Crews began this week demolishing the former REI headquarters in Kent, 6750 S. 228th St. Two warehouses will replace the former office buildings. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter

Crews began this week demolishing the former REI headquarters in Kent, 6750 S. 228th St. Two warehouses will replace the former office buildings. STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter

REI to RIP: Demolition begins of former Kent headquarters

Two warehouses will replace office buildings

It marked an outdoor adventure of a different sort when crews began demolishing the former REI headquarters in Kent this week to make room for two new warehouses.

REI, the specialty outdoor retailer that opened its headquarters in Kent in 1988, announced last year that employees would transition to working from home or small remote campuses. The company, founded in 1938 in Seattle, had planned to move in 2020 to a new site in Bellevue, but sold that property, and in December, sold the Kent site at 6750 S. 228th St.

Chicago-based Bridge Development Partners bought the 15.8 acres from REI for $24.6 million, according to King County property records.

Bridge Point Kent 300 plans to feature a 258,499-square-foot building with 36-foot clear heights, 32 exterior docks, 27 stalls for trailer parking, 296 stalls for car parking and two drive-in doors, according to a company press release. A second proposal is for a 50,529-square-foot building that will feature 32-foot clear heights, 11 exterior docks, 102 stalls for car parking and two drive-in doors.

Demolition of the four buildings on the site is expected to take 30 to 60 days, according to a Bridge Development spokesperson. The new project is scheduled to be completed and ready for occupancy in the first quarter of 2022.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Business

t
Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completes 29th New Shepard flight

Unmanned mission launched Feb. 4 from West Texas

Ezee Fiber, based in Houston, Texas, features orange vehicles with white lettering, and will be offering service in Kent in 2025. COURTESY PHOTO, Ezee Fiber
Texas-based Ezee Fiber to offer internet service in Kent

Company announces $400 million expansion to Washington state; regional headquarters in Kent

t
Kent-based Blue Origin reschedules New Glenn rocket launch | Update

Company plans unmanned first flight for Thursday, Jan. 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida

t
Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completes vehicle hotfire test | Update

Moves closer to first flight of New Glenn rocket which could come Jan. 10

t
Southern cooking restaurant to open at Highline College

Jumpin’ Jumbalaya offers Cajun-Creole fushion

t
Sure Lock Escapes opens 2 escape rooms in downtown Kent

Owners opened first location in 2022 in Renton

Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent will give away more than 1,000 meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Nana’s Southern Kitchen
Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent to give away 1,000 meals Christmas Day

Fifth year of event to give back to community and provide meals to those in need

Kent School of Rock’s new owners Phil Gustavson, Joshila Wilson and Chris Wilson. COURTESY PHOTO, School of Rock
School of Rock Kent new owners plan relaunch party Dec. 14

Group looks to bring ‘fresh perspective and energy to iconic music education brand’

t
California-based El Pollo Loco picks Kent for first Washington location

L.A.-Mex chain restaurant known for its fire-grilled chicken

t
Dough Zone restaurant now open at Kent Station shopping center

Features Chinese comfort food, including soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, noodles and potstickers

The crew that completed Kent-based Blue Origin’s ninth human flight into space on Friday, Nov. 22. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin
Kent-based Blue Origin completes ninth human spaceflight

Six-member crew soars into space from West Texas for 10-minute flight

Advance Auto Parts plans to close its locations in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn. COURTESY PHOTO, Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts to close stores in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn

Part of nine closures in state and more than 500 across the nation