California-based development company recently began knocking down the lower mall in Totem Lake Malls in Kirkland to make way for its new development The Village at Totem Lake.

The 40-year-old malls will be removed to make way for a a mixed-use development including retail, residential, entertainment and office space.

The first area to be removed is the old anchor-store location, which most recently housed My Home Furniture and Decor but was also the home to Lamont’s during the malls’ most popular time. Whole Foods has been confirmed as the anchor store for the new development.

“We’re so excited to be joining the community in Kirkland and we look forward to sharing our mission and values with our new neighbors,“ said Joe Rogoff, Whole Foods Market’s President of the Pacific Northwest region. “Creating jobs, supporting local producers and finding opportunities to partner with area schools and non-profits are core to our philosophy and practices, and we’re eager to begin this work in Kirkland. In the next few months, we’ll be working very closely with the people of Kirkland to design a store experience that reflects the needs of the community.”

The development will also include surface parking and other parking structures, with vehicle entrances to the mall from Totem Lake Boulevard, 120th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Totem Way. In all, the new mall is expected to include one million square feet of space.

The Village at Totem Lake LLC is a joint venture partnership between CenterCal and PCCP, LLC.

“The existing Totem Lake Mall represents an outdated shopping experience,” said CenterCal President Jean Paul Wardy. “We are very excited to bring a modern ‘gathering place’ experience to Kirkland, and we are confident the community is going to love its new favorite place.”

Totem Lake Malls has remained relatively empty for years due to the economic downturn and litigation between the former property owners. The new mall is expected to open in 2017.