Pacific Place
An upscale urban shopping and entertainment center in downtown Seattle, Washington.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Pacific Place is a multi-level shopping and entertainment center in downtown Seattle, Washington, located on the block bounded by Sixth Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Olive Way, and Pine Street. The center opened on October 29, 1998, after approximately two years of construction, and was conceived as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Pine Street retail corridor and connect major downtown destinations. Its position near Nordstrom’s Seattle flagship store, together with a pedestrian skybridge linking the two properties, has been central to its role in the city’s retail geography. The center contains approximately 335,000 square feet of floor area and originally included five levels, retail stores, restaurants, a multiplex cinema, and a large parking facility. Its upper level has been anchored by an AMC Theatres multiplex, formerly operated under the General Cinema name. Food and beverage offerings have included a food court and well-known restaurant tenants such as Din Tai Fung and Haidilao. A Barnes & Noble bookstore was formerly located on the ground floor and left the property in 2020. By 2024, the center had approximately 21 active businesses, reflecting both its continuing role as a downtown destination and the challenges facing urban retail properties. The site has a long commercial and transportation history. A six-story Electric Building was constructed on part of the block in 1909 for the Seattle Electric Company. Another portion of the site served as a terminal for the Pacific Northwest Traction Company’s Seattle–Everett interurban railway. After the area was converted to parking and service-station use, a major underground parking garage opened in 1947. Frederick & Nelson later acquired interests in the property and developed a larger parking structure connected with its downtown department-store operations. The Electric Building was eventually demolished in 1970. Pacific Place was proposed in 1993 during the redevelopment of downtown Seattle’s Pine Street corridor and the conversion of the Frederick & Nelson building into Nordstrom’s Seattle flagship. The development was undertaken by Pine Street Development, with investment associated with local business figures including Jeff Brotman, John McCaw, Howard Schultz, and Kenny G. The project opened with about 40 stores and a parking garage containing approximately 1,200 spaces. Ownership and management changed several times. Madison Marquette acquired the shopping center in July 2014 for $271 million and purchased the associated parking garage from the City of Seattle in September 2016 for $87 million. In 2017, Madison Marquette announced a redevelopment intended to enlarge retail areas and modernize shared spaces. The center reopened after more than two years of work in June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 12 tenants operating at reopening. During 2021, vacant areas were used by independent businesses, artists, and nonprofit organizations for temporary commercial and cultural activities. Madison Marquette announced in January 2024 that management would move to Avison Young. In May 2024, Pacific Place and its garage were sold to BH Properties for $88.25 million amid substantial retail vacancies. The property has also been selected as an official Seattle watch-party venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Planned and reported venue improvements include a second-floor event area called Seattle Soccer House, a large atrium viewing screen, food and beverage facilities, temporary vendors, and an official FIFA merchandise store. These initiatives position Pacific Place not only as a retail property but also as a potential downtown events and gathering venue.
History
The Pacific Place site occupies a historically important downtown Seattle block. The corner of Seventh Avenue and Olive Way was once home to the Electric Building, a six-story brick structure completed in 1909 as the headquarters of the Seattle Electric Company. The opposite corner housed a Seattle terminal for the Pacific Northwest Traction Company’s interurban line to Everett. By the 1940s, parts of the block had become a parking lot and gasoline station. Standard Oil of California and related property owners developed a three-level underground garage, which opened in 1947 with capacity for approximately 450 cars. Frederick & Nelson later acquired the garage and pursued a larger parking structure connected with its downtown department-store operations. Construction began in 1954 after an alley vacation and was completed the following year. Frederick & Nelson completed its acquisition of the Electric Building in 1956. The building temporarily housed downtown library services from 1957 to 1960 while Seattle Central Library was being rebuilt, but it was subsequently unused and demolished in 1970. The concept for a new upscale shopping center emerged in 1993 as Seattle pursued improvements along Pine Street and prepared the Frederick & Nelson building for conversion into Nordstrom’s Seattle flagship. Pacific Place was developed by Pine Street Development, with investment associated with Jeff Brotman, John McCaw, Howard Schultz, Kenny G, and other local interests. Construction took roughly two years. The center opened on October 29, 1998, with about 40 stores, restaurants, entertainment facilities, a 1,200-space parking garage, and a skybridge to Nordstrom’s flagship across Sixth Avenue. The project’s parking financing attracted public attention. A 1998 Seattle Weekly report said consultants linked to developer Jeff Rhodes had secured a $47 million low-interest loan through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission for a for-profit garage beneath the shopping center. The facility also served the nearby Nordstrom property, making parking infrastructure an important component of the project’s downtown development model. Madison Marquette bought Pacific Place in July 2014 for $271 million and acquired the parking garage from the City of Seattle in September 2016 for $87 million. In March 2017, the company announced a redevelopment intended to increase space available for shops and refresh the property’s common areas. Following more than two years of work, Pacific Place reopened in June 2020. The reopening occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and involved only 12 operating tenants, illustrating the severe disruption affecting downtown Seattle retail. In 2021, vacant space was repurposed by small independent retailers, artists, and nonprofit arts organizations. These temporary uses broadened the property’s function beyond conventional shopping and helped activate portions of the center while permanent leasing remained difficult. In 2024, the property had approximately 21 active businesses, including AMC Theatres, a food court, Din Tai Fung, and Haidilao. Barnes & Noble, formerly a prominent ground-floor tenant, had departed in 2020. Madison Marquette announced in January 2024 that Avison Young would take over management. In May 2024, BH Properties acquired Pacific Place and its garage for $88.25 million, with vacancies cited as part of the property’s challenging retail context. The center was subsequently designated as an official Seattle venue for 2026 FIFA World Cup watch parties. The planned Seattle Soccer House concept includes an events space, bar, children’s play area, pop-up vendors, a large atrium display, and a FIFA merchandise store, reflecting an effort to use the property as a civic and entertainment destination as well as a shopping center.
- 2026
Scheduled FIFA World Cup watch-party venue
[1]Pacific Place was selected as an official Seattle watch-party site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- 2024
Ownership transfers to BH Properties
[1]BH Properties acquired Pacific Place and its parking garage for $88.25 million.
- 2020
Redeveloped center reopens
[1]Pacific Place reopened in June after more than two years of redevelopment, with pandemic conditions limiting initial tenant activity.
- 2017
Redevelopment begins
[1]A plan was announced to expand retail space and remodel the center’s common areas.
- 2016
Parking garage acquired from Seattle
[1]Madison Marquette completed its purchase of the associated parking garage from the City of Seattle.
- 2014
Madison Marquette becomes owner
[1]Madison Marquette purchased the shopping center.
- 1998
Pacific Place opens
[1]Pacific Place opened on October 29 with approximately 40 stores, entertainment facilities, restaurants, and a large parking garage.
- 1993
Shopping-center proposal emerges
[1]An upscale mall was proposed as part of downtown Seattle’s Pine Street improvement program and the redevelopment of the nearby Frederick & Nelson building.
- 1947
Underground parking garage opens
[1]A three-level garage and gasoline station opened on the site, establishing parking as a long-term component of the property.
- 1909
Electric Building completed on part of the site
[1]The six-story Electric Building was constructed at Seventh Avenue and Olive Way as the headquarters of the Seattle Electric Company.
Products and positioning
An upscale downtown shopping, dining, cinema, and events destination serving Seattle residents, workers, visitors, and retail-area pedestrians.
Shopping · 1998
Retail stores
Pacific Place provides a multi-tenant retail environment for apparel, consumer goods, books, specialty products, and independent businesses. The tenant mix has changed over time, and the center has used vacant areas for temporary retailers and nonprofit cultural activities. The shopping offer is designed around a central downtown location and proximity to Nordstrom’s Seattle flagship.
Food and beverage · 1998
Dining and food court
Dining is a core part of Pacific Place’s visitor proposition. The center includes a food court and restaurant tenants, with reported major offerings including Din Tai Fung and Haidilao. These venues support both routine downtown visits and longer entertainment-oriented trips involving the cinema and other mall facilities.
Entertainment · 1998
AMC Theatres multiplex
The upper floor of Pacific Place contains an 11-screen multiplex operated by AMC Theatres. The cinema was formerly associated with General Cinema and has served as one of the center’s principal entertainment anchors since the property opened.
Events · 2026
Seattle Soccer House
Seattle Soccer House is the reported event concept for Pacific Place’s official 2026 FIFA World Cup watch-party role. Planned elements include a second-floor events area, bar, play space, pop-up vendors, an atrium screen, and a FIFA merchandise store. The concept expands the property’s use from retail and entertainment into a large-scale sports-viewing and civic gathering venue.
Marketing campaigns
- 2026Seattle Soccer House
Seattle · United States
Pacific Place was selected as an official Seattle watch-party venue for the FIFA World Cup. The concept uses the mall’s atrium and event areas for match screenings, food and beverage, pop-up retail, family activities, and official merchandise.
Outcome. The reported venue plan is intended to activate the property as a downtown sports and events destination during the tournament.
Brand decisions
2024
Sale to BH PropertiesM&ABackground
Pacific Place faced substantial retail vacancies and a difficult downtown operating environment.
Action taken
BH Properties acquired the shopping center and its parking garage from Madison Marquette.
Aftermath
The property entered a new ownership period focused on operating and repositioning the center.
Acquisition price. $88.25 million (May 2024)
2017
Redevelopment and repositioningStrategyBackground
The owner sought to respond to changing downtown retail conditions by enlarging shop space and updating shared areas.
Action taken
Madison Marquette announced a redevelopment of Pacific Place that lasted more than two years.
Aftermath
The center reopened in June 2020, but the reopening coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and initially involved only 12 operating tenants.
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