Alderwood Mall opens in Lynnwood on October 4, 1979. (2024)

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Alderwood Mall opens in Lynnwood on October 4, 1979.

  • By Phil Dougherty
  • Posted 2/19/2008
  • HistoryLink.org Essay 8497
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On October 4, 1979, Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood (Snohomish County) opens. Developed by mall mogul Edward DeBartolo Sr., it becomes an instant hit both for shoppers and walkers who enjoy strolling the mall's roughly one-mile inner perimeter. Between 2002 and 2004 the mall will undergo a major renovation, adding upscale stores and nearly 200,000 additional square feet of space, which will increase its revenues by nearly 50 percent in just three years. The mall will also be rebranded with a new name: Alderwood. In 2008, the nearly 1.4-million-square-foot mall is one of the largest malls in Washington state, and the second largest employer in Snohomish County, employing 4,000 workers in administrative offices and 175 stores.

Birth Of A Mall

Alderwood Mall was a 10-year project in the making, one that for a few years seemed like it might not happen. Plans for the mall in Lynnwood, in southern Snohomish County, were announced in 1969 by Allied Stores, then the owner of Bon Marche. Allied bought 110 acres just west of the interchange of I-5 and I-405 north of Seattle and cleared the land, but tight money and a sluggish economystalled the project. By the mid-1970s the future mall site was just a large, weed-strewn lot. Finally, Allied sold to developer Edward DeBartolo Sr., one of the biggest mall developers in the United States during the final decades of the twentieth century. DeBartolo was known for moving quickly. Construction of the mall began in 1977 and by August 1979 was completed to the point that employees began stocking shelves in the mall’s Bon Marche store.

Construction moved so fast that as opening day approached on Thursday, October 4, 1979, only about 70 of the mall’s planned 136 stores were open for business. And even then, not all of those stores were fully prepared -- a tuxedo shop opened but had no counters, no clothes racks, virtually nothing except a few half-mannequins scattered on the floor, tastefully tailored in tuxes. It would be well into 1980 before all 136 stores in the mall were open.

But no matter. At 9:30 a.m. on opening day DeBartolo and Lynnwood Mayor M. J. Hrdlicka cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the mall, and the rush was on. A wave of 30,000 shoppers surged through Alderwood Mall’s doors during the day and happily meandered through the nearly 1.2 million square foot mall. “This place is beautiful,” gushed one thrilled patron to an Everett Herald reporter. The reporter elaborated: “The mall is characterized by clean lines, functional surfaces ... [and] is done in earthtones” (Everett Herald, October 5, 1979, p. 3-A).

Alderwood Today

The mall retained its vintage-1970s look for the rest of the twentieth century. Aside from some minor renovations and the addition of a food court in the mid-1990s, the mall remained unchanged. It continued to be a popular draw, and also became a favorite for walkers, who enjoyed walking the mall’s roughly one-mile inner perimeter in climate-controlled comfort. But by the beginning of the twenty-first century the mall was looking a bit dated, and was ripe for a major renovation and expansion.

This began in May 2002. The hardwood floors, high ceilings and “functional surfaces” (plain benches) were replaced with carpeting, lower ceilings, couches, and fireplaces. The mall added an additional 185,000 square feet of space, including an addition named The Village, an upscale outdoor mall, built to attract residents with a higher spending income. By the time the $110-million overhaul was finished in November 2004, the total area of the mall had expanded to nearly 1.4 million square feet, making it one of the largest malls in the state. In a final touch, mall managers shortened the mall’s name to Alderwood, stressing that it is no longer a mere mall -- it is a “lifestyle center.”

In 2008 Alderwood employs 4,000 workers in administrative offices and 175 stores, making it Snohomish County’s second-largest employer. In 2006, the mall generated about $4 million in sales-tax revenue to the City of Lynnwood, a 48 percent increase from 2003, and directly attributable to its 2002-2004 expansion. Alderwood has been owned since 1999 by General Growth Properties, a Chicago-based real-estate investment trust.

Sources: John Wolcott, “Thousands Of Jobs Created By Building New Mall,” Everett Herald, October 3, 1979, p. 10-D; Mark Funk and Michael Hallinan, “The Mall Moguls,” Ibid., October 4, 1979, pp. 8-F, 9-F; Mark Funk, “Rave Reviews,” Ibid., October 5, 1979, p. 3-A; Jane Cartwright, “Alderwood Mall Opening Thronged,” The Seattle Times, October 5, 1979, p. A-18; Jane Hodges, “Softer Look For Alderwood Mall,” Ibid., October 9, 2002; Leslie Moriarty, “Take A Walk On The Mild Side,” Ibid., December 10, 2003, Diane Brooks and Michael Burnham, “Alderwood Expansion Aims To Lure The Village People,” Ibid., November 3, 2004; Kirsten Orsini-Meinhard, “Retail Boom Puts Cities In The Money,” Ibid., August 1, 2007 (http://www.seattletimes.nwsource.com).
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Alderwood Mall opens in Lynnwood on October 4, 1979. (1)
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Alderwood Mall opens in Lynnwood on October 4, 1979. (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of Lynnwood WA? ›

The Lynnwood area was logged and settled by homesteaders in the late 19th century and early 20th century, including the development of Alderwood Manor as a planned farming community. Lynnwood, named for the wife of a realtor, emerged in the late 1940s around the intersection of Highway 99 and 196th Street Southwest.

How many square feet is the Alderwood Mall? ›

At Alderwood, affluent suburban shoppers enjoy a strong merchandise mix of more than 160 retail, entertainment, and dining options that span over 1.3 million square feet.

Is Lynnwood a suburb of Seattle? ›

Lynnwood is a suburb of Seattle with a population of 39,867. Lynnwood is in Snohomish County. Living in Lynnwood offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes.

Which country is Lynnwood in? ›

Lynwood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 67,265, down from 69,772 at the 2010 census.

What is the richest neighborhood in Lynnwood? ›

Lynn Crest. With a median home price of $841,553 and a median rent of $1,645, Lynn Crest is the most expensive neighborhood on our list. Based on the growth in home prices in Lynn Crest over the last 3 years, it ranks No. 1 among all the neighborhoods in Lynnwood.

What is the ethnicity of Lynnwood WA? ›

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lynnwood, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (51.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (17.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.41%), Two+ (Hispanic) (6.51%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.87%).

When did Alderwood Mall first open? ›

Alderwood Mall was opened on October 4, 1979, with an estimated 30,000 people visiting on the first day. It was financed by developer Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. on land originally owned by Allied Stores; the mall's development took a decade from its initial announcement.

Who owns Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood? ›

What is the biggest mall by square feet? ›

Mall of America is a massive retail shopping center located in Bloomington, Minnesota. With a total area of more than 5.6 million square feet, it is the biggest mall in the country.

Is Lynnwood expensive to live? ›

According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Lynnwood is estimated to be 120.1% of the national average making it one of the more expensive cities in the US.

Where is the richest neighborhood in Seattle? ›

Regarded as the richest neighborhood in Seattle (based on income and household sale prices), Broadmoor is an exclusive gated community. Offering the height of privacy and seclusion, Broadmoor is nestled between Madison Park and the sprawling 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum.

What is the best suburb of Seattle to live in? ›

Whether you're looking to buy a home or rent a home in The Evergreen State, here are the five best Seattle suburbs to call home!
  • Bellevue.
  • Bothell.
  • Mercer Island.
  • Redmond.
  • Sammamish.
Jun 11, 2024

What is the history of Lynnwood Washington? ›

By the end of World War II, the City of Lynnwood emerged, a mile west of Alderwood Manor, as an assertive business district catering to the motoring public. By the mid-1950's, growth dictated the need for municipal services such as fire prevention, sewers, policing and land use controls.

What is the ethnicity of Lynwood CA? ›

In 2022, there were 1.2 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (24.4k people) in Lynwood, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 20.3k White (Hispanic) and 12.2k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups. 87.6% of the people in Lynwood, CA are hispanic (58.1k people).

Is Lynwood considered a city? ›

Lynwood city, California is a city, town, place equivalent, and township located in California.

What is a fun fact about Lynnwood? ›

City of Lynnwood History

In 1889, William Morrice purchased the 100 acres which is now the site of Alderwood Mall, Lynnwood's shopping experience. Only a few hardy pioneering families lived in this remote central part of South Snohomish County, and a trip to Seattle for supplies took two days by horse-drawn wagon.

What is the oldest town in western Washington? ›

Steilacoom incorporated in 1854 and became the first incorporated town in what is now the state of Washington. It has also become a bedroom community for service members stationed at Joint Base Lewis–McChord, aka McChord AFB and Fort Lewis.

What is the race population in Lynnwood WA? ›

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lynwood, CA are Other (Hispanic) (36.8%), White (Hispanic) (30.6%), Two+ (Hispanic) (18.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.46%), and White (Non-Hispanic) (2.35%).

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