River Park Square

River Park Square is a privately owned shopping mall and mixed-use entertainment complex in downtown Spokane, Washington. The center originally opened on May 1, 1974, in the same period as Spokane's Expo '74 world's fair, and was designed to concentrate major department-store and specialty retail activity in the city's core. Its early anchor tenants included The Crescent, JCPenney, and Nordstrom, and the complex was subsequently enlarged through enclosed retail space and skywalk connections to surrounding department stores. During the late twentieth century, River Park Square experienced the pressures affecting many downtown retail districts. Department-store changes, anchor closures, and competition from suburban shopping centers weakened the original format. JCPenney left in 1991 after relocating to NorthTown Mall, Frederick & Nelson liquidated its Spokane operation in 1992, and the former drugstore space went through several operators before the final pharmacy closure in 1994. The decline prompted a public-private redevelopment effort intended to restore a major retail destination to downtown Spokane. A major redevelopment was organized during the late 1990s. Nordstrom agreed in 1998 to lease a new building at the site, construction began that spring, and the approximately $110 million redevelopment opened on August 20, 1999. The rebuilt complex incorporated a new Nordstrom store, additional retail, and an attached parking garage. The project was supported in part by public financing, including a controversial federal loan arrangement, and became a prominent example of urban revitalization through cooperation between municipal authorities and private interests. River Park Square later evolved beyond a conventional enclosed mall. Its downtown position places it near Riverfront Park, the public library, restaurants, hotels, offices, and other pedestrian destinations. The property has added or incorporated nearby buildings and retail spaces, including the Saad Building and the former Macy's building. The latter was converted into apartments with first-floor retail, while a retail component known as The M was later occupied by a Nike Factory Store. In 2015, the complex also introduced The Landing, a dining-area extension overlooking the Main Street atrium. Flatstick Pub joined the tenant mix in 2019, adding an entertainment-oriented use. The center's current tenant mix combines department-store, fashion, beauty, sporting-goods, lifestyle, food, and entertainment concepts. Nordstrom and AMC Theatres are principal anchors, while notable tenants have included Apple, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, The North Face, Sephora, Lush, Urban Outfitters, Nike Factory Store, and LEGO. On November 10, 2023, LEGO opened its first store in eastern Washington at River Park Square, occupying a roughly 3,003-square-foot space and attracting substantial opening-day interest. River Park Square's positioning is based on being a downtown, mixed-use destination rather than a suburban outlet center. Its parking garage provides a revenue-generating convenience for visitors, while nearby civic and recreational attractions generate pedestrian traffic. The combination of higher-end retail, dining, entertainment, residential conversion, and proximity to downtown institutions has helped the property remain comparatively resilient as traditional suburban mall retail has faced structural pressure. The complex remains active and is operated as part of the Cowles Company's Spokane-area real-estate interests.

River Park Square opened in downtown Spokane on May 1, 1974, during the period of Expo '74. The opening ceremony included Washington Governor Daniel J. Evans and representatives of Nordstrom. The original center was planned as a major downtown retail complex, with The Crescent, JCPenney, and Nordstrom serving as principal anchors. The property expanded in 1978 with a 55,000-square-foot enclosed second level and two skywalks linking the mall to JCPenney and Nordstrom. Once completed, the center contained approximately 800,000 square feet of retail space. In February 1984, another skywalk connected the complex with The Bon Marché to the east and added approximately 20,000 square feet of retail area. The center encountered increasing tenant turnover during the 1980s and 1990s. Osco Drug closed its store in January 1987 after operating in downtown Spokane under earlier PayLess Drug and Skaggs identities. Thrifty Drug replaced it later that year, while PayLess Drug subsequently operated the pharmacy before closing in April 1994. JCPenney departed in 1991 for the renovated NorthTown Mall. Burlington Coat Factory moved into the former JCPenney space in 1994 and remained until relocating to a larger site in 2001. Frederick & Nelson, which had acquired The Crescent in 1988, closed its remaining stores after liquidating in April 1992. The deterioration of the original retail configuration led Spokane officials and private stakeholders to pursue a large redevelopment. In 1995, the Spokane City Council announced plans to seek a $23.8 million federal loan to help support a larger Nordstrom store and encourage shoppers to return to the downtown center. Nordstrom signed a 20-year lease for a new building at River Park Square on February 12, 1998. Construction began in April of that year, and the former Nordstrom building was later demolished to make room for new retail development. The redeveloped center opened on August 20, 1999, after an approximately $110 million construction program. The project consolidated the downtown shopping district around a new Nordstrom building, expanded retail facilities, and an attached parking garage. Its reliance on public funds, particularly the financing of the parking structure, generated controversy and became a significant part of the project's civic and political history. Nevertheless, the redevelopment established River Park Square as a major downtown destination and helped support wider revitalization efforts in Spokane's core. During the 2010s, River Park Square adopted a broader mixed-use strategy. In 2015, the property added The Landing, a dining extension overlooking the Main Street atrium, and acquired the Saad Building at Main and Wall streets. That building was replaced by a roughly 10,000-square-foot Urban Outfitters location. In 2016, the property acquired the shuttered Macy's building across from Wall Street and converted it into luxury apartments with first-floor retail. The retail portion became known as The M, a reference to the building's former Bon Marché and Macy's occupants, and later housed a Nike Factory Store in approximately 12,000 square feet. Flatstick Pub was added in 2019. The center's recent development has emphasized experiential and specialty retail. On November 10, 2023, LEGO opened its first eastern Washington store at River Park Square in a roughly 3,003-square-foot space facing Main Avenue. Other notable tenants have included Apple, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, The North Face, Sephora, Lush, and other fashion, beauty, sporting, and lifestyle brands. River Park Square is owned by the privately held Cowles Company. Its urban format gives it access to traffic from Riverfront Park, the public library, downtown restaurants, offices, residences, and other civic attractions. The combination of premium and specialty retail, dining, entertainment, apartments, and parking distinguishes it from conventional suburban outlet malls and has helped it remain active amid the broader challenges facing brick-and-mortar retail.

• 2023

  LEGO opens eastern Washington location

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  LEGO opened its first eastern Washington store at River Park Square on November 10.

• 2019

  Flatstick Pub added

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Flatstick Pub joined the complex as a hospitality and entertainment tenant.

• 2016

  Former Macy's building becomes mixed-use property

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The former Macy's building was acquired and converted into luxury apartments with first-floor retail, later marketed in connection with The M.

• 2015

  The Landing and Urban Outfitters expansion

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The center added The Landing dining extension and replaced the Saad Building with a new Urban Outfitters retail location.

• 1999

  Redeveloped complex reopens

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The approximately $110 million redevelopment opened on August 20 with expanded retail facilities and an attached parking garage.

• 1998

  Nordstrom signs lease for new building

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Nordstrom signed a 20-year lease for a new River Park Square building, and redevelopment construction began in April.

• 1995

  Public redevelopment effort announced

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Spokane officials announced plans to seek federal financing for a larger Nordstrom store and a broader downtown revitalization project.

• 1991

  JCPenney departs

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  JCPenney closed its River Park Square store after relocating to NorthTown Mall.

• 1984

  Bon Marché skywalk completed

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  A new skywalk connected River Park Square with the Bon Marché and added retail area to the complex.

• 1978

  Second level and skywalks added

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  An enclosed second level and two skywalks connected the complex with JCPenney and Nordstrom, bringing the center to approximately 800,000 square feet of retail space.

• 1974

  Original shopping center opens

  [1]River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org

  River Park Square opened in downtown Spokane on May 1, during the Expo '74 period, with Nordstrom, The Crescent, and JCPenney among its principal anchors.

A centrally located, mixed-use downtown shopping and entertainment destination serving Spokane and eastern Washington, with a tenant mix that combines department-store, premium fashion, specialty retail, dining, entertainment, residential, and civic-neighborhood uses.

• Department store · 1974

  Nordstrom

  Nordstrom is a principal anchor of River Park Square and has been associated with the property since its original 1974 opening. Its replacement building was central to the late-1990s redevelopment, which was intended to restore a major department-store draw to downtown Spokane.

• Entertainment

  AMC Theatres

  AMC Theatres serves as an entertainment anchor within the complex, complementing retail and dining uses and helping River Park Square function as an all-day downtown destination rather than solely a shopping facility.

• Dining · 2015

  The Landing

  The Landing is a dining-area extension overlooking River Park Square's Main Street atrium. Added during the center's 2010s expansion, it supports the property's shift toward food, social activity, and experiential visits.

• Mixed-use retail property · 2016

  The M

  The M refers to the retail component of the former Macy's building across from Wall Street. The building was converted into luxury apartments with first-floor retail, and the retail space later included a Nike Factory Store.

• Specialty retail · 2023

  LEGO store

  The LEGO store opened at River Park Square on November 10, 2023, becoming the brand's first store in eastern Washington. It occupies approximately 3,003 square feet fronting Main Avenue.

• 2016

  Conversion of former Macy's building to mixed useStrategy

  Background

  A former department-store building across from Wall Street offered an opportunity to add residential activity and new street-level retail to the district.

  Action taken

  River Park Square acquired the building and converted it into luxury apartments with first-floor retail, later including a Nike Factory Store.

  Aftermath

  The project extended River Park Square's footprint and increased the amount of residential and specialty-retail activity around the core mall.

  Source

• 2015

  Expansion into dining and adjacent urban propertiesStrategy

  Background

  River Park Square sought to reinforce its downtown role by broadening beyond enclosed retail and using nearby properties for complementary uses.

  Action taken

  The property added The Landing dining extension and replaced the Saad Building with a new Urban Outfitters space.

  Aftermath

  The expansion strengthened the center's mixed-use, food, and pedestrian-oriented identity.

  Source

• 1998

  New Nordstrom building and mall redevelopmentGeneration change

  Background

  The original center needed a stronger anchor and updated facilities to compete with suburban retail destinations.

  Action taken

  Nordstrom signed a 20-year lease for a new building, construction began in April, and the former Nordstrom building was subsequently removed for new retail space.

  Aftermath

  The redeveloped approximately $110 million complex opened on August 20, 1999, consolidating downtown retail around the new anchor and parking garage.

  Redevelopment cost. Approximately $110 million (1998-1999)

  Source

• 1995

  Pursuit of public-private downtown redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Declining traffic and anchor-store changes had weakened the original downtown shopping center, while Spokane sought to revitalize its urban core.

  Action taken

  The Spokane City Council announced plans to seek a $23.8 million federal loan to support a larger Nordstrom store and a broader River Park Square redevelopment.

  Aftermath

  The initiative led to Nordstrom's new-building lease, the late-1990s construction program, and the 1999 reopening of the redeveloped complex. The use of public funds, particularly for the parking garage, remained controversial.

  Proposed federal loan. $23.8 million proposed (1995)

  Source

1. 1River Park Squareen.wikipedia.org
2. 2River Park Square official websiteriverparksquare.com