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| The Outlet Collection Seattle | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Outlet Collection Seattle |
| Caption | Exterior view |
| Location | Auburn, Washington, United States |
| Opening date | 1995 (original), 2012 (rebranded) |
| Developer | Glimcher Realty Trust (original), Cypress Equities (redevelopment) |
| Manager | Brookfield Properties (current) |
| Owner | Brookfield Properties |
| Number of stores | 130+ |
| Floor area | 639000sqft |
| Publictransit | Sound Transit, King County Metro |
The Outlet Collection Seattle is an open-air outlet shopping center located in Auburn, Washington, serving the Seattle metropolitan area and situated near major transportation corridors. It functions as a regional destination for discount retail with a mix of national brands, factory outlets, and dining options. The complex occupies a significant retail footprint in King County, Washington and has undergone multiple redevelopments and ownership changes since its 1990s inception.
The site's retail lineage traces to the mid-1990s with development by Glimcher Realty Trust and contemporaneous projects such as the transformation of factory-outlet concepts nationally by firms including Simon Property Group and Crown American. In the 2000s, the center was repositioned in response to market shifts driven by competitors like Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, Washington and mall redevelopments by Westfield Corporation. A comprehensive redevelopment undertaken by Cypress Equities and strategic leasing by firms associated with Taubman Centers culminated in a 2012 rebranding to its current identity, aligning with outlet trends exemplified by centers in Woodbury Common and Outlet Collection Jersey Gardens. Subsequent ownership transfers placed the property under the portfolio of Brookfield Properties, reflecting wider consolidation patterns in American retail real estate involving entities like Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Macerich. Economic cycles including the Great Recession and retail disruptions linked to the rise of Amazon (company) have influenced tenant turnover and redevelopment decisions.
The complex combines single-story retail lanes with pedestrian plazas, drawing on design precedents from outlet centers such as Prada Marfa-style curated storefronts and larger complexes developed by The Mills Corporation. Architects associated with outlet and lifestyle center design—whose practices intersect with firms like Gensler and Perkins and Will—emphasized visibility from Interstate 5 and Interstate 405 and connectivity to regional highways including State Route 167. Materials palette and massing were chosen to balance big-box anchors common to developers like Cbl & Associates Properties with smaller boutique facades reminiscent of Factory Stores prototypes. Site planning incorporated large surface parking fields, landscaped stormwater features reflecting standards from Department of Ecology (Washington) best practices, and signage systems inspired by regional wayfinding projects such as those around Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
The tenant roster historically includes national outlet and discount retailers comparable to concepts from Nike, Inc., Adidas, Coach, and Levi Strauss & Co. alongside department-style anchors in the mold of Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th. Specialty stores and foodservice operators reflect chains similar to Panera Bread, Starbucks, and fast-casual formats seen in centers managed by CBRE. Pop-up retail, value-fashion brands influenced by H&M and Zara expansion strategies, and sporting-goods outlets like Dick's Sporting Goods have intermittently featured in leasing plans. Seasonal kiosks, entertainment offerings comparable to those at Gameworks locations, and outlet-specific retailers akin to T.J. Maxx and Marshall's contribute to the mix. Leasing strategies have responded to national retail trends cataloged by trade groups such as the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Ownership history reflects consolidation in retail real estate, moving from regional developers to national asset managers similar to Glimcher Realty Trust and Cypress Equities before integration into portfolios managed by Brookfield Properties Retail. Property management practices mirror standards employed by institutional owners like Simon Property Group and asset managers such as Invesco Real Estate and Blackstone (company), emphasizing tenant mix optimization, capital improvement programs, and revenue management influenced by market intelligence from brokers including CBRE Group and JLL. Capital projects and leasing decisions coordinate with local regulatory bodies such as City of Auburn planning authorities and county-level permitting entities.
The center's location near Interstate 5 and State Route 167 provides regional automobile access for visitors from Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Washington, and Federal Way. Public transit connectivity includes services operated by King County Metro and regional links via Sound Transit bus routes and proximity to the Auburn station commuter rail and light rail planning corridors. Parking infrastructure accommodates high-volume weekend demand, while pedestrian and bicycle access plans align with initiatives similar to projects undertaken by the Puget Sound Regional Council. Airport connectivity to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport supports out-of-market shoppers and tourist flows.
The Outlet Collection serves as a significant employer and sales-tax generator within King County, Washington, drawing shoppers from the broader Puget Sound region and contributing to local tourism economics linked to attractions in Seattle and Tacoma. Its development and operations intersect with regional planning priorities championed by organizations like the Port of Seattle and workforce initiatives coordinated with entities such as WorkSource Washington. Community engagement has included partnerships and events with local groups and municipal programming mirroring outreach efforts found at other regional malls, addressing impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure projects funded through local taxation mechanisms. The center’s evolution reflects broader shifts in American retail geography influenced by logistics firms like UPS and FedEx Corporation and e-commerce trends propagated by Amazon (company).
Category:Shopping malls in Washington (state) Category:Buildings and structures in Auburn, Washington