Seattle Blog and Recent Site Additions
May 10, 2012
The REI Flagship Store
222 Yale Avenue
The east side of the building. The store's iconic climbing tower is in the glassed in area on the left.
One of Seattle’s major tourist attractions is the spectacular REI Flagship Store. The store features a dramatic architectural structure loaded with an amazing assortment of merchandise.
The store is the largest in the REI chain and features 98,000 square feet. The store is staffed by 380 employees.
The architecture and the landscaping are really special. The west side of the building features the store entrance and sports tall wood support beams decorated with giant Swiss Army clocks showing the local time at major climbing sites around the world. The west side landscaping is highlighted by a scenic waterfall surrounded by trees and shrubbery. One of the landscaping features is a 450 foot long mountain bike test trail.
The iconic image for the REI store is its huge Pinnacle climbing tower on the southeast side of the store. The 65 foot tall tower offers various climbing challenges. The Pinnacle weights 110 tons. You can see information about using the tower on the REI store site. Photographers can have a lot of fun shooting the Pinnacle from different angels. There is a viewing balcony on the second floor.
The interior of the building makes an emphatic architectural statement. At the center of the building is a giant hearth with comfortable seating and adorned with a statue of a mountain goat. The open construction displays the beautiful wood and steel building structure.
You get an idea of how many customers this store handles by noticing that there is a staffed National Park Service Ranger Station on the main floor near the information desk.
The vast selection of outdoor gear in the store is truly spectacular. Just choosing the color of something that you want to buy can pose a challenge. I can personally attest to the quality of the REI store brand daypacks. I have been using on daypack for over ten years and it still looks good and works perfectly. The REI store personnel are well-trained and are quite helpful. If you don't know where something is in the store, the Information Desk on the main floor is a great place to go ask.
After your visit to the store, you will understand why the store is so popular with Seattleites and tourists.
Either before or after your visit to the store, go across Yale Avenue and enjoy an espresso at Espresso Vivace. This place is one of the best coffee houses in this caffeine crazy metropolis.
A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE STORE
The exterior of the climbing tower enclosure
The entrance veranda of the main floor
A view of the dramatic wood architecture and landscaping
The beautifully landscaped waterfall
Outside the main entrance to the store
A view of the main floor veranda from the second floor
Giant Swiss Army clock displaying the local time at Denali National Park
What other building do you know that features ice axe door handles?
A view of the interior from the building entrance ramp
A second floor vantage point
The store's massive hearth at the center of the store
The store's iconic 65 foot tall Pinnacle climbing tower
Almost at the top of the Pinnacle
The shoe testing track
The sleeping bag department display
Just a portion of the tent selection
Hundreds of colorful water bottles
Kayaks of all colors adorn the walls
The cycling department
Women's outerwear
Just name a color--they probably have it!!
How many stores do you know that have their own National Park Ranger Station?
Please click here to go to the official REI store web site
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