A rendering of Morris Marketplace on East Hanover Avenue in Morris Township — Courtesy: Accurate Builders & Developers
By Joshua Burd
A joint venture has started construction on a new retail center and community space in Morris Township, part of a plan to redevelop a 64-acre former Colgate-Palmolive campus.
Accurate Builders & Developers, which has partnered with DeVimy Equities on the project, said the plan will bring 140,000 square feet of new high-end shopping and dining space to a stretch of East Hanover Avenue. The property known as Morris Marketplace will also include a host of attractions and features that seek to break the mold of a suburban retail center, including interactive children’s play areas, pocket parks, splash pads, seating areas, outdoor dining spaces and other active and passive recreation spaces.
Construction is slated to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2022, at which point the space will be turned over to the many retailers that have already signed leases.
“There is a lot to look forward to at Morris Marketplace,” said Jack Klugmann, CEO and president of Accurate Builders. “This is a thoughtfully designed property in a well-populated, high-income area that has the potential to be a true community destination and a model for future retail developments. We’re excited to announce that construction is underway and look forward to working closely with Morris Township and our partners to bring our collective vision to reality.”
More than a dozen tenants have already committed to Morris Marketplace, including Lidl, Starbucks, AT&T, Orangetheory Fitness, &Pizza, Restore Wellness and Cryotherapy, according to a news release. They will operate alongside a series of attractions that aim to give the property a sense of place, serve as amenities for the local community and offer a destination experience in addition to the retail offerings.
With site work completed at the 20-acre town center site, the construction marks a key step in a larger development spanning Morris Township and part of Morristown, across from the William G. Mennen Sports Arena, that will ultimately include townhomes and apartments to complement the retail. The site has been a focal point in recent years for officials in Morris County, following Colgate’s announcement in 2013 that it planned to sell the facility after occupying the property for more than 60 years.
Developer details plans for ex-Colgate site in Morris County
