Westlake Center closes underground level as it paves way for new Nordstrom Rack

Westlake Center in downtown Seattle has closed its underground level to the public so that construction can begin on a new Nordstrom Rack store set to open next year.

The closure means downtown commuters will not be able use a transit tunnel entrance connecting the shopping center to Westlake Station until September. Commuters instead are being directed to nearby tunnel entrances at Macy's, Century Square and Nordstrom.

Seattle-based Nordstrom announced plans last summer to move its downtown Rack store a few blocks east along Pine Street to Westlake Center, where it will have nearly a third more selling space than its current, four-level location in the Broadacres building.

Nordstrom Rack is to open at Westlake Center in spring 2012 with a street-level entrance at Fifth Avenue and Pine, as well as an underground entrance off the transit tunnel corridor. Until then, Nordstrom Rack will remain open at Second Avenue and Pine.

Several retail tenants have moved elsewhere at Westlake Center or left the mall to make room for the Rack.

Foot Locker, Claire's and clothing store Bad Reputation, all formerly underground, now are on the second floor.

LensCrafters and Daiso Japan, also formerly underground, no longer have stores at Westlake Center. Women's clothier Talbots closed its store there as well. Nordstrom Rack will take a portion of Talbots' old space for its street-level entrance.

Meanwhile, the Broadacres building is looking for a retail tenant to replace the Rack next year, said John Speirs, senior vice president with KG Investment Management in Seattle.

"We've had quite a few people nosing around, but no firm tenant is in place," Speirs said. "Most likely, it will be a large tenant."

Amy Martinez: 206-464-2923 or amartinez@seattletimes.com