BOSTON— For the first time in nearly 20 years, the prominent retail space at 399 Washington Street in Downtown Crossing will welcome a new tenant: Uniqlo, the international clothing retailer known for its affordable, minimalist fashion.
As first reported by Grant Welker of the Boston Business Journal, Uniqlo’s arrival marks a significant step forward in the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Crossing, a retail hub that struggled during the pandemic but is now seeing signs of renewed energy, including rising foot traffic and improving occupancy rates.
The building has remained empty since Barnes & Noble closed nearly two decades ago, making it one of the most visible and long-standing vacancies in the neighborhood.
“We’re thrilled that Uniqlo has chosen to open a major multi-level store in the heart of Downtown Boston,” Michael Nichols, president of the Downtown Boston Alliance, told the BBJ. “Their investment brings new energy to one of our most prominent retail addresses and reflects the growing momentum of the Downtown Crossing shopping district and Washington Street in particular.”
The 76,000-square-foot building was purchased earlier this year for $13 million by Boston-based Hudson Group and Assembly Investments, a sharp decline from its $63 million sale price in 2017. The drop underscores broader trends in commercial real estate post-pandemic, but the new Uniqlo lease is viewed as a sign of confidence in the neighborhood’s comeback.
“We couldn’t be happier with Uniqlo as a steward for this historic retail space that has been occupied by giants like B.W. Currier, Talbot’s, W.T. Grant and Barnes & Noble,” said Noam Ron of Hudson Group, in a statement shared with the BBJ.
Evan Papanastasiou, founder of Assembly Investments, added: “It’s been nearly 20 years since this storefront was lit, a vacancy that deserved to be filled. There’s no one better to do that than Uniqlo, a brand that’s both globally relevant and perfectly suited to Boston’s downtown.”
Uniqlo currently has a location on Newbury Street and several in the suburbs, including Braintree, Burlington, Chestnut Hill, and Natick. The Downtown Crossing store will place Uniqlo among a cluster of clothing retailers including Primark, Old Navy, Marshalls, and T.J. Maxx.
Meanwhile, other parts of Boston are seeing changes in the retail landscape. As reported by the BBJ, T.J. Maxx is closing its Newbury Street store, and REI is exiting its Fenway location. A Claire’s on Washington Street has also recently closed.
Uniqlo’s expansion into 399 Washington Street is part of a broader growth strategy, with other stores planned in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, according to Fast Company.
For Downtown Crossing, the move may signal a turning point in its ongoing transformation.
