What's that being built at the former Nordstrom building in downtown Salem?

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
Updated ·2 min read
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The Rivenwood Apartments is being built at 420 Center St. NE. The new complex will add 157 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments to downtown Salem.
The Rivenwood Apartments is being built at 420 Center St. NE. The new complex will add 157 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments to downtown Salem.

Location: 420 Center St. NE

Description: The five-story building replacing the old Nordstrom building is nearing completion and will soon add 157 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments to downtown Salem — a part of the city long lacking in residential units.

The $19-million Rivenwood Apartments at the corner of Liberty and Center streets began construction in 2022, after the longtime Nordstrom store at Salem Center Mall and the connecting sky bridge were demolished.

The Nordstrom store permanently closed in April 2018. Real estate firm Deacon Development bought the property. Ideas ranging from a gym to entertainment to office space were discussed before the company announced plans for apartments.

"When COVID hit, all of those sort of went away and it caused us to relook at our plans — that's when multifamily came into play," Steve Deacon, manager of Deacon Development LLC, told the Statesman Journal in 2021.

Developers looked at repurposing the building, but the layout and needed seismic upgrades proved to be too challenging. They decided to start from scratch.

The complex will have a mix of apartment sizes, on-site parking, bike storage, a resident lounge and a rooftop deck with BBQs and outdoor games.

The Rivenwood Apartments will add 157 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments to downtown Salem.
The Rivenwood Apartments will add 157 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments to downtown Salem.

Company officials said the name is a nod to Oregon's rich forest and timber industry history.

"Rivenwood is meant to look back fondly on the history of this area while enthusiastically looking forward to a neighborhood being strengthened by taking a piece of our city and turning it into a stronger, more applicable use to serve the City of Salem and our growing need for high-quality housing options," company officials said.

According to its website, Rivenwood will begin pre-leasing next spring and be ready for occupancy next summer.

The Rivenwood Apartments will begin leasing next spring and open to residents next summer.
The Rivenwood Apartments will begin leasing next spring and open to residents next summer.

Deacon said in 2021 he was excited about bringing more people to downtown Salem — not just for work and shopping but on evenings and weekends.

"Any time you can get people living downtown, it really revitalizes the core," Deacon said. "You have that added energy. Then you have restaurants and entertainment and it all sort of builds on itself."

Source: Rivenwood/City of Salem

Is there something under construction you'd like to tell us about or find out more about? Contact reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: What's that being built at the former Nordstrom in Salem?