Redmond Town Center
Redmond Town Center is an open-air mixed-use shopping and office development in downtown Redmond, Washington.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Redmond Town Center is a mixed-use retail, dining, entertainment, hospitality, and office development in central Redmond, Washington, north of State Route 520. Rather than operating solely as an enclosed shopping mall, it was designed as an outdoor town center with pedestrian-oriented streets, multiple buildings, open areas, hotels, offices, and connected retail components. The complex has more than 110 shops, restaurants, lodging, and entertainment venues, although its tenant mix has changed substantially since its opening. The property occupies the former site of Redmond Golf Links, an 18-hole municipal golf course that opened in 1932. The golf course closed in the late 1970s after Winmar, a real-estate company owned by Safeco Insurance, proposed a large mixed-use shopping project called Maingate. Maingate was planned as a conventional regional mall with approximately 1.35 million square feet of retail and office space, residential units, and substantial open space. The proposal generated opposition from some residents and candidates for local office, who were concerned that a large enclosed mall could weaken Redmond's walkable character. Although the city conditionally approved the project in 1988, the planned department-store lineup was undermined by the bankruptcy of Frederick & Nelson and financial difficulties involving The Bon Marché's parent company. The original concept subsequently collapsed. Winmar presented a substantially revised proposal in 1992. The new Redmond Town Center concept reduced the retail area, emphasized outdoor circulation and a walkable town-center format, and combined shops with offices, hotels, residences, and public-oriented open space. The project was received more favorably by the city and many residents. Construction began in 1995, with some historic buildings retained while most other structures on the site were removed. The development opened in 1997 and was completed in stages, with the principal town-center buildings, offices, and hotels preceding the final completion of the Bon Marché component. Construction was formally finished by 2003. At opening, the retail portion covered approximately 674,287 square feet. Early anchor and major tenants included The Bon Marché, Zany Brainy, REI, Larry's Market, Borders, Todai, and Cineplex Odeon. The property also included two Marriott-branded hotels and office buildings leased by companies including Microsoft and AT&T Wireless Services. Several adjacent or connected retail areas, including Creekside Crossing and other strip-center components, became part of the broader commercial environment around the town center. The development's tenant mix has repeatedly adapted to retailer bankruptcies, acquisitions, relocations, and changing consumer demand. Zany Brainy closed after entering bankruptcy, and its space later became a Petco location. The Bon Marché was converted to Macy's in 2005, while the former Larry's Market space became a Top Food & Drug operated by Haggen and later a 24-Hour Fitness facility. Borders closed its Redmond location during the company's 2011 liquidation, and the former store was later divided among several retail and office uses. The Todai restaurant space was subsequently occupied by Haiku and later by other tenants. REI relocated to Bellevue in 2016, and the former Macy's building was later repurposed for office use. Ownership of the complex has been divided between its retail and office components. Shorenstein Properties acquired the office portion in 2013, while DRA Advisors and JSH acquired the retail component during the same period. Fairbourne Properties purchased the retail portion in late 2019 and became its owner and manager. The office buildings have accommodated major corporate tenants, including Microsoft, AT&T, and later Amazon. Amazon announced plans for a 111,000-square-foot office accommodating approximately 600 employees in the former Macy's building, with the office opening in 2021. A separate former REI building was converted for Volkswagen-related office use. In the 2020s, Redmond Town Center has increasingly been positioned as an urban mixed-use district rather than simply a shopping destination. Fairbourne Properties and the City of Redmond announced plans in 2022 to add mixed-use buildings over portions of existing parking areas, potentially increasing retail, residential, and office capacity while making the property more walkable. Newer commercial additions have included Daiso and H Mart, with H Mart opening in 2023 and incorporating a Tous les Jours bakery. HobbyTown also announced plans to relocate to the center. IKEA announced plans for a smaller furniture pickup location at the property for 2025. The center therefore remains an active redevelopment site whose identity combines retail, restaurants, offices, hotels, and planned urban intensification.
History
Redmond Town Center developed from a long-running effort to redevelop the former Redmond Golf Links site. The 18-hole golf course opened in 1932 and occupied approximately 120 acres north of what became State Route 520. After its closure in the late 1970s, Winmar, a real-estate company owned by Safeco Insurance, proposed a large mixed-use shopping project called Maingate. The first plan envisioned about 1.35 million square feet of retail space, office accommodation, 160 residential units, and 25 to 30 acres of open space. Maingate became controversial in Redmond. Some residents and city council candidates worried that a major regional mall would damage the city's walkable character and alter its relatively small-town environment. The city conditionally approved the project in 1988, and Winmar secured commitments from Mervyn's, Frederick & Nelson, The Bon Marché, and JCPenney. However, the planned development encountered serious commercial setbacks. Frederick & Nelson entered bankruptcy in 1992, while Federated Department Stores, the owner of The Bon Marché, also experienced financial difficulties. The department-store problems weakened the original leasing strategy and contributed to the project's collapse. Winmar returned to the city in 1992 with a different proposal for the same site. Redmond Town Center reduced the amount of retail space and replaced the conventional enclosed-mall model with an outdoor town-center design. The revised plan combined shops and restaurants with offices, hotels, housing, and open space. Its walkable format and more moderate scale received a more positive response from residents and local officials. Construction began in 1995. Historic buildings on the property were retained, while most other structures were demolished to make way for the new development. The first portions of Redmond Town Center opened in 1997. The retail district ultimately covered approximately 674,287 square feet and was built as a collection of connected outdoor buildings and pedestrian routes rather than as one enclosed mall. Initial major tenants included The Bon Marché, Zany Brainy, REI, Larry's Market, Borders, Todai, and Cineplex Odeon. The development also included two Marriott hotels and several office buildings. Construction proceeded in phases, with the town center, offices, and hotels built before the Bon Marché component. The overall project was completed by 2003, and nearby strip-center areas such as Creekside Crossing became part of the broader commercial setting. The property experienced frequent tenant transitions. Zany Brainy closed after bankruptcy, and Petco moved into its former space in 2004. The Bon Marché became Macy's in 2005. Larry's Market closed in 2008; the site briefly operated as a Top Food & Drug under Haggen before closing again in 2010, and it was later converted into a 24-Hour Fitness. Todai closed in 2010 and was replaced by Haiku in 2011. Borders closed in 2011 as the company liquidated its stores, after which the space was divided into several retail and office uses. Claim Jumper, an original restaurant tenant outside the principal center, closed in 2015. A hotel developed with LodgeWorks and associated with the Archer Hotels concept opened on the former restaurant site in 2019. REI relocated from Redmond Town Center to Bellevue in 2016. The former REI building briefly became a Restoration Hardware location in 2018 before later being used for Volkswagen-related office purposes. Macy's announced a broad store-closure program in 2018, and its Redmond store closed in 2019. In 2020, Amazon announced plans to convert that building into a corporate office, and the facility opened in 2021. The Amazon office was planned to accommodate approximately 600 employees in 111,000 square feet. Ownership has been divided between the retail and office components. Shorenstein Properties acquired the office portion in 2013, while DRA Advisors and JSH acquired the retail portion. Fairbourne Properties purchased the retail portion in late 2019 and has owned and managed it since then. Office tenants have included Microsoft and AT&T, while the Lake Washington School District has occupied a smaller office building near the Marriott hotel. The center's later history has involved a shift from traditional department-store retail toward a more varied mixed-use model. Bed Bath & Beyond and Haiku closed in 2020. H Mart subsequently opened in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space in September 2023, including a Tous les Jours bakery. Daiso announced a location in 2023, and HobbyTown announced plans to move into the center from a nearby property affected by redevelopment. In 2022, Fairbourne Properties and the City of Redmond announced plans to build additional mixed-use structures over existing parking areas. The plans aim to add retail, residential, and office capacity and reinforce the site's role as a walkable urban center. IKEA has also announced plans for a smaller furniture pickup location for 2025.
- 2025
IKEA plans a furniture pickup location
[1]IKEA announces plans for a smaller pickup-oriented location at Redmond Town Center.
- 2023
H Mart and Daiso expand the tenant mix
[1]H Mart opens in September and Daiso announces a location at the center.
- 2022
Urban redevelopment plans are announced
[1]The city and property owner propose adding mixed-use buildings over portions of the existing parking areas.
- 2021
Converted office buildings open
[1]The former Macy's and former REI properties open in office-related uses, including Amazon and Volkswagen-related operations.
- 2019
Fairbourne Properties acquires the retail component
[1]Fairbourne Properties purchases and manages the retail portion of the center.
- 2013
Retail and office ownership separates
[1]DRA Advisors and JSH acquire the retail component, while Shorenstein Properties acquires the office component.
- 2005
The Bon Marché becomes Macy's
[1]The department-store tenant changes branding after The Bon Marché is acquired by Macy's.
- 2003
Development construction is completed
[1]The phased construction program, including the Bon Marché component, is completed.
- 1997
Redmond Town Center opens
[1]The first portions of the open-air mixed-use development open with retail, offices, hotels, and entertainment.
- 1995
Construction begins
[1]Groundbreaking takes place, with selected historic structures retained on the site.
Products and positioning
An open-air, walkable mixed-use town center combining shopping, dining, entertainment, hospitality, and corporate office space in downtown Redmond.
Shopping center · 1997
Open-air retail district
The principal offering is an outdoor collection of retail buildings and pedestrian routes containing specialty shops, restaurants, services, and entertainment venues. The tenant base has evolved from department stores and large-format retailers toward a more diversified mix that includes international grocery, variety retail, food service, and local or regional businesses.
Commercial real estate · 1997
Office space
Redmond Town Center includes multiple office buildings, generally three to five stories tall. The office component has hosted major corporate occupants including Microsoft and AT&T, as well as Amazon following the conversion of the former Macy's building. The office properties are separately owned from the retail component.
Hospitality · 1997
Hotels and lodging
The development includes the Redmond Marriott Town Center and Residence Inn by Marriott. A later hotel associated with LodgeWorks and the Archer Hotels concept opened in 2019 on the site of the former Claim Jumper restaurant.
Grocery retail · 2023
H Mart
H Mart opened in September 2023 in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space. The store includes a Tous les Jours bakery and adds an Asian supermarket format to the center's tenant mix.
Variety retail · 2023
Daiso
Daiso announced a Redmond Town Center location in 2023, planned for the former Victoria's Secret and Pink space. It represents the center's continuing shift toward specialty and international retail.
Brand decisions
2023
Add H Mart and Daiso locationsProduct launchBackground
The center had vacancies following the closure of Bed Bath & Beyond and other former tenants.
Action taken
H Mart opened in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space, while Daiso announced a location in the former Victoria's Secret and Pink space.
Aftermath
The changes added international grocery and variety retail formats to the center's evolving tenant mix.
2022
Plan further mixed-use intensificationStrategyBackground
Changing retail patterns and the availability of surface parking created an opportunity to increase the site's urban density.
Action taken
Fairbourne Properties and the City of Redmond released plans for additional mixed-use buildings over existing parking areas, with retail, residential, and office uses.
Aftermath
The proposal framed Redmond Town Center's next phase as a more walkable urban center rather than only a shopping destination.
2020
Convert the former Macy's building to Amazon officesStrategyBackground
Macy's had closed its Redmond Town Center location in 2019, leaving a large department-store building available for reuse.
Action taken
Amazon announced plans to convert the building into approximately 111,000 square feet of office space for about 600 employees.
Aftermath
The Amazon office opened in 2021, strengthening the center's office and employment function.
2019
Fairbourne Properties acquires the retail componentM&ABackground
The retail and office portions of the development had previously been separated among different owners.
Action taken
Fairbourne Properties purchased the retail portion from the preceding ownership group and assumed ownership and management.
Aftermath
Fairbourne became the principal retail-property owner as the center pursued tenant changes and future mixed-use redevelopment.
2005
Convert The Bon Marché to Macy'sOtherBackground
The Bon Marché was acquired by Macy's as part of a broader department-store consolidation.
Action taken
The Redmond Town Center department store was rebranded as Macy's.
Aftermath
Macy's operated at the center until closing the location in 2019.
1992
Replace the Maingate mall plan with an outdoor town centerStrategyBackground
The original Maingate proposal faced community concerns and was weakened by the financial collapse or difficulty of planned department-store tenants.
Action taken
Winmar proposed a smaller, open-air mixed-use development with reduced retail space, pedestrian circulation, offices, hotels, residences, and open space.
Aftermath
The revised concept gained greater acceptance from the city and residents and became Redmond Town Center.
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