NHL Seattle to Build HQ and Training Center at Simon’s Northgate
The full NHL Board of Governor is expected to vote on Seattle’s expansion bid in early December.
SEATTLE—At an event held at Simon’s Northgate community on Monday, representatives of the group that is looking to establish the next National Hockey League franchise in Seattle announced that it will locate its corporate headquarters and training center at Northgate. The Indianapolis-based retail REIT is embarking on a major redevelopment of the Northgate community into a major mixed-use project.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with NHL Seattle and make their training center and corporate headquarters a key piece of Northgate’s transformation from a traditional regional shopping mall into a world class transit-oriented mixed-use center,” said Michael E. McCarty, COO of Simon Malls. “The transformation of Northgate is a prime example of our ability to create compelling ways for consumers to live, work, play, stay, shop, and now skate at their favorite Simon destination.”
NHL Seattle officials say the group is committed to building the most environmentally sustainable practice facility in the NHL at Northgate using structural wood products indigenous to the Pacific Northwest. Furthermore, the planned world-class practice/training center will be built within the center of the property and will be comprised of three full NHL-size ice sheets: one for NHL Seattle team practice and use, a second for additional team and community use, and the planned third sheet for other community hockey and open skating use.
On Oct.2, the NHL Seattle leadership team comprised of David Bonderman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, Tim Leiweke, Seattle Mayor Jenny S. Durkan, David Wright, Francesca Bodie and Len Potter made a presentation on their bid for an NHL franchise to the NHL’s Board of Governors Executive Committee. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the executive committee unanimously recommended to its Board of Governors to award the franchise to Seattle. The full NHL Board of Governor is expected to vote on Seattle’s expansion bid in early December.
Earlier this year, Simon shared its vision for a multi-year, mixed-use transformation of Northgate as the area benefits from the establishment of a highly-anticipated light rail station in the summer of 2021. In addition to developing more than 500,000 square feet of retail and commercial uses, Simon plans for approximately 800,000 square feet of Class A office space with transit proximity and I-5 visibility and up to 1,200 residential units and hospitality uses.