By JESSE ROSS

The finishing touches of the $26.5 million renovation of Roosevelt Square have yet to be completed, but that didn't stop mall officials from holding a grand re-opening celebration on Nov. 2.

The public turned out to witness the opening of a new 50,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market, and two newly remodeled stores: Magnolia Hi-Fi and Dania Furniture.

The remodeled Roosevelt Square has also been expanded from 86,000 square feet to 136,000 square feet, with much of the new space on the second floor, which has been expanded to cover the entire building. A new underground parking garage was also added.

Roosevelt Square developer TRF Pacific credits the mall's makeover as being the product of corporate creativity and community input. By incorporating the ideas of the Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce, Tomorrow's Roosevelt, and the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association into its own plans, TRF Pacific has created a three-level shopping facility complete with an outdoor terrace and rooftop parking. The shopping center, which had 10 stores before the expansion work began in 1998, will eventually have 15 upon its completion.

In addition to Whole Foods, Magnolia and Dania, the shopping mall's other tenants include: Starbucks, Taco Del Mar, Hollywood Video, and Bartell Drugs, which moved from its previous location across the street. The mall expects to announce the rest of the tenants in the coming months.

The redevelopment of the space is the most recent in a series of renovations dating back to its original creation as a Sears, Roebuck and Co. built in 1929. The Sears store gradually evolved into a shopping mall as other shops were added. Sears closed its store in the '70s. TRF Pacific acquired Roosevelt Square in 1996.

TRF Pacific may not ring a bell with most North Seattle residents, but they surely know its handiwork. The developer also built the popular Oak Tree Plaza along Aurora in 1984.