Totem Lake Mall

The Totem Lake Mall, located in the Totem Lake Neighborhood of Kirkland, was originally constructed in 1973. The Mall as it exists today is a 26-acre, designated “urban center,” with frontage along 120^th Avenue NE and Totem Lake Boulevard. The property is located within the Totem Lake Business District and is accessible by Interstate 405 (I-405).

In 2006, the City of Kirkland (City) and Developer Diversified Realty (DDR) entered into a “redevelopment agreement” that provides a framework for redevelopment by DDR of the Mall.

Click here to sign up for the Totem Lake Mall development update listserv and be kept informed on this project via email.

Questions? Contact:
Jon Regala, Senior Planner
123 5th Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: (425) 587-3255
jregala@ci.kirkland.wa.us

The Mall has been underperforming for years and as an economic development opportunity, the City is in support of its redevelopment. However, the redevelopment is taking longer than expected.

The purpose of this webpage is to provide official City information as it relates to the Agreement, any project review by a City board (e.g. Design Review Board), permit activity or other significant information.

As a courtesy, and in accordance with the City's Web Links Policy, here is a link to DDR's website

Please note that the City is not responsible for the content on the DDR website and cannot ensure its accuracy.

To ensure you have the most current City information regarding the Totem Lake Mall proposed redevelopment, please refer to the project update timeline below.

April 2009
The project is placed on hold by DDR.

March 2009
The City has been awaiting submittal of a Design Review application for Phase I of the Totem Lake Mall redevelopment project. Phase I consists of the redevelopment of the Lower Mall and street improvements to 120th Avenue NE. At this time, the City does not know the tenant mix being contemplated by DDR

January 2006 - City Council
On January 17, 2006, the City Council approved a development agreement with Coventry /DDR to redevelop Totem Lake Mall by committing $15 million towards the purchase of right-of-way for a new plaza/boulevard, 120th Avenue NE street improvements, and a portion of the parking structure. View the City staff memo. (PDF - 1.7MB). View the redevelopment agreement (PDF 314kb)

November 2005 - Design Review Board (DRB)
At their November 7, 2005 meeting, the DRB approved, with conditions, the Conceptual Master Plan for the Totem Lake Mall. View the applicant's conceptual proposal for redeveloping Totem Lake Mall (PDF - 1.9MB).

October 2005 - City Council
At their October 18, 2005 meeting, the City Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (with revisions). Approval of the MoU gives direction for the City to move forward in creating a Development Agreement for the redevelopment for the Mall. View the City Staff memo (PDF - 888kb).

September 2005 - City Council
At their September 20, 2005 Council meeting, the City Council reviewed the proposed MoU which outlines the general terms of the City's financial participation to the Mall redevelopment project.

Prior to making a decision on the MoU, the City Council requested that City staff provide additional information regarding the economics and legal aspects of the City's participation. The City Council will be revisiting the MoU at their October 18, 2005 meeting. View City Staff memo on MoU. (PDF-490kb)

September 2005 - Design Review Board (DRB)
The DRB held the public meeting for the Totem Lake Mall Conceptual Master Plan on September 12, 2005. The Conceptual Master Plan will be the document which will contain the design guidelines on which future development of the Mall will be based.

The DRB provided feedback to the Mall owner on additional changes. The DRB continued the public meeting to the November 7, 2005 DRB regular meeting date. View the draft Conceptual Master Plan.

May 2005 - City Council
At the City Council's May 17, 2005 study session, the new Mall owners, DDR, formally presented their proposal for redeveloping Totem Lake Mall to the City Council.

Click here to watch the City Council Meeting May 17, 2005 May 17, 2005, Study Session.

August 2004 - TL2 adopted
Zoning for the Totem Lake Mall property was adopted by the City Council on August 3, 2004, Ordinance 3956.

April 2004 - Totem Lake Action Team
The new Mall owners, DDR, met with the Totem Lake Action Team to discuss concerns and new opportunities associated with the redevelopment of the Totem Lake Mall.

March 2004 - Design Review Board (DRB)
The new owners met with the DRB to preliminarily discuss design concerns with redevelopment of the Mall property. Information from this meeting will be incorporated into a more formal application when the owners decide to apply for the Design Response Conference. This will be a public meeting.