Tikahtnu Commons

Tikahtnu Commons is a large power-center shopping complex in Anchorage, Alaska, located on approximately 95 acres near the intersection of the Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road. The center contains roughly 900,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space, making it the largest shopping center in Alaska and unusually large even by national power-center standards. Its tenant mix combines warehouse and home-improvement stores, general merchandise, apparel, pet supplies, restaurants, services, and a multiplex cinema. The property is owned by Cook Inlet Region, Inc., an Alaska Native regional corporation, together with Browman Development Company, a California-based developer. The name Tikahtnu comes from the Dena'ina language and refers to Cook Inlet, linking the commercial property to the geography and Indigenous heritage of the region. The land was formerly associated with Elmendorf Air Force Base and was transferred to Cook Inlet Region as part of its entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Before redevelopment, Cook Inlet Region operated the site as the Anchorage RV Park for more than a decade. Construction began in 2007 as retail activity along northern Muldoon Road was expanding. The project was intended to serve east Anchorage, military households connected with Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, residents along the Glenn Highway corridor, and shoppers from communities northeast of Anchorage. Its location was also shaped by changes in the regional retail network, including the decline or redevelopment of shopping centers in Eagle River and Wasilla and the growing concentration of stores around Muldoon Road. Tikahtnu Commons helped shift east Anchorage's primary retail focus away from Northway Mall and the surrounding area. Several businesses moved from other local sites into the new complex, while the center added retailers that had not previously operated in Alaska. Its reported firsts included Alaska's first Kohl's, PetSmart, and IMAX theater. The entertainment component included a 16-screen Regal Cinemas facility, which replaced the former Fireweed Theatre as a major cinema destination for northeast and midtown Anchorage. By summer 2015, the development was reported to be approximately 98 percent built out. Its anchor tenants have included Lowe's, Old Navy, PetSmart, Kohl's, Burlington, Target, Best Buy, Regal Cinemas, and Costco Business Center, alongside numerous smaller shops, restaurants, and service businesses. The former Sam's Club building became the subject of a Costco redevelopment plan after Sam's Club closed all of its Alaska locations in 2018. The center has also affected local transportation planning. Traffic generated by Tikahtnu Commons increased pressure on the older Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road interchange, which had been built in the 1970s. A replacement interchange was constructed in 2016. The center remains a major retail and entertainment destination for Anchorage and nearby communities, although its individual tenant roster can change as national chains adjust their Alaska operations.

The area around northern Muldoon Road became one of Anchorage's important retail districts during the 1960s and 1970s. Its growth was supported by proximity to Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, which later became part of Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson. The land now occupied by Tikahtnu Commons was formerly part of the military installation. Under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the tract and other nearby military lands were transferred to Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Before the shopping center was developed, Cook Inlet Region operated the property as the Anchorage RV Park for more than ten years. The eventual project was influenced by broader changes in Anchorage's retail geography. The Muldoon district expanded after the development of major stores near Muldoon and DeBarr roads, including Fred Meyer and Walmart, and after the former Alaskan Village mobile-home property was redeveloped as Muldoon Town Center. Retailers and developers also saw an opportunity to serve Glenn Highway traffic and customers from communities outside Anchorage. Shopping centers in Eagle River and Wasilla had weakened after changes in the local supermarket market, creating space for a larger regional destination near the highway. Construction of Tikahtnu Commons began in 2007. The project was developed by Cook Inlet Region and Browman Development Company on a roughly 95-acre site. Its scale—approximately 900,000 square feet—made it substantially larger than the typical American power center. The development included major national anchors, smaller retailers, restaurants, services, and a multiplex cinema. By the summer of 2015, the center was reported to be approximately 98 percent developed. The complex became a major retail destination for east Anchorage and the Glenn Highway corridor. It displaced Northway Mall and nearby properties as the area's leading shopping district, continuing a longer pattern in which newer retail developments replaced older centers. Some businesses, including Red Robin and Sam's Club, closed other east Anchorage locations and later opened at Tikahtnu Commons. The center also introduced several national concepts to Alaska, including the state's first Kohl's and PetSmart stores and an IMAX theater. The cinema component had a broader local history. The 16-screen Regal Cinemas replaced the Fireweed Theatre in northeast midtown Anchorage. Fireweed had opened in 1965 after the 1964 earthquake damaged or destroyed several downtown cinemas. It closed in 2010 and was later demolished, while Cook Inlet Region redeveloped that property around the time Tikahtnu Commons was nearing completion. The center's success generated transportation concerns because North Muldoon Road serves the shopping complex, Bartlett High School, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and an access point to Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson. The Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road interchange dated from the 1970s and faced increased traffic after the retail center opened. A new interchange was completed in 2016. Tenant changes have continued to shape the property. Sam's Club closed its Alaska operations in 2018, including the Tikahtnu location. In 2022, Costco announced plans to remodel the former Sam's Club building as Alaska's first Costco Business Center. Through these changes, Tikahtnu Commons has remained a large-scale Anchorage retail and entertainment hub, with its role tied to the city's military population, suburban growth, highway access, and regional concentration of shopping activity.

• 2022

  Costco Business Center conversion announced

  [1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  Costco announces plans to remodel the former Sam's Club building as Alaska's first Costco Business Center.

• 2018

  Sam's Club leaves Alaska

  [1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  Sam's Club closes all of its Alaska locations, including the store at Tikahtnu Commons.

• 2016

  Glenn Highway–Muldoon Road interchange is replaced

  [1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  A new interchange is constructed to address access and traffic concerns near the shopping center and other major destinations.

• 2015

  Center reaches near-full development

  [1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  By summer, the center is reported to be approximately 98 percent developed.

• 2010

  Fireweed Theatre closes

  [1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  The Fireweed Theatre closes in Anchorage; its later redevelopment is associated with the expansion of Cook Inlet Region's local property portfolio and the development period of Tikahtnu Commons.

• 2007

  Construction begins

  [1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  Development of Tikahtnu Commons begins on former military land operated previously as the Anchorage RV Park.

A regional destination power center serving Anchorage, military households, east Anchorage neighborhoods, and communities along the Glenn Highway.

• Retail property

  Large-format retail anchors

  Tikahtnu Commons is organized around large anchor stores serving different shopping missions. Reported anchors include Lowe's, Target, Best Buy, Kohl's, Burlington, PetSmart, Old Navy, Costco Business Center, and Regal Cinemas. Together they provide home improvement, general merchandise, electronics, apparel, pet supplies, discount retail, and entertainment.

• Entertainment

  Regal Cinemas

  The center includes a 16-screen Regal Cinemas theater. The cinema functions as a regional entertainment anchor and replaced the former Fireweed Theatre as a significant movie-going destination for northeast and midtown Anchorage.

• Warehouse retail · 2022

  Costco Business Center

  Costco announced plans in 2022 to remodel the former Sam's Club building at Tikahtnu Commons into Alaska's first Costco Business Center. The concept is intended to serve business and bulk-shopping customers, although the supplied reference does not establish the opening date or final operating status.

• Retail and consumer services

  Restaurants, shops, and services

  Beyond its anchors, the complex contains dozens of smaller restaurants, shops, and service providers. These complementary tenants broaden the center from a collection of big-box stores into a full regional shopping and dining destination.

• 2022

  Convert former Sam's Club building to Costco Business CenterStrategy

  Background

  Sam's Club had closed its Alaska operations in 2018, leaving its large Tikahtnu Commons facility available for a new use.

  Action taken

  Costco announced plans to remodel the building as Alaska's first Costco Business Center.

  Aftermath

  The announcement indicated a change in the property's warehouse-retail tenant mix, but the supplied reference does not provide a confirmed opening date or subsequent operating details.

  Source

• 2007

  Develop a regional power center on former military landStrategy

  Background

  Cook Inlet Region and Browman Development pursued a large retail project to serve east Anchorage, military households, Glenn Highway travelers, and communities outside the city.

  Action taken

  Construction began on a roughly 95-acre site formerly associated with Elmendorf Air Force Base and previously used as an RV park.

  Aftermath

  The project became Anchorage's largest shopping center and helped establish northern Muldoon Road as a major regional retail district.

  Source

• 2022

  Costco announces plan for former Sam's Club building[1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Costco announced plans to remodel the former Sam's Club facility at Tikahtnu Commons as Alaska's first Costco Business Center.

• 2018

  Sam's Club closes its Alaska locations[1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Sam's Club closed all of its Alaska stores, including the location at Tikahtnu Commons, leaving the large-format building available for subsequent redevelopment.

• 2016

  Replacement interchange opens near Tikahtnu Commons[1]Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A new interchange was constructed at the Glenn Highway and Muldoon Road area in response to transportation and access concerns associated in part with traffic generated by Tikahtnu Commons and nearby destinations.

1. 1Tikahtnu Commonsen.wikipedia.org