PORTLAND, Ore. — This story is courtesy of KGW's news partner Portland Business Journal.
Nike may be gearing up for new space at the Pioneer Place mall in downtown Portland.
What that means for its two-story flagship store at the nearby Kress building is not clear.
Greg Goodman, whose Downtown Development Group owns Kress, declined to comment. Nike spokespeople did not respond to a request for comment.
Permitting records filed Wednesday with the city of Portland indicate Nike is seeking tenant improvements for two floors at 700 S.W. Fifth Ave., the address of Pioneer Place.
The records appeared to be for a bid estimate for wall demolition, new walls for a sales area, a stockroom, fitting room remodeling, bathrooms, closets, a back of housing area, a break room and other necessities commonly associated with a new store.
Washington County-based Nike (NYSE: NKE) opened the flagship store in 2011 after the historic Niketown retail store at S.W. Sixth Avenue and Salmon Street closed the same year.
Women's athletic wear and sneakers are sold on the first floor of the Kress store, Trail Blazers, Oregon State University and University of Oregon merchandise on the mezzanine, and menswear and shoes on the second floor. The second floor has a collection of white Air Jordans dating back to 1985 displayed in glass cases.
Pioneer Place is across Southwest Morrison from Kress. If it landed a Nike store, it would mark a coup for the mall that also is known for designer brands that, while popular, are not as immediately identified with Portland.
Local real estate watcher Iain MacKenzie noted the permit on social media, speculating it meant the flagship store was moving from Kress. The Business Journal did not independently confirm his idea.
— Demi Lawrence contributed to this article.
