Town Center at Lake Forest Park
A community-oriented shopping center and civic gathering place in Lake Forest Park, Washington.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Town Center at Lake Forest Park is a shopping center and community hub in Lake Forest Park, Washington, a Seattle-area suburb on the western shore of Lake Washington. The center occupies a prominent site on Bothell Way NE near Lake Forest Park City Hall, with its southeast edge adjoining the Burke-Gilman Trail. Its location places it at the intersection of everyday retail, local services, civic activity, and neighborhood events rather than positioning it solely as a destination mall. The property began as the Forest Park Shopping Center, which opened on October 7, 1964. Developed by Olympia-based Farwest Properties, the original center provided approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space on two levels and was anchored by Rhodes Brothers, Pay 'n Save, and Albertsons. Its construction was significant for the surrounding community. Lake Forest Park was then an unincorporated community, and the development contributed to local efforts to pursue incorporation as a city partly to manage future commercial growth. The center was substantially redeveloped in the late 1980s. A renovation and expansion received municipal approval in 1987, including an exemption from the local height limit. Construction began in 1988 but encountered structural problems that delayed completion by approximately three months. The property reopened in September 1989 under the name Lake Forest Park Towne Center, with about 243,500 square feet of space and 49 stores. Albertsons also announced plans to enlarge its store as part of the redevelopment period. A later change in the center's tenant mix helped give it a more community-oriented identity. Third Place Books opened in 1998 in previously vacant second-floor retail space. The bookstore incorporated a food court and community stage and became a venue for public events and other activities. It also offered print-on-demand access through an Espresso Book Machine. In this role, Third Place Books functioned as more than a conventional retailer: it served as an important gathering point within the shopping center and helped connect the property to local cultural life. The property changed ownership in July 2006 when it was acquired by Madison Marquette. It was subsequently renamed Town Center at Lake Forest Park, the name used for the current shopping center. A smaller renovation completed in 2011 added Ross Dress for Less and Planet Fitness, strengthening the center's mix of discount apparel, fitness, grocery, pharmacy, books, dining, and services. Merlone Geier Partners acquired the property in 2014 for a reported $37 million, according to the cited reference material. The center's current identity is built around convenience and community use. Major tenants identified in reference material include Third Place Books, Albertsons, Rite Aid, Ross Dress for Less, and Planet Fitness. The property contains nearly 250,000 square feet of gross leasable area across approximately 18 acres. Seasonal programming also contributes to its neighborhood role: the Third Place Commons Farmers Market is held in the parking lot on Sundays from May through October. Together with the bookstore's events, the market and trail adjacency distinguish Town Center at Lake Forest Park from a purely transactional retail complex.
History
Town Center at Lake Forest Park originated as the Forest Park Shopping Center, which opened on October 7, 1964. The project was developed by Farwest Properties, an Olympia-based company, on land at the intersection of State Route 522 and State Route 104. The initial center occupied roughly 20 acres and contained approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space arranged across two levels. Rhodes Brothers, Pay 'n Save, and Albertsons were among its principal early tenants. The shopping center had consequences beyond retail. At the time of construction, Lake Forest Park was an unincorporated community. The arrival of a large commercial development encouraged residents and local leaders to pursue cityhood, in part to retain greater control over additional commercial growth. A King County Library System branch later opened at the center in 1974 in space leased by the city government, reinforcing the property's role as a civic and community destination. In 1987, the city approved a renovation and expansion plan that included an exemption from the municipal height limit. Construction started the following year but was delayed by approximately three months after unexpected problems were discovered in the existing structure. The expanded property reopened in September 1989 as Lake Forest Park Towne Center. It then offered approximately 243,500 square feet of space and 49 stores, while Albertsons announced plans to expand its grocery operation. The tenant mix evolved again in the 1990s. Third Place Books opened in 1998 in several vacant second-floor spaces. Its format combined a general-interest bookstore with a food court and community stage. The store became a venue for free public events and other local activities, and its Espresso Book Machine provided access to print-on-demand books. This combination of retail and programming helped make the center a gathering place as well as a shopping facility. Madison Marquette acquired the property in July 2006, after which the center adopted the Town Center at Lake Forest Park name. A smaller renovation completed in 2011 added Ross Dress for Less and Planet Fitness. These additions broadened the center's offer beyond grocery, pharmacy, books, and food to include discount apparel and fitness services. Merlone Geier Partners purchased the property in 2014 for $37 million, according to the cited Wikipedia reference. The present center is described as occupying approximately 18 acres and offering nearly 250,000 square feet of gross leasable area. Its main anchors and prominent tenants include Third Place Books, Albertsons, Rite Aid, Ross Dress for Less, and Planet Fitness. The property is adjacent to the Burke-Gilman Trail and lies close to City Hall, supporting a combination of neighborhood convenience and civic accessibility. Seasonal programming remains part of the center's identity: the Third Place Commons Farmers Market operates in the parking lot on Sundays from May through October. The resulting model is a community-oriented shopping center that combines essential retail, services, books, fitness, public events, and seasonal local commerce.
- 2014
Merlone Geier Partners acquisition
[1]Merlone Geier Partners purchases the center for a reported $37 million.
- 2011
Tenant-focused renovation
[1]A smaller renovation adds Ross Dress for Less and Planet Fitness.
- 2006
Madison Marquette acquisition
[1]Madison Marquette acquires the property and later changes its name to Town Center at Lake Forest Park.
- 1998
Third Place Books joins the center
[1]Third Place Books opens in former second-floor retail space and adds a bookstore, food court, community stage, and public-event programming.
- 1989
Expanded center reopens as Lake Forest Park Towne Center
[1]After construction delays caused by structural issues, the center reopens with approximately 243,500 square feet and 49 stores.
- 1987
Expansion receives municipal approval
[1]The city approves a renovation and expansion plan, including an exemption from the local height limit.
- 1974
Library branch opens
[1]A King County Library System branch opens at the center in space leased by the city government.
- 1964
Forest Park Shopping Center opens
[1]The original shopping center opens on October 7 with approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space and major tenants including Rhodes Brothers, Pay 'n Save, and Albertsons.
Products and positioning
Community shopping center and neighborhood gathering place
Bookselling and community programming · 1998
Third Place Books
Third Place Books is a general-interest bookstore and one of the center's defining tenants. It opened at the property in 1998 in former second-floor retail space. In addition to selling books, the location includes a food court and community stage, hosts free public events and other activities, and provides print-on-demand access through an Espresso Book Machine.
Grocery retail · 1964
Albertsons
Albertsons has been associated with the property since the original Forest Park Shopping Center opened in 1964. It served as one of the center's early major tenants and later announced plans to expand its store during the 1980s redevelopment.
Discount apparel and general merchandise · 2011
Ross Dress for Less
Ross Dress for Less was added during the center's 2011 renovation. Its discount apparel and general-merchandise format broadened the property's offer and complemented its grocery, pharmacy, bookstore, and service tenants.
Fitness services · 2011
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness joined the center as part of the 2011 renovation. The gym added a recurring service and wellness component to a tenant mix previously centered more heavily on shopping, food, books, and pharmacy needs.
Seasonal local commerce
Third Place Commons Farmers Market
The Third Place Commons Farmers Market is a seasonal Sunday market held in the shopping center's parking lot from May through October. It brings local and regional food-oriented commerce into the property and reinforces the center's role as a neighborhood gathering place.
Marketing campaigns
- Third Place Commons Farmers Market
Lake Forest Park · Washington, United States
A recurring seasonal farmers market uses the center's parking lot on Sundays from May through October, linking the shopping center with local food commerce and community activity.
Outcome. The market contributes to the property's identity as a community hub rather than only a conventional retail complex.
Brand decisions
2014
Sell the shopping center to Merlone Geier PartnersM&ABackground
The property changed institutional ownership after Madison Marquette's tenure.
Action taken
Merlone Geier Partners acquired the center for a reported $37 million.
Aftermath
Merlone Geier Partners became the identified owner of the property in the available reference material.
Acquisition price. $37 million (2014 acquisition)
2011
Refresh the tenant mixStrategyBackground
The center pursued a smaller renovation intended to update and diversify its retail and service offer.
Action taken
Ross Dress for Less and Planet Fitness were added.
Aftermath
The center expanded into discount apparel and fitness services while retaining grocery, pharmacy, books, and other neighborhood-oriented uses.
2006
Change ownership and rename the propertyM&ABackground
The shopping center entered a new ownership phase after its original development and subsequent operation under the Lake Forest Park Towne Center name.
Action taken
Madison Marquette acquired the property in July 2006, and it was later renamed Town Center at Lake Forest Park.
Aftermath
The new name established the current identity of the shopping center.
1998
Add Third Place Books as a community-oriented anchorProduct launchBackground
Several second-floor retail spaces remained vacant after the 1980s redevelopment.
Action taken
Third Place Books opened in the space with a bookstore, food court, community stage, public programming, and print-on-demand capability.
Aftermath
The bookstore became a notable community and cultural gathering point within the center.
1987
Approve a major renovation and expansionStrategyBackground
The aging shopping center required redevelopment, and the city approved an expansion plan that included an exemption from the municipal height limit.
Action taken
Construction began in 1988, although unexpected structural problems delayed completion by approximately three months.
Aftermath
The property reopened in September 1989 as Lake Forest Park Towne Center with approximately 243,500 square feet and 49 stores.
Recent events
- 2014
Merlone Geier Partners purchases Town Center at Lake Forest Park[1]
M&A
Merlone Geier Partners acquired the shopping center for a reported $37 million.
- 2011
Renovation adds Ross Dress for Less and Planet Fitness[1]
Product launch
A smaller renovation added Ross Dress for Less and Planet Fitness to the tenant mix.
- 2006
Madison Marquette acquires the property[1]
M&A
Madison Marquette acquired the shopping center in July 2006. The property was later renamed Town Center at Lake Forest Park.
- 1998
Third Place Books opens at the center[1]
Product launch
Third Place Books occupied previously vacant second-floor space and introduced a bookstore, food court, community stage, and public-programming function to the property.
- 1989
Lake Forest Park Towne Center reopens after expansion[1]
Other
Following a major renovation and expansion, the center reopened under the Lake Forest Park Towne Center name with approximately 243,500 square feet and 49 stores.
- 1964
Forest Park Shopping Center opens[1]
Other
The original two-level Forest Park Shopping Center opened with approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space and major tenants including Rhodes Brothers, Pay 'n Save, and Albertsons.
Sources2 sources
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