August 5, 2024

Topgolf coming to revamped and reduced Everett Mall

Rendering via Aria Group [enlarge]

The planned driving range will be very prominent to motorists on I-5.

Since acquiring Everett Mall back in 2017, when such old-school malls were already slipping in value, Brixton Capital later had to consider how post-pandemic shopping behavior has changed. Anything can be purchased online … but not in-person experiences and sports, right? Other old malls have repurposed some of their obsolete big boxes into venues for laser tag, pickleball, gyms and even go-kart tracks.

Now, in a plan that's been brewing for a year or more, Topgolf looks to be staking its claim on about 11 acres on the east side of the complex at 1402 S.E. Everett Mall Way. Early reports emerged this spring from website My Everett News, then the Herald of Everett and later Puget Sound Business Journal.

The broader 29-acre mall plan goes well beyond a new driving range/food and bar complex like the one Topgolf has in Renton. As the DJC reported two years ago, Brixton and architect MG2 were then planning to demolish about 215,000 square feet of old buildings, to create an open-air and pedestrian-friendly vibe — with more and smaller new retail bays. The mall will also rebrand as The Hub @ Everett. More on that below.

Topgolf isn't named in recent city and state filings from architect Aria Group and ARCO/Murray — which built the Renton Topgolf — and local architect of record MG2. But Mayor Cassie Franklin confirmed the plan in late April, as the Herald then reported. A public presentation of the project will be made on Aug. 29.

Plans on file with the city make it impossible to mistake the Topgolf fingerprints. The three-story building, with about 68,000 square feet, its nearly identical to its Renton counterpart.

Rendering via Brixton Capital [enlarge]

The mall footprint will be significantly reduced, with more and smaller retail facing a new walkway.

The newly modified demolition plan is to remove almost everything bounded by Floor & Decor (to the north), the former Sears store (west) and Regal Cinemas (south). The LA Fitness building will be razed. This will create a pedestrian pathway, on a northwest to southeast axis, through the heart of the old complex.

The new Topgolf building will then face roughly north, parallel to the freeway, with huge nets on 170-foot-high poles to protect motorists and shoppers. It's the same setup used in Renton.

Franklin said in her state of the city remarks this spring that work had already begun, and that the whole Hub @ Everett redevelopment project was expected to wrap in 2026. Ulta Beauty and At Home are in the process of moving into the former Sears building — or have already relocated. Demolition will then follow to the east.

Also working on the Topgolf plan are Navix, civil engineer; Facility Solutions Group, lighting; Lyon Landscape Architects; ESM Consulting Engineers, surveyor; and JLL, retail broker.

Broker Mattis Partners, Bayley Construction and MIG are working with MG2 on the mall demo and relocation plan, aka Phase I and Phase II. Other parties include Parkway Construction and Architecture; Ambrose Engineering, structural; and Jordan & Skala Engineers, MEP. Topgolf is evidently to be Phase III.

Brixton, based in California, acquired the mall seven years back for over $36 million. Developed 50 years ago, it now has about 490,949 square feet (or had, before demolition), with over 3,100 surface parking stalls.