A vintage aerial view of NORTHGATE CENTER, showing the southern section of the 12 million dollar complex.
Photo from Allied Stores Corporation Annual Report 1951

The nation's very first Shopping Mall Movie House opened at NORTHGATE CENTER in September 1951. The exterior of the structure was done in a "Late Moderne" style, while its interior reflected the Native American motif of the adjacent mall. The motion picture venue was in operation for over 50 years.

The image above, and two that follow, were taken in 1954. Here, we see the south end of the Miracle Mall shopping concourse. An IGA Foodliner supermarket is seen on the right, with the two story structure in the distance housing a Woolworth 5 & 10. Van de Kamp's Bakery appears on the left.

Photo courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, #195561, Series 1629-01 

Shoppers stroll the mall's center court area, known as Northgate Square. Leed's Qualicraft Shoes is seen on the right, with the Woolworth store on the left.

Photo courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, #195555, Series 1629-01

The north end of the Miracle Mall concourse is seen here. A J.J. Newberry 5 & 10 is on the right, with Fahey Brockman, a men's clothier, on the left.

Photo courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, #195550, Series 1629-01

Clark's Restaurant, a Seattle-centric chain, opened a NORTHGATE store in 1958.

Photo courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, #9901_01_090, Series 9901-01 / Walt Scarff Photographgy & Publication

Clark's Coffee Shop provided quick, on-the-go service. Cocktails were also served in the Featherduster Lounge (not shown).

Photo from https://archive.org / Lost Mall Memories / Times We Lost

Formal dining was available in Clark's Plaza Room.
Photo from Walt Scarff Photography & Publication

In late 1962, work was completed on a "Sky Shield," which covered the mall's open courts and concourses. It provided some degree of protection from the elements, but was not a fully-enclosed and air-conditioned structure.
Photo courtesy of Meredith L. Clausen / Permission for use granted

The NORTHGATE anchor department store was enlarged in the early 1960s. The new & improved "Bon" was dedicated in August 1963. In addition to the existing Legend Room restaurant, there were now the Corner House coffee shop and Men's Grill cocktail lounge.
Graphic from the Allied Stores Corporation

This mid-'60s snapshot shows the recently-expanded Bon Marche. Its Legend Room restaurant is seen on the left.

Photo from Allied Stores Corporation Annual Report 1966