one freestanding shoe store and two clearance stores. Nordstrom also operates 32 Faconnable boutiques in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com/ and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.
CONTACT: Deniz Anders Nordstrom, Inc. 206-373-3038 Les Morris Simon Property Group 317-263-7711
6 | Posted by Jake | Mar 22, 12:04 PM
I think all of the above could happen: houses with spires on them surrounded by a “park-like” setting… or maybe just a park and ride lot…
Seriously, I thought it was funny when I saw on the City’s zoning map that the area surrounding the mall is designated UCX (Urban Center Mixed-Use) – a very large area, actually – and, as far as I can tell, the only area in the City designated as such. UCX currently allows developers to go as high as 120’ (!) based on the residential mix – so the pieces are in place for major things to happen.
Personally, I don’t like the way the City has there zoning set up – to encourage all out development in one huge area as opposed to a higher number of smaller dense areas.
But are there that many people who would WANT to live in that area? Icky! Not me!
I heard Nordstroms was going to build a new store over a year ago.. So that isn’t new.
9 | Posted by Jake | Mar 22, 12:48 PM
They aren’t even doing anything on the side of the mall that is most visible from the freeway. Significant change to the view my arse. Or did I miss where they said that the new Nordstrom would be on the Tacoma Mall Boulevard side?
Bonus question: “Lifestyle”? WTF is that? Are we talking Pottery Barn sorta stuff? (Maybe we can steal all of the stores that U.Place wants!)
10 | Posted by jamie | Mar 22, 12:58 PM
Ok, the TNT story says that the new Nordstrom will be on the current Mervyn’s footprint on the west side of the mall. So my incredulousness stands at the claim that the view from the freeway is going to drastically change. Sounds like we get to keep looking at a giant parking lot. And the Krispy Kreme.
11 | Posted by jamie | Mar 22, 01:01 PM
The PI has a more detailed story.. with pictures!!!
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/263976_nordstrom23.html
14 | Posted by Jake | Mar 23, 12:24 AM
Bor-ing.
I mean, I like Nordstroms, sure, but I agree – why not update the freeway side of the mall? This makes sense in terms of business – a more attractive mall would attract out of town customers. Right now, forgive me, but the Tacoma mall looks like a dirt mall from the freeway – not like an atractive, viable shopping center.
Also, I’m interested in these “lifestyle” stores – Pottery Barn? Z Gallerie? Restoration Hardware? I like these stores, but what I’d really love to see are more local stores—that would really give the mall a “lifestyle” identity. My mom once looked into opening a store at the mall (just out of curiousity) and the going rates for square footage were outrageous, basically prohibiting anything BUT a national chain (which, by the way, would be given a discount) from having a store there. I think it’s time they made the mall more available for newer, more interesting stores.
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