12:13 PM PDT on Thursday, October 20, 2005

By TERESA BELL, kgw.com Staff

Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA is planning to build a store and restaurant destination in Portland.

IKEA

An example of an IKEA store.

Pending final approvals, the 280,000-square foot IKEA store will be constructed on about 19 acres at Cascade Station near the Portland International Airport.

It is scheduled to open in spring 2007.

“We are thrilled to enter the Greater Portland area with a second home in the Pacific Northwest,” said Pat Merwin, IKEA real estate manager. “We appreciate the efforts of those who worked to create this exciting opportunity for us at Cascade Station. IKEA Portland will allow us to be more convenient to our customers while also introducing the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to new customers throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.”

IKEA Portland will feature four model homes, 50 room settings, a supervised children’s play area, and a 250-seat restaurant.

IKEA currently has more than 225 stores in 33 countries, including 25 in the U.S., where other stores are being planned in: Brooklyn, NY; Canton, MI; Dublin, CA; Round Rock, TX; Somerville, MA; Stoughton, MA; and West Sacramento, CA.