Landmark Macy's in downtown Seattle is closing
SEATTLE (AP) — Macy's officials have confirmed that its landmark store in downtown Seattle will close at the end of February.
The Seattle Times reports the announcement came one day after employees were told of the decision by the retailer, which took over the block-long building at 300 Pine Street from The Bon Marche in 2003.
Macy's Corporate Communications director Blair Rosenberg said Saturday that after careful consideration, Macy's Inc. has decided to sell the building.
Here's the full statement released by Macy's:
After careful consideration, Macy’s, Inc. has decided to sell the Downtown Seattle Macy’s building. The store will continue to operate as normal through the Holiday 2019 season. Clearance sales will begin in January 2020 and the store will close on at the end of February. The decision to close a store is always difficult, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers at nearby Macy’s Bellevue Square, Alderwood, Southcenter and the Redmond Furniture Gallery, and online at macys.com.
Macy’s and Bon Marche have proudly served our customers and the Downtown Seattle community for the past 90 years. We have helped establish traditions that bring friends and families together during the holidays. In 2019, Macy’s will once again ring in the Seattle holiday season on November 29th with the 29th annual Macy’s Holiday Parade and fireworks show. We look forward to working with the Downtown Seattle Association to transition these beloved traditions.
Macy’s is also proud to have lit up the Holiday Star each year. Unfortunately, this year, the 161-foot high star is in need of repair and will not be hung in 2019. That said, we are happy that the new property owner has committed to displaying a reimagined star for the Seattle community to enjoy beginning in 2020.
Starwood Capital Group bought four floors in the eight-story building for $65 million in 2015 and added two other floors in 2017, leaving Macy's the two bottom floors and the basement.
Two years ago, Amazon said it was leasing the top six floors of the building. The leased space is enough to hold about 1,500 employees.
Macy's still has a presence in a south Seattle mall and malls in surrounding suburbs.