Northgate Mall

This open-air retail center serves the Northgate district of north urban Seattle, Washington. Anchored by: Bed Bath & Beyond, JCPenney, Macy’s and Nordstrom, Northgate Mall opened in 1950 with eighteen stores.

One of the first American post-war suburban malls, Northgate Mall have over seventy tenants stores two years later including four-story Northgate Building medical/dental center and Northgate Theatre, with seating for over 1300 patrons.

Developed by Allied Stores and designed by Seattle architect John Graham, Jr., Northgate Mall was built over part of Thornton Creek, a former cranberry bog.

A novelty at the time this 1952 “mall” was a double row of stores divided by a covered pedestrian walkway. Northgate Mall was the first to have public restrooms.

A unique feature was a 59-foot cedar totem pole by Redmond sculptor Dudley C. Carter that decorated the grand entrance. This “Miracle Mall” was anchored by Macy’s (then called The Bon Marché), a J.J. Newberry 5 and 10, Butler Brothers variety store and an A & P Supermarket. Nordstrom Best (later called Nordstrom’s) joined in 1965. An expansion the same year added Best’s Apparel store a new J.C. Penney and QFC (Quality Food Center) grocery.